OPINION

Pawlenty: Don't need to win straw poll to have Iowa success

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Editor's note: This piece was co-authored by Michael O'Brien.

Tim Pawlenty (R) said Tuesday that he doesn't need to win a key presidential straw poll this summer in order to have success in next winter's Iowa caucuses.

Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, said that his campaign is committed to performing well in the Hawkeye State, but looked to downplay expectations for August's Ames Straw Poll -- an early test of the state of the GOP field.