Pawlenty speaking tour heads to Florida

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will add a stop in Florida to an August speaking schedule that already includes appearances in Chicago and Puerto Rico.

Pawlenty, an oft-mentioned potential GOP presidential candidate, will give the keynote speech at the Republican Party of Florida's Statesman's Dinner in Orlando on Aug. 22.

"Given the number of critical races facing our state in the 2010 election, and the significant issues facing Republican values on the national level, I cannot think of a Republican Statesmen (sic) more appropriate to join Florida Republicans for this exciting celebration of our great Party," Flordia GOP Chairman Jim Greer said in a statement posted to the party's Web site.

Update 2:50 p.m.: Then on Sept. 19, Pawlenty heads to Mason, Ohio to headline a fundraiser for the state GOP, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Wednesday.

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