The Hill News

GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty on Monday indicated that he'll be more assertive on the campaign trail following a key debate gaffe last week.

Pawlenty again appeared on Fox News and explained that he made a mistake by not hitting Mitt Romney on the healthcare law he signed as governor of Massachusetts.

"I thought in that moment it was better to focus on the president and than another Republican, but the fact is I got asked a direct question and I should’ve answered it directly," he told host Neil Cavuto. "I’ve been doing that since and I’ll do it now and rest assured we will not let that opportunity pass again."

The former Minnesota governor's comments are one of the clearest signs yet that he is looking to transition to the offensive after facing criticism for appearing weak during the debate in New Hampshire last Monday.

Pawlenty has made multiple media appearances where he has criticized Romney's healthcare law.! He event sent out a fundraising email last Friday that said he won't be afraid to "discuss the clear differences I have with ObamaCare and some of my primary opponents."

"I understand what needs to be done, and we will get the job done," he wrote to supporters. "I've been campaigning for president for barely three weeks now, and our message is resonating: We need leaders with results, not just rhetoric."