WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty sought to reinforce his conservative credentials Friday night at a gathering of Christian conservative activists, a group of voters who could make or break his possible presidential run. 

In a speech at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, Pawlenty laid out his economic and social values, including his faith in God, small government and a balanced budget. He also touched on key moments in his governorship, such as signing into law a measure that requires any woman seeking an abortion to wait 24 hours before the procedure is done and using his executive power to balance the state budget.

Pawlenty capped it all off with a challenge to President Obama, who recently said he that he would call people out if they lied about the facts of health care reform.

“I accept the challenge,” Pawlenty told the conservative political activists. “I will just respond by calling out the president back tonight.

“This is my message: Stop spending the country back to bankruptcy... and maybe the next time you talk to a group of young people you should apologize for the debt you are putting on their shoulders,” Pawlenty said.

And at that, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation.

Later, the Democratic National Committee released this statement:

"It looks like Tim Pawlenty isn't even going to offer the pretense of being anything but an extreme right wing radical anymore,” said DNC National Press Secretary Hari Sevugan.

Pawlenty spurred the Democrats and played well with the crowd. But did he win over any of the voters he will need to get to the White House? MinnPost will examine that question Monday.