Republican lawmaker Pawlenty apologizes for cap-and-trade support

Washington, May 1 (ANI): Potential Republican Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty has issued an apology for his past support for a cap-and-trade environmental policy.

Former Minnesota Governor said that his past support for an environment policy was a mistake.

"It was a mistake, it was stupid and I'm sorry," The Politico quoted Pawlenty, as saying.

Pawlenty also said he has got "some clunkers" in his record, just like other possible GOP candidates who served as a governor.

He clearly referred to the cap-and-trade views taken at various times by several potential Republican candidates, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman.

Earlier, Pawlenty presented himself as an environmental leader, pushing for aggressive reductions in greenhouse gases and a regional cap-and-trade plan.

He signed a 2007 law that forces an 80 percent cut in Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions by midcentury.

But now, with a presidential exploratory committee up and running, Pawlenty's past views are changing. (ANI)