The Hill News

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said Tuesday he wouldn't have used crosshair images to refer to candidates for Congress, as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) PAC had done.

Pawlenty, a likely Republican candidate for president in 2012, took a shot at Palin over the controversial map her campaign arm had released during the 2010 campaign, which depicted crosshairs over different lawmakers' districts that had been targeted in the election.

"It wouldn't have been my style to put the crosshairs on there, but there's no reason to believe it had anything to do with this mentally unstable's person's rage," Pawlenty said Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

The Minnesotan's remarks are a subtle jab at Palin, who's faced scrutiny for some of the language and imagery she'd used during the campaign following this past Saturday's assassination attempt against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). One of the crosshairs targeted Giffords's district.

Many political observers on both sides have blamed mental illness for alleged shooter Jared Loughner's actions, but have called nonetheless for a toning-down of rhetoric in the wake of the tragedy.

"There's a line there as it relates to basic civility, decency and respect," Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty's doing the rounds in the media on Tuesday to promote the release of his new book, "Courage to Stand," which is seen as a precursor to a run for president. Pawlenty admitted in his interview that he's "seriously considering" a bid, but would wait a bit until formally announcing his candidacy.