Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is making waves today after announcing the hiring of Nick Ayers as his presidential campaign manager.
Though he is still technically in the exploratory phase of his candidacy, the hiring of Ayers suggests it's just a matter of time before Pawlenty formally announces his presidential bid.
Ayers worked at the Republican Governor's Association for about four years starting in 2007, helping to build the organization  that led to GOP successes in 2009 and 2010 governor's races. During his time at the RGA, he worked closely with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who served as chairman of the RGA starting in 2009.
Chris Cilliza notes that at 28, Ayers would be among the youngest presidential campaign managers in modern history.
While political observers have long considered Pawlenty too boring to be elected, and his polling numbers remain mired in the single digits, in recent months people have begun to see his potential to emerge from a wide open GOP field in which his rivals have what many consider to be fatal flaws.