More paying attention to Pawlenty

Minnesotans may think their media report on Tim Pawlenty's potential presidential run only because he is their home-state governor, but the Republican is getting plenty of attention nationwide.

On-line political writers have been watching Pawlenty closely. But so have traditional media reporters.

Dan Balz, the Washington Post's big-name political reporter, is one example. He wrote a story indicating some top Republicans are questioning Pawlenty's "instincts and his sure-footedness as a prospective 2012 presidential candidate."

Many observers say Pawlenty has tried to appear more conservative as he moves onto the national stage, but he told Balz: "In general, I've governed as a conservative in Minnesota, so being conservative isn't like a new development or a revelation."

Balz called what he sees as Pawlenty's movement to the right as "Romneyesque" because Mitt Romney in the last presidential race "lurched to the right in preparation for his presidential candidacy. ... The real risk for Pawlenty, as Romney learned in his unsuccessful 2008 campaign, is losing his true voice and his authenticity."

While Pawlenty refuses to say if he is really is running for president, he recently spoke to Iowa Republicans, and next month will visit New Hampshire. That takes care of the first two states to pick presidential favorites.

The Union-Leader, New Hampshire's big newspaper, reports that "Pawlenty will unofficially launch the New Hampshire 2012 presidential campaign when he visits the first-in-the-nation primary state in December."

The New Hampshire gathering is $50 a plate, twice the cost of the Iowa get-together.

Pawlenty's out-of-state schedule continues to get more crowded. He is to headline an Alabama Republican dinner on Feb. 5, the day after the Minnesota Legislature convenes.

He has done the same for GOP-related events in South Dakota, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, California, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

Posted by: Don Davis on 11/12/2009 at 11:12 AM | Permalink

Tags: pawlenty, presidential campaign