By Bob von Sternberg

As the buzz about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's presidential prospects continues unabated, the Washington Post's Dan Balz weighed in today with an assessment that doesn't exactly shower him with praise.

Some of Pawlenty's recent moves "have other Republicans wondering about his instincts and his sure-footedness as a prospective 2012 presidential candidate," Balz wrote.

Specifically, in some ways Pawlenty has been acting "Romneyesque," a reference to the once (and likely future) GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who Pawlenty has obliquely criticized during his turn on the national political stage.

Balz writes:

The real risk for Pawlenty, as Romney learned in his unsuccessful 2008 campaign, is losing his true voice and his authenticity. Romney spent so much time trying to reposition himself and picking narrow tactical fights with his rivals that the qualities that might have made him a more attractive candidate were lost in the smoke. But once a candidate starts down that road, it can be hard to pull back.
as . reflect entirely well

You can read the entire thing here.