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Gov. Pawlenty will be visiting New Hampshire next month.

(CNN) - Next month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is heading to New Hampshire, the latest presidential proving ground the Minnesota Republican will have visited this fall.

Pawlenty will keynote a $50-per-person fundraiser for the state's Republican Senate Majority Committee in Concord on December 16 in what could be seen as an effort to build early support in the key primary state.

The planned trip comes on the heels of a foray to Iowa last weekend, where Pawlenty headlined the state GOP's annual leadership dinner, one of the two major annual events for the state party.

Pawlenty announced this past summer he would not seek a second gubernatorial term in 2012, fueling speculation he is setting his sights on a presidential bid instead.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is speaking to the Iowa GOP on Saturday.

(CNN) – It may be two years and two months until the next Iowa caucuses, but if you're considering a run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, it's never to early to visit the Hawkeye State.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the keynote speaker Saturday at the Iowa GOP's annual leadership dinner in Des Moines. The function is one of two major events for the state's Republican Party. And as the fundraiser's main attraction, Pawlenty invites more speculation about a run for the White House.

The next day Mike Huckabee returns to Iowa. The former Arkansas governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate visits on Sunday to promote his new holiday themed book, "A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories that Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit."

Now a Fox News talk show host, Huckabee has returned to Iowa several times since his win in the 2008 caucuses, most recently to raise money for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats.

On Tuesday, George Pataki returns to Iowa to help raise money for the GOP. The former New York governor will be the keynote speaker at the Scott County Republican's Ronald Reagan Dinner. Pataki's visit could fuel speculation that he's interested in making a run for his party's presidential nomination in 2012. Pataki spent a lot of time in Iowa during the early stages of the last presidential election cycle, but opted not to become a candidate.

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Most Americans think Sarah Palin is not qualified to be president.

TOPICS: GOP 2012 race, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty

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Pawlenty will speak in Washington next month.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Tim Pawlenty has added another stop to his increasingly busy national itinerary.

The Minnesota governor will speak at a lunch to raise money for the National Republican Senatorial Committee during the group's fall meeting in Washington next month, GOP officials told CNN. The NRSC sent a letter to supporters Tuesday with a fundraising pitch from the governor, who recently formed a new political action committee called "Freedom First" and is considering a presidential run in 2012.

"America is successful in large part because we are the freest people the world has ever known," Pawlenty wrote in the e-mail. "These freedoms are now being threatened by the rapid expansion of our government led by liberal Democrats in Washington."

"I look forward to sharing the message of Freedom First with supporters from across America who are helping us rebuild our conservative ranks in 2010," he wrote.

Pawlenty's letter goes on to solicit a contributions for the NRSC, which is tasked with electing Republicans to the Senate. The fall meeting takes place on Nov. 16 and 17.

Mitt Romney, a possible rival for the 2012 GOP nomination, spoke at an NRSC dinner earlier this year.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is bucking his own party.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Just four days after professing ignorance about the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district, Tim Pawlenty changed course Monday and decided to endorse Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman instead of the Republican in the race.

Pawlenty's move follows decisions by other prominent national conservatives - including Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson, Dick Armey and Rick Santorum - to line up against the GOP candidate, Dede Scozzafava. They and other activists on the right have accused Scozzafava of being too liberal for the GOP, and are throwing resources and support to Hoffman.

The Minnesota governor, who is courting conservatives as he mulls a possible 2012 presidential bid, made his endorsement in an e-mail to the blog RedState.

"We cannot send more politicians to Washington who wear the Republican jersey on the campaign trail, but then vote like Democrats in Congress on issues like card check and taxes," Pawlenty said in the statement. "After reviewing the candidates' positions, I'm endorsing Doug Hoffman in New York's special election. Doug understands the federal government needs to quit spending so much, will vote against tax increases, and protect key values like the right to vote in private in union elections."

Last Thursday, after a fundraiser in Washington, Pawlenty told reporters he wasn't following the race and declined to make an endorsement.

"You know I haven't been following that, I haven't studied the race at all," he said at the time. "It's not that I would or wouldn't, I just don't know anything about it. I haven't taken the time to study their positions, their records, so I haven't taken a position on it."

Scozzafava and Hoffman are on the ballot along with Democrat Bill Owens. Election Day is November 3.

UPDATE: A Pawlenty aide reports that the governor's recently-created "Freedom First" political action committee will donate $2,400 to the Hoffman campaign, the maximum contribution allowed. The gift marks the PAC's first donation since it was formed earlier this month.

Tim Pawlenty is broadening his critique of the Obama administration.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – As Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ramped up his national profile over the past year, he has focused primarily on domestic issues when criticizing the Obama administration.

But the Republican took aim Monday at President Obama's international posture, questioning whether the president's foreign policy agenda is making the country less safe.

"History proves that it is weakness, not strength, that tempts our enemies," Pawlenty said in an interview with the conservative Web site Newsmax. "And he is projecting potential weakness, and enemies may see that and their respect may be reduced as a result of that, or worse."

Pawlenty launched a political action committee earlier this month called "Freedom First" that allows him to travel the country in support of Republican candidates. Though he fashioned himself as a pragmatic Republican with working class appeal during his two terms as governor, Pawlenty has struck an increasingly partisan tone since announcing in June that he would not seek another term. That has led many political observers to speculate that he's positioning himself for a run for the White House in 2012.

In the interview, Pawlenty also accused the president of being "extremely partisan in his approaches," particularly with his health care reform agenda.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty rolled out a series of new health care proposals earlier this month.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said Thursday that his proposal to allow consumers to purchase health insurance across state lines is a "good idea" and is not intended to draw a contrast with President Obama's health care agenda in Washington.

Pawlenty, who is enhancing his national profile as he mulls a presidential run in 2012, argued that his plan would increase competition among insurance companies and drive down health care costs.

"It's not meant to contrast with anything other than to advance good ideas that will hopefully improve health care and the cost of health care and provide people more health care choices," he told reporters after a Washington fundraiser for his political action committee on Thursday evening.

The Minnesota governor sent a letter to the country's 49 other governors earlier this week urging them to band together to support his proposal.

"We are trying to promote good ideas, and I think those are good ideas," he said. "I don't think it's limited to being Republican or Democaat. We're hoping some Democratic governors will sign on to that as well."

Sarah Palin endorsed Conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman in the upstate New York special election.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty, two Republicans widely viewed as possible 2012 White House hopefuls, weighed in Thursday night on the closely-watched special election in New York's 23rd congressional district. They chose very different approaches - but neither endorsed the GOP candidate.

Calling it a matter of principle, Palin - the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate - bucked her party and enthusiastically endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman over Republican Dede Scozzafava. The race has attracted national attention, especially from grassroots activists who accuse Scozzafava of not being conservative enough to run under the Republican party mantle.

"Doug Hoffman stands for the principles that all Republicans should share: smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense, and a commitment to individual liberty," the former Alaska governor wrote on her Facebook page. "Political parties must stand for something."

Palin then urged her supporters to donate to Hoffman, who she said "has not been anointed by any political machine."

Just minutes before she made the announcement, Pawlenty happened to be speaking to reporters in Washington after a fundraiser for his new political action committee. The Minnesota governor refused to make an endorsement when asked about the race.

"You know I haven't been following that, I haven't studied the race at all," he said. "It's not that I would or wouldn't, I just don't know anything about it. I haven't taken the time to study their positions, their records, so I haven't taken a position on it."

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is raising money in Washington on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is holding the first fundraiser for his newly-formed political action committee Thursday night in Washington.

The fundraiser is actually two events: a low-dollar "Pretzel and Pints" event at a popular Capitol Hill bar, and a "Leadership Dinner" at the home of lobbyist John Milne and his wife Deb Anderson where guests are asked to raise or contribute at least $5,000.

The money will go to Pawlenty's "Freedom First" PAC, which was launched at the beginning of the month and gives the governor the ability to travel the country in support of other Republicans as he eyes a possible presidential bid in 2012.

The first event is aimed at introducing Pawlenty to young Republicans and Capitol Hill staffers - the kind of operatives who might make up the backbone of Pawlenty's staff if he seeks the White House.

"A lot of young people are really drawn to Governor Pawlenty's innovative and conservative record," Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant said. "Meeting Pawlenty over some pretzels and pints is a fun bonus."

Four Republican members of Congress from Minnesota are listed as co-hosts: Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline and Erik Paulsen, as well as lobbyist and former Rep. Vin Weber.

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Gov. Pawlenty has penned a letter to his fellow governors.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Minnesota Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty reached out Wednesday to his fellow governors throughout the country with his proposal for states to work together to allow the purchase of health insurance across state lines.

Pawlenty's proposal, called the "Interstate Health Insurance Compact," "would allow participating states to share common regulatory standards," Pawlenty writes in a letter to his 49 counterparts.

Pawlenty also wrote that banding together would allow states to facilitate purchasing insurance across their borders and, drawing on terms frequently used by the Obama administration in its push for health care reform legislation, the Minnesota Republican said such a change would increase "competition and choice."

"[H]ealth insurance is an area that would benefit from a consistent standards to enable true market competition to flourish nationally," Pawlenty's letter says, "Those standards should be informed by the collective wisdom of those closest to consumers – states and their insurance regulators."
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the keynote speaker Friday night at a major conservative conference.

(CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the keynote speaker Friday night at a major conservative conference. If that sounds familiar, there's a good reason.

Pawlenty's announcement earlier this year that he would not run next year for a third term as governor was a tip off that he was considering a run for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Since then, Pawlenty has been very visible, speaking out against the Obama administration and appearing at a number of major Republican and conservative events. He also became vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association, and has campaigned for the GOP gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia, the two states that hold gubernatorial elections this November.

The visibility continues Friday night, when Pawlenty gives the keynote address at Western Conservative Political Action Conference (WCPAC).

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is building up his national profile.

(CNN) – As Democrats in Washington work to push health care reform through the Senate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty rolled out a series of new health care initiatives on Tuesday that he plans to introduce during next year's legislative session.

The Republican, who is contemplating a White House bid in 2012, made clear that the proposals are intended to be a "market driven" contrast to President Obama's health care plan currently being debated in Washington. Along with the official policy rollout in St. Paul, Pawlenty also published an online column trashing the Democratic health care bill that ultimately emerged from the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday as "a tax and spending bill masquerading as a health reform bill."

His new three-pronged plan to reform the state-run health care system is anchored by a proposal to let Minnesotans purchase health insurance plans across state lines. If enacted, Minnesota would become the first state to allow residents to buy health care from out of state. That plan, he said, would foster more private sector competition to help reduce costs.

The second proposal would establish a "tiered provider system" for the state-run programs MinnesotaCare and Minnesota Advantage that would make consumers pay more for clinics that are more costly and less efficient. The third part of the plan would require adults making at least 133 percent of the federal poverty level pay for some of the health care expenses under MinnesotaCare.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will host a GOP fundraiser in Iowa on November 7.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be the keynote speaker at an Iowa Republican Party fundraiser on November 7, kicking off the party's primary season battle for the governor's mansion in that state, and stirring speculation he is planning a presidential run in 2012.

In July, the Iowa Republican Party told CNN they had been courting former Alaska governor and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to headline the annual dinner. Around that time, the party also extended an invitation to Pawlenty, Republican Party chair Matt Strawn told CNN Wednesday.

"We've got an open invitation to Sarah Palin whenever she wants to come to Iowa," Republican Party Executive Director Jeff Boeyink told CNN Wednesday. But, he added, "we are thrilled to get Tim Pawlenty to headline our event."

Tickets to the annual "Leadership for Iowa" event being held on the Iowa State Fairgrounds are being sold for $25. The party expects between 500 and 1,000 attendees.

The Minnesota DFL accused Pawlenty Wednesday of neglecting his state duties in favor of his political ambition.

"Spending most of his time on the road these days, Governor Pawlenty's more-of-the-same mentality and personal ambitions have made him little more than a suave hit man pandering to right-wing extremists," DFL Chair Brian Melendez said in a statement Wednesay.

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Pawlenty launched his new PAC on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will hold the first fundraiser for his new political action committee on Oct. 22 at the Capitol Hill home of lobbyist John Milne and his wife Deb Anderson, according to a copy of the invitation provided to CNN.

The invite to the Washington dinner asks guests to contribute or raise $5,000 to be named a "Leadership Team Member" for Pawlenty's "Freedom First" PAC, his newly-created political organization awash with veteran GOP operatives who are advising the governor as he eyes a presidential bid in 2012.

The dinner will be preceded by a low-dollar reception at a nearby restaurant, where supporters can contribute a minimum of $50 for the chance to meet Pawlenty and pose for photos. Hill staffers, the invitation reads, get in with a half-price discount.

The low-dollar gathering at Capitol City Brewing Company is being billed as a "Pretzels & Pints" with Pawlenty - a friendly title suggesting a slightly lower calorie count than the "Sundaes with Mitt" fundraiser hosted in Washington last month by former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, another 2012 contender.

The D.C. events will be followed on Nov. 4 by what an aide called Pawlenty's first "major" fundraiser in Minneapolis.

. Tim Pawlenty is rolling out a new political action committee on Thursday and announcing a fleet of new advisers.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is rolling out a new political action committee on Thursday and announcing a fleet of new advisers - the first concrete signs that the Minnesota Republican is actively working towards a presidential bid in 2012.

Pawlenty's PAC, called "Freedom First," has the ostensible goal of helping to "elect conservatives in 2009 and 2010." But the genial governor is also flexing some political muscle with his new organization by signing up a number veteran Washington hands, several of whom advised Pawlenty's likely 2012 rival - former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney - during his 2008 presidential bid.

"Right now, our freedoms are being challenged on many fronts," Pawlenty said in a statement. "This organization is dedicated to putting freedom first again in America. 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."

Pawlenty will hold his first "Freedom First" fundraiser in Washington in late October, an aide said, followed by another "major" fundraising event in Minneapolis on Nov. 4.

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The poll indicates that 30 percent of Minnesota voters want Pawlenty to make a bid for the presidency, with 55 percent saying they don't want him to run.

(CNN) – A new poll suggests Minnesotans don't want their two term governor to run for the White House in 2012. But if Tim Pawlenty does win the next GOP presidential nomination, a Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune survey released Tuesday says about half those questioned would consider voting for him.

The poll indicates that 30 percent of Minnesota voters want Pawlenty to make a bid for the presidency, with 55 percent saying they don't want him to run. But if Pawlenty does run for the White House and ends up winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, one out of four say there's a good chance they'd vote for him, with another one in four saying there was at least some chance they'd cast a ballot for their current governor. According to the survey, 43 percent said there was no chance they'd vote for Pawlenty for president.

Pawlenty's announcement earlier this year that he would not run next year for a third term as Minnesota governor was considered by many political analysts to be a sign that he's considering a bid for the White House. Since then, Pawlenty has been very visible, speaking out against the Obama Administration and appearing at a number of Republican and conservative conferences. He also became vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Pawlenty adviser Alex Conant tells CNN it's far too premature to discuss 2012 and says Pawlenty is focusing on finishing his term as governor and helping elect conservatives in 2010.

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MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan (CNN) – Minnesota's Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty - widely rumored to be considering a run for the presidency in 2012, and who's been making the rounds on the cable news shows and various states' political events in recent months - defended his nationwide appearances Saturday and said that he plans to continue.

"The point is, I have the time and the energy and the ability to make some time to speak out to issues that I think are important to my state and to the country," Pawlenty said at the biennial Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island, Michigan. He added that since this particular event fell on a Saturday he likely "wouldn't be doing the state's business today back in Minnesota" anyway.

The Democratic National Committee has set up a Web page devoted to "calling out" Pawlenty on what the DNC calls his healthcare reform "lies." The DNC even posted Pawlenty's main office phone number and encouraged visitors of the site to call and ask the governor to stop "lying" and "playing politics."

Pawlenty chalked it up to mere "politics," saying simply, "It's what they do."

In a brief interview with CNN, Pawlenty said that he would "eventually" be in Iowa - traditionally the first caucus state - for political events, but also stated that it would likely be in his role as vice chair of the Republican Governors' Association "as opposed to anything else."

Pawlenty also had a few words for President Barack Obama on the health care debate.

"President Obama said in his joint session of Congress he's going to call people out," Pawlenty said. "So we want to call him out back and say, 'Quit bankrupting the country. Stop spending money we don't have. Stop taxing us into oblivion.' "

He finished by saying to the president, "The next time you have a chance to talk to young people, maybe you should apologize for the bucketloads of debt that he's dumping on to their heads and shoulders."

Tim Pawlenty may be interested in running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Tim Pawlenty is joining the PAC club.

In another indication that he may be interested in running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, the Minnesota governor will launch a political action committee in the next few weeks.

The "Freedom First PAC" will allow Pawlenty to raise cash and donate the money to federal and state candidates across the country.

Alex Conant, an unofficial adviser to Pawlenty, says the first fundraiser will be held in Minnesota in a few weeks. Conant, a former press secretary for the Republican National Committee, says the PAC is another way for Pawlenty to help GOP candidates who are seeking election.

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Pawlenty spoke Friday night at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON (CNN)–In one of his most politically charged addresses to date, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty strongly criticized Democrats and the Obama administration Friday for "reckless" and "irresponsible" spending.

Speaking before conservatives at the annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, Pawlenty insisted the Democrats' attempt at revamping the health care system will run the country into the ground.

"This proposal needs to get killed," Pawlenty said. "It is a bad idea."

"Well, with all due respect, Mr. President," Pawlenty added, "if we're out of money, stop spending it."

The two-term Governor spent a portion of his speech touting his successes in Minnesota, and discussed faith, values, and his views against same-sex marriage.

But perhaps the most rousing response came when Pawlenty directly responded to the Democratic National Committee's recent attack ad painting him as a liar and "extremist," attempting to appeal to his party's far-right wing.

"I accept the challenge… I'll call you out," Pawlenty said.

"Here's my message: Stop spending the country into bankruptcy. Stop taxing us into oblivion. And the next time you address a group of young people maybe you should apologize for the crushing debt you're putting on their shoulders," he said.

In response to his attacks, DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan repeated charges of Pawlenty's "extreme" ways.

"It looks like Tim Pawlenty isn't even going to offer the pretense of being anything but an extreme right wing radical anymore," Sevugan said in a statement. "At least it's honest, and if you've seen what he's said on health care lately you know that's a rare feat."

Earlier this year, Pawlenty announced he would not run next year for a third term as Governor, a move seen by many as a signal that he is interested in running for the White House.

Since then, he has been a constant critic of the current administration's policies.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will speak at the conference on Friday evening.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Conservatives will descend upon the nation's capital Friday for the 2009 "Values Voter Summit," the fourth annual gathering of like-minded political activists who will plot 2010 strategy and hear several potential presidential prospects discuss the GOP's future.

In-between speeches, attendees will also participate in forums with titles ranging from “Thugocracy: Fighting The Vast Left Wing Conspiracy” to “Global Warming Hysteria.”

Perhaps the most anticipated event of the weekend will be "2012 Presidential Straw Poll," the results of which are scheduled to be announced Saturday.

The potential Republican candidates on the ballot are: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Romney won a similar straw poll in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held at the same hotel and featured many of the same speakers. Romney also won the last Values Voter straw poll - in October 2007 - when he narrowly defeated Huckabee in a vote that was open to both attendees and people who signed up to vote on the internet. This year’s survey will only be open to conference-goers.

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