Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's name is still in the national spotlight, as he made the rounds on prominent national television shows. The Governor was on MSNBC's Hardball and Fox News Sunday recently.
"Tim Pawlenty is trying to sort of define himself as the face of the future of the Republican Party. He clearly has presidential ambitions," political analyst David Schultz said.
Hardball's Chris Matthews asked him if he was running for president in 2012; Governor Pawlenty said he hadn't decided. When Matthews asked if was running for reelection for Governor, he replied, "I might, I haven't decided that yet."
Pawlenty focused his recent comments on the Republican Party in general, and what it needs to do to reconnect with voters. On Fox News Sunday, he said: "The demographics of the country are changing, technology is changing, the economy is changing, the culture is changing, and we have to learn to do a better job of applying our conservative principles."
Minnesota DFL leaders responded to Pawlenty's national appearances. "It's just unfortunate, I believe, that he's focusing more on his national profile than focusing on the work of the people here in Minnesota," Donna Cassutt, the Associate Chair of Minnesota's DFL party said on Sunday.
Pawlenty told the nationwide audience he is "focused on the needs of my state."
He would not, however, take the bait when asked about presidential aspirations. "Thinking about it now is not too soon, and second, given the fact the Republican Party is trying to define who they are, he has to act now," Schultz explained.
Other names on the perhaps premature shortlist for 2012 Republican Party Presidential Nominees include Governors Sarah Palin of Alaska, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Charlie Crist of Florida, and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
