Michele Bachmann has reached a deal with Sentinel, a conservative imprint of the Penguin Group, to publish her memoirs in November. Reports of a forthcoming book first surfaced in June. Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund is reported to be the co-author.

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has dropped out of the 2012 presidential contest before a single was cast. Appearing on ABC's This Week, Pawlenty conceded that his campaign never resonated with voters.

Michele Bachmann narrowly triumphed in the Iowa Straw Poll, a crucial early test of strength in the 2012 GOP presidential nomination process. Bachmann defeated congressman Ron Paul by less than 200 votes out of nearly 17,000 cast. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty finished a distant third, and subsequently announced that he is dropping out of the 2012 presidential race.

Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty made one last effort to woo Iowa Straw Poll participants with speeches on Saturday afternoon at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames. Both Minnesotans were introduced by gauzy biographical videos and relied heavily on their well-honed stump speeches.

Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty began the most important day so far in the GOP presidential nominating process by addressing a group of conservative women at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center. The breakfast gathering took place just down the road from the site of today's Iowa Straw Poll.

Michele Bachmann held one last rally Friday night on the grounds of Iowa Straw Poll. The favorite to win this early test in the GOP nominating process bounded off her campaign bus shortly after 9 p.m. to the music of Elvis Presley. She danced ebulliently with her husband, Marcus, before addressing the crowd of more than 100 supporters.

Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty is now the second most likely Republican to end up with the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, according to the latest ranking from The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza. Only former Massachussets Gov. Mitt Romney ranks ahead of T-Paw on the list.

The location for 2012 Democratic convention is down to St. Louis or Charlotte, according to a report in Politico. The other two finalists to host the presidential nominating convention, Minneapolis and Cleveland, are "all but out of the running."

Pawlenty will kick off the tour with a speech at the National Press Club and a book signing in Washington, D.C.. He'll make stops in the key swing states of Ohio and Florida as well.

At 5 percent in the latest poll, Pawlenty is tied for fifth with Texas Rep. Ron Paul.