Presidential contender Tim Pawlenty praised former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue for joining his presidential campaign hours after he announced he had quit as Newt Gingrich’s honorary national co-chair. On Thursday, most top aides of Gingrich's presidential campaign resigned.
“Well, Sonny Perdue is a great governor and a great friend of mine, somebody I’ve known for years,” Pawlenty told Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren, when asked how the defection came about. “And I asked Sonny to consider this at the right time and the right place, and I think he decided, in light of where Newt’s campaign may be at, that this was a good time to do it.
“And we’re proud to have him and it’s an affirmation of the momentum my campaign has, and we’re going to change America by getting this economy moving again and getting this economy providing jobs again for people all across this country,” Pawlenty said.
Van Susteren asked Pawlenty who initiated Perdue joining his campaign.
“Well, I’ve known him for years — he and I have worked together as governors. And I gave him a call today and just said: ‘Look, I don’t know where this is all headed going on from here,” Pawlenty said. “But when it’s right for you, we’d like to have the honor and the opportunity for you to be a leader in our effort.
“And he understood that and agreed, and we’re honored to have him onboard,” he said.
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