With eye on 2012, Pawlenty launches PAC

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, among the Republicans angling for a possible 2012 presidential bid, formally submitted papers today to the Federal Election Commission to launch a political action committee to help fellow Republicans -- and start collecting political IOUs.

The Freedom First PAC "will offer financial support to candidates committed to putting freedom before government, and provide organizational support for Pawlenty to promote his innovative, conservative message," according to today's announcement.

It is similar to the Free and Strong America PAC that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney -- a potential rival in 2012 -- launched last year after Romney dropped out of the 2008 race. Like Romney's PAC, it also boasts a website. (The top item in "The Latest" section of the site is a link to a Wall Street Journal story today that says Pawlenty is laying the groundwork for a 2012 run.)
 
“Right now, our freedoms are being challenged on many fronts,” Pawlenty said in a statement. “This organization is dedicated to putting freedom first again in America. By helping candidates and translating our ideas into policies that everyone can relate to and support, we can turn back the growth of Washington and renew the promise of freedom.”
 
The PAC's co-chairmen are William H. Strong, the vice chairman of Morgan Stanley, and Vin Weber, the former Minnesota congressman.
 
“There’s a big debate about the role of government and personal freedom raging at the moment, and I’m excited to help promote fresh new ideas, and new leaders.” Weber said in a statement. “Given Tim’s successful record in Minnesota, he’s in a unique position to harness that energy and help other candidates.”

UPDATE: The Democratic National Committee quickly pounced, saying that Pawlenty's PAC is advised and led by "the same Washington lobbyists, insiders and former advisers to President Bush whose brand of politics and approach to policies resulted in America being less secure at home, less respected in the rest of the world, and gave the United States the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

The DNC followed up with a web video.

"Talk about back to the future," DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan said in a statement. "Recycling advisers from George W. Bush and relying on Washington insiders and lobbyists has to be utterly disappointing for those who thought Tim Pawlenty would bring a fresh approach to the Republican Party. The fact is - Tim Pawlenty, in his recent public pronouncements and now in who he has surrounded himself with, has proven that he represents more of the same - the same failed priorities, policies and now advisers. Rather than changing the image of a tired and failed party, Tim Pawlenty is reinforcing an image of Republicans as the Party of NO and a party that has no new leadership and no new ideas."