Pawlenty has ambition to spare and he likely sees 2012 as a good opportunity to seek the national stage, says Steven Schier, a political scientist at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and a commentator on Minnesota politics.
“Timing matters so much in politics,” says Professor Schier. “If he wants to move to higher office, this is his chance.”
And Pawlenty wants to bring his vision to Washington. “I think Tim Pawlenty does have a policy vision that he wants to push,” says Dan Hofrenning, who teaches political science at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. “Smaller government.”
