Republicans Answer Back At Barack Obama's Re-election Launch (VIDEO)

Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty was the first and quickest Republican to hit back at Barack Obama after the president officially launched his re-election campaign.

Pawlenty responded by posting a video on YouTube. The 2012 presidential hopeful mocked the slogan that the White House has used this year to reposition itself for the latter half of Obama's first term.

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"How can America win the future when we're losing the present?" Pawlenty asks in the video.

The 35-second spot closes with Pawlenty saying, "In order for America to take a new direction, it's gonna take a new president." With 19 months to go Pawlenty is starting early, watch his video below.