Thune, Pawlenty

Won't you be our neighbor?




Neighbor vs. Neighbor: The Politico has an interesting read about a potential battle of next-door neighbors in the Iowa caucuses. It's JT vs. TPaw...South Dakota's John Thune vs. Minnesota's Tim Pawlenty. Both lack much name-recognition in Iowa. TPaw has put together a staff, so, at this point, he looks more serious about running. He will also be back next month speaking to the Waukee Chamber of Commerce and promoting his book. I don't know of anything Thune is doing here any time soon. In a race that could feature names like Romney, Huckabee, Palin and Gingrich, it's hard to see how Thune or Pawlenty could go very far without a top 3 finish in the caucuses, don't you think?

Here's the release I got about the visit.

WAUKEE, IOWA – The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will be the keynote speaker at the 2011 Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Meeting.

2011 Chamber President Rod West said, “The Annual Dinner & Meeting’s purpose is to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and convey to our membership the organization’s goals for the coming year. We will also recognize our outgoing President & Board members and announce the 2010 Member of the Year and the 2010 Ambassador of the Year.”

The Board of Directors and membership is very excited to have Governor Pawlenty as the dinner keynote. Newly elected Dallas County Recorder, and outgoing Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Chad Airhart said, “We are thrilled to have Governor Pawlenty as our keynote speaker. Though he is from Minnesota, he could very well be an Iowan. Like many Iowans, he believes like we do; in a hard days work, earning your keep, faith, family, community, the family business and family farm. He is a man that has led by example, by understanding his values and staying true to them. Our membership will be very welcoming to Governor Pawlenty, and very encouraged by his message.”

“I’m excited to visit Dallas County, and speak to one of the fastest growing Chambers of Commerce in the State of Iowa,” said Governor Pawlenty. “The Waukee Area Chamber is more than an organization representing the business interests of their community; they are giving back in many other ways to make Waukee and Dallas County a better place to live, work and play. I look forward to celebrating their many accomplishments at the Annual Dinner & Meeting.”

Governor Pawlenty’s forthcoming book Courage to Stand will be released on January 11th. The book takes readers all the way back to the lessons Pawlenty learned as a boy in the gritty meatpacking town of South St. Paul. From the devastating early death of his mother to the struggle to work his way through college and law school and his epic political battles as Governor, Pawlenty opens up about his deepest beliefs and shares his vision for a better America. Pawlenty will have copies of Courage to Stand available for purchase and signing following the dinner.

The Chamber’s 2010 Annual Dinner & Meeting will be held Sunday evening January 30th, at the West Des Moines Marriott. Reception & Networking at 5 pm; Dinner & Program at 6 pm. More information on the Annual Meeting & Dinner is available on by calling 515-978-7115 or emailing mbehn@waukeechamber.com.