by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Gov. Tim Pawlenty this weekend will address a crowd of some 700 Republicans who could have a lot to say about how he spends his future years. Pawlenty is expected to speak Saturday, Nov. 7 to Iowa Republicans at a “Leadership for Iowa” reception at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines.

With its early presidential caucus, Iowa is a proving grounds for presidential hopefuls — that Pawlenty is appearing there is seen as significant.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to address Iowa Republicans  tomorrow (Nov. 7) at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines. Pawlenty's appearance is seen as important, because if Pawlenty does decided to run for president, Iowa and its caucuses could figure largely in his fortunes. (Photo by T. W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Nationally, Pawlenty is viewed as a possible presidential candidate for 2012.

Media reports have former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin currently eyeing a visit to Iowa.

The state recently has been visited by former Republican Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour — another Republican on lists of possible presidential candidates— speaking to Iowa Republicans this summer.

National telecast planned

C-SPAN is expected to broadcast Pawlenty’s speech nationally.

Iowa State Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn said Iowa Republicans would be “well served” to listen to Pawlenty, asked to speak to the gathering in part because of his national standing, Strawn explained.

But the name “Pawlenty” may not roll off the tongues of Iowa Republicans with ease.

“He’s not as well known as other governors,” said University of Iowa Political Science Professor Timothy Hagle of Pawlenty.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty looks back on two terms as governor of Minnesota and may be eyeing a presidential run in 2012. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Perhaps in northern Iowa, with its cross border media coverage, Pawlenty is better known, he explained.

“I think it leans more towards the big deal side of things,” said Hagle of Pawlenty’s speech when asked how important it will be.

Get Republican passions rolling

The appearance is a good chance for Pawlenty “to get (Republican) passions rolling,” said Hagle.

Pawlenty can spotlight the recent Republican gubernatorial victories in New Jersey and Virginia as evidence of a resurging party, he explained.

Hamline University professor and political commentator David Schultz views Saturday’s speech as important.

“He’s (Pawlenty) got to get a buzz going,” said Schultz, citing recent low national poll standings for the governor.

Pawlenty is an unknown, Schultz explained.

Just go stand on a street corner in Des Moines and ask people who Tim Pawlenty is? Schultz suggested. “They have no idea,” he said.

Calls Pawlenty a dynamic speaker

Pawlenty has a tough chore ahead, Schultz explained. “Tim Pawlenty is not known as a dynamic speaker,” he said.

Former Pawlenty chief of staff and longtime friend Charlie Weaver, Minnesota Business Partnership executive director, cautioned that Saturday’s speech needs to be kept in perspective.

“I don’t think it’s just another speech, but I don’t think it’s pivotal,” he said.

Pawlenty is not well known in Iowa, but the seeds of a favorable impression are there, explained Weaver.

For instance, Pawlenty is in good standing with Minnesota farmers. And that could carry weight in an agricultural state like Iowa, Weaver suggested.

Weaver does not consider a Pawlenty run for the White House a foregone conclusion.

The governor will spend the next year or so travelling, speaking to Republicans, he said.

Message will resonate

“I think his message will resonate,” said Weaver, who considers Pawlenty one of the major Republican talents in the country.

But if the message fails, Weaver believes Pawlenty will sense it and draw back.

“He’s not the kind of guy who goes blindly forward because he has a need to have his ego stroked,” said Weaver.

Hagle stresses the need of having a good ground game in place for a presidential candidate to do well in Iowa.

Pawlenty is pictured embracing First Lady Mary Pawlenty this summer after announcing he would not seek a third term as governor. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

“I don’t want to say it’s way too early,” he replied when asked about timing.

Remnant campaigns in place

Former presidential candidates like Huckabee and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney already have “remnant” campaigns in place, Hagle explained.

They may not be active but the organization is intact, Hagle said.

One Republican hopeful from a neighboring state, former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson, saw his past presidential ambitions wrecked in Iowa.

For some reason, Thompson just didn’t click with Iowa Republicans, Hagle speculated.