Pawlenty Campaign Moves Forward After Third Place Straw Poll Finish
- Posted on August 13, 2011 at 11:49pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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Following a strong day at the podium and with the crowds in Ames, the presidential campaign for former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is in flux, moving quickly to respond to a disappointing third place finish in Saturday’s straw poll.
After spending a year of time and more than $1 million in Iowa so far, Pawlenty pulled in 2,293 votes at the Iowa Straw Poll, well behind Ron Paul’s 4,671 and Michele Bachmann’s 4,823.
With national frontrunner Mitt Romney skipping the poll and formidable Texas Governor Rick Perry only just announcing his candidacy Saturday in South Carolina, the Pawlenty campaign has focused on success in Iowa as a means for establishing the former governor among the top 2012 GOP contenders.
POLITICO‘s Jonathan Martin reports that Pawlenty is set to meet early tomorrow morning with top campaign staff and donors to discuss the next move , “low on cash and reeling from a distant third-place finish at Ames,”
“Pawlenty and his senior aides signaled Friday that they‘d retrench but stay in if he didn’t do well at the straw poll. But with Rick Perry in the race and little money in the bank, the former Minnesota governor is facing a difficult decision.”
Pawlenty has emphasized his conservative record as Governor in a Blue State, accompanied with his strong criticism of the policies of Barack Obama throughout the campaign. Pawlenty ripped on the President as being “like a manure spreader in a windstorm,” drawing loud cheers from a crowd of GOP activists in Ames at about (1:50) of his straw poll speech:
The former governor demanded that Republican candidates have to show that they can back up their words with actions. Speaking this afternoon as straw poll votes were simultaneously coming in, Pawlenty pointed to his record as a conservative governor in a strongly Democratic state, which he says speaks for itself. He noted that his performance in Minnesota, is evidence that he can take conservative policies nationwide.
The power of his campaign pitch in a general election is yet to be seen, but Pawlenty’s performance in the non-binding Iowa contest seems troubling to many commentators analyzing his campaign.
Toby Harnden of the Telegraph gives a grim picture of what the third place finish means for Pawlenty:
“Tim Pawlenty’s campaign is now likely to die a slow death, with fundraising dropping off and recriminations beginning. Pawlenty has been very unlucky in some ways but the fact that he ran a good, well-disciplined Ames straw poll campaign makes things even worse for him now.”
Following the announcement of Bachmann’s straw poll victory, the campaign tried to stay positive releasing a statement which read:
“Congratulations to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for her victory in today’s straw poll,” he said. “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. This is a long process to restore America – we are just beginning and I’m looking forward to a great campaign.”
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucus in 2008 after finishing second in Ames, has encouraged Pawlenty to stay positive. Huckabee told CNN Saturday night.
“’It’s a long process where we are months away from the caucuses,’ Huckabee said. ‘So what you don’t want to do is to have people who drop out and then find out that maybe a candidate stumbles all over himself, and the field in front of him is clear.’”
Since first held in 1979, George W. Bush is the only candidate to have won the Ames Iowa Straw Poll, Iowa Caucus, GOP nomination, and presidency in the same election. Bob Dole is the only other Republican to have won both the Straw Poll and Iowa Caucus in the same election.
Pawlenty is scheduled to appear tomorrow morning on ABC’s “This Week.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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affinnity
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:20amHe made a mistake picking a public fight with Bachmann. If he’d stuck with his principles and track record and attacked Obama he probably would have a chance.
Report Post »Cheetosareus
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 11:58amNope…no chance. He supported the “individual mandate” on Obamacare which is clearly unconstitutional. Any real conservative knows that. He also was in favor of Obama’s “Cap and Tax” energy policy…“which would necessarily cause energy bill to skyrocket”. Only a real fool would be for that.
Let him run as what he is…a progressive. John McCain liked him…therefore that another reason for him to quit the race.
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:37pmI agree! Pawlenty shot himself in the foot when he chose to engage in the typical dum-dem style of gutter campaigning.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:40pmhad to be a lot of Obama supporters their voting for Pawlenty for him to place third…otherwise he would have been at the back of the pack
Report Post »cntrlfrk
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:55am‘
Fox now saying Pawlenty is dropping out.
.
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:53amST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.Pawlenty told supporters on a conference call Sunday morning that he would announce on ABC’s “This Week” that he was ending his campaign after a disappointing finish in the Iowa straw poll on Saturday
Report Post »izzy1127
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:50amIf moving forward means “I’m Out”. This man had no chance to begin with. Good person, good for the job but no personality. Sorry dude……….
Report Post »cmsmik
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:49amFNC just reported Pawlenty is dropping out of the race! He is done!
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 3:50amI watched the debate just like you all did. I was ashamed for Pawlenty, the way he talked to Bachmann in comparision to the way he talked to Romney showed me plenty. Pawlenty seemed to think he could slap the women in the room. He was much more careful how he talked to the men in the room. Not good as far as I’m concerned. Do you think he might already know he will never get the nomination on his own. Does he hope Romney might give him the VP nod?? Pawlenty better start looking south toward Texas instead of Northeast if he’s looking for a sugar daddy.
Report Post »cassandra
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:49amPawlenty was a jerk for blaming Bauchman for obama care, he says she voted no and we got it she voted no on raising the debt limit and we got it , is he for real blaming her for what the communist did in the WH Please I hear he’s dropping out GOOD
Report Post »1bambam
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:07amCan someone break the news to Pawlenty and Huntsman it‘s over boy’s……. yeah Huntsman I‘m sick of watching him speak already it’s written all over your face I am lying I’ll do anything or say what ever I have to to get elected and he is so much like his previous Boss
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:39amWhen Huntsman talks, it it like fingernails on a blackboard for me — but I would still vote for him instead of Obama. Interesting Huntsman fact that doesn’t get any attention: when he ran for Gov. in Utah, he supported an amendment to the Utah Constitution that limited marriage to one man & one woman and prohibited laws that extended a marriage-like status to homosexual unions. After the Constitutional Amendment passed, Huntsman was talking about “civil unions”. No matter what you feel about homosexual “marriage,” Huntsman clearly has a BIG problem keeping to his oath of office. Still, Obama has a much more extensive problem keeping the oath of office.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:39amIts time for this one to get out also – http://wp.me/pYLB7-1nP
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:53amThe Tea Party hit 2 home runs with Michelle and Ron. All Tim did was attack Michelle and that just made him look weak. It’s beginning to appear The Tea Party is going to have another big year next election. Michelle and Ron = 57% of the vote. Add Cain and Santorum who have at least some Tea Party backing for another 19%. We‘re looking at close to 3 of 4 of Iowa’s Republican voters that have at least some Tea Party principles. I hope Colorado feels the same. It certainly does feel like people here want a smaller government more than ever before – at least with the over 30 population and even some of the 20-somethings.
Report Post »1bambam
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:01amsince when did Ron Paul come to represent the tea party movement maybe Rand Paul but Ron Paul ,,,,not saying he’s a bad guy is in a class all by himself
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 2:53amLOL, yup “a class all by himself” says it very well.
Report Post »Daddymac10
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:08amPawlenty dismayed a lot of true conservatives when he tried to smear Bachmann with ridiculous accusations …he’s finished
Report Post »IAMNOTKNOWING
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:46amFact!
Plus, the guy is so-OBVIOUSLY “acting the part.”
Even though he makes some good points, he’s a POSER.
He’s too mealy-mouthed in his mannerism.
He didn‘t look like he meant it at all when he ’raised’ his hand on that question by Bret Baier, but was just checking the temperature of the water before he ‘agreed.’
The guy’s too phony for me.
Report Post »1bambam
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 1:58amAmen
Report Post »stumblemouth
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:58amHe and Romney are the candidates the Washington RINO punditry loved. After numerous appearances nationwide and the best mainstream advisors money could buy, Pawlenty only got up to single digits in any poll I ever saw. Practically living in Iowa and trying to recast himself didn‘t help McCain’s pet. Maybe this is the year the RINO crowd doesn’t get their way and give us a bland moderate destined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Report Post »Restoration & Improvement
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:51amPawlenty lost me when he attacked Bachman
Report Post »WhoIsTheCoon
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:36amPawlenty is a bully and neocon. Paul or McCotter 12!
Report Post »Grandmadar
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:12amIf either of them make the nomination I would vote for them. Not too happy about Paul’s Iran comment though.
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:12amThird!
But…he had the hottest looking daughters?
Report Post »Grandmadar
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:06amPawlenty is conservative…but I just don’t think he would be able to pull it off. Ron Paul won’t be able to pull it off either. No matter what a person believes and campaigns for that will pull this country back to it’s Founders, they have to have a certain amount of charisma.
Report Post »BLancaster82
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 12:04amKeep @ it Pawlenty! You’re the only one with real experience to manage this country and bring our nation back from its path of destruction.
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