Pawlenty on Romney: conservatism and electability

Former Governor Tim Pawlenty weighs in on GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s conservative credentials and the direction his campaign will take going forward on Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien.

Pawlenty says, “Mitt Romney is conservative and if you look at his record of cutting taxes, growing jobs, cutting spending and the like, it’s a conservative record, but he can also get elected. The other candidates are not in that same position. They are less electable.”

On Ohio Romney win, Pawlenty states, “Well, a few weeks ago [Romney] was double digits down in Ohio.  So the fact that he closed that gap in a few weeks and won I think is a testament to the fact that he’s got resilience and strength and momentum.  So I don’t look at Ohio and say what a disappointment.  I look at Ohio and say, my goodness, what a positive result.  He was 14 points down three weeks ago according to one poll, and to win it last night was remarkable.”

Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien airs week mornings from 7-9am ET on CNN.