Mitt Romney

Romney Accuses 'Labor Stooges' At NLRB Of Political Payback

Susan Crabtree | September 12, 2011, 3:42PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney joined the GOP's latest anti-union salvo -- reining in the National Labor Relations Board -- at an event in South Carolina Monday.

Romney, and his latest high-profile supporter Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, toured Boeing's new manufacturing plant in North Charleston. The NLRB is suing Boeing for moving an operation to South Carolina, a right-to-work state, from Washington state after unions protested there.

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Rick Perry

Five Ways Rick Perry Changes The Primaries

Benjy Sarlin | August 16, 2011, 9:15AM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

As we've seen from the brouhaha over Rick Perry's Bernanke-bashing, the Texas Governor has the potential to shake up the GOP primaries. Merely by stepping into the ring the "good looking rascal," as Bill Clinton called him, has changed the dynamic on a number of levels. Here are the top five.

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2012

Pawlenty's Top NH Aide Joins Huntsman

Benjy Sarlin | August 15, 2011, 4:48PM

Jon Huntsman

Tim Pawlenty's exit leaves behind a whole campaign's worth of free agents ready to be scooped up by the remaining candidates. And the process is already beginning: according to the New Hampshire Union Leader, Pawlenty's NH state director, Sarah Crawford Stewart, is joining up with Jon Huntsman.

"Governor Huntsman is committed to winning the New Hampshire primary, and I look forward to helping him and his team do just that," Stewart told the paper. "I viewed Gov. Huntsman as somebody with exceptional governing experience. And I viewed him as someone who would be the strongest competitor against President Obama in a general election."

Huntsman has yet to make much of an impact in the race despite his impressive credentials as a former governor of Utah and ambassador to China.

Tim Pawlenty

Pawlenty Drops Out Of Presidential Race

David Taintor | August 14, 2011, 9:16AM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

After finishing a distant third in the Ames straw poll, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) on Sunday told supporters on a conference call he's dropping out of the presidential race, the Associated Press reports.

"We needed to get some lift to continue on and have a pathway forward," Pawlenty said in an interview on This Week. "That didn't happen, so I'm announcing this morning on your show that I'm going to be ending my campaign for president."

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Tim Pawlenty

Michele Bachmann Wins Ames Straw Poll

Benjy Sarlin | August 13, 2011, 5:36PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann has won the Ames Straw Poll, state GOP chair Matt Strawn announced on Saturday.

Bachmann secured 4823 votes, edging out Ron Paul, who had 4671 votes. Tim Pawlenty finished a distant third with 2293 votes - a disappointing result for the Minnesota governor after investing heavy resources as part of his broader Iowa-focused strategy. He suggested recently that he may have to a "reassess" his campaign if he fails to make an impact in the straw poll.

"We made progress in moving from the back of the pack into a competitive position for the caucuses, but we have a lot more work to do," Pawlenty said in a statement congratulating Bachmann.

Rounding out the rest of the field were Rick Santorum with 1657 votes, Herman Cain with 1456, Mitt Romney with 567, Newt Gingrich with 385, Jon Huntsman with 69, and Thad McCotter with 35. The bottom four, except for McCotter, did not participate in the day's events.

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Ames Straw Poll

Perry, Palin, and Polls: The GOP Primary's Wild Weekend

Benjy Sarlin | August 12, 2011, 5:16PM

Ames, Iowa. 2011. Ron Paul Supporters

Saturday is easily the most important day of the Republican primaries so far as the candidates face a major test in Iowa -- and a new challenger enters the arena.

The bulk of the field has been gathered in Iowa all week mingling with locals and noshing on corn dogs as crowds of national reporters follow their every move. The big show is Saturday afternoon as candidates make their final appeal for votes in the Ames Straw Poll, with the ballots closing at 4 PM.

Candidates are already planning all sorts of stunts to attract supporters. Rick Santorum is handing out free jelly. Tim Pawlenty invited Christian rockers Sonicflood. Herman Cain will sing gospel. All three will receive a visit from 2008 Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee, who will play bass at their booths.

The poll is totally unscientific, but a strong showing can give candidates a nice shot of positive press. And every candidate besides the state-leading Michele Bachmann is in desperate need of some help in that category. The only other heavyweight in the national polls, Mitt Romney, is not participating (although he's spent the last few days in Iowa). Tim Pawlenty is staking big money on Ames to jolt his lackluster campaign back to life and said on Friday that a flop would require him to "reassess" his approach. For some of the less establishment candidates, like Ron Paul and Herman Cain, a straw poll win could vault them back into the national conversation, much like Huckabee's second place finish helped draw new attention to his campaign and built momentum for his eventual upset victory in the state.

For the middle of the pack candidates, that boost is especially important given who isn't at Ames. That would be Texas Governor Rick Perry, who is expected to announce his presidential campaign in Charleston, South Carolina at a convention organized by right-wing site RedState.com. Perry's perfectly timed entrance threatens to squash contenders' straw poll gains by dominating the news cycle. If they don't break out soon, they could become buried as the race turns into a top-heavy war between frontrunners Bachmann, Romney, and Perry.

As if Perry's announcement isn't enough of a news suck, candidates in Iowa will also have to share headlines with Sarah Palin, who's in Ames. Although there's little evidence Palin is still seriously preparing for a presidential bid at this late stage in the game, she's still doing her best to convince her supporters not to rule her out. "There is still plenty of room in that field for a common-sense conservative," Palin told state fair-goers on Friday. "Watching the debate, not just last night, but watching this whole process over the past year, it has certainly shown me there's plenty of room for more people."

Mitt Romney

Did Mitt Romney Raise Taxes Or 'Close Loopholes'?

Benjy Sarlin | August 12, 2011, 9:40AM

News that then-Governor Mitt Romney's office played up his predecessor's tax hikes to secure a better rating from Standard & Poor's may undercut his hardline anti-tax image. But the S&P story also revives a longstanding debate over Romney's own revenue raisers as governor, an issue that takes on greater significance than it did in 2008 thanks to the recent debt ceiling talks.

On Wednesday, Politico reported on a presentation Romney's office gave to S&P in 2004 touting the strength of the state's budget thanks in part to a 2002 tax increase that he opposed. The presentation also highlighted higher fees and newly closed loopholes that Romney championed himself. While Romney supporters have long argued these policies should not count as tax increases, critics have long insisted otherwise and the S&P story pushes the debate into the headlines once again.

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2012

GOP Fight Night: The Top Five Moments

Benjy Sarlin | August 11, 2011, 11:06PM

Remember that nice friendly New Hampshire debate from June when the GOP's fresh-faced field candidates, still basking in fluffy magazine profiles, joined hands to sing songs of President Obama's failed stimulus? That wasn't this debate.

Instead the candidates mixed it up early and often, even lashing out at the moderators. We compiled the pugilistic highlights, from Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann's snowball fight to Newt Gingrich's war on FOX News, into a video. Read on for the nitty gritty details after that.

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Minnesota

Pawlenty vs. Bachmann On Abortion, Taxes: Who Was Right?

Benjy Sarlin | August 11, 2011, 10:44PM

In a very fiery exchange, Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann dueled over the ins and outs of Minnesota's 2005 budget standoff, wading into abortion politics along the way.

For non-Minnesotan observers, however, the debate was likely a blur. So here's a quick and dirty explainer. The big -- and most currently relevant -- compromise on Pawlenty's behalf was a 75-cent fee on cigarette packs, dubbed a tax by critics, in order to free up cash for K-12 education.

"I did agree to the cigarette fee," Pawlenty said in the debate. "I regretted that. The courts held it to be a fee. But nevertheless it was an increase in revenue."

But Bachmann charged, noting that she had been "very vocal against that tax, and I fought against that tax." However, she did in the end vote for the bill that contained it. So what happened?

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Debates

Iowa Showdown: Five Stories To Watch In Tonight's GOP Debate

Benjy Sarlin | August 11, 2011, 6:00AM

Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney, Herman Cain, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

You might say that 2012 really starts tonight. At 9pm Eastern time, the declared Republican presidential candidates take the stage at Iowa -- barely two days ahead of the Ames Straw Poll, which many consider the unofficial first round of the primary season.

Of course, this debate will also be interesting for who it doesn't have: Texas Governor Rick Perry. Today he made it official that he'll be declaring his candidacy on Saturday. His shadow is sure to loom large over tonight's proceedings.

TPM's livewire will keep you updated of the night's events as they happen. We'll also be posting blog posts, fuller articles, and video throughout the evening.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the debate itelf, here's TPM's advice on what to look for:

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Ames Straw Poll

No Favorites: Huckabee To Join Cain, Santorum, And Pawlenty At Ames

Benjy Sarlin | August 10, 2011, 9:26AM

Mike Huckabee

Not one to play favorites, Mike Huckabee will play bass for not only Herman Cain but Rick Santorum and Tim Pawlenty as well at the Ames Straw Poll this weekend.

The news takes some of the thunder out of Cain's earlier announcement that Huckabee would back him up while he sang gospel himself at the event. The former Arkansas governor won the state handily in 2008 and it was considered his to lose in 2012 if he had decided to run. He has yet to endorse any of the candidates.

Huckabee's daughter, Sarah Huckabee, is a top aide to Pawlenty and tweeted on Wednesday that her father would play bass with the bands Sonicflood and the Nadas, who are performing at Pawlenty's booth. As for his Santorum appearance, the Des Moines Register reports he'll play Buddy Holly's "That'll Be The Day" and "Peggy Sue."

2012

Tim Pawlenty Polls Behind Thad McCotter in MI

Benjy Sarlin | August 9, 2011, 4:25PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty's numbers haven't looked great anywhere in recent weeks, but the latest from PPP in little-polled Michigan peg him at fringe status, polling last behind candidates like Rep. Thad McCotter (R-MI).

According to PPP, Romney, who won the state in 2008's GOP primaries, currently leads the pack with 24%, followed by Michele Bachmann at 18%. Rick Perry stands at 14%, while Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich have 7% each. Ron Paul has 6%, followed closely by McCotter at 5%. Pawlenty is at a humble 4%.

McCotter is from Michigan so he has some home court advantage. But given the much higher profile campaign from Pawlenty, the results are surprisingly weak. As PPP puts it, "he gets the dubious distinction of being the first serious candidate to poll behind Thad McCotter anywhere."

Gary Johnson

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Go To Ames, Gary Johnson Rides a Bike

Michael R. Corjulo | August 9, 2011, 1:47PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Governor Gary Johnson (R-NM)

While seven Republican presidential hopefuls will be competing in the Iowa Straw Poll this Saturday in Ames, candidate Gary Johnson will be in a slightly different kind of race. The former Governor of New Mexico announced Tuesday that he would be spending Saturday competing in a 100 mile-long mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado.

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2012 Presidential Primaries

GOP 2012 Candidates Agree Obama Deserves The Blame For S&P Downgrade... But Disagree Over Why

Thomas Lane | August 6, 2011, 11:55AM

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

S&P's own explanation of their decision to downgrade the U.S credit rating spreads the blame around. Tellingly, It slams the GOP's intransigence over letting the Bush tax cuts expire. Overall, it paints a bleak picture of the whole political system.

However, for the GOP presidential candidates it's pretty clear where the blame really lies. You guessed it: with President Barack Obama.

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2012

Republican Presidential Field Bashes Jobs Numbers

Benjy Sarlin | August 5, 2011, 9:06AM

Investors fearing the worst after Thursday's sell-off greeted today's better-than-expected jobs numbers with relief. Republican presidential candidates? Not so much.

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Iowa straw poll

Hmm...Pawlenty Pulls Ads For Straw Poll Home Stretch

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2011, 6:44PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is now making an unusual move in the run-up to the politically crucial Iowa Straw Poll: Pulling his TV and radio ads for the 72 hours running up to the event next weekend, focusing instead on his on-the-ground turnout operation.

Politico reports that the Pawlenty campaign insists the redirection of funds is not because they might be short on cash, but is simply a matter of wanting to concentrate on their turnout operation. "It's such a small universe of people, we really want to focus on people we know are supporting us -- focus on turnout mode instead of name ID and recruitment," said campaign adviser Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Pawlenty had previously reserved $200,000 in TV and radio ads for the Des Moines-Ames media market, which is now being diverted. By contrast, his fellow Minnesotan (and apparent Iowa frontrunner) Michele Bachmann just launched a whole new ad, boasting of her vote against the debt-ceiling increase -- and asking viewers to head to the straw poll in Ames.

John Boehner

CIVIL WAR: GOP Coalition Splinters Into Open Conflict Over Debt Ceiling

Benjy Sarlin & Evan McMorris-Santoro | July 27, 2011, 6:00AM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Speaker Boehner

The Republican leadership's efforts to avert a debt ceiling crisis with a two-tiered set of cuts is turning into the most divisive wedge issue the party has confronted since President Obama took over in 2009.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) may have thought his face-saving plan, which he hoped to bring to the floor Wednesday, offered a path to victory. However, since treading upon it he's been beset from all sides. It's not just that the President is threatening to veto the bill, should it ever make it past the Senate; it's that Boehner's fellow conservatives are sniping at him with (not so) friendly fire. Now the vote he'd hoped to bring triumphantly to the floor Wednesday looks delayed until at least Thursday, and even then the outcome is uncertain.

That's because the GOP is teetering on the brink of a debt-based civil war. More traditional Republicans and big business types are desperate to avoid a recovery-crushing default. But their Tea Party colleagues are leading a rebellion of epic - perhaps even galactic - proportions. Cue the John Williams music and find out who stands where in this stand-off between the Establishment's storm-troopers and the Rebel Alliance.

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2012

Bachmann Has Missed 40% Of Votes Since Campaign Began

Benjy Sarlin | July 26, 2011, 10:34AM

Michele Bachmann's TV Ad "Waterloo"

Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) been a ubiquitous presence in Iowa since launching a presidential bid. Less so on Capitol Hill, where she's missed 40% of her votes in that span.

According to The Hill, Bachmann's absentee rate is significantly higher than other lawmakers currently running; Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), who is not seeking re-election to focus on his presidential race, has only missed 8% of his votes since declaring his candidacy. Thad McCotter (R-MI) has missed 10%.

That stat could be especially perilous for Bachmann, however. Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly accused her of being an ineffective legislator and it wouldn't be surprising to see the 40% number show up in his public statements this week.

2012

Pawlenty to Bachmann: 'I Get Stuff Done'

Benjy Sarlin | July 25, 2011, 5:21PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty threw another punch in the escalating Minnesota Melee between the ex-governor and Michele Bachmann, telling a crowd on Monday that his rival often makes "inaccurate" statements and has failed to win her policy fights with Democrats.

Pawlenty has gone after Bachmann's record and, at one point, health for weeks, but today was the first time Bachmann actually returned the favor with a lengthy attack on Pawlenty's tenure as governor in which she compared him to President Obama. Given that Bachmann is leading multiple polls of Iowa while Pawlenty is struggling to gain traction, Pawlenty has little to lose from baiting the Congresswoman into a high-profile duel.

Per Politico, Pawlenty contrasted his responsibilities as governor with Bachmann's reputation as a tough-talking, little-action legislator on issues ranging from health care to abortion. He also brought up Bachmann's oft-noted habit of fumbling facts, from historical events to dubious rumors.

Pawlenty's comments, in full, below the fold:

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2012

Bachmann Slams Pawlenty, Compares Ex-Gov To Obama

Benjy Sarlin | July 25, 2011, 9:29AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann's migraines may be under control, but she's doing her best to pass them on to Tim Pawlenty instead. The Tea Party icon slammed the former Minnesota governor in a series of statements on Monday, comparing his policies to President Obama's.

"Actions speak louder than words," she said. "When I was fighting against the unconstitutional individual mandate in healthcare, Governor Pawlenty was praising it. I have fought against irresponsible spending while Governor Pawlenty was leaving a multi-billion-dollar budget mess in Minnesota. I fought cap-and-trade. Governor Pawlenty backed cap-and-trade when he was Governor of Minnesota and put Minnesota into the multi-state Midwest Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord. While Governor Pawlenty was praising TARP -- the $700 billion bailout in 2008 -- I worked tirelessly against it and voted against it."

Bachmann's outburst did not come out of the blue: Pawlenty has been baiting her for weeks with a series of attacks aimed at knocking her off her frontrunner perch in must-win Iowa. While his criticisms primarily focused on her lack of accomplishments in Congress and her dearth of executive experience, Pawlenty upped the ante last week by becoming the only presidential candidate to suggest his rival's chronic migraines -- a very sensitive subject for Team Bachmann -- were potentially disqualifying. He has since walked those comments back somewhat.

In her statement, Bachmann explicitly rebutted Pawlenty's claims that his record as governor made him the more qualified candidate.

"Executive experience is not an asset if it simply means bigger and more intrusive government," she said. "Governor Pawlenty said in 2006, 'The era of small government is over... the government has to be more proactive and more aggressive.' That's the same philosophy that, under President Obama, has brought us record deficits, massive unemployment, and an unconstitutional health care plan."

Politically, it's not clear what Bachmann's going for. Pawlenty has barely registered in polling so far and by unleashing her full clip at the governor, she elevates him as a legitimate contender right as we was starting to fade from view. Bachmann's campaign manager Ed Rollins suggested that Pawlenty may have simply pushed her too far, telling the Washington Post she "just [got] tired of [Pawlenty] taking cheap shots... Even if he's at 2 percent in the polls, we are not going to let anyone take free shots at us."

2012

God, Guns, And Hockey: Pawlenty Attacks Iowa From All Angles

Benjy Sarlin | July 22, 2011, 2:37PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty TV Ad

Tim Pawlenty's presidential dreams are on the line in Iowa, where the candidate has struggled to find his footing since launching his campaign. Now, with the Ames Straw Poll only weeks away, the candidate is relaunching with a new message and a major push to regain momentum before it's too late.

Pawlenty put a reported $1 million into organizing for Ames, a major sum when you consider he raised $4.2 million over the entire last quarter. While Pawlenty's aides have consistently lowered expectations, saying even finishing above sixth or seventh might be progress, the resources dedicated to the straw poll clearly indicate that the campaign is banking on an impressive showing. Indeed, Pawlenty recently expressed the hope that after a fair Ames Poll showing "you'll see our campaign make very good progress between kind of back-of-the-pack status to something closer to front-of-the-pack status." As a tune up, Pawlenty ran away with the much smaller Dallas County "jar poll" at their local fair.

The candidate has retooled with a new message as well, portraying himself as a tough underdog who can't be counted out. His latest ad, "American Comeback," features footage from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" US hockey team (Pawlenty often cites his own enthusiasm for the game).

The hockey image also complements Pawlenty's sometimes awkward efforts to convey a tougher persona. He's been arguably the most active candidate on offense, repeatedly going after rival Michele Bachmann's thin legislative record and recently telling Iowans that their credibility as the first-in-the-nation caucus could suffer if they pick a candidate with little chance of winning the presidency. But he also stumbled by suggesting Bachmann's migraines were a legitimate issue and pointing out presidents need to do their job "all of the time" only to walk back his remarks and dismiss the entire issue as a "sideshow."

In addition to his broader come-from-behind reboot, Pawlenty's upped his game in courting religious and socially conservative voters, a group that's disproportionately active in Iowa's GOP caucuses and has been a boon to Bachmann thus far. Recently Pawlenty released a video discussing his faith with his wife and told a voter that he counted Jesus among his favorite "political heroes." He also showcased his 2nd Amendment cred by firing a Glock 9 mm at a range this week and will later attend a rally of gun rights activists.

Iowa caucus

Pawlenty Getting Cease-And-Desist For 'Miracle On Ice' Ad

Eric Kleefeld | July 21, 2011, 6:15PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty TV Ad

Tim Pawlenty is getting a very special reaction to his new TV ad, in which he calls on Iowa voters to "prove the experts wrong" and give his struggling campaign an underdog's victory: A cease-and-desist letter from ABC Sports. They're going after him for unauthorized use of sports footage from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. hockey team.

"It's a violation of our copyright and exclusive proprietary rights," said Louise Argianas, director of rights and clearances for ABC Sports, the Des Moines Register reports.

"And they used our announcer's voice which they are not allowed to do either," Argianas added "Which I'm going to have to call his agent about."

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2012

Tim Pawlenty Debuts New 'Comeback' Message In Iowa Ad

Benjy Sarlin | July 21, 2011, 11:11AM

Looking to spin his campaign struggles into a gritty turnaround story, Tim Pawlenty's latest Iowa ad is appropriately titled "The American Comeback."

The 30-second spot begins with shots of the 1980 US hockey team, who famously beat the heavily favored USSR in the "Miracle On Ice." It's a dual metaphor, with Pawlenty linking the come-from-behind image to both the American economy and his own campaign.

"Out here you're tested," Pawlenty says in the ad. "You face an opponent experts say can't be beat. You fight, you bleed, you prevail. Our country's down but we're not out. To come back we need a leader with a proven record, not just rhetoric."

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2012

Pawlenty Walks Back Bachmann Migraine Comments

Benjy Sarlin | July 21, 2011, 9:25AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Retreating from a tough attack on a rival, Tim Pawlenty is backtracking on his suggestion that Michele Bachmann's migraines may disqualify her from the presidential race.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet The 2012 GOPers: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)]

"I think it's mostly a sideshow," Pawlenty told FOX News on Wednesday, when asked about the story. "I've observed Congresswoman Bachmann. I've never seen her have a medical condition or impairment that would seem to be a concern."

But earlier in the day, Pawlenty became the first and only presidential candidate to directly go after Bachmann on the issue.

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2012

Tim Pawlenty: Bachmann's Migraines May Be Disqualifying

Benjy Sarlin | July 20, 2011, 2:28PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty became the first candidate to address the highly sensitive issue of rival Michele Bachmann's chronic migraines, saying on Wednesday that potential presidents need to work "all of the time."

"All of the candidates I think are going to have to be able to demonstrate they can do all of the job all of the time," he told reporters, per Politico. "There's no real time off in that job."

Bachmann's health is a sensitive topic for the candidate, whose aides allegedly shoved ABCs Brian Ross after he asked whether she had missed votes due to her condition. Despite reports that she has had to take as much as a several days off at a time to recuperate, Bachmann has maintained that her migraines are under control and that anonymous former aides who have labeled them "incapacitating" are exaggerating.

Plummeting in the polls while Bachmann surges, Pawlenty has stepped up direct criticisms of his fellow Minnesotan in recent weeks. Bachmann is well-positioned heading into the Ames Straw Poll next month and Pawlenty's campaign has increasingly downplayed expectations for the event, recently suggesting that even a fifth place finish might be a partial victory.

TPM reached out to Bachmann's campaign for comment and will post any response.

Iowa caucus

Pawlenty Tells Iowa: Don't Pick A Candidate 'Who Can't Really Run The Country'

Eric Kleefeld | July 19, 2011, 11:58AM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty has a message for Iowa Republicans: Seriously, do not nominate a bad candidate, or you could blow the whole election.

"Barack Obama has no clue. His numbers nationally for reelection aren't very good," Pawlenty told an audience in Iowa on Tuesday, the Des Moines Register reports. "His numbers in the key states that are actually going to decide the election are awful."

However, Pawlenty continued: "If you serve up to the country a candidate who is not ready to be president, who can't really run the country...Iowa will do a disservice to the process."

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2012

Tim Pawlenty Goes All-In On Iowa

Benjy Sarlin | July 18, 2011, 9:41AM

Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is dropping big money in Iowa, confirming that the caucus is still his top priority despite a weak start in the polls and recent quotes downplaying the state's importance.

The ex-Minnesota governor recently booked $200,000 in TV ad time, according to the AP, and is on pace to spend $430,000 by mid-August. The Ames Straw Poll, a traditional test of candidates' organizational strength, is August 13. Pawlenty has spent the most on ads so far as the race's money leader, Mitt Romney, has sat out the air wars.

In addition to the new TV buy, recent FEC filings show Pawlenty spent the most on Iowa vendors of any candidate: about $200,000.

The big challenge for Pawlenty in the short term is stealing some of Minnesota rival Michele Bachmann's thunder, who is currently leading multiple polls in the state.

Mitt Romney

Romney Collects $500K From Lobbyist-Bundlers

Susan Crabtree | July 15, 2011, 5:51PM

Former Gov. of Massachusetts Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney, the frontrunner in the GOP presidential primary, has released the names of his top money men -- six lobbyists who have helped him raise a combined half a million dollars or $517,450 to be exact.

The sum is only a fraction of the $18 million Romney raked in during the April-to-June fundraising period, which outgunned his closest Republican rival so far, Tim Pawlenty, by a 9-to-1 margin. The list of six names provides a little sunlight about his political allies.

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2012 elections

Pawlenty Tries Challenging Romney (Again) -- Now On The Debt Ceiling

Eric Kleefeld | July 15, 2011, 4:53PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Tim Pawlenty is touting his hard-line stance against raising the debt ceiling -- and he's calling out frontrunner Mitt Romney to speak up on the issue.

Friday afternoon, Pawlenty tweeted a link to an appearance on CNBC with Larry Kudlow, plus a challenge to Romney:

My thoughts on the debt ceiling bit.ly/o6sZXE What say you @MittRomney? Help us fight back.

Ah, but would he be able to say that to Romney's face?

2012

Tim Pawlenty Tacks Hard Right On Debt Ceiling

Benjy Sarlin | July 15, 2011, 3:29PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

As debt ceiling negotiations race towards their thrilling conclusion, Tim Pawlenty is calling on Republicans to avoid tax increases at all costs, even it means default.

At a Bloomberg lunch with reporters, Pawlenty compared the debt standoff to his time as governor of Minnesota, in which he shut down the government when negotiations with the Democratic legislature broke down. Asked whether he would be willing to "blow it up" in the debt negotiations with Congress and risk a default, he said "I did blow it up, in Minnesota."

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2012 elections

Vander Plaats: Romney 'Has Been All Over The Board'

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 4:41PM

Bob Vander Plaats

TPM spoke with Bob Vander Plaats, the Iowa conservative activist and former gubernatorial candidate who has pitched the "Marriage Vow" pledge for presidential candidates competing in the state caucuses. And while he's not too perturbed that Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty are not signing it (at least not yet), he's got some pretty strong words for Mitt Romney.

Tuesday night, Romney's campaign slammed the pledge, saying that it "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign.

"One of the reasons we put the pledge together was for a person or candidate like Gov. Romney," Vander Plaats told TPM, "because it's been well documented that Gov. Romney has been all over the board when it comes to marriage, or abortion, or universal health care."

Vander Plaats also added: "These types of no-commitments on my part to marriage and family, I don't think that's going to do his campaign any favors in the state of Iowa.

Read more »

Iowa caucus

Pawlenty: 'I Respectfully Decline' To Sign 'Marriage Vow'

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 3:17PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty is the newest Republican presidential candidate to refuse to sign an Iowa religious right group's "Marriage Vow" pledge -- but he's being really nice about it.

"I deeply respect, and share, Bob Vander Platts' commitment to promoting the sanctity of marriage, a culture of life, and the core principles of the Family Leader's Marriage Vow Pledge," Pawlenty said in a statement. "However, rather than sign onto the words chosen by others, I prefer to choose my own words, especially seeking to show compassion to those who are in broken families through no fault of their own."

The "Marriage Vow" involved a candidate pledging personal fidelity to his or her spouse, that he or she would change divorce laws to make "quickie divorces" more difficult, and would oppose gay marriage, pornography, and "Sharia Islam," among other things. Two Republican candidates, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum, signed the pledge, and then immediately encountered controversy due to the resolution's original preamble language on slavery -- which has since been edited out -- stating, quite contrary to the facts, that African-American families were more secure under slavery than they are today, under an African-American president.

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Iowa straw poll

Pawlenty Shows Off His Christianity For Iowa Voters (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | July 13, 2011, 2:20PM

Tim and Mary Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty has a radio ad and Web site, PawlentyFaith.com, and an accompanying Web video with a simple message: Iowa straw poll-goers should know that he is a committed Christian.

Pawlenty is running behind in the polls in Iowa, where the current frontrunner is his fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann -- a candidate who campaigns naturally through the religious right, and has in the past credited her political career to direct, divine communication. Now, Pawlenty is showing his own religious bonafides.

"How well do you really know the presidential candidates that are asking for your vote?" the announcer says in the radio ad. "Tim Pawlenty and his wife Mary have a video in which they discuss their faith experience and their values. Watch the Pawlenty video at PawlentyFaith.com."

The Web site advertises the August 13 straw poll in Ames, Iowa, with a video of the Pawlentys discussing their commitment to their religious beliefs. The video is entitled "Aspirations of a President" -- which might be getting just a bit ahead of the curve, as in fact Pawlenty has the aspirations to become president.

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Tiny Tim

Pawlenty Plummets To 3% In National Poll While Bachmann Surges

Benjy Sarlin | July 13, 2011, 10:07AM

GOP Presidential Candidates Debate, Jun 13, 2011

A new poll shows Tim Pawlenty slipping to the bottom tier of the presidential field as rival Minnesotan Michele Bachmann shoots upwards.

The latest numbers from Quinnipiac University put Mitt Romney first at 25%, Michele Bachmann second at 14%, then undeclared candidates Sarah Palin at 12% and Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 10%. Pawlenty is stuck way in the back of the class at 3%, behind pizza magnate Herman Cain at 6%, struggling Newt Gingrich at 5%, and libertarian Ron Paul at 5% as well. At least he's doing better than the flatlining Jon Huntsman, Thad McCotter, and Rick Santorum, who don't even register above 1%.

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2012 elections

New Hit Halloween Costume: Tim Pawlenty As Conan O'Brien?

Eric Kleefeld | July 11, 2011, 3:26PM

Tim Pawlenty and Conan O'Brien

Tim Pawlenty is continuing to exchange banter on the campaign trail -- this time with Conan O'Brien, after the late night comedy host made a joke about Pawlenty being lame and unexciting.

Monday afternoon, O'Brien tweeted:

Is it too early to predict that Tim Pawlenty will not be a popular Halloween costume?

To which Team Pawlenty has responded with their own tweet -- joking about dressing up in a bright orange "Team Coco" wig:

@ConanOBrien Wait until I unveil my Team Coco wig then everyone will want the costume. It might even deliver IA for me #ginger #iacaucus

Well, that certainly would make Pawlenty a bit more memorable.

Michele Bachmann

No More Minnesota Nice Guy: Pawlenty Rips Bachmann's Record

Benjy Sarlin | July 11, 2011, 10:53AM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

After weeks of avoiding direct confrontation with fellow Minnesotan Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty is calling her out for her thin record in Congress.

"Her record in Congress, as I mentioned before, is, you know - again, great remarks, and great speeches, but in terms of results and accomplishments - nonexistent," he said Monday on Fox and Friends.

"It's not a stretch to say that we need somebody in the Oval Office - who's going to be President of the United States and Commander in Chief - who has executive experience leading a large enterprise in a public setting," he added. "With all due respect, she just doesn't have that kind of experience."

He offered a similar argument to NBC's Meet The Press just the day before.

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2012

VIDEO: Pawlenty Not Sure If Gays Were Born This Way

Benjy Sarlin | July 10, 2011, 1:44PM

Tim Pawlenty and Lady Gaga

Jumping off Tim Pawlenty's professed admiration for Lady Gaga's gay anthem "Born This Way," NBC's David Gregory asked the presidential candidate if he thought gays were, in fact, born into their orientation. According to Pawlenty, the answer is above his pay grade.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet the 2012 GOPers: Tim Pawlenty]

Pawlenty told Gregory on Meet The Press that when it came to whether homosexuality was a choice or an innate part of a person's character, "the science in that regard is in dispute" and that it was unclear whether it was "behavioral or partly genetic."

"There's no scientific conclusion that it's genetic," he said. "We don't know that. So we don't know to what extent, you know, it's behavioral and-- that's something that's been debated by scientists for a long time. But as I understand the science, there's no current conclusion that it's genetic."

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2012

Tim Pawlenty Ominously Downplaying Iowa

Benjy Sarlin | July 9, 2011, 10:47AM

GOP Presidential Candidate Tim Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty and his top staff are increasingly downplaying the importance of Iowa in interviews, a strange turn given its central importance to his campaign so far.

Pawlenty told reporters that "this week is the first time that I've campaigned in earnest in Iowa," according to the Des Moines Register despite the fact that he's been pouring huge amounts of time and resources into the state for months.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet the 2012 GOPers: Tim Pawlenty]

Earlier this week, top aide Vin Weber lowered expectations for the campaign by labeling Pawlenty's rival Minnesotan Michele Bachmann the frontrunner, who has been surging in the polls.

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2012 elections

Pawlenty: Obama 'Like A Manure Spreader In A Windstorm'

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2011, 5:40PM

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Tim Pawlenty has brought on his latest trash-talk against a political rival -- going for some down-home, rural, scatological humor against President Obama.

"Anybody can stand up here and flap their jaw and give a speech," Pawlenty told a crowd of about 70 people in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Des Moines Register reports.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Meet the 2012 GOPers: Tim Pawlenty]

"We've had Barack Obama campaigning to be president for the better part of three years, with all of his soaring rhetoric, with all of his broken promises, with all of his nonsense. I mean, he's like a manure spreader in a windstorm."

Ah...but would he say that to Obama's face?

2012 elections

Bachmann Responds To 'Sex Appeal' Comments

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2011, 2:56PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann has a response to comments from a Tim Pawlenty adviser, former Congressman Vin Weber, who listed Bachmann having "sex appeal" as among her advantages in the race, and then apologized: Thanks!

As Jim Geraghty of National Review reports, Bachmann was asked about the comments Thursday night, in an interview with conservative talk-radio host Scott Hennen.

As it turns out, Bachmann was a good sport about the whole flap. "Well listen, I'm 55 years old, I've given birth to five kids and I've raised 23 foster kids," Bachmann said, "so that sounds like good news to me!"

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