Tim Pawlenty Launches PAC, Setting Stage for 2012

(AP Photo/John Watson-Riley)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is setting the stage for a presidential run in 2012.

The Republican today officially announced the launch of his Political Action Committee, "Freedom First," which "will offer financial support to candidates committed to putting freedom before government, and provide organizational support for Pawlenty to promote his innovative, conservative message."

In a release announcing the PAC, Pawlenty previewed his potential line of criticism against President Obama, saying, "Right now, our freedoms are being challenged on many fronts."

"This organization is dedicated to putting freedom first again in America," he said. "By helping candidates and translating our ideas into policies that everyone can relate to and support, we can turn back the growth of Washington and renew the promise of freedom."

Launching a PAC is a standard move for politicians laying the groundwork for a presidential run. Pawlenty has announced he will not run for a third term as governor next year.

Hotsheet reported Pawlenty's plans to launch the PAC on September 22nd. As CBS News political director Steve Chaggaris pointed out, doing so provides Pawlenty "with money to financially support Republican candidates around the country - picking up political chits along the way - as well as fund his own political travel."

Pawlenty's PAC will be co-chaired by Morgan Stanley Vice Chairman William H. Strong and former Minnesota congressman Vin Weber.

The first fundraiser for Pawlenty's PAC will be November 4th in Minneapolis; entry to the reception is $1,000, and entry to the dinner is $5,000. To become an event chair for the event, a person must raise $100,000, which entitles them to two tickets to a private dessert reception with the governor as well as 20 tickets to the reception and dinner.

According to Politico, Pawlenty "has been quietly assembling the blueprint of a presidential campaign and will announce Thursday the support of a group of high-level political strategists and donors, complemented by a handful of top new media consultants."

He has reportedly turned to many of the operatives behind the successful 2004 reelection campaign of former president George W. Bush.

[vwellen]

I have been waiting for this guy to run for along time, he would have done a much better job then Mcain, But instead we got Mcain who did not stand a chance: And of course we ended up with Obama and now our National Debt is estimated to be at 10 Trillion Dollars by the end of his first term! the Amercain Dollar is going to be worthless by the time we are done with this president. The Next president is going to have alot of work to do....Sadly

[Henri_Rochard]

""Freedom First," which "will offer financial support to candidates committed to putting freedom before government...""

Would that include a woman's right to choose an abortion?

Pawlenty is a Repub, so would assume 'no'.

[wdh3007]

Perhaps maybe by 2012 if Obama has not produced a birth certificate by then will the country want anything other than what we have right now. Afterall everyone else wanted anything other than the Bush when it was his time to go.

[lutefisk763]

Maybe its time for a Minnesotan to add a few thoughts about Governor No. His main pledge since he was governor was No New Taxes. That meant not even 1 penny and he is in cahoots with a group we have here called The Tax Payers League. They are an ultra-conservative organization who's only existence is to make the rich richer on the back of those who can least afford it. On Governor No's watch the I35W bridge collapsed killing 13 and injuring hundreds because he took the cheap way out to gloss over structural defects with a new coat of paint and concrete because he gutted the budget for The Minnesota Department of Transportation. We have many of the poor who were on Minnesota Care kicked out of the program and now have to go the emergency room for basic medical services because he gutted cut out funding for his no taxes pledge. This year one of the largest employers in the state, Northwest Airlines was taken over by Delta and hundreds were laid off. The Ford plant in St. Paul is in the process of being shut with more people losing their jobs. The Mall of America, one of the biggest tourist attraction in the state and country with more visits per year than all the Disney Parks combined wanted to expand even bigger but, No New Taxes stopped that. A few years ago all the rest areas in Minnesota's Interstate highways were shut in the peak of summer vacation season because of No New Taxes. They were opened after about 2 weeks after major complaints and a revolt with peoples taking down the barriers. The there is what he and the Tax Payers League call 'fees'. The cigarette tax was raised but it wasn't a tax, it was a 'fee.' The cost of yearly State Park stickers and daily entrance was raised because it was a 'fee'. And yesterday it was announced that Hennepin Country property taxes would go up 3% to cover the poop and uninsured going to Hennepin County Medical Center as their primary care facility after his budget axe.

Would you really want him to run the country?

[markmn29]

I also live in Minnesota and that is a very well said and accurate post. You did leave out a few things. He didn't raise taxes he says but yet all his "cuts" have lead to the highest property tax increase we have seen because he pushed the responsibility onto the counties and schools. The schools are now trying to pass excess levy referendums to make up money. He is known as the word play governor because he won't raise taxes but yet putting fees on everything is ok and its not a tax.
He wouldnt have even been elected if it wasn't for 3rd party candidates jumping into the election. In fact in the last governor election he trailed Mike Hatch and was going to lose until a day or two before the election when Hatch's running mate, Judy Dutcher had a brain freeze about E85. I don't see Pawlenty even carrying the state of Minnesota if he would be the GOP president candidate.

[heresmy2cent]

Another rich, egomaniac, fairy seeking to protect the interests of the rich and powerful.

"Freedom First" is republican talk for protecting the interests of corporations and powerful special interests--it should be called "Corporations First."

A school child can see what the republican party is really all about. The average American citizen can expect nothing from them--they are doing their best to ruin this country.

[pubsrtoast]

"Freedom First" is republican talk for protecting the interests of corporations and powerful special interests--it should be called "Corporations First."
by heresmy2cent
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exactly! when they talk about "freedom" they mean the freedom of the rich and powerful to prey on everyone else. They in no way are talking about civil liberties, see George Bush's presidency for reference.

[hungry1968-16]

Another GOP *********.

That party is doomed to irrelevance, for at least the next 20 years.

[bcpats]

you wish ! ! !

[rightbehind]

Same guy who prevent Franken from taking his lawful senate seat. Obstructionist. By all means tim you should team up with palin.

[pubsrtoast]

Freedom to screw the middle class even more?

No Thanks.

[daffy64]

"Right now, our freedoms are being challenged on many fronts."

-

Yeah? name one.

[bcpats]

How about the freedom to own guns which is soon going to be, if not already going to be extremely limited. And have to register any guns on IRS forms, etc.
How about freedom to be able to CHOOSE your health insurance provider, or your doctor or elective surgeries, etc., etc.
How about the freedom to say "In God we trust"... no abolished in many schools.
How about the freedoms as outlined in the Constitution ! ! !

[doctor_know]

bcpats:

None of the health care proposals would limit ones choice of insurers... they all add more choices. In countries with single payer health care, like Canada, they can still CHOOSE to pay for whatever extra services they want. I have a friend who just did this because he wanted additional (optional) reinforcement for a hernia repair. He simply paid the difference in cost from what the government plan paid for. What is wrong with that? What?

The freedom to say 'in god we trust' has never been taken away. You just cannot FORCE people to say it. How is that less freedom? How? It is ridiculous to me that people consider it a loss of their own freedom when they are not allowed to tell other people what to do!

The freedom to own guns has not been threatened! You are just afraid that it may be.... Is that really the most important thing to worry about right now???

[ohiopolitico]

I look forward to hearing more about him. From the little I have heard, he appears to be decisive, resourceful and creative when it comes to problem-solving.