Soledad O'Brien can carve another notch into her rhetorical shillelagh after making Tim Pawlenty look like a xenophobic douche on Wednesday. After giving Romney surrogate John Sununu a what-for about Medicare, O'Brien got into a similar debate with Pawlenty when she confronted the former Minnesota governor over a Mitt…

From the moment the imperious music began and the narrator intoned that the Republicans wanted to "kick out" Obama from the White House, CNN left no overwrought TV styling untried.

Today in desperate pleas for relevance: Flailing presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty goes out of his way to talk about how much he loves Lady Gaga.

Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty has a reputation for being dull, so getting glitter dumped on him could only help his luster. On the other hand, he was getting called out for anti-woman and anti-gay positions, so... even.

Despite all the idiotic this or that questions in yesterday's Republican debate, it was all about consensus: A world of slashed government safety nets and regulation, where Rick Santorum's views on abortion and gay rights don't stand out as extreme at all. And where Bachmann, who announced her candidacy onstage, looks…

Speaking to Bryan Fischer (he of the "feminization of the Medal of Honor,") the Republican presidential hopeful said he would "support reinstating" Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Congratulations, Pawlenty, you're an even bigger asshole than John McCain!

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has declared April as "Abortion Recovery Month." The occasion "encourages and promotes healing opportunities and raises awareness of the aftermath of abortion." (FYI, you can donate to Minnesota's Planned Parenthood here.) [Politico]

The Minnesota Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that Al Franken won last November's Senate race. Since Governor Tim Pawlenty announced he would certify Franken if so ordered, Franken might actually be sworn into office this year. [Star Tribune, Star Tribune]

Is Michael Jackson bad for Iran? Is Minnesota Govenor Tim Pawlenty giving up on his bromance with Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell? Did John Edwards really make a sex tape? The Washington Independent's Spencer Ackerman helps answer these important questions.

• Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum suggests that Barack Obama, as an example to "African-American males," not take Michelle out on any more fancy dates, but just head to a local bar, throw back a beer, and head home. [Salon]