Pawlenty's debate whiff fuels Perry buzz

When former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty turned down the chance to take on GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney during Monday night’s Republican presidential debate, he appeared to offer an opportunity to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a man many conservatives feel would not be as quick to let Romney off the hook.

Perry’s not one to shy away from confrontation — he once shot a coyote while jogging — but he has yet to decide whether to join a list of eight candidates vying for the GOP nomination. Some experts feel Pawlenty’s non-aggressive performance against Romney translates into an invitation for Perry to jump in.