Tim Pawlenty has dropped out of the 2012 US presidential race — a day after a disappointing showing in an early test of strength among his party.

Six Republican presidential hopefuls will compete in the Iowa straw poll — an unofficial test of campaign strength.

Republican presidential candidates led by frontrunner Mitt Romney used their first big televised debate to lash out at President Barack Obama.

Now that he is the Republican presidential nominee, John McCain has a big decision ahead of him — who to choose as his vice-presidential running mate. A top priority for him is…