Picture_8_biggerGov. Tim Pawlenty tweeted in triumph after Republican endorsee Dede Scozzafava dropped out of New York’s special Congressional election.

Republican @DougforCongress now has clearest path to victory yet. Time for all to join the fight. #tcot #rs #biggovt

As with his endorsement of Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, Pawlenty’s message followed an earlier statement by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Pawlenty criss-crosses the country lecturing GOP audiences about how to attract voters who are “not yet Republicans.” He sounds like he is talking about drawing independents and Democrats, but his backing for Hoffman suggests he intends to mine support from the vast reserves on the far right.