“The Hill” reports:

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said Tuesday that if he were president, he would not nominate Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to a third term.

The GOP presidential candidate has been critical of the Fed’s efforts to pump money into the economy and said that Bernanke has not been a good steward of the country’s monetary policy.

“I opposed his appointment last time, so it wouldn’t be hard for me to oppose his reappointment next time, and I don’t think he should continue in that position,” he told CNBC’s Larry Kudlow.Pawlenty is looking to get a head start on defining the debate over the economy among the field of GOP candidates for President.