Iowa poll is crucial test for Bachmann, Pawlenty

Tim Pawlenty: Michele Bachmann has done nothing in Congress

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, July 10th 2011, 1:06 PM

Denis Poroy/AP; Evan Vucci/AP

Tim Pawlenty talked tough about GOP presidential rival Michele Bachmann while on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday.

WASHINGTON - Presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty took off the gloves Sunday and called his rival for the GOP nomination Michele Bachmann a big zero in Congress.
"I like Congresswoman Bachmann. I've campaigned for her. I respect her. But her record of accomplishment in Congress is non-existent," Pawlenty said today on NBC's "Meet the Press."
Pawlenty said his record as Minnesota governor made him more qualified to run the country than Minnesota Rep. Bachmann.
"We're not looking for folks who just have speech capabilities," he said. "We're looking for who can lead a large enterprise in a public setting and drive it to conclusion. I have done that, she hasn't."
Pawlenty had to turn up the heat as his campaign struggles to gain any traction.
While he was the first to enter the presidential race, he has failed to pull in the big donors, gave a lack-luster performance at the Republican debate and has been eclipsed in the GOP field.Read more....