Bruno
10-07-2009, 11:40 AM
h ttp://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/eye-on-2012/pawlenty-to-iowa.html
Pawlenty to Iowa
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will headline an Iowa Republican party event this fall, a trip that will mark his visit to the politically crucial state since he has made clear his interest in pursuing a presidential bid in 2012.
Pawlenty will be the featured guest at the "Leadership for Iowa" gathering on Nov. 7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where he will appear with the party's candidates for governor -- including, presumably, former Gov. Terry Branstad (R), who formed an exploratory committee for the office today.
"Governor Pawlenty is an innovative, conservative leader and, as Iowa Republicans prepare for a robust gubernatorial primary election and nationally-watched general election for governor, his message of balanced budgets, lower taxes, and market-based reforms for health care and education will resonate with all Iowans," said Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican party.
Pawlenty has made no secret of the fact that he is putting together the pieces of a 2012 political operation. Last week, he announced a political inner circle that included Terry Nelson, former campaign manager for Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) presidential bid, former Bush White House political director Sara Taylor and former Republican Governors Association executive director Phil Musser.
Pawlenty has also recently formed the Freedom First PAC, a political action committee that will allow him to donate to federal candidates for office and travel the country in support of his political ambitions.
Pawlenty's early start in Iowa is born of necessity. His likely rivals for the 2012 nomination -- former Govs. Mike Huckabee (Ark.) and Mitt Romney (Mass.) -- finished first and second in the 2008 Iowa caucuses and retain significant contacts in the Hawkeye State.
Pawlenty to Iowa
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will headline an Iowa Republican party event this fall, a trip that will mark his visit to the politically crucial state since he has made clear his interest in pursuing a presidential bid in 2012.
Pawlenty will be the featured guest at the "Leadership for Iowa" gathering on Nov. 7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where he will appear with the party's candidates for governor -- including, presumably, former Gov. Terry Branstad (R), who formed an exploratory committee for the office today.
"Governor Pawlenty is an innovative, conservative leader and, as Iowa Republicans prepare for a robust gubernatorial primary election and nationally-watched general election for governor, his message of balanced budgets, lower taxes, and market-based reforms for health care and education will resonate with all Iowans," said Matt Strawn, chairman of the Iowa Republican party.
Pawlenty has made no secret of the fact that he is putting together the pieces of a 2012 political operation. Last week, he announced a political inner circle that included Terry Nelson, former campaign manager for Sen. John McCain's (Ariz.) presidential bid, former Bush White House political director Sara Taylor and former Republican Governors Association executive director Phil Musser.
Pawlenty has also recently formed the Freedom First PAC, a political action committee that will allow him to donate to federal candidates for office and travel the country in support of his political ambitions.
Pawlenty's early start in Iowa is born of necessity. His likely rivals for the 2012 nomination -- former Govs. Mike Huckabee (Ark.) and Mitt Romney (Mass.) -- finished first and second in the 2008 Iowa caucuses and retain significant contacts in the Hawkeye State.