by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

Gov. Tim Pawlenty insists that his political focus is on the upcoming 2010 election. But some Iowa Republicans are thinking of Pawlenty in terms of 2012.  SEE SLIDESHOW

“I think he’s (Pawlenty) well liked. And I hope he runs for president, actually,” said Mitchel Thoms, 25, of Cedar Rapids, standing in line at the Iowa state fairgrounds in Des Moines on Saturday (Nov. 7) for a Iowa Republican candidate forum at which Pawlenty delivered the keynote address. Listen to Pawlenty speech on Capitol Comment.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday (Saturday, Nov. 7) addressed about 500 Iowan Republicans at the state fairground in Des Moines. Pawlenty, who brought First Lady Mary Pawlenty briefly on stage, urged his fellow Republicans to forge ahead — he received a polite applause. Most of his message was directed at health care, a subject that was being addressed at the same time in the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. The House passed a controversial health care bill by a 220-215 vote.After speaking the final words of the evening, Pawlenty posed for pictures and fielded questions. He's pictured gesturing on stage. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

That Pawlenty, nationally seen as potential presidential candidate, was appearing in the sometimes make-or-break early caucus state of Iowa, has drawn wide attention — a small cadre of Minnesota political reporters were sprinkled among the 500 or 600 Iowa Republicans gathered at the fairgrounds.

Not all the Iowans knew about the visiting governor.

Dennis Price, a retired stable owner from Davenport who now raises his own horses on a 56-acre spread, said he came to the fairgrounds really to listen to the gubernatorial candidates more than Pawlenty. “I know the name. But I don’t know anything about him,” said Price of Pawlenty.

But from the little that he’s heard, Pawlenty sounds OK, he said.

Darrell Kearney, of Des Moines, 68, former finance director for the Iowa Republican Party, said Iowans do have a sense of Pawlenty. “He’s our good neighbor to the north,” said Kearney, adding Pawlenty visited Iowa twice in recent years for Republican fund raisers.

After speaking the final words of the evening, Pawlenty posed for pictures and fielded questions. He's pictured against the Iowa state flag. (Photo by T. W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

Something people remember, he indicated. “He has a very good reputation down here,” said Kearney.

Lot of interest in Pawlenty

Asked how a Pawlenty presidential run might fare in Iowa, Kearney said people were interested. “From the people I’ve talked to, I think there’s a lot of interest in Governor Pawlenty,” he said.

But first things first. Get the 2010 election out of the way before focusing on 2012,  Kearney counselled.

Julia Ruetten, a 21-year-old university student from Cedar Falls, suggested that Pawlenty is still somewhat of a vague figure to some Iowans.

But an appealing one.

“What people know about him they like,” she said. There may be a sense Pawlenty hasn’t had a wealth of experience, she said.

Still, Pawlenty is of person of note to Iowa Republicans. “They definitely see him as the future of the Republican Party,” she said.

There are a handful of Republican governors at the forefront of the party nationwide, she explained.

“I definitely think Governor Pawlenty is one,” she said.

Sen. Grassley says Pawlenty has arrived

Iowa Republican U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, whom Pawlenty lavishly praised during his speech, said Pawlenty served two “outstanding” terms as governor — held to his conservative principles in a liberal state. “He’s arrived,” said Grassley, asked about Pawlenty achieving national status.

“Has he arrived enough — only time will tell,” he said.

Iowa State Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn, shown with Gov. Pawlenty, said the candidate forum netted the party about $100,000 in contributions. (Photo by T. W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

“I think the governor did a fantastic job here tonight, illustrating that it is our principles that will guide us to victory next November,” he said.

Focused on 2010 election

Pawlenty, asked if his appearance at the fairgrounds served as an audition for the 2012, repeated what he has often said when asked about a presidential run. “I’m focused as you know on the 2010 election,” he said, meeting with reporters after the forum.

During his 25-minute speech, Pawlenty exhorted the audience to actions, using a variant of an exhortation used by President Obama.

“Are you fired up and ready to fight back?” Pawlenty asked the crowd.

In general Pawlenty received polite applause from the audience, some of strongest coming when he spoke of not fearing to mention God in political discourse.