GOP’s Pawlenty To Shift From TV To Turnout In Iowa

ST. PAUL (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty plans to fade from Iowa's paid airwaves just days from the critical GOP straw poll.

Campaign spokesman Alex Conant says the campaign decided to end the ads on Wednesday and shift money to phone banks and direct mail at targeted voters. The campaign is deciding not to use TV time slots previously reserved through next Friday.

A spokesman for Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, who also is seeking the GOP nomination, says she plans to keep her ads up throughout next week. The third candidate with a commercial presence is Texas Rep. Ron Paul; an official says ad plans are being finalized.

Conant says Pawlenty's decision shouldn't be viewed as a sign his candidate is in financial trouble. Palwnety entered July with $1.4 million.