Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty says it’s time for Republicans to “rise up” this November.  

Pawlenty is a potential G.O.P. candidate for president in 2012. He was the keynote speaker at Saturday’s Iowa Taxpayer’s Day in Des Moines. Pawlenty told the crowd of Iowans for Tax Relief members Republicans will succeed in November if they connect on a “gut and heart level” with voters. 

“And so the call is coming from each of us to rise up and to paint a better picture and a brighter future for our country,” he said.

Pawlenty decried the bailout mentality that he argues is at odds with “constitutional” conservatism.  “We compete in the political marketplace against a group of people who describe themselves as the ‘progressives,’” Pawlenty said.  “…It makes it sound like they want to have progress or that they are for the future, but you and I know better.  You and I know that that group is proposing to solve the challenges of 21st century America with the solutions of eastern Europe from a century ago and they didn’t work. They didn’t work there.  They didn’t work then and they aren’t going to work for our country now.”

According to Pawlenty, the “sun is rising again” on the conservative movement because the country’s rejecting President Obama’s leadership. “Have you had enough?” Pawlenty asked the crowd and many responded with a “Yes.”

Pawlenty continued: “Now, we have got to make sure we move beyond the teleprompter talk of hope and change.” 

Pawlenty outlined what he called an “Economic Bill of Rights” that would require a balanced federal budget. David Stanley, the founder of Iowans for Tax Relief — the organization which hosted Saturday’s event, also denounced “reckless and uncontrolled” federal spending.

“This nation is sliding rapidly into national bankruptcy,” Stanley told the crowd. Stanley suggested it’s time to put the national budget on a restricted “diet.”

Five candidates for governor addressed the group, too. 

Listen to Pawlenty’s 25 minute speech by clicking on the following link: ITRPawlenty