Pawlenty downplays importance of Minnesota caucuses

On a conference call for Mitt Romney's campaign, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) repeatedly sought to downplay the importance of his home state's upcoming Republican caucuses.

"It's important, but it's a smaller turnout than a primary system and it's difficult to predict," said Pawlenty, a top Romney backer. He pointed out that the state's caucus results were non-binding. Later, he said the state was "important as a momentum indicator" but three times said that only 60,000 to 80,000 of the state's 3 million voters usually show up.

"Given the relatively modest turnout, small fluctuations of the turnout can reflect the result one way or the other," he said.

Pawlenty also said he'd spoken to Michele Bachmann a week earlier but hadn't talked to her since and at the time she gave no indication that she'd endorse Romney. "I sure hope she'd support Mitt," he said. "I don't think she's announced that yet."

Coming off a big win in Florida's primary last night, Romney is poised to have a strong February. Many of the states that vote are favorable to him and there is only one debate, making it more difficult for the other candidates to alter the race's trajectory. Polls show Minnesota as one of the only states in February where Romney's opponents stand much of a chance of winning in the next month.

Pawlenty said as much in the call, emphasizing the broad slate of states voting in February rather than his home state. "In this next batch of states that's coming up he's going to do very well," he said. "He looks like the candidate who has the momentum toward the nomination."

Romney won Minnesota's caucuses four years ago. Newt Gingrich led by a wide margin in a poll conducted there a week ago, but that poll was conducted right after he won South Carolina's primary and before he slipped in Florida.

Minnesota's caucuses will be held on Feb. 7, and Romney is heading to campaign there this afternoon.

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