Tim Pawlenty has endorsed Mitt Romney this morning. He has also been named National Co-Chair of Romney's campaign. Sept 12, 2011
HUGE NEWS!
Appearing on FOX & Friends this morning, Governor Tim Pawlenty gave a big announcement. *HE HAS ENDORSED MITT ROMNEY and will be his NATIONAL CO-CHAIR!
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty just endorsed former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney in an interview on Fox News, revealing he will become co-chair of his former opponents campaign.
Pawlenty called Romney “the “complete package,” but specifically cited his leadership on the economy as the reason for his decision.
He added that Romney “doesn’t want to abolish or end” Social Security, but made the point that front-runner Texas Gov. does.
[...]The prominent endorsement gives Romney more ammunition in his campaign to be seen as the more electable candidate — as the debate prepares to center, at least temporarily, on Social Security.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty endorsed Mitt Romney for president Monday, praising his onetime rival for his “leadership ability” and the “depth and scope of [his] private-sector experience.”
“I believe he’s going to be our party’s nominee,” Pawlenty said on “Fox and Friends,” predicting Romney would be a “transformational and great president.”
Less than a month after ending his own White House bid, Pawlenty was in sync with the Romney campaign’s message on everything from jobs to health care, to Social Security and Rick Perry.
Asked how he could endorse a candidate who he once mocked as the author of “Obamneycare,” Pawlenty said he’d spoken about health care with Romney and concluded: “Mitt Romney is 100 percent dedicated and committed to repealing Obamacare.”
Defending Romney’s jobs record as governor of Massachusetts, Pawlenty said Romney had “great success when it comes to growing jobs and the economy,” citing his time in business and leading the Salt Lake City Oympics.
Pawlenty also joined the escalating back-and-forth between Romney and Rick Perry over entitlement programs, which Pawlenty said Perry may want to end.
“Gov. Romney wants to fix Social Security. He doesn’t want to abolish it or end it,” Pawlenty said. “Gov. Perry has said in the past that he thought it was ‘failed.’”
Pawlenty, who is joining the Romney campaign as a national co-chairman, said he wasn’t angling for any other job in giving Romney an early endorsement.
“I’m not going to consider being VP. I was down that path once before with John McCain,” he said. “That won’t be part of the future for me.”
[...]
(emphasis added)
Tweet from The Gov:
Proud & honored to have the support of @TimPawlenty http://t.co/cQ5f2oBless than a minute ago via web 
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Read Gov Pawlently’s endorsement after the fold.
Gov Pawlenty’s endorsement:
Great crises often produce great leaders. Unfortunately, sometimes the timing isn’t right, and neither is the leader.
Barack Obama came into office in the midst of a great economic crisis. Although hopes were high, he did not rise to the occasion. Now that the clouds of enthusiasm and excitement have parted, we see he was obviously unsuited for the task at hand.
President Obama has failed to meet America’s economic challenges.
His three years of spending, regulating and taxing have not restarted the economy. Unemploymentremains at a shocking 9.1 percent. Economic growth is hovering on the edge of a renewed recession.
Abroad, the standing of the United States appears uncertain and adrift under the failed leadership of a president who prefers chastising allies to condemning foes.
Fortunately, America may get a second chance: Mitt Romney is running for president, and I am proud to endorse him.
Alone among the contenders, he possesses the unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament. His abiding faith in our country’s exceptional historical position as a beacon of freedom will make him the most important leader in a world that depends upon a strong America to stay at peace.
Having served as governor of Massachusetts, he turned that state’s budget around from deficit to surplus while simultaneously cutting taxes, but that is not the full measure of what he will bring to the presidency. His time in government was a moment of service — a way to give back to our country — following a distinguished career in the private sector, where he launched companies and turned around troubled ones.
When the 2002 Winter Olympics were on the verge of collapse thanks to a bid-rigging scandal, Romney was asked to take over. The attacks of September 11 created a security nightmare. Romney presided over a highly complex security mobilization, addressed the management troubles plaguing the games, and staged one of the most memorable competitions ever seen on American soil.
Romney is running for president because he is deeply committed to our country, troubled by its current condition, and I believe he can turn it around.
CONTINUE reading here.
Welcome aboard, Gov Pawlenty!
► Jayde Wyatt
I don’t know how much of Mr. Pawlenty’s Iowa organization has remained in place or remained uncommitted. With Michele Bachmann’s campaign fading and Rick Perry having upstaged Iowa’s big straw poll fundraiser, Mr. Pawlenty may be able to change the situation in Iowa. If Mr. Romney wins Iowa or just finishes ahead of Rick Perry, that result is going impact the early momentum.
I hope that Governor Pawlenty is just the first of many high profile personalities, who care about to endorse Mitt – the very best candidate to deal with the challenges we face. He will not only deal effectively with our economic issues – he will return a much needed level of honor and respect to the Presidency at home and around the world. No way Rick Perry can do that – he is too volatile and his mouth is too loose. Mitt is calm, serious, analytical and focused. Those are the leadershop qualities we need.
T-Paw=V-Paw?
Need to get some Florida endorsements now. Come on Connie Mack, Rubio, West and Jeb Bush!
Way to go Mitt, keep up the good work you can win them all over.
Tim will be great to have on you’re team.
Mitters and T-pawers unite!