T-Paw Rips Rivals for Skipping Debate

Politico reports:

Tim Pawlenty on Thursday chided some of his GOP rivals for not taking part in tonight’s South Carolina debate, arguing that “it’s the first step towards getting America back on track.”

“Some candidates are skipping tonight’s Republican debate in South Carolina because they believe it’s ‘too soon’ to begin the presidential campaign against Barack Obama,” he wrote in an op-ed for “The Daily Caller.”

“I only hope that it’s not too late.”

Among those skipping the faceoff are Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich.

Acknowledging President Obama is an “excellent campaigner,” Pawlenty sounded the alarm for the GOP.

“Republicans will only win if we unite behind our conservative values and start the campaign against him now,” he warned.