In a GOP presidential field that lacks a center of gravity, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty thinks he could be the last man standing.

Michael Crowley interviews the 2012 White House hopeful for tomorrow's Time magazine, noting that Pawlenty has entered the race primarily because he thinks he can win.

Via Time:

"I think I'm the one candidate in the race who can unite and excite the whole conservative movement and the Republican Party," Pawlenty says, arguing that he can appeal at once to conservatives focused on social issues, the budget and national security. "I think most of the other candidates are going to appeal to one of those buckets. But I can appeal to all of them deeply and authentically, and I've got the record to back it up."

But can he beat Barack Obama? Pawlenty points out that he has an appealing blue-collar biography that "defies Republican stereotypes" and could endear him to voters across party lines.

Pawlenty might be electable, Crowley points out, but his "I'm running because I can win" argument is that it lacks any broader sense of purpose. There is no clear reason why Pawlenty wants to be president.

Crowley writes:


Without some sort of political vision, Pawlenty could have a hard convincing voters why they should want him in the White House. It may be part of the reason that Pawlenty's campaign has yet to catch fire.

Check out the other 2012 GOP presidential hopefuls >