Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, will end his bid for the GOP nomination after a disapppointing third place finish in the Ames Iowa Straw Poll.

In a conference call with supporters, Pawlenty explained how his campaign needed a boost in the Ames poll, which it had failed to get.

Pawlenty finished a distant third, behind Reps. Michele Bachman and Ron Paul of Texas.

Pawlenty had pitched his canidacy as the one which could unite the GOP’s different conservative streams.


But the strategy left him witout a clear base of support.

Pawlenty is slated to announce his withdrawal later in a television appearance. The call to supporters was widely reported.

Photos: Scenes from the Iowa Straw Poll