Pawlenty's Next Move: Senate Run?

Disappointing finish in Iowa straw poll dooms campaign

(AP) - Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is dropping out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination. Pawlenty told supporters on a conference call this morning that he would announce on ABC's This Week that he was ending his campaign after a disappointing finish in the Iowa straw poll yesterday. "We needed to get some lift to continue on and have a pathway forward and that didn't happen, so I'm announcing on your show that I'm ending my campaign for president," Pawlenty said. More»

He should have gone after Romney, not Bachmann: Steve Kornacki

(NEWSER) - Tim Pawlenty came off like a desperate candidate with a misguided strategy in last night's debate , writes Steve Kornacki at Salon . Going after Michele Bachmann instead of Mitt Romney? Really? He probably figured he needed to do so because she is his chief rival in tomorrow's Ames straw poll, which is do-or-die for him . If so, his thinking is "completely backward." Aggressive attacks on Bachmann—who offered a "poised, confident" defense—are destined to backfire among the conservatives in Iowa who support her. More»

Experts agree: Candidate needs a strong finish

(NEWSER) - "For Tim Pawlenty, it's Ames or bust," declares Politico , which rounds up opinions from a number of experts—all of whom agree that Pawlenty must do well in this Saturday's straw poll. He's spent seven figures in the state and has been focused on courting Iowa; "he's doing everything right," says one strategist. And that's "the problem," because "there's no reason Pawlenty shouldn't win this thing." Adds a talk radio host, "If you look at the time, treasure, and talent he has invested, it’s hard for him to justify why he’s still here if he doesn’t win the Iowa straw poll." More»

Compares fellow Minnesotan to Obama

(NEWSER) - Tim Pawlenty hasn’t been shy about attacking Michele Bachmann: He has called her Congressional record “nonexistent” and expressed concern over her ability to lead while suffering migraines. Now, ahead of the Ames, Iowa, straw poll, Bachmann is finally hitting back at the former governor of her state, ABC News reports. “Governor Pawlenty said in 2006, 'The era of small government is over ... the government has to be more proactive and more aggressive,’” Bachmann said yesterday. “That's the same philosophy that, under President Obama, has brought us record deficits, massive unemployment, and an unconstitutional health care plan.” More»

First expense reports offer a glimpse into each campaign

(NEWSER) - Want to get to know your 2012 candidates better? Take a look at what they're spending campaign cash on, courtesy of expense reports obtained by the Washington Post . The first major spending reports of the campaign reveal that the candidates have spent about $32 million so far.

• Tim Pawlenty: You can tell the "upstart" candidate is focused on Iowa because he's spent $200,000 at businesses in the state. Total spent so far: $2.5 million, and a large percentage of that went toward payroll—odd since his top aides are working for peanuts . (Funny tidbit: He spent $7.07 at a Godfather's Pizza restaurant—that, of course, is the pizza chain formerly run by his opponent, Herman Cain.)
• Mitt Romney: The "establishment" candidate spent money on, not surprisingly, security and consultants—plus $750,000 at businesses in New Hampshire. More of his budget—18%—goes to administrative expenses than any of his GOP opponents. Total spent so far: $5.7 million.