Pawlenty announces exploratory committee

MINNEAPOLIS, March 21 (UPI) -- Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty crept closer to becoming a Republican presidential candidate Monday when he announced formation of an exploratory committee.

"Join the team and together we'll restore America," he told viewers during a YouTube video announcing his decision.

"There is a brighter future for America" that includes job growth, limited government spending and tackling federal entitlements, Pawlenty said as patriotic music and images filled the YouTube video.

Pawlenty said he envisions an America that encourages the entrepreneurial spirit in "men and women who ask for nothing more than freedom to work hard and get ahead without government getting in the way."

As a two-term governor in Minnesota, Pawlenty said he proved "we can restore limited government in America. It takes fortitude and unwavering faith and conviction in the principles that make this country great."

The exploratory effort will be based in Minneapolis.

An aide, Phil Musser, asked donors to wait until April 1 to contribute to Pawlenty's campaign to avoid the impression that he tried but failed to raise money in the first quarter, Politico said.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced recently he had launched a Web site to gauge support for his possible bid to be the Republican presidential nominee.