Former Bachmann staffers backing Pawlenty

Three of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s former staffers are backing her fellow Minnesotan and presumptive competitor for the 2012 Republican nomination, Tim Pawlenty. Ron Carey, who served as Bachmann’s chief of staff in 2010; Gina Countryman, Bachmann’s 2010 congressional campaign manager; and Tim Gould, who served as Bachmann’s Constituent Services Officer in 2010 are all vocally supporting Pawlenty for 2012.

Countryman’s Twitter account has become a “T-Paw 12″ hub, promoting a “twibbon” for Pawlenty’s exploratory bid:

Gould, who worked for Bachmann in 2010, has adopted the twibbon — a graphic modifying one’s Twitter icon — and was the co-host (PDF) of a fundraiser for Pawlenty’s Freedom First PAC in 2010, though that was before Bachmann started her potential 2012 bid.

Carey, who ran Bachmann’s office in 2010, told Fox News last week that he’s backing Pawlenty over Bachmann because he stands a better shot at winning.

“Electability is a very, very high attribute you have to have this year to win,” he said. “I don’t want to have an emotionally filled endeavor only to get 35 percent [of the vote] in November [2012].”