Gov. Tim Pawlenty may be struggling to break out of single digits in 2012 GOP presidential polls, but he ranks No. 2 in one Washington publication's presidential rankings, based on candidates who are "currently in the strongest position to secure the nomination."

Pawlenty is second behind former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the inaugural "Presidential Power Rankings" from National Journal, a Washington-based political news outlet.

National Journal's "The Hotline" says Pawlenty has the experience and credentials, but questions whether he can excite primary voters:

No one has officially declared they are running yet. But in several post-2010 election polls, Pawlenty has remained in single digits, usually about fifth behind Romney, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Besides Romney, however, National Journal puts the other candidates behind Pawlenty in what's coined "The Fox News Tier," questioning how serious they really are about running.