Failing Mitt Romney in Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty Continues to Flop

Tim Pawlenty entered the 2012 election cycle as a giant in the Republican Party and appears to be leaving it as a dwarf. The former Minnesota governor came close to being John McCains running mate in 2008 and, with his solid record in a swing state, he started the 2012 battle for the Republican nomination as one of the favorites. But Pawlenty failed to connect and quickly ran out ofsteam. After a third-place finish in the Iowa Republican straw poll in August -- behind fellow Minnesota Republican Michele Bachmann -- Pawlenty dropped out of the race.

Despite comparing Mitt Romney to Barack Obama on health care, Pawlenty endorsed the former Massachusetts governor and carried water for his campaign. Pawlenty worked the spin room for Romney during a debate held in Jacksonville last month and, after Romneys big win in Florida, turned back home to Minnesota. Playing the attack dog for Romney, Pawlenty ripped into Rick Santorum, releasing two statements for the Romney team on Monday bashing Santorum on earmarks and insisting he was not ready to be president.

Pawlenty did not even come close to delivering Minnesota for Romney in Tuesdays caucus. Santorum won an estimated 13 delegates and took 45 percent while Ron Paul came in second with 27 percent. Despite Pawlentys help in the North Star State, Romney placed third with 17 percent, ahead of Newt Gingrich who took 11 percent.

After flopping as a presidential candidate and now failing to help Romney in Minnesota, Pawlenty appears done on the national stage for the moment. While he made the vice presidential short list in 2008, its impossible to see him in that role this time out.

Minnesota has produced some of the biggest losers in presidential politics -- just ask Walter Mondale and Harold Stassen. It looks like Tim Pawlenty can be added to the list.