Pawlenty Out of Veepstakes

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) has ruled himself out of the VP sweepstakes.

"I've taken my name off the list for vice president," Pawlenty said Tuesday on Fox News, removing himself from any consideration of being likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's running mate this fall.

"I think I can help Mitt Romney in other ways as a volunteer," said Pawlenty. "I'm happy to do that. He will have a lot of great choices."

Pawlenty highlighted three variables that are important to consider when selecting a running mate. They are "be ready to be president," "compliment and bring strengths to the ticket," and "bring something political to the table in terms of a big state, a swing state, [or] some other consideration that would be helpful to win the election."

He called Florida Senator Marco Rubio one of the leading candidates because of the Cuban-American's compelling life story and highlighted the fact that the freshman lawmaker hails from a big swing state with "lots of electoral votes."

Pawlenty also mentioned Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as possible VP contenders. (read more)

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty admits he has regrets regarding his 2012 Presidential bid. Saturday on "America's News Headquarters," Governor Pawlenty said his regrets are related to quote, "tactical decisions."

"We took it as far as I could with my race and our resources," said Pawlenty. "We didn't get it done, obviously."

The former presidential candidate ended his campaign last August after finishing third in the Iowa straw polls. Shortly after that third place finish, Pawlenty endorsed Governor Mitt Romney despite his earlier criticisms on Romney's healthcare law.

During an appearance on "Fox News Sunday" last June, Pawlenty told Chris Wallace, "President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare."

Pawlenty now actively campaigns for Romney. He says Romney is the most capable, knowledgeable, and electable candidate.

He may have dropped out of the running for the presidency, but Tim Pawlenty isn't sitting on the sidelines - the former presidential candidate has endorsed Mitt Romney for president.

Pawlenty, who garnered early attention in his own presidential race but dropped out after a third-place showing in Iowa's straw poll last month, threw his weight behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney Monday on Fox News.

"There's one candidate in this race who's unmatched in his skills and experience and talent when it comes to turning around this economy and growing jobs, and that's Mitt Romney," Pawlenty said. "I believe he's going to be our party's nominee, and I think he's going to be a transformational and great president for this country."

Romney's private sector experience, Pawlenty said, was a deciding factor in his endorsement, along with his policy experience.

"Uniquely, Mitt Romeny, in this race, has a depth and scope of private sector experience - as an entrepreneur, as somebody who's invested in, and started, and grown businesses - and importantly, grown jobs," Pawlenty said. "His experience in the private sector amongst these candidates is unmatched." (read more)

Republicans in tiny Humboldt County, Iowa got a preview of the Ames Straw Poll today as two of the main combatants spoke back-to-back.

With Texas Governor Rick Perry deciding to wait until after the Straw Poll to even visit the Hawkeye State much less actually launch a White House bid, the main battle in Iowa this week is between two Republicans from next-door Minnesota: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Governor Tim Pawlenty.

Bachmann lived up to the hype surrounding her campaign, roiling the small but lively crowd. "It won't even be close," she said, claiming Republicans will oust President Obama in 2012. "We're going to see a tidal wave." (read more)

2012 GOP candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann has some harsh words for her fellow Minnesotan, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, striking back after days of jabs from the Pawlenty camp over the congresswoman's health, record and viability in the presidential race.

In a campaign email to supporters Sunday afternoon, Bachmann defended her "real world" successes and excoriated Pawlenty for "leaving a multi-billion-dollar budget mess" in Minnesota, which led to a government shutdown in the state early July.

"Real world actions speak louder than the words of career politicians," the statement concludes. Full email below:

Bachmann on Experience: "I have a lifetime record of success and action in the real world."

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann has issued the following statement in response to comments made by former Governor Tim Pawlenty on a Sunday morning news program:

"These are serious times that require serious solutions -- not more of the same. Being right on the issues is critical -- it is what the American people demand. Executive experience is not an asset if it simply means bigger and more intrusive government. (read more)

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann is now consistently positioned second in presidential polls behind Mitt Romney after just about a month of on the campaign trail.

While that's good news for Bachmann, it's arguably bad news for fellow Minnesotan Tim Pawlenty, who has been working his tail off in the all-important state of Iowa ahead the Ames Straw Poll.

Iowa has taken a particular liking to Bachmann, who happens to have been born there, urging Pawlenty to tweak his strategy in hopes of securing the GOP nomination. Instead of the first caucuses being a make-or-break situation for Pawlenty, he's now comparing himself to 2008 contenders Mike Huckabee and John McCain - noting they, too, were not sitting high in the polls at the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008. (read more)

Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty refused to back down from his criticism of fellow Republican presidential candidate - and fellow Minnesotan - Michele Bachmann Monday, reiterating his view that her congressional record is "nonexistent" - even as Bachmann leaps ahead in a new Iowa poll.

"Her record in Congress, as I mentioned before, is, you know - again, great remarks, and great speeches, but in terms of results and accomplishments - nonexistent," Pawlenty said Monday on "Fox and Friends."

The former Minnesota governor found himself in hot water over the weekend after he criticized Bachmann's congressional record on NBC’s "Meet the Press," saying she had few accomplishments to show for her time in office.

Bachmann hit back in a statement Sunday night, albeit without directly mentioning Pawlenty.

"Instead of negativity, I want to focus on my accomplishments," she said, going on to detail her votes on cap-and-trade and healthcare legislation. "I am proud of my record of fighting with resolve, and without apology, for our free markets, for sane fiscal policies, and in opposition to the advancement of the big government left." (read more)

There are bad days on the presidential campaign trail and then there is something worse. Tim Pawlenty had one of those days, waking up to find:

-The New York Times reports Pawlenty could be the "First Out" of the big GOP White House hopefuls

-Bloomberg says "Doom" may await Pawlenty if he falls short at next month's Iowa Straw Poll

-The Des Moines Register quotes Pawlenty at an editorial board meeting yesterday saying, "This week is the first time that I've campaigned in earnest in Iowa." That's after some 50 stops in Iowa stretching back to 2009.

Pawlenty knows the heat is on and acknowledged as much when he talked to reporters Friday in Cedar Rapids. "We are an underdog in this race. The Des Moines Register has us in a poll in 6th or 7th place. Our goal between now and the Straw Poll is to show some improvement. We don't have to win it, but we do need to show some improvement."

Friday's campaign stop in Cedar Rapids also produced a notable change in Pawlenty's messaging-criticized by some as too civil for an electorate keen on removing President Obama. "Anyone can stand up here and flap their jaw and give a speech. We've had Obama with all his soaring rhetoric, with all this nonsense, he's like a manure spreader in a windstorm. It stinks. It's flying all over the place and It's not pretty." (read more)

Republican presidential contenders issued responses to President Obama's televised address to the nation Thursday, during which he committed to withdrawing 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by December 31 and a total of 30,000 by the summer of 2012.

JON HUNTSMAN CALLS FOR "SAFE BUT RAPID WITHDRAWAL": "With America mired in three expensive conflicts, we have a generational opportunity to reset our position in the world in a way that makes sense for our security as well as our budget. The war in Afghanistan is an asymmetrical war, and our approach ought to adjust accordingly. Our troops have done everything we've asked them to. They've routed the Taliban, dismantled Al Qaeda, and facilitated democratic elections. Now it is time we move to a focused counter-terror effort which requires significantly fewer boots on the ground than the President discussed tonight. We need a safe but rapid withdrawal which encourages Afghans to assume responsibility, while leaving in place a strong counter intelligence and special forces effort proportionate to the threat. The War on Terror is being fought against a global enemy, and it is critical that we have the resources to fight them wherever they're found." (read more)

Many top aides of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign advisors have resigned, Fox News has learned, apparently because there is no agreement on the campaign's future direction.

Gingrich, who formally announced his candidacy last month, amassed a staff of political heavy hitters. With the announcement from Gingrich's former national campaign co-chair Sonny Perdue that he has switched to Pawlenty's camp, other newly departed members of Gingrich's team will no doubt be some of the most sought-after staffers in the 2012 race. Here's a look at some of the firepower Gingrich lost.  (read more)