http://www.latimes.com/news/politic...nnouncement-20110522,0,378449.story?track=rss
On eve of announcement, Tim Pawlenty promises to 'tell the truth'
Tim Pawlenty appears in a web video Sunday prior to his public campaign kickoff in Iowa Monday.
Tim Pawlenty appears in a web video Sunday prior to his public campaign kickoff in Iowa Monday. (YouTube)
By Michael A. Memoli
May 22, 2011, 4:02 p.m.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is officially declaring his presidential candidacy on Monday. But he offered a sneak peak to supporters in a YouTube video posted Sunday, in which he pledges to speak candidly about the nation’s challenges.
“I could promise that we can eliminate a $14-trillion debt, create jobs for 10 million people, restructure Social Security and healthcare all without making any tough decisions. Or, I could try something different: I could just tell you the truth,” a stern Pawlenty says.
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Pawlenty makes no mention of any potential Republican rivals, focusing instead on President Obama, whom he hopes to face in the general election. He said the nation needs a president "who understands that our problems are deep, and who has the courage to face them," which he said Obama does not.
In 2008 Pawlenty was among John McCain's most active surrogates, both in the primaries and the general election. His announcement video offers a his own brand of the "straight talk" that the Arizona senator made a personal trademark.
"You won't hear empty promises. You'll hear solutions," he said. "Together, we’ll change our country. And this time, it’ll be for the better."
The Minnesota Republican has been building toward a presidential run ever since McCain lost to Obama in November 2008. He was among the first Republicans to form an exploratory committee in March.
The timing of Pawlenty’s public announcement, planned during a town hall meeting in Des Moines Monday, comes as yet another favored Republican figure chose to pass on the 2012 race. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told supporters Sunday that family concerns would keep him out, a move some think could boost Pawlenty.
“There are a lot of undecided people out there, and some of those people are going to like the story of a Midwestern governor who's governed in a blue state, and governed as a conservative successfully," said longtime Republican fundraiser Fred Malek, who is not involved in the race.
Pawlenty is still largely unknown, registering in the low-single digits in most state and national polls. But his announcement video included some of his “blue-collar” biography.
“I moved a Democratic state in a conservative direction,” he said. “I know the American dream, because I lived it.”
An email from Pawlenty’s campaign includes a solicitation for donations. Though he raised nearly $1 million at a fundraiser last week, it pales in comparison to an event by front-runner Mitt Romney, who raised ten times that amount.
[email protected]
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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13661873
Pawlenty Announces Presidential Run in Web Video
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By BRIAN BAKST Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa May 23, 2011 (AP)
Republican Tim Pawlenty offered a sneak peek Sunday at his presidential kickoff, blasting out an Internet video in which he promises a campaign that "tells the American people the truth" and suggests that President Barack Obama doesn't.
In the new video, the former Minnesota governor formally declares he's running for president, something aides said he'd do in person Monday morning during a town hall forum in Iowa. Pawlenty bypassed a launch in his home state to make his inaugural appearance as a candidate in the state that holds the leadoff caucuses, which he acknowledges he must fare well in to preserve his hopes of the GOP nomination.
He says in the video that the country needs a president who will be frank with Americans about the severe challenges facing the country and how America can get back on track. He mentions the climbing federal debt and a slow recovery from the economic recession that's left millions jobless.
"We're going to have to do more than just give fancy speeches; we've had three years of that and it's not working," Pawlenty says. "Join me tomorrow and around the country in the days and weeks ahead. You won't hear empty promises, you'll hear solutions."
Tim Pawlenty
AP
FILE - In this May 18, 2011 file photo,... View Full Caption
The hard swipes at Obama are central to Pawlenty's effort to prove to GOP primary voters that he's tough enough to take on the Democrat. He's combatting an impression that he's too nice to be an aggressive challenger.
Pawlenty makes no mention of prospective GOP rivals he'll have to outlast to get his shot at Obama. Among the Republicans who have taken formal steps toward a White House campaign are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
The GOP field saw more signs of settling Sunday when Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels took his name out of consideration.
The video released Sunday by Pawlenty is set to soft music that rises to a crescendo — a contrast from the all-out, pulse-raising videos he released as he introduced himself to GOP voters over the last several months. The former two-term governor brags that he "moved our Democratic state in a conservative direction."
"We need a president who understands that our problems are deep and who has the courage to face them," Pawlenty says in the spot. "President Obama doesn't, and I do."
Democrats planned to counter Pawlenty's town hall meeting Monday by bringing in Minnesota officials who say he handed off deep budget problems to his successor.
The Democratic National Committee didn't let Sunday's video go unanswered.
"After running for president for over two years, the question isn't whether Tim Pawlenty is running or not. It's why — a question he has yet to find an answer to," said DNC press secretary Hari Sevugan.
He added that Minnesota residents are coping with reduced services and ongoing deficits: "They're scratching their heads, too."
On eve of announcement, Tim Pawlenty promises to 'tell the truth'
Tim Pawlenty appears in a web video Sunday prior to his public campaign kickoff in Iowa Monday.
Tim Pawlenty appears in a web video Sunday prior to his public campaign kickoff in Iowa Monday. (YouTube)
By Michael A. Memoli
May 22, 2011, 4:02 p.m.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is officially declaring his presidential candidacy on Monday. But he offered a sneak peak to supporters in a YouTube video posted Sunday, in which he pledges to speak candidly about the nation’s challenges.
“I could promise that we can eliminate a $14-trillion debt, create jobs for 10 million people, restructure Social Security and healthcare all without making any tough decisions. Or, I could try something different: I could just tell you the truth,” a stern Pawlenty says.
Related
No more exploring: Tim Pawlenty will announce candidacy Monday No more exploring: Tim Pawlenty will announce candidacy Monday
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels won't run for president Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels won't run for president
Lesser-known GOP presidential hopefuls debate in South Carolina Lesser-known GOP presidential hopefuls debate in South Carolina
Pawlenty makes no mention of any potential Republican rivals, focusing instead on President Obama, whom he hopes to face in the general election. He said the nation needs a president "who understands that our problems are deep, and who has the courage to face them," which he said Obama does not.
In 2008 Pawlenty was among John McCain's most active surrogates, both in the primaries and the general election. His announcement video offers a his own brand of the "straight talk" that the Arizona senator made a personal trademark.
"You won't hear empty promises. You'll hear solutions," he said. "Together, we’ll change our country. And this time, it’ll be for the better."
The Minnesota Republican has been building toward a presidential run ever since McCain lost to Obama in November 2008. He was among the first Republicans to form an exploratory committee in March.
The timing of Pawlenty’s public announcement, planned during a town hall meeting in Des Moines Monday, comes as yet another favored Republican figure chose to pass on the 2012 race. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told supporters Sunday that family concerns would keep him out, a move some think could boost Pawlenty.
“There are a lot of undecided people out there, and some of those people are going to like the story of a Midwestern governor who's governed in a blue state, and governed as a conservative successfully," said longtime Republican fundraiser Fred Malek, who is not involved in the race.
Pawlenty is still largely unknown, registering in the low-single digits in most state and national polls. But his announcement video included some of his “blue-collar” biography.
“I moved a Democratic state in a conservative direction,” he said. “I know the American dream, because I lived it.”
An email from Pawlenty’s campaign includes a solicitation for donations. Though he raised nearly $1 million at a fundraiser last week, it pales in comparison to an event by front-runner Mitt Romney, who raised ten times that amount.
[email protected]
<hr>
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13661873
Pawlenty Announces Presidential Run in Web Video
Share
5 Comments
Text Size
- / +
By BRIAN BAKST Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa May 23, 2011 (AP)
Republican Tim Pawlenty offered a sneak peek Sunday at his presidential kickoff, blasting out an Internet video in which he promises a campaign that "tells the American people the truth" and suggests that President Barack Obama doesn't.
In the new video, the former Minnesota governor formally declares he's running for president, something aides said he'd do in person Monday morning during a town hall forum in Iowa. Pawlenty bypassed a launch in his home state to make his inaugural appearance as a candidate in the state that holds the leadoff caucuses, which he acknowledges he must fare well in to preserve his hopes of the GOP nomination.
He says in the video that the country needs a president who will be frank with Americans about the severe challenges facing the country and how America can get back on track. He mentions the climbing federal debt and a slow recovery from the economic recession that's left millions jobless.
"We're going to have to do more than just give fancy speeches; we've had three years of that and it's not working," Pawlenty says. "Join me tomorrow and around the country in the days and weeks ahead. You won't hear empty promises, you'll hear solutions."
Tim Pawlenty
AP
FILE - In this May 18, 2011 file photo,... View Full Caption
The hard swipes at Obama are central to Pawlenty's effort to prove to GOP primary voters that he's tough enough to take on the Democrat. He's combatting an impression that he's too nice to be an aggressive challenger.
Pawlenty makes no mention of prospective GOP rivals he'll have to outlast to get his shot at Obama. Among the Republicans who have taken formal steps toward a White House campaign are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.
The GOP field saw more signs of settling Sunday when Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels took his name out of consideration.
The video released Sunday by Pawlenty is set to soft music that rises to a crescendo — a contrast from the all-out, pulse-raising videos he released as he introduced himself to GOP voters over the last several months. The former two-term governor brags that he "moved our Democratic state in a conservative direction."
"We need a president who understands that our problems are deep and who has the courage to face them," Pawlenty says in the spot. "President Obama doesn't, and I do."
Democrats planned to counter Pawlenty's town hall meeting Monday by bringing in Minnesota officials who say he handed off deep budget problems to his successor.
The Democratic National Committee didn't let Sunday's video go unanswered.
"After running for president for over two years, the question isn't whether Tim Pawlenty is running or not. It's why — a question he has yet to find an answer to," said DNC press secretary Hari Sevugan.
He added that Minnesota residents are coping with reduced services and ongoing deficits: "They're scratching their heads, too."
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