T-Paw names his campaign manager

It takes a supporting cast to run for president. Yesterday Tim Pawlenty chose a key player, as the Washington Post's Fix blog tells us:

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty has signed GOP operative Nick Ayers to serve as his campaign manager, scoring one of the best-regarded young strategists in the party to lead his 2012 presidential effort.

"I've chosen to work for the man whose record, principles and vision will give us the strongest Republican nominee, who has the greatest chance of victory in November 2012," Ayers said in an email to The Fix. "[Pawlenty] is someone who knows what he believes and doesn’t need polls to know how to say it, and he has lived honorably in both his public and private life."

Ayers, who served as executive director of the Republican Governors Association during the 2008 and 2010 election cycles, was courted by at least four other potential presidential candidates. He is currently helping to lead the transition effort at the Republican National Committee under chairman Reince Priebus.

Pawlenty, who worked with Ayers as vice chair of the RGA during the 2010 cycle, called him "one of the best political talents in America," adding: "His leadership and record of winning tough races in every part of our country will provide even more momentum to our campaign to get America back on track."

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