Pawlenty Will Run For President In 2012
Former Minnesota two-term governor, Tim Pawlenty announced in Iowa that he will indeed seek the presidency in 2012. Many media outlets across the country believe Pawlenty could be a strong runner in the republican primary as his major challengers with similar ideologies appear not to be making a bid. He even secured Huckabee’s old campaign manager, Eric Woolson, who signed on board to help the Pawlenty campaign.
Pawlenty stated during his speech earlier this week at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition that if he can win two terms as governor in a liberal state like Minnesota, then he can be a viable candidate for the presidency of the United States. He quoted Frank Sinatra’s “New York New York” by saying if he can make it in Minnesota then he can make it anywhere. He is a social conservative candidate that reflects the values of Christian conservatives and he also addresses the fiscal needs that American’s are looking for. Pawlenty is married to Mary Pawlenty and they have two daughters, Anna and Mara. Although raised a Roman Catholic, he became an evangelical to match his wife’s faith and regularly attends a Baptists church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
As a social conservative, Pawlenty believes the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade was a wrong decision and as governor he enacted a 24 hour waiting period for women who wish to receive an abortion in the state of Minnesota. Pawlenty has been publically outspoken on the issue of gay marriage, saying that it should not be legalized. Moreover he has stated that if he were president he would restore the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell law that restricts homosexuals from serving openly.
The former Minnesota governor also made major strides to reform the budget crisis in his state by cutting spending and programs to ultimately wipe out the state’s deficit. In his first term he didn’t raise taxes a single cent, but managed to fix a 4.7 billion dollar state deficit. In his second term he cut government waste even further and reduced unnecessary programs to erase nearly 3 billion dollars of debt. His fight wasn’t easy making these cuts as he had to face the popular DFL party, a faction of the Democratic Party. He squared off with them on budget concerns causing a shutdown of the state government in 2005.
Similar platform candidates, such as a Bachman and Palin run, may ultimately end up splitting votes causing a lesser known candidate to win the republican nomination. With all the bickering over who will ultimately win in 2012 and just how ugly the race could be, Pawlenty reminds republicans to follow Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment in which he declared that republicans shouldn’t speak ill of each other.
Derek Thomas is the editor in chief of republican2012.org and is writing the latest about the upcoming election. You can show your support for the Republican 2012 candidates by writing your opinions on the site. For more Tim Pawlenty information go to 2012 republican presidential candidates.
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