GOP Strategist Says Pawlenty Campaign “Now Goes Through the Stages of Death” in Wake of Poor Iowa Straw Poll Showing

In the wake of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s weak third place showing yesterday in the Iowa Straw Poll, GOP Strategist Alex Castellanos said Pawlenty’s Campaign “now goes through the stages of death in the next 24 hours.”

CNN: Privately, though, his team was rooting for a first- or strong second-place finish at Ames to reassure supporters and donors, as well as the media, that his campaign was not stalled.

Immediately after the results were announced by Iowa GOP Chairman Matthew Strawn, there were murmurs among top Republicans that Pawlenty should consider leaving the presidential race.

“Pawlenty now goes through the stages of death in the next 24 hours,” said Republican strategist Alex Castellanos. “Denial. Can he stay in the race like John McCain? Anger. Pawlenty people start throwing people under the bus and start pointing fingers. And then reality. Can they raise the money to stay in this thing? And the answer is probably no. So what is left for Pawlenty? A graceful exit.” . . . Read More