Pawlenty, Bachmann to share stage in Washington

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: September 16, 2009 - 8:34 PM

They'll be at the Values Voters Summit in D.C., where potential Republican presidential candidates will gather.

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann will share the stage this weekend with a host of conservative activists and likely Republican presidential candidates.

Pawlenty's appearance at the annual Values Voters Summit will be his most recent appearance in what is widely seen as a test drive for a presidential run in 2012.

At a time when his official public events as governor have been few and far between, Pawlenty has been stumping across the country, speaking to GOP audiences and offering the party's critique of Democrats on TV talk shows.

For her part, Bachmann has raised her national profile within the party with regular talk show appearances and said last month she would run for president if "that's what the Lord was calling me to do."

During the Values Voters Summit in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Family Research Council and other conservative organizations, a presidential straw poll will be conducted.

In addition to Pawlenty, potential candidates on the ballot will include Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Mike Pence, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins called the poll "an early test for possible presidential contenders who have shown leadership on the major issues facing our country."

Other potential candidates speaking at the summit are former governors Romney, Huckabee and Palin.

BOB VON STERNBERG