Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is taking his turn before an influential conservative audience.
Pawlenty was due to address the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. The group is a key part of the Republican base, which Pawlenty will need to impress if he runs for president in 2012.
Other potential 2012 candidates speaking to the Washington gathering this week included: former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Pawlenty was to be introduced by Grover Norquist, president of the Americans for Tax Reform group.
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