Although Pawlenty's national name recognition "probably doesn't exceed" 5 percent," the Minneapolis Star-Tribune said recent conversations among national GOP leaders include him alongside former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; U.S. Sen.John McCain, R-Ariz.;; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; and other first tier potential candidates for the Republican nomination.
"Of the guys in the top 12 for '08, (Pawlenty's) right up there," said conservative leader Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.
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