Pawlenty Moves Up in GOP Governors Association

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

(AP Photo/John Watson-Riley)

The Republican Governors Association announced today that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been elected to serve as vice chair, a position that gives the governor a chance to raise his national profile ahead of a potential 2012 bid for president.

In his new role, Pawlenty will seek out support from Republican donors and party activists on behalf of the 39 Republican gubernatorial candidates who will be running for office this year and in 2010. Pawlenty said he will stress fiscal conservatism in the upcoming races.

"Winning these races is key to rebuilding the GOP and strengthening our economy," he said. "We have a tremendous opportunity to transform the political map."

RGA Chairman Haley Barbour highlighted Pawlenty's tenure as a Republican governor outside of the South.

"Governor Pawlenty has been a leader in the effort to grow the Republican Party beyond our traditional base while remaining true to our principles," Barbour said in a statement. "His firsthand knowledge of how to win in a so-called purple state will be a major asset to the RGA."

Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, assumed the chairmanship after South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford resigned from the post when he admitted to an extra-marital affair.

Pawlenty's new role stands in contrast to the trajectory of Sarah Palin, another prominent Republican who has been pegged over the past year as a potential leader in the party. Her image still graces the banner of the RGA's online introductory page, TheGOPComeback.com, even though she resigned as governor of Alaska yesterday. Palin's role in the party remains unclear at this point, especially considering only 23 percent of Americans held a favorable view of her in the recent CBS News survey. However, it should also be noted that 39 percent of Americans said they have yet to form an opinion about her in the poll.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by stn_sage July 27, 2009 4:07 PM EDT: I don't care what this man does!

As an independent, I resent how he chose to play rank partisan politics with the Minnesota senate seat by refusing to sign the authorization certificate sending Franken to the senate.

Instead, he contributed to a senseless battle that waged for months, denying Minnesota representation by one seat! If he willing to do THAT from the governor's chair, just think what and how he'd be able to 'tie up' government from the Oval Office?!

No, no way! Republican's have done enough damage! I'd never vote for him!; Reply to this comment

by briannorwood July 27, 2009 1:04 PM EDT

Pawlenty to stress "fiscal conservatism". And where exactly was this jackass, and all the rest of the so-called "conservatives" when the Bush administration was spending like drunken sailors?

Not a peep.

So, to these "born again" Republicans, you had your chance for 12 years. Now sit down and shut up!

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by timnaustin September 3, 2009 9:21 AM EDT: Well said.
The only thing they can do is complain. Unfortunately, the sheep out there continue to chant the party line, no matter what it is. Now they are complaining about Obama speaking to classrooms about education. These people amaze me with their ignorance.