Is Gov. Tim Pawlenty true, free-market small government conservative?

Later this month, the conservative John Adams Society will figure it out. Members will debate the resolution "Tim Pawlenty has failed Conservatism" and at the end of the debate, attendees will vote upon which side made the most compelling case.

G. Larry Colson, chairman of the Antient and Honourable John Adams Society, said the society picks topics that are "interesting but conservatives can easily disagree on."

The debate, on April 21, also happens to be on a day when Republican candidates for governor Tom Emmer and Marty Seifert will lecture to the society. They will talk on their "Vision for Minnesota," but, Colson said, "we hope they will address the debate topic in some fashion."

The background sheet from the society offers for one side that Pawlenty, "sounds more conservative on the campaign trail that Gov. Pawlenty acts in office, something he has in common with our current President" but for the other Pawlenty may have been the best Minnesota could have hoped for.

Here's society's the full "whip sheet" explaining the sides:

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY HAS SUPPORTED ethanol, mass transit, publicly financed stadiums, minimum wage increases, importation of price-controlled Canadian drugs, a "health impact" cigarette fee/tax, and a smoking ban. When the DFL proposed universal health care, his response was to expand the state's child health care program. His health care task force recommended an individual mandate on residents to buy health insurance. This is not the record of a small-government, free market conservative. A search of the Pawlenty record for guiding principles and core beliefs yields little beyond a desire to placate liberal critics and get re-elected. Last year, when vying for a spot on the McCain ticket, Pawlenty was a moderate. This year, preparing a Presidential run, Pawlenty turned right in both word and deed, as exhibited by his un-allotment action. Candidate Pawlenty sounds more conservative on the campaign trail that Gov. Pawlenty acts in office, something he has in common with our current President. ON THE OTHER HAND, with a DFL legislature in place, Pawlenty has been forced to play defense. His own description of his role as governor compares the job to that of a hockey goalie, and we shouldn't be surprised or upset if the goalie doesn't score; rather, we should consider all the shots the goalie has blocked. Given that Minnesota elected, and re-elected, Paul Wellstone, she isn't ready to embrace free markets and free minds. The best we could have hoped for in a governor for the past eight years was one who mostly held the line on taxes, and Gov. Pawlenty delivered. Question: If you were debating, which side would you chose and why?

(Thanks for @stowydad for alerting me to the debate.)