This is really the pits of desperation for Team Pawlenty. This morning CNN reported that Michele Bachmann is in the process of starting a presidential exploratory committee by June.
Not sure why that's a threat to Pawlenty? Last cycle Michele Bachmann raised more than $13.5 million so that she could run for Congress. In retrospect, Tim Pawlenty who was running around the country building a fundraising network for his presidential run only raised $3.3 million. That means that Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign could well outraise Tim Pawlenty's in the second and third quarter of this year.
Both Pawlenty and Bachmann are from Minessota and need momentum from a strong finish in Iowa to be legitimate Presidential candidates that can take on Mitt Romney in New Hampshire and Haley Barbour in South Carolina. There's only room for one Minnesota candidate and she's polling better nationally for the Presidential nomination.
This afternoon, after Bachmann's campaign leaked their intentions to form an exploratory committee the Pawlenty campaign rolled out their response, Michele Bachman's former Chief of Staff who is now supporting Tim Pawlenty for president.
Bachmann's most recent chief of staff, Ron Carey, is planning on voting for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who announced the formation of an exploratory committee earlier this week, instead of Bachmann, according to Fox News.Smells a little desperate.
"My experience with Pawlenty, the more people get to know him, he's a very sharp guy. He's very likable," Carey said. "I hope the Republican faithful connect their heads with their hearts. You have candidates to get people fired up, but can they actually build a coalition? That's why I'm supporting Pawlenty."