Tim Pawlenty Forms Exploratory Committee for GOP Nod in 2012

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota announced on Monday afternoon that he was forming an exploratory committee to run for the Republican presidential nomination. Pawlenty made the announcement via a web video which was only accessible to people who liked his page on Facebook. In the ad, which lasted less than two minutes, Pawlenty focused on the economy and called for optimism on the economy, mentioning Ronald Reagan. Pawlenty is the fourth major candidate to announce that he is forming an exploratory committee, joining former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisiana and business Herman Cain.