US: Tim Pawlenty announces presidential run

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US: Tim Pawlenty announces presidential run

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Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty formally has thrown his hat into the presidential ring.

24 May,2011 05:08 am

Pawlenty first announced his plan to seek the 2012 Republican presidential nomination on his website on Sunday.Speaking before a crowd of supporters, Pawlenty spoke of his blue collar roots.At a young age I learned the value of leaning into my faith in God in challenging times and in all times. I saw the value of a loving family that rallied around each other in times of crisis. I learned the value of hard work and the responsibility for doing my part.Touting his two-terms serving as governor of Minnesota, Pawlenty noted his record of balancing budgets without raising taxes in a Democratic-leaning swing state.But for now, he remains an underdog in funding and name recognition, as Republicans vie for the chance to challenge incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama.He has made tackling the $1.4 trillion US budget deficit and growing the economy his main campaign issues, while accusing Obama of being unable to tell voters the truth about what America must do to get its fiscal house in order.