In an interview with Newsweek, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has praise for Sarah Palin, criticism for the Republican Party and says nationally, "Nobody knows who I am."
Asked about the 2012 presidential race, he picked former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney as a clear frontrunner, along with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Pawlenty, who 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain passed over for VP pick Palin, says the Alaska governor was a good choice who energized the ticket and is "is easily as qualified as Barack Obama" to be president. Pawlenty, of late, has criticized Massachusetts-style health reform, a Romany signature item, and was seen to do it again in New Hampshire last week.
On his own 2012 chances, Pawlenty repeats his line that: "There is a legitimate question about whether somebody who is basically unknown, isn't independently wealthy, isn't famous, would have a chance."
