Poll: Minnesotans Disapprove Of Pawlenty, Don’t Want Him To Run For President

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
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A new SurveyUSA poll of Minnesota finds the state disapproving of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a potential Republican presidential candidate in 2012. And Minnesotans don’t want him to run for president, either.

The poll found Pawlenty with an approval rating of 42%, with a disapproval of 52%. Respondents were asked: “Should Governor Tim Pawlenty run for President in 2012? Or not?” The answer was yes 28%, no 63%.

In the partisan breakdown of the poll, the state’s Republicans were for a run by 62%-27%, while Democrats were opposed by 88%-4%, and independents correspond closely to to the top-line by opposing it 64%-28%.

“Governor Pawlenty is making tough decisions to balance the budget without raising taxes,” said Alex Conant, spokesman for Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC, when asked for comment by TPMDC. “He consistently ranks among the most popular governors in the country. It’s premature to ask questions about 2012 – let alone read anything into their results.”

Previous polling has also suggested that Pawlenty would have difficulty winning his home state if he were to run for president.

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