Poll: Minnesotans Expect Pawlenty To Run For President In 2012
Minnesotans expect Gov. Tim Pawlenty to run for the Republican nomination for president in 2012, a new Rasmussen poll finds, with 59% of the state's likely voters saying it's either somewhat or very likely that he'll go for it.
Only 29% think it's not very likely or not at all likely, and another 11% are not sure.
However, the state is closely divided on Pawlenty's performance as governor, with 53% approving and 46% disapproving. This shouldn't be too surprising, as Minnesota is very much a Democratic state overall, and Pawlenty and the Dem-dominated legislature have been fighting over the state budget.
Also, only 37% say he is somewhat or very likely to actually win the nomination, with 55% saying it is not very likely or not at all likely. Another 8% were not sure. (Note: At this point in the 2012 cycle, this question does have a correct answer -- and only 8% got it.)
Josh
Matt
Eric
If the question really started out "what do you think...", the answer "not sure" might not mean what you think it means. :-)
May 20, 2009 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given the state polling on the Coleman-Franken outrage, I can think of no legitimate reason not to use that as a bludgeon on Pawlenty, either right after the MN Supremes rule for Franken... or, should Pawlenty be obstinate enough not to sign the election certificate at that juncture, when he thinks he's gonna run for the nomination.
Tim Pawlenty needs to be held accountable personally, for this travesty.
May 20, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I expect the Minnesotan voters will do that for the rest of us: they cannot be pleased with Coleman's continuing to block their representation in pursuit of a vanishing hope that the Courts will ultimately decide that close elections have to be redone. The fact is that opinions are sometimes closely divided and that elections which reflect that state of affairs will indeed be close. If the voters provide a five vote lead, a five vote lead is what a recount will show. Coleman has had his bite at a recount and failed.
May 20, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink