Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) will not seek a third term in 2010, clearing the way for an expected bid for the 2012 presidential nomination, according to sources close to the governor.
The decision comes after months of debate within Pawlenty's inner circle about his next step politically.
Given the difficult state of the economy -- both nationally and in Minnesota -- as well as Pawlenty's near-death political experience in 2006 when he won 51 percent to 47 percent in a three-way race, running for a third term was a precarious endeavor.
And, a loss in a 2010 bid would almost certainly disqualify Pawlenty as a potential presidential candidate in 2012 a la former Virginia senator George Allen in 2006/2008.
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