Tim Pawlenty’s departure last week from the crowded Republican presidential field is likely to soon be forgotten amidst the ongoing battles among the remaining candidates. Yet before the former governor’s run for the nomination is left too far in the rear view mirror, it is worth considering what it foretells.

In two terms as Minnesota’s governor, Pawlenty earned a reputation as one of the new breed of ideologically motivated governors — becoming one of the first to adopt a tough, no-new-taxes pledge and, more remarkably, stick to the pledge (except for the occasional tax-turned-into-a-fee). In the middle of Pawlenty’s second term, he seemed to be a standard-bearer for the Republican party — a moral, thoughtful leader who would not back down on his principals. But by the time he left office, the national political landscape had shifted, with extremists like Wisconsin’s Gov. Scott Walker and Minnesota’s own Tea Party spokesperson, Rep. Michele Bachmann, grabbing most of the attention. Pawlenty’s quiet, firm stance on traditional Republican issues was no longer enough to attract national attention.

The former governor’s eventual withdrawal from the nomination race seemed almost certain, months before it finally happened. The politics of becoming a party’s nominee has always been about staking out a position far to the right or left of center in an attempt to attract highly partisan voters. It is a strong commentary on how divisive American politics has become that a governor with Pawlenty’s credentials was left too far in the middle.

Although moderate, sensible Republicans remain in the race, it is clear that 2012’s presidential contest is going to do nothing but deepen the political divide and inspire wild promises from all candidates. A situation not likely to be to the nation’s benefit.