Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) "has been quietly assembling the blueprint of a presidential campaign and will announce Thursday the support of a group of high-level political strategists and donors, complemented by a handful of top new media consultants," Politico reports.
"Pawlenty, under the radar of D.C.'s political community, has locked up some of the key operatives who engineered then-President George W. Bush's reelection campaign -- a significant feat for a little-known Midwestern politician."