Joyce Haas Joins Pawlenty at Lincoln Dinner

I recently attended The Spirit of Lincoln Dinner at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. The speaker was Governor Tim Pawlenty. I was able to sit with the Governor durning dinner and have an interesting discussion about his run for the office of President. It was particularly interesting that it was just the day after the televised FOX Republican Candidates’ Debate. Many people at the event greeted him and commented on his professional showing at the debate.

The dinner was one of the first major Pennsylvania events that a 2012 candidate attended.  Last week both Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich attended the National NRA (National Rifle Association) Convention in Pittsburgh.  Both were featured speakers at that event.

Allegheny County has the distinction of having more registered Republicans than any other county in the Commonwealth. Even though Pennsylvania’s 2012 primary is not until April, the Commonwealth will play an important role in selecting the GOP candidate as PA has 20 electoral votes. Pennsylvania is designated a swing state that the Republican candidates hope to win.  The campaign has officially begun in Pennsylvania.  We expect to see many more candidates in the months to come.