As promised, the Pawlenty campaign has gone up with their first campaign ad of the cycle specifically targeting the key voters of Iowa. I’ll be curious to know your reactions to it in terms of effectiveness of message, presentation, and most importantly, is this what makes the sale in the straw poll?

A lot of candidates will come to Iowa and say the same things. The question is, have they done it?
In a liberal state, I reduced spending in real terms for the first time,
Took on the government unions and won,
Appointed a conservative supreme court.
And passed health care reform the right way – no mandates, no takeovers.
If I can do it in Minnesota, we can do it in Washington.
I’m Tim Pawlenty, and I approved this message.”

Fighting the unions, cut spending, health care totally distinct from Obamacare, and perhaps biggest on the list for Iowa, appointed conservative judges. Seems to be pointing to his established record of executive branch experience, having already walked the walk versus others claiming they will do the same things.

So what say you? Pawlenty, by all accounts, is very much in need of a big showing in Iowa and he’s going to be facing stiff competition from Bachmann, as well as Cain and possibly a few players yet to be named. Does this get the job done for him? Any exposure to fact checking on his claims? (Fairly generic in nature, so it doesn’t seem so at first glance.)