Tim Pawlenty Eyes Possible 2012 Bid With PAC

Tim Pawlenty has reportedly been angling for a bid for the 2012 GOP nomination, but he'll face the likes of Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Sarah Palin. Speaking of which,

Tim Pawlenty's Freedom First PAC is similar to the Free and Strong America PAC that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney launched last year after Romney dropped out of the 2008 race. The PAC "will offer financial support to candidates committed to putting freedom before government, and provide organizational support for Pawlenty to promote his innovative, conservative message," according to the announcement.

Tim Pawlenty, 48, announced in June that he would not seek a third term as governor. At the same time, however, he refused to confirm speculation about his plans for the presidency.

Still, Tim Pawlenty's PAC has to be taken as another signal that he is aiming for the GOP nomination. A straw poll among values voters released last week by the Family Research Council had him in a three-way tie for second place with Romney and Palin, trailing Huckabee.

Still other GOP members said to be considering a run at the Republican Presidential nomination are Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), who is a member of the Republican Study Committee, and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.