Pawlenty sees "dramatic" progress in Iraq

On a trip to Iraq Wednesday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said despite continuing uncertainty he's seen "dramatic" progress in that country's stability.

"I'm getting a hopeful and optimistic impression," Pawlenty said on a conference call with Minnesota reporters. "Dramatic, significant, positive progress has been made."

Pawlenty is traveling in Iraq with a delegation that includes four other governors: Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, South Dakota Gov Michael Rounds and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

The trip is the governor's fifth to Iraq since 2004. He has also visited Minnesota troops in Bosnia, Kosovo and has made two visits to Afghanistan.

Pawlenty, who visited the Pentagon and Walter Reed army hospital in Washington, DC Tuesday before leaving for Iraq, would not say what other stops he will make during the trip or when he would return to Minnesota. The trip was not announced publicly until Wednesday afternoon.

Asked to assess the job Democratic President Barack Obama has done in Iraq, the Republican governor, who may run against Obama in 2012, said the current administration is following the successful blueprint set out by the Bush administration.

"I think he has been largely pursuing a footprint and a blueprint that is similar to what was laid out at the end of the Bush administration," Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty voiced some doubts about that goal: "From my personal view point, you have to be flexible as circumstances here may change or threats may emerge or reemerge. In my personal view, you don't want to have just arbitrary deadlines or levels. You want to make sure they reflect the needs on the ground."

A fellow governor on the trip said the goal is achievable.

"It's my sense that the United States will clearly meet the goal to get down to 50,000 troops by Sept. 1," Nixon, a Democrat, said from the trip, according to the Associated Press. "At the same time we're doing that, the country is getting safer and there have been fewer security incidents."

As he has before, Pawlenty spent time with Minnesota serving in Iraq. He mentioned eating some potica made by a soldier from the Iron Range and listening to a band fronted by people from Minneapolis.