Candidate Pawlenty

Minnesotan introduces himself as truth-teller in official announcement Monday in Des Moines.

Highlights:

"I'll unite our party and I'll unite our nation."

"I'm running for president to keep [the American] Dream alive."

Obama's health care law an "unmitigated disaster" for the country.

"If we're not honest enough, we may lose our country....this is the time for the truth."

"We need to shrink our government" to grow the economy.

"There are no longer any sacred programs."

Earlier: T-Paw takes "truth" message on Mon. morning shows tour after making 2012 run official in Sun. video.

Touts "blue collar" roots, experience in balancing state budget, promises "new leadership" and backs off from drawing contrast with Romney.