by Mark Silva
Tim Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC, a committee that will enable the Minnesotan considerating a campaign for the Republican Party's presidential nomination in 2012 to raise money for speaking tours and contributions to other campaigns, opened today with a lineup of advisers which points to a campaign in the making.
"TPaw,'' as the governor of Minnesota is known on Twitter, says at his PAC's new Web-site: "Freedom is the one basic idea we can all agree on.''
And those in agreement today, with the official filing of papers for Pawlenty's PAC, include consultant Terry Nelson, who was involved in the presidential campaigns of Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain, Sara Taylor, a former political director for the Bush White House, and the PAC's co-chairmen, William Strong, vice chairman at iMorgan Stanley, and Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman and partner of a Washington lobbying firm who advised Republican Mitt Romney in 2008.
The opening of Pawlenty's committee arrives at the start of a new fundraising quarter, which could enable him to show an impressive figure with his first report.
He's not the only Republican eyed as a possible 2012 contender -- Alaska's Sarah Palin has a SarahPAC, not to mention a book coming out with a 1.5-million copy printing in November. She raised $773,0000 during the first six months of the year. Romney, clearly retooling for another run, raised $1.6 million during the first half of the year.
Comments
I hope the Repugs are dumb enough to nominate Pawlenty in 2012.
"Few public figures, however, are stating what most Minnesotans know: in each of the past two legislative sessions, Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed a transportation bill that would have provided funding for road and bridge repair and construction as well as funding for mass transit. Pawlenty vetoed the bills, in part, because he would not support an increase in the state’s gas tax to fund state transportation needs — even though the tax hasn’t been raised in almost 20 years.
(Pawlenty, by the way, also has cut Local Government Aid to the state’s counties and cities, resulting in cuts to police, fire, public works and transit — all now the agencies responding to yesterday’s disaster).
Even if the NTSB investigation holds the Pawlenty administration faultless for the collapse of the I-35W bridge, Pawlenty surely must be held accountable for the state’s lack of investment in transportation. That lack of investment now impacts the region’s ability to cope with the loss of the I-35W bridge."
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http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3206
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Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 1, 2009 1:10 PM
Sorry Tim, but judging from the visceral reaction Sarah Palin generates among liberals, that is reason enough for me to support her and encourage her to run for president.
The Republican's mistake during last year's election was nominating someone who was "liked" by liberals because of his RINO status.
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2009 1:18 PM
Chrissy,
So you think we Dems like Pawlenty?
Ha Ha Ha!
Thanks for making me spit out my mid day can of Pepsi all over my keyboard, that was funny.
Posted by: Nevermind | October 1, 2009 2:06 PM
No Champ, that's not what I said at all.
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2009 2:23 PM
Yes Chrissy, it is.
Posted by: Nevermind | October 1, 2009 2:51 PM
Champ,
Read what I originally wrote, slowly this time.
Give it a try, Cobain.
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2009 3:01 PM
The Republican's mistake during last year's election was nominating someone who was "liked" by liberals because of his RINO status.
Posted by: Chris | October 1, 2009 1:18 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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You said it, Biff.
And I don't know where you get that Pawlenty is a "RINO". There are no moderates left in todays Republican party, the right wing lunatic fringe (you) chased them all out.
Posted by: Nevermind | October 1, 2009 4:31 PM
He's Mitt Romney Lite.
But I agree Sarah should run for Prez next time.
And Tina Fey for VP.
The first twin/evil twin ticket.
But which is which?
Posted by: ornery | October 3, 2009 4:28 PM