CNN reports: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will abandon his presidential bid, CNN has learned.  Pawlenty finished third at the Ames Straw Poll (in Iowa) on Saturday. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota placed first in the GOP poll with 4,823 votes, narrowly beating Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who had 4,671 votes. Pawlenty received 2,293 ballots.  “We needed a boost from Ames that didn’t happen,” Pawlenty told staff on a conference call Sunday morning.  He is expected to announce the end of his campaign later Sunday in a TV appearance.