Bachmann, Pawlenty prepare trips to early primary states

Rep. Michele Bachmann has the early primary states of New Hampshire and South Carolina on her itinerary, while former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is headed to early-caucus state Nevada following trips to Virginia, Florida and Arkansas — the latter fueling speculation that Pawlenty may make a play for supporters of Mike Huckabee if he decides not to run for president in 2012.

The details of Bachmann’s trip to New Hampshire have been solidified. She’ll be in Manchester on March 11 and 12 to meet with GOP officials with a “main event” scheduled for Saturday to raise funds for the state party.

Bachmann also added another event to her trip to South Carolina this weekend, a low-budget fundraiser for the York County Republican Party.

Pawlenty was in Arkansas on Wednesday to meet with Republican officials. “Could Pawlenty be positioning himself to pick up Huckabee supporters looking for a candidate if Huckabee decides not to run?” asked Jason Tolbert, a conservative blogger who attended the meeting. “It sure looks that way to me.”

Over the weekend, Pawlenty sat down to dinner with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, fueling some speculation about McDonnell possibly looking for a vice president spot on a GOP ticket in 2012.

Pawlenty will be heading to Nevada next week to meet with GOP leaders.