GOP Presidential Primary

Fresh off a third place finish in Saturday's presidential straw poll in New Hampshire, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) is heading to the Granite State Monday as part of his book tour. 

Pawlenty has an afternoon book signing in Manchester followed by a speech to the Merrimack County GOP. On Tuesday, Pawlenty speaks at a Politics and Eggs breakfast before a second book signing. 

Trips to New Hampshire and Iowa, where Pawlenty will be next weekend, round out the former governor's tour, which has served as a prelude to an expected presidential run in 2012. Pawlenty kicked off the tour earlier this month at an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where he said he was close to making an official decision on 2012. 

It's far too early to truly read much into Saturday's straw poll results, but Pawlenty did finish above every other rumored top-tier contender, aside from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. 

Romney easily took the straw poll over the weekend with 35 percent of the vote. Second was Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who earned 11 percent, followed by Pawlenty with 8 percent. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin won 7 percent Saturday, followed by Rep. Michele Bachmann, won garnered 5 percent. 

Two potential GOP hopefuls failed to earn a single vote in Saturday's poll -- Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and former Utah Gov. and current Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman.

The results may give Romney momentum as the fight to win the first-in-the-nation primary begins.

The former House Speaker has been contacting top Republicans in his native Georgia to tell them of his intention to run and to gauge their support for his White House bid.

Newt Gingrich has told several prominent Republicans in the state that he's already scouted office space for a campaign headquarters in Buckhead, an Atlanta neighborhood, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Gingrich is now a Virginia resident, but expressed his "fondness" for Atlanta during a visit there on Thursday.

"My offices are here. My grandchildren are here. I'm here regularly," Gingrich told reporters. "I helped create the modern Republican Party in Georgia starting in 1960. I have a certain fondness for being back in Atlanta."

As he canvasses support, Gingrich has met with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) and state House Speaker David Ralston, called Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) and asked Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R) for a "significant amount" of his time for a meeting, according to the AJC.

Georgia's primary is tentatively slated for February 2012, putting it outside the window of early states. But having a base of support there would certainly help boost Gingrich's bid for the GOP nomination. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won the Georgia primary in 2008.

A state Republican fundraiser in President Obama's hometown will feature eight potential 2012 presidential candidates.
 
The event, a fundraiser for the Illinois Republican Party in celebration of former President Ronald Reagan's birthday 100 years ago, will feature  Governor Haley Barbor (R-Miss.), Ambassador John Bolton, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.), Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). The fundraiser is scheduled for February 5.

Although none of the featured guests have formally announced a presidential run yet, many have either hinted that they are planning a run or outrightly said they are considering it. A few, like Gingrich, have set a date for when he would have a decision on a run.

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) and former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark) are two other Republicans who have shown interest in a 2012 presidnetial run. Neither Romney or Huckabee will be featured at the fundraiser.

President Obama announced yesterday that he will headquarter his reelection campaign in his hometown Chicago.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) is in Iowa Friday for meetings with top Republicans and a speech to a key advocacy group.

The visit has prompted speculation she's mulling a presidential bid.

Ahead of her speech Friday night, Bachmann is set to meet with Matt Strawn, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, at his office, a party official confirmed.

The Des Moines Register reported she also will meet with Gov. Terry Branstad (R) and Tea Party activists. Bachmann founded the House Tea Party Caucus, which she heads.

Her main event is the keynote speech to an Iowans for Tax Relief PAC fundraiser at the downtown Des Moines Marriott. Tickets to the "Watchdog Reception" were $25 per person. A spokeswoman for the group said the crowd of some 200 is expecting to hear Bachmann address tax and spending issues. A large press contingent -- 50 media credentials were issued -- will cover the event, said the spokeswoman.

Bachmann was coy with the Register about her 2012 aspirations.

"Whether I am there as a candidate or whether I am there as someone who wants to contribute to the conversation for 2012, the people who are part of the caucus system are really there for the right reason," Bachmann said. "And I really want to meet with these people because they want to turn our country in a positive direction."

In an earlier exchange with The Ballot Box, Bachmann didn't seem surprised by the flurry of speculation her visit set off. 

"I'm headed to Iowa," she said. "I think that's why" there's speculation.

Bachmann was born and raised in Iowa. She now represents a suburban Minneapolis district.

--Updated at 12:38 p.m.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), a possible presidential candidate, is offering no apologies for comments he made in an interview with the Christian News Service invoking President Obama's race in a discussion of his views on abortion. 

"The question is, and this is what Barack Obama didn't want to answer — is that human life a person under the Constitution?" Santorum said. "Well, if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say 'now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.'"

Santorum was referencing to an instance on the 2008 campaign trail when Obama dodged a question concerning when he believes human life begins. He said that question is "above my pay grade." 

In an interview with Fox News's Greta Van Susteren Thursday night, Santorum said his remark was taken out of context and said, "I'm not apologizing. I don't think there's anything to apologize for." 

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and potential 2012 presidential candidate announced the hiring of another staffer in the early state of New Hampshire Wednesday. 

Santorum has hired longtime Republican activist Claira Monier to serve as chairwoman of his America's Foundation political action committee in the state. 

"I am honored to have Claira as a part of our team in New Hampshire," Santorum said in a statement. "Her roots in the Granite State run deep, and there is no doubt her connection to many grassroots activists and party leaders will be a great asset as I continue to consider a run for president." 

It's Santorum's second New Hampshire hire this month. The former senator earlier announced Mike Biundo as director of the PAC. He also made his eight visit to the state last week to attend a house party hosted by former senatorial hopeful Ovide Lamontagne (R). 

Santorum has placed a heavy focus on both Iowa and New Hampshire as he weighs a run for the GOP nomination. 

In an interview, Santorum told The Hill that he has been greatly encouraged by the reception he's received in both states ahead of 2012. 

"Everything I’ve learned about presidential politics is that you have to do better than they think you’re gonna do," he said. "If you beat expectations, you go to the next place on the game board. I can tell you, I wouldn’t still be doing this if I wasn’t encouraged by the reception we’ve been getting."

Former Alaska governor says her rhetoric had no influence on "apolitical or perhaps even left-leaning criminal" accused of Arizona shooting.

Two prominent conservatives have joined forces in an attempt to get Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) into the race for president.

The former Minnesota governor said Republicans should use the debt ceiling vote as leverage to get spending concessions from Democrats.