It's back to Iowa for campaign-minded Pawlenty

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a campaign date in Iowa.

The possible 2012 White House candidate is lined up for three days of campaign events in eastern Iowa beginning July 31. The Republican is there on behalf of several legislative candidates, including the state House minority leader, Kraig Paulsen.

It will be Pawlenty's third trip to the important presidential state in the last year. Presidential hopefuls are known for stumping for local candidates to build goodwill ahead of their own bids.

One candidate on Pawlenty's itinerary is Republican Assemblyman Steve Lukan, who is running for a fifth term.

Lukan said Tuesday that he hasn't committed to anyone for 2012, but he described Pawlenty as someone who has "the energy and the right markings to go all the way if he decides to do that."

Pawlenty will spend part of this weekend in New Hampshire, another early state in the presidential nominating process.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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