MR. DE MILLE?:

Tim Pawlenty prepares for his moment (ALEXANDER BURNS | 5/5/11, Politico)

He won’t have the chance to spar with top-tier rivals, since the biggest names are skipping the event. The former Minnesota governor won’t have the benefit of overwhelming media attention, either. Coming just days after the killing of Osama bin Laden, a debate that might once have commanded wide interest will probably draw a much slimmer audience.

But what Pawlenty will have is a chance to show Republican primary voters that he’s prepared to cast the first stone against President Barack Obama – setting him apart from a larger group of viable presidential candidates who have shied away from fully engaging the campaign.

As Pawlenty put it during a trip to Iowa this week: “It’s time to get off the sideline.”

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