Poll: Only 38% Of Minnesotans Would Vote For Pawlenty For President

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
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Yet another poll suggests that the people of Minnesota aren’t interested in seeing their governor, Tim Pawlenty, run for president in 2012.

The new Rasmussen poll asked: “Suppose Governor Tim Pawlenty runs for President in 2012 and wins the Republican nomination. If Pawlenty was the Republican Presidential candidate, would you vote for him?” The numbers: Yes 38%, No 50%. This is a slight decline from the previous Rasmussen poll in November, which was at 42%-46%.

Respondents were also asked: “Has Governor Pawlenty’s potential run for President had a positive impact or negative impact on the job he’s been doing as Governor?” The numbers: Positive 29%, Negative 49%.

The poll shows a split on Pawlenty’s actual job performance as governor, with 50% approval and 49% disapproval.

Previous polls have consistently shown Pawlenty having a hard time carrying Minnesota in the general election for president. It should be noted that the state was never overwhelmingly positive on him, in terms of its past elections. Pawlenty won his first term in 2002 with 44% of the vote, in a three-way race, and in 2006 he edged out his Democratic opponent by a 47%-46% margin.

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