Hazardous air quality forecast for much of Minnesota Thursday as fires grow

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Since the 2010 Midterms are over, the political chattering class is now focused on 2012.  

 released several polls that examined how the Republicans under consideration for a White House run will do in several states.  The polls found that Mitt Romney is ahead in the critical early primary state of Florida.  Sarah Palin has leads in Texas, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Maine.  Gov. Pawlenty has a lead in Minnesota but it's a small one.  Just 19 percent of those polled in Minnesota support his presidential prospects.  Palin is polling at 18 percent.

Pawlenty's poor showing in the polls has led pollster 

 to question why there's so much buzz about Pawlenty's prospects.  The New York Times writer suggests Pawlenty is one of the 2012 hopefuls to "bet against."

One thing that could help Pawlenty's standing are a large number of debates.  The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA 

 that it intends to host the first 2012 GOP debate in the Spring of 2011.  Right around the same time Pawlenty says he'll announce whether he'll make a run for the White House.

Another issue that could help him is if he catches fire for opposing the federal health care law.  Pawlenty filed a motion today to request filing a friend of the court brief in a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law.

Politics and Government News

Capitol View®

Tom Scheck

Author

A poll shows Pawlenty polling Poorly in MN but the first scheduled 2012 debate could help his prospects.

Gauging Pawlenty’s presidential prospects

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox