“I’m not dropping out anytime soon.”

His poll numbers have remained low despite a vigorous campaign. And he admits he must “show some progress” at a looming, high-stakes contest.

But Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty on Friday said any notion that he will soon quit the race is “preposterous.”

The former Minnesota governor made the comments in an exclusive interview with CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley that will air Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

***

“I think it would be a good idea if President Obama faced some primary opposition.”

Today, while appearing on Thom Hartmann’s radio show, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) — who, while being an independent, caucuses with the Democrats — said that one way progressives can make sure Obama does not enact huge cuts to major social programs is to run a primary challenger against him.

***

“The only over-the-counter asthma inhaler sold in the United States will no longer be available next year as part of an international agreement to stop the use of substances that damage the environment.”

Primatine Mist, which when I was a kid with asthma was a lifesaver, is being outlawed by the FDA because its aerosol delivery system is bad for the environment, Gaia, and other living things.

***

“We are willing to talk to the Americans more.”

Libya is ready to hold more talks with the United States and with rebels trying to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, but the Libyan leader will not bow to demands he quit, a government spokesman said.

Moussa Ibrahim said Libyan officials had a “productive dialogue” with U.S. counterparts last week in a rare meeting that followed American recognition of the rebel government that hopes to end Gaddafi’s 41-year rule.

***

“With one inverse femtobarn, you cannot cover the entire mass region which is allowed for the Higgs boson.”

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has picked up tantalising fluctuations which might – or might not – be hints of the sought-after Higgs boson particle.

But scientists stress caution over these “excess events”, because similar wrinkles have been detected before only to disappear after further analysis.

***

Some Saturday night eye and ear candy for you. John Boehner walked out of debt talks with Barack Obama on Friday night. But did he really “walk” with enough style? The 1986 re-mix of “Walk this way” with both original owners Aerosmith and Run DMC will give him some help.