Pawlenty building presidential campaign team?
posted at 3:30 pm on June 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Fresh off of his decision not to seek a third term as Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty has begun preparing for his future in politics. Minnesota Post’s Eric Black reports that Pawlenty has pulled together a team designed for a run at a national office, and makes the presumption that Pawlenty has his eyes on a challenge to Barack Obama:
Since at least April — well before he announced his decision not to run for a third term — Gov. Pawlenty has been laying the organizational and financial groundwork for a potential run for president.
Fund-raising is under way for an organization that would allow Pawlenty to travel around the country, showing his face, developing his message and forming alliances with like-minded Republicans. Professional political fund-raisers are working on this.
Pawlenty has directly addressed groups of potential donors, and checks have been written. …
The likeliest structure for the current phase would be the formation of a 501(c) (4) organization (named for the chapter of the tax code under which it operates). I have substantial reason to believe that this is what Team Pawlenty has created or is in the process of creating.
According to Minneapolis lawyer Sarah Duniway, who specializes in working with nonprofits and election law, a 501 (c) (4) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that can engage in issue advocacy and public education. It can fund-raise to support itself, put on issue conferences around the country, hire people to conduct research, even pay for polling if the polling is arguably related to the issues on which it was advocating. (Full diclosure: Duniway is married to my MinnPost teammate David Brauer.)
Having known Eric for a few years, I know that he has good instincts and connections in Minnesota and that he is cautious about his reporting, so I’d consider this credible. It’s also not terribly surprising. Pawlenty is only in his late 40s, very early for any politician to retire even after eight years as governor. He’s obviously not interested in running for mayor of Eagan, and a national office is the obvious step.
I agree with Eric that this seems like a presidential-campaign team, but it could also be good groundwork for a Senate run. Senators don’t have to campaign across the nation, but most Senate candidates conduct fundraisers out of state as well as in state. Pawlenty could be keeping his options open in case Obama looks too tough to beat in 2012. After all, Pawlenty would be just 52 in 2012 and 56 in 2016, which means he has plenty of time to aim at the top spot. Instead of conducting a potentially losing campaign against Obama, Pawlenty could just aim at Amy Klobuchar and build presidential momentum from the US Senate.
Pawlenty has the toughness to run a good campaign, and the folksy, middle-class demeanor that could attract voters back to the GOP. He’s certainly surprised a few Minnesota politicians with a political facewash, and he may be a uniting force in 2012 — in either race.
Blowback
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No interest from me, anyway.
Boring guy.
AnninCA on June 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Do NOT hire any Republican strategists or insiders!!!
WashJeff on June 17, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Pawlenty is probably a nice guy… but he reminds me of toast. Just very dry.
upinak on June 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Dreamer.
Firebird on June 17, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I hope he’s looking at running for the Senate. I can’t see why he’d have much of a chance at winning a presidential run – not with Palin, Sanford, Jindal, Romney, and Gingrich also looking to run for that.
DarkKnight3565 on June 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
pass, next.
redrock on June 17, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Note that there is no “Pawlenty needs to ..” or “Pawlenty should …”
Also,
Oh, but Sarah Palin has one of that, you see.
Sexism, alive and well and HotAir. Sorry, Ed, it’s the truth and you’re not alone.
BigD on June 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Websters Dictionary… RINO: definition 1. Timothy Pawlenty.
WordsMatter on June 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
he may be a uniting force in 2012 —
……
Are you kidding?
Do you know what the msm will do to ANY R in 2012.
Why, flashback to 2008 as a reminder.
Look what they did to their BELOVED McCain.
They won’t allow him to be perceived as a uniter.
artist on June 17, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Pawlease! you have got to be joking… 4 years will be pawlenty enough to show that Obacracy is destructive to America.
CMonster on June 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Can we PLEASE get someone qualified?
macummings on June 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
If he spends a couple hundred bucks during the campaign on a haircut (like Romney and Silky), I think this is the only politician nobody would care about.
LevStrauss on June 17, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I hope its not for President.
changer1701 on June 17, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Pawhoty? Go Cuda!
johnnybgood on June 17, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I love the pic. He looks like Neil Diamond via 1983.
Do what you have to Pawlenty. More power to you.
portlandon on June 17, 2009 at 3:39 PM
No thanks!
sandee on June 17, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Eh, Pawlenty has to get caught doing something illegal or immoral before he generates any buzz as being potential 2012 presidential candiate.
myrenovations on June 17, 2009 at 3:41 PM
I have the feeling Lizza is not long for this site.
Me neither, maybe, but not for the same reasons.
BigD on June 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Pawlenty seems good. . . but I’m kinda startin to like Sanford a little more each month. He should have the SC primary wrapped up. If he can get the people of NH to like him he’s a shoe in.
ThackerAgency on June 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Ed, bannable offensive language?
upinak on June 17, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Pawlenty’s a tool.
LibTired on June 17, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Ed????
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
The very first qualification that a potential national candidate MUST meet is that he must be truly LOATHED by the Demonrats. That’s how we KNOW that he’ll be effective — after he’s in office.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on June 17, 2009 at 3:44 PM
I’m sure he’s a good guy, and he has as much right to run as anybody else.
Haven’t heard a lot about him, though, except when he was touted as a veep pick most people said “who?” If he starts running, and a year from now they’re still saying “who?” the Senate might be better.
cs89 on June 17, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Yeah, but let’s give Lizza a chance to explain. Fat fingers have caused more then one exorcism.
Limerick on June 17, 2009 at 3:46 PM
Pawlenty is the GOP’s version of Walter Mondale. Boring, unispiring and a disaster if he were nominated.
As a Norwegian, I should be more receptive to Minnesotans, but there is someone farther north with far greater appeal.
Norwegian on June 17, 2009 at 3:46 PM
I should care because? Isn’t this the idiot that sat back while letting a comedian literally, not figuratively but literally, steal an election?
Palin 2012, accept no substitutes.
Onager on June 17, 2009 at 3:47 PM
What about his kids? Have they done anything to drag them through the mud for?
aero on June 17, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Where is the appeal here? I think there are some governors who we can point to as outstanding in managing their states and being smart, competent, and dynamic – Jindhal and Mitch Daniels come to mind. Perhaps also Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin. Charlie Crist would be excluded.
What is Pawlenty’s claim to fame? That he’s a “moderate”?
chris999 on June 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
The way Obozo is going, a piece of tape could beat him in 2012.
txag92 on June 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Sorry Ed, but ZZZZZZZ
This isn’t the POTUS candidate you are looking for…move along, move along..
davek70 on June 17, 2009 at 3:48 PM
I saw Pawlenty on Glenn Beck’s show, and all his answers seemed right to me. He was solid, at least on the stuff Glenn asked him about for 10 minutes.
aero on June 17, 2009 at 3:49 PM
If the media believes he can win, we will begin to see incoming rounds. Nothing yet, but I’ll give it a few days.
littleguy on June 17, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Pawlenty seems like a good guy…But not presidential material.
therightwinger on June 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
What is it about horrendous trolls? Is it that they spend so much time just spewing venom to try and hijack threads that even THEY don’t know when they’ve crossed the line? Every time it ends the same way…troll is aggrivating, troll derails threads, troll is obnoxious, troll gets just a hair less attention lately than they desperately need and go to far, troll goes bye-bye (at least past ones, this one still needs to be addressed)
DrAllecon on June 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Oh gee, I agree with everyone here.
Pawlenty is a bore.
So much for the other thread, where they are into a mutual agreement to ban me.
:)
AnninCA on June 17, 2009 at 3:50 PM
to=too of course, just trying to post too quickly before it becomes moot.
DrAllecon on June 17, 2009 at 3:51 PM
It’s only ’09 so there is plenty of time for Pawlenty to do his dance. Right now he is just number 699 on my list of applicants.
Limerick on June 17, 2009 at 3:52 PM
So…you run from that thread thinking this one is “safer” or something?
You can change threads but you can’t change who you are…
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Did Ann answer all of the questions in the healthcare thread?
txag92 on June 17, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that picture of Pawlenty looks like Jerry Seinfeld?
VibrioCocci on June 17, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Hahahaaa….good one…
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Seriously. I can already see the douchetools lining up…”First, you’ll have to make a strong statement denouncing Rush Limbaugh; next, talk about how much you want President Obama to succeed; after that, kiss Colin Powell full on the mouth during a presser about the horrors of global warming and the need for amnesty.
“For desert, you’ll cry real tears over George Tiller.
“The White House will be ours, baby!1!”
Kensington on June 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Don’t flatter yourself.
BigD on June 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Sometimes I get the feeling that this site is full of tattle-tale teacher weacher brown-nosing hose heads.
TEACHER, TEACHER, JOHNNY SAID A NAUGHTY WORD…BAN HIM (HER) BAN HIM (HER)!!!! WAAAAAAAAAA!!!
How do you dudes look in the mirror?
Hey broad, dont use racially charged lingo…even though the current use of that expression is common and typically not used in racial negative intent.
“We cannot spare this woman…she fights. The liberals FEAR her…you can smell the fear.”
The Final Cut
Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved
Use of the above quote without the express written consent of The Final Cut is STRICTLY prohibited.
The Final Cut on June 17, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Gee, whiz, aren’t people narrow?
Pawlenty is not a “moderate” or a “RINO.” He has the very Obamian habit of sounding reasonable while never giving an inch in actual policy. That’s a handy skill when the guy’s on your side.
You’re bound to find some differences with Pawlenty, as with every other individual candidate. No one is pure enough for each of us.
I think it’s great to see a fairly strong field developing.
Sanford looks good. Daniels — I’m impressed. Palin, of course. Jindal — you bet. Mitt, again? Sure. Pawlenty, why not?
Better to have several good candidates who will shake themselves out during the primary process.
Best if we also bother to fix our primary process before 2012, as well (hint: Dump Iowa. Please!)
notropis on June 17, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Ban this racist please.
TimeTraveler on June 17, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Thank goodness you agree with everyone on something no one cares about. What a close call that was.
LibTired on June 17, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Pawlenty could win a US Senate seat from Minnesota.
As a presidential candidate, he will be a footnote and early WSJ Bye-Ku recipient, unless he can set a large audience on fire.
“What Sarah Palin knows, you can’t teach. What she doesn’t know, she can learn.”
Encourage Pawlenty to run for the Senate.
Right_of_Attila on June 17, 2009 at 3:56 PM
If the idiot voters of Minnesota put him in office, then DO NOT advance this guy for national office GOP. Minnesota idots vote in the dumbest choices.
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 3:56 PM
ooops idiots
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 3:56 PM
While we’re talking about banning people, I nominate this creep. He’s been here a week and I’m sick to death to death of his copyright crap.
BigD on June 17, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Still praying for you THE WALL.
ROFLMAO.LOL.HAHAHA. !!! $@#%@#^@#$%@#$$!!@$#!@#$!! etc.
portlandon on June 17, 2009 at 3:56 PM
+1
redrock on June 17, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Let me guess. A sense of humor isn’t your forte’. :)
It was a joke.
AnninCA on June 17, 2009 at 3:57 PM
One way to judge how solid of a POTUS candidate Pawlenty is is to measure the number of Obama/Axelrod trolls that come out on this thread. So far I have seen one. Obviously, he is not seen as a threat…
As Rush said yesterday, the way to judge how dangerous a conservative is to Obama is watch now much the media attacks and tries marginalize them. Have seen no such thing w/ Pawlenty and don’t expect to…
davek70 on June 17, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Looked at your own Senators lately?
notropis on June 17, 2009 at 3:58 PM
This guy Pawlenty is such a bore with his whole Sams Club nonsense. That’s childish.
youngO on June 17, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Wow, just what we need. Another mushy middle RINO to energize the base and crush Obama and the state run media in 2012!!!!
Kataklysmic on June 17, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Doesn’t stand a chance of getting elected – according to wikipedia: .
he has a B.A. degree in Political Science at the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts. In 1986, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. (No Ivy League cred)
he was raised RCC and converted to Evangelical Christan (too religious)
katiejane on June 17, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Hard right or nothing…
mjbrooks3 on June 17, 2009 at 3:59 PM
ATTENTION MODS: Please ban BigDork. He is a geek.
Thanks in advance.
yours truly,
The Final Cut
“We cannot spare this woman…she fights. The liberals FEAR her…you can smell the fear.”
The Final Cut
Copyright 2009
All Rights Reserved
Use of the above quote without the express written consent of The Final Cut is STRICTLY prohibited.
The Final Cut on June 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
That may be true if you’re Flav A Flav. If you’re not typing at a keyboard with an oversized clock hanging around your neck on a gold chain, you probably are using the word to intentionally stir up trouble. Intentionally hitting the “emphasis” and “/emphasis” key before and after the phrase kind of takes away from the unintentional shock of it.
DrAllecon on June 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
we need someone who can fire up the grass roots, Pawlenty doesn’t seem to be able to excite anybody. I hate his idea to tax the amount of miles you drive in one year to replace the gas tax.
ChunkyLover on June 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Ok. I’m satisfied.
Behold the hammer………………..
Limerick on June 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM
“we’re defending???”
Careful with the “cretin” tag, genius.
notropis on June 17, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Lizza on June 17, 2009 at 3:59 PM
I don’t believe to have seen that used by anybody at HA before. By any means, i don’t think that excuses you to use it, it refelcts something that isn’t of the website. If you use that amongst your friends, by all means keep on but keep the childish crap out.
youngO on June 17, 2009 at 4:02 PM
U R X
littleguy on June 17, 2009 at 4:02 PM
me no like.
Mommypundit on June 17, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Pawlenty seems like the right guy for the GOP in a fairly blue Minn. But could we please have actual conservatives in the running for the Presidential nod??
Clark1 on June 17, 2009 at 4:04 PM
That was a joke? Let me guess…a sense of humor isn’t your forte’.
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 4:04 PM
For President, Pawlenty doesn’t have a great intellect and appeases progressives whom he represents. His willingness to be a pawn for global warming marks with whom Pawlenty would unite to ruin conservatism. Pawlenty would pander to the Republican good ol’ boys while following paths of least resistance.
If Minnesota wants Pawlenty, fine. Serve Minnesota. If Pawlenty is running against Al Franken, good luck.
maverick muse on June 17, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Pawlenty rolled about a 3 with a 20-sided die when charisma was determined. Basically (hold on while I don the asbestos suit)this is true of the entire pool of potential Republican candidates. Huckabee, Romney, Palin, Jindal – none of them have “it.” Just my opinion, sure. But if we want the presidency back in 2012, we need someone NEW. And whoever it is shouldn’t even make an appearance until after the 2010 midterms.
I have no suggestions for who the 2012 Republican nominee should be. Only that right now, it’s “none of the above.”
Barneys Bullet on June 17, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Ed, anytime now.
BTW there ARE black people in Alaska. So, ya, it is kind of offensive to see something of this ignorant magnitude said.
upinak on June 17, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Gov. Pawlenty is doing what I haven’t seem any of your so called rep candidates and heroes do. He stood up to the MN Legislature and it’s liberal fascist and progressive laziness. He is handling the budget himself and no one is spared the knife. Can any of your so called conservative heroes lay claim to that?… So he isn’t dynamic and may be boring. How is the Messiah working for you? or are many of you secretly lusting after Obama, too? give the hangings a rest, will you?
MNDavenotPC on June 17, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Doesn’t matter now, Lizza. Banned or not you are invisible. This I swear.
Won’t see ya!
Limerick on June 17, 2009 at 4:06 PM
LOL.ROFLMAO.HAHAHA.DUDE.DORK.
Vocabulary limits exceeded. Give up and go home THE WALL. You didn’t even bother to change your IP address. How are things in SLC?
portlandon on June 17, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Why is this blog allowing this type of language through?
Don’t you guys have a basic filter set up?
AnninCA on June 17, 2009 at 4:07 PM
“We cannot spare this woman…she fights. The liberals FEAR her…you can smell the fear.”
har.
atheling on June 17, 2009 at 4:08 PM
The guy is brilliant. I would vote for him.
tomas on June 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Lizza on June 17, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Hey cut it out you ignorant fool. I’m black by the way, grow up or go back to DailyKos
youngO on June 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM
No Republican is going to out excite the college hipsters and other morons like Obama will. I’d rather take back the boring 30-50 year old moderates who were fooled by Obama and his pretend moderateness.
Speedwagon82 on June 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM
i love T-Paw! hes been great with college republicans like myself so I would love for him to run in 2012!
dee150586 on June 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Lizza on June 17, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Lizza on June 17, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Your language is unacceptable. Your repetition is worse.
No one at HotAir ever uses that degrading and ugly word.
maverick muse on June 17, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Eh. He’d better give one hell of a speech, because I get nothing off of this guy but boring.
TheUnrepentantGeek on June 17, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Great, another “stuffed shirt” Republican with no personality. We just lost running one of those last year.
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 4:10 PM
It is not important that Pawlenty has no ivy league creds or that he is evangelical Christian. Since when are these items litmus tests for Republican presidential candidates? (Oh, that’s right, we can’t nominate a Mormon, so now evangelicals are out??).
What is important is: what has he done in Minnesota? How has he combated the liberal (Farm labor/Democrat) status quo as governor there? What battles did he fight? George W. Bush did not really show any courage or challenge the status quo as governor of Texas, and look what resulted.
chris999 on June 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
OK, so sell us on him. We have (a few months) of Ed’s take on him. Bring us up to speed as to why he should get a hall pass.
Limerick on June 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Contrary to what we saw this year, the Senate is not normally a good place from which to launch Presidential aspirations. Very few senators in history have been able to make the leap to President.
mwdiver on June 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
AnninCA on June 17, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I’m kinda surprised it’s lasted this long. Ed, AP& Michelle must be slacking today or something.
youngO on June 17, 2009 at 4:11 PM
News Flash: The rats will hate anybody who runs against their hero. Who would have thought a year ago that they would hate Sarah Palin more than Dick Cheney?
Speedwagon82 on June 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Which faux dem will the state run media pick to run against Obama, if we let them?
Speakup on June 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM
i love T-Paw! hes been great with college republicans like myself so I would love for him to run in 2012!
dee150586 on June 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I’m 22 and this guy’s a bore. I can’t take him seriously.
youngO on June 17, 2009 at 4:12 PM
exactly
maverick muse on June 17, 2009 at 4:13 PM
She also believes that there’s 57 states in our country.
Oh wait….
That was Obama right?
TimeTraveler on June 17, 2009 at 4:14 PM
{{{{{{POOF}}}}}}}
redrock on June 17, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Back during the presidential campaign, when Pawlenty was being touted by the GOP as a potential VP, the media started to hammer him on that joke he made about his wife not having sex with him, but it really was the most “shocking” thing they could find to say about him.
myrenovations on June 17, 2009 at 4:15 PM
SARAHPAC.COM IS THE FUTURE
TimeTraveler on June 17, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Amen.
freeus on June 17, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Excuse me….isn’t this the same state that voted in Al Frankin? Who exactly is this guy supposed to unite…..RINO’s and actuaries?
David in ATL on June 17, 2009 at 4:16 PM
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