Pawlenty Supporters Thrilled Over Possible 2012 Run

Supporters of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty in New Hampshire, a key early primary state, are enthusiastic about his announcement Monday to form an exploratory committee for a possible presidential run.

Tim Pawlenty

"I am excited that Governor Pawlenty is creating an exploratory committee because we need a leader who will make the tough decisions to reform government and restore America," John Lyons, chairman of Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC in New Hampshire, told the Union Leader in Concord.

"Governor Pawlenty has a record of results and during eight years as Governor cut taxes and spending and passed critical market-based health care and education reforms,” the Union Leader reported Tuesday. “Tim Pawlenty is uniquely positioned to defeat President Obama because he can unite Republicans and win support from independents. He did that in Minnesota and he can do that here in New Hampshire."

Former Manchester Republican Chairman Cliff Hurst said Pawlenty "will run an optimistic campaign that will unite the Republican Party behind a conservative who can beat President Obama.”