Pawlenty endorses Romney: A blow to Rick Perry?
In advance of Monday's big debate, Romney snares the support of an ex-rival — potentially causing trouble for his new chief rival

Monday has been a good news-bad news kind of day for Texas Gov. Rick Perry. A new CNN/ORC International Poll placed Perry firmly ahead of the rest of the GOP presidential field, and the Texas governor also just bagged a key endorsement from Lousiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. But Perry was also slighted by former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who officially announced his endorsement of Mitt Romney. Pawlenty, who dropped out of the presidential race following his underwhelming performance in the Ames Straw Poll last month, is now predicting that Romney would be a "transformational and great president." Will the rest of the Republican establishment soon be lining up to defeat Perry?
This doesn't hurt Perry at all: "I'm wondering if anyone truly cares who the first person to drop out of the race endorses," says Kevin McCullough at Hot Air. Pawlenty doesn't hold much public sway. And with Perry currently leading by more than 15 percent in some national polls, Romney will need more influential supporters than Pawlenty to make headway.
"Yay…Romney gets Pawlenty's 2 percent, only 28 percent more to go to catch Perry!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Actually, Pawlenty might convince other GOPers: While Pawlenty never really commanded much national attention as a candidate, says Adam Sorensen at TIME, his "quick backing of Mitt Romney" could affect the race significantly. Endorsements can have a domino effect, so Pawlenty's advocacy could persuade other "high-profile Republicans sitting on the sidelines" to throw their support to Romney as well. And God knows, Romney needs it to overcome Perry.
"Tim Pawlenty becomes a Romney surrogate"
It's all about the VP slot: Pawlenty's true intentions are clear, says David Weigel at Slate. "In his first three seconds as a Romney surrogate, he's on message attacking Perry." T-Paw may have told Fox and Friends on Monday that he's not interested in being Romney's running mate, but I'm not buying it. Politicians typically wait until later in the race to endorse a candidate. By throwing his support so early, Pawlenty "looks loyal." In fact, "he looks like a possible running mate."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Novel 'bone collector' caterpillar wears its prey
Speed Read Hawaiian scientists discover a carnivorous caterpillar that decorates its shell with the body parts of dead insects
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Why is Crimea a sticking point between Russia and Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Questions over control of the Black Sea peninsula are stymying the peace process
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK