Praise for Pawlenty at AHIP Convention

In San Francisco today, Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty addressed the nation's top health-insurer lobbying group, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

"The tax cuts for the richest billionaires and corporations are really breathtaking," said Sacha Birthright, a Pawlenty supporter. "Pawlenty's economic plan would overhaul the tax code, reducing the corporate tax rate from 35% to 15%, and protecting us billionaires from having to be bothered by the sick and the needy," she added.

Birthright was accompanied by fellow billionaires Chauncey Van Buren III, Muffy LaCache, Eunice Wentworth Howell, and H.L. Gotbucks. Together they formed the Billionaires for Wealthcare, and thanked AHIP convention attendees as they entered the Moscone Center. "Say hello to Tim!" shouted Her Ladyship Gotbucks. "We've given him Paw-lenty of money to protect our interests!"

"Pawlenty's proposal to exempt all income from capital gains is a maahhhvelous idea," crooned Ms. LaCache.

Pawlenty officially entered the race for Republican nominee for the presidency on May 23. AHIP booked Pawlenty for around $30,000 to speak at the convention.