Pawlenty Mum About Potential VP Nod

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, rumored to be on Mitt Romney’s potential running-mate list, said Sunday he would be “honored to be asked” but believes he can better serve the Republican presidential nominee as a volunteer.

Pawlenty appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” after attending a big weekend campaign retreat for Romney in Utah.

Pawlenty, a former presidential candidate himself, is now a Romney surrogate, appearing on the campaign trail and consistently on talk shows to promote the GOP nominee.

Pawlenty was considered at one point during the 2008 presidential campaign to be a sure bet to share the ticket with then-Republican nominee John McCain. But then the Arizona senator picked former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin instead.

“I think I can help him best in other ways,” Pawlenty said, mentioning serving as a surrogate speaker. He said he has been encouraging those inquiring about his reaction to a potential vice-presidential role “to look at other prospects.”