GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty: 'Pendulum is Swinging Back Our Way'

June 11, 2010— -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty expressed optimism today that Republicans will regain control of key political positions this year both inside and outside Washington, hinting at his own possible 2012 presidential run.

"The pendulum, we believe, is swinging back our way," the Minnesota Republican told "Good Morning America's" George Stephanopoulos today. "I think it's going to be terrific."

Pawlenty praised the GOP women candidates who won key nominations this Tuesday, including Susana Martinez, nominated to run on the Republican ticket for New Mexico governor, ex-Hewlett Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, who will be challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for the Senate seat from California, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor.

"This is, I think, going to be in part the year of women, which is a great thing, particularly for our party," he said. "My party needs to have more faces and voices that aren't just middle aged men."

But Pawlenty distanced himself from some views held by Sharron Angle, the Tea Party favorite in Nevada who will challenge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in November.

Angle is an anti-tax crusader who favors abolishing the Departments of Education and Energy, phasing out Social Security and Medicare, and removing the United States from the United Nations. With heavy backing from the Tea Party Express and other national conservative movements, she easily beat Republican establishment favorites to nab the nomination.

Pawlenty said he wasn't aware of all of Angle's views, and added that most Republicans do not want to abolish Social Security, but rather reform it.

Pawlenty has long been said to eye the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, but he wouldn't confirm nor deny that was the case, except to say that he is open to continuing his work in public service.

"I'm very concerned about the direction of the country," he said on "GMA." "There's a concern, I want to contribute to it and try to improve the outlook for the country in 2010. As to 2012, the way I look at it, if I can add value to the debate, and be the one who delivers the message, I'd at least be open to continuing in public life in some fashion but maybe not."