In New Hampshire, Pawlenty calls for federal spending limits

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is in New Hampshire Wednesday to speak at a Republican fundraiser.

Pawlenty appeared on New Hampshire radio station WGIR Wednesday morning, and called for greater limits on federal spending. During his interview, Pawlenty said federal spending has gotten out of control.

"One of the things that I think we should do is ask for a federal constitutional amendment for a balanced budget with the exception for war, natural disasters and emergencies, we have to give the president line-item veto authority and we need to reward politicians who are willing to say no instead of rewarding politicians who are willing to say yes," he said.

Pawlenty is scheduled to raise money for the New Hampshire Senate Republicans. His visit to the first primary state in the nation fuels speculation that he's running for president in 2012. Pawlenty hasn't ruled out such a run.

Democratic National Committee spokesman Frank Benenati says the trip is more evidence that Pawlenty cares more about his political future than his responsibilities as governor.

"Tim Pawlenty said he's going to New Hampshire to help get Republicans elected," Benenati said. "But let's not kid ourselves. The only Republican Pawlenty cares about getting elected in New Hampshire is himself in 2012, and that's what this is all about."

He created a federal political action committee in October to help Republican candidates across the country and raise his political profile. Since then, he has made several out of state trips to Iowa, California, Washington D.C., Florida and Texas.