Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), who was set to officially announce his presidential campaign Monday in Iowa after a two-month exploratory committee phase, has now made it official one day early –Â in another dramatic YouTube video.
The video opens with a computer screen, as a person off-camera is typing in a Google search: “How to tell America you’re running for President?” — a copy of Google’s TV ads.
“I could give a speech, and tell you I was running for president,” Pawlenty is heard in a voice-over. “I could have a podium with my campaign logo on it. I could have balloons — red ones, white ones, and blue ones. I could pass out stickers and cupcakes.” Meanwhile, the screen shows various depictions of all those things.
“I could promise that we can eliminate a $14 trillion debt, create jobs for 10 million people, restructure social Security and health care — all without making any tough decisions.
“Or — I could try something different. I could just tell you the truth.
“The truth is, our country’s in big trouble. We have far too much debt, too much government spending, and too few jobs. We need a president who understands that our problems are deep, and who has the courage to face them. President Obama doesn’t — I do.
“Tomorrow, my first campaign stop will be in Iowa. And that’s where I’m going to begin a campaign that tells the American people the truth. I’m Tim Pawlenty, and I’m running for President of the United States.”
