Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty became the first major casualty in the marathon US presidential campaign on Sunday while fellow Republicans Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry built momentum in the race.
Pawlenty, once seen as a strong contender for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 2012 election, dropped out a day after a disappointing showing in Iowa’s straw poll, a key early test of strength among his party's candidates.
Pawlenty, once seen as a strong contender for the Republican nomination to face Democratic President Barack Obama in the November 2012 election, dropped out a day after a disappointing showing in Iowa’s straw poll, a key early test of strength among his party's candidates.