(CNN) - Despite his socially conservative stances, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty believes he can win the presidency.
"Yes of course," Pawlenty said when asked if he could win. "If you're not willing to stand by your values, what's the point in doing it anyhow?"
The likely 2012 presidential candidate spoke in Sioux City, Iowa, on Monday as part of a lecture series sponsored by the Family Leader, a socially conservative group, in a speech threaded with his moral values.
With his wife, Mary, by his side, Pawlenty touted his belief that marriage is "between a man and woman" and his pro-life history.
"(It is) hard to have family life unless you respect life," Pawlenty said. "It says in our founding documents and in the Bible that we are to respect life, not destroy life."
In his speech, his third of the day in Iowa, he touched on nearly every major issue facing the country, including jobs, education, health care and the national debt, stressing the importance of individual responsibility.
"We need a system that says parents can be in charge," he said about education.
When talking about the "misguided" health care law, he said "We have to put individuals and families in the driver's seat."
"Can't be pro-jobs and anti-business, that's like being pro-egg and anti-chicken," Pawlenty said.
When addressing his faith, he said his words weren't those of a "politician passing through town," because this is a nation "founded under God."
"First and foremost we don't want to be a country that turns away from God, we want to be a country that turns toward God," Pawlenty said.
The former Minnesota state legislator has frequented early presidential primary and caucus states while he continues to say he'll make a final decision about a White House run in the coming months. Pawlenty was in Iowa in January to promote his new book, "Courage to Stand," which discusses his faith and its influence on his public life.
– CNN Deputy Political Director Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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"Yawn" WHOOOO? Tim Whoo? Because he isn't incendiary the Republicans will pass him by and continue to ignore him.
Pawlenty who??????
it is tough for him to win in 2012 unlesss some thing happens to turn the upswing economy go south. Hope the reps do not play a role in this.
Really? He can't even have a straight answer in a simple question from a TV comedian. How will he fair with tough Question from real journalist from other country. Particularly from the BBC news. If America will elect this nincampoop he will surely be eaten alive by them and America will be showing its weakness by the choice they made in choosing someone to represent them in the world . If America will be electing another C average student as President because he looks like a Hick like them then the world will treat the Americans as how someone will treat a dufus moron in school by other student. .
Looks like Pawlygirl is saying any woman who's had an abortion does not value families. What a bunch of garbage designed to divide people and ramp up hate.
he seems okay. but I still don't think he has a chance.
Little Timmy is becoming more like Baghdad Bob every day. To be in denial, distort facts and resort to lies is so republican, though. Timmy, like republicans, are anti women's reproductive rights, but are pro war and have little concern for 44,000 Americans dying each year without any form of health insurance. Timmy, like republicans, clings to the bible but rejects helping the poor. Timmy must not have gotten the memo that private businesses have made record profits under President Obama, so he just repeats the anti business Fox message, which is a boldfaced lie. Timmy, like republicans really need to stop embracing the John Birch Society talking points, as they are not reality based.
WHAT? He can't even WIN the RepubliCAN'T nomination to RUN!!!! What is he going to be – a WRITE IN!!!???
Oh No!!! Another Palin!!! This guy wouldnt know what main street is!!!!! You want America to be "Robbed Again"????? You want no insurance,no jobs,and War, vote for him!!!! He will hang himself before 2012,believe me!!!!
A toothpick thinks he can win the Presidency!
" Pawlenty said. "It says in our founding documents and in the Bible that we are to respect life, not destroy life."
We heard of this many times from "W" and still he sent soldiers to act differently from his beliefs. This man Pawlenty has no difference.
pauly is too conservative and scared to make the big dicision that going to set up americans for success in the future all they can do is criticise but when it comes down to making decisions they are scared to death to get their hands dirty, thats why they always make the easy decisions the rich and the powerful because they are the one with the voice. then they push the little man in the back, as their decisions come back to haunt them almost every time. then they want to criticize obama because he have the cohonas to help the people without the big megaphones and try to give them a voice in society. something the repugs and the rich and powerful is not going allow. fight for the people without a voice obama let the world know that they exist and their needs are being met.
Even Minnesota does not vote for this idiot, who in America votes...