Pawlenty Endorses Romney for President

WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) -- Tim Pawlenty is endorsing Mitt Romney for president.

That's the word from Romney's campaign.

Pawlenty is a former Minnesota governor who dropped out of the GOP nomination race last month after a poor showing in the Iowa straw poll.

In an email to supporters sent by the Romney campaign early Monday, Pawlenty says that Romney alone -- quote -- possesses the unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament.

Pawlenty says he believes Romney can turn around the economy. And he called Romney a man of great character and principle.

He says he's proud to stand with Romney and asks others to join him.

The Weekly Standard has an excerpt of the endorsement:

President Obama has failed to meet America's economic challenges.

His three years of spending, regulating and taxing have not restarted the economy. Unemployment remains at a shocking 9.1 percent. Economic growth is hovering on the edge of a renewed recession.

Abroad, the standing of the United States appears uncertain and adrift under the failed leadership of a president who prefers chastising allies to condemning foes.

Fortunately, America may get a second chance: Mitt Romney is running for president, and I am proud to endorse him.

Alone among the contenders, he possesses the unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament. His abiding faith in our country's exceptional historical position as a beacon of freedom will make him the most important leader in a world that depends upon a strong America to stay at peace.

Having served as Governor of Massachusetts, he turned that state's budget around from deficit to surplus while simultaneously cutting taxes, but that is not the full measure of what he will bring to the Presidency. His time in government was a moment of service - a way to give back to our country-following a distinguished career in the private sector, where he launched companies and turned around troubled ones.

Pawlenty then confirmed the endorsement during an appearance on Fox News, where he repeated his support: