Apparently, Mary Pawlenty Has Caught Fire!

Because, otherwise there's just no explanation for this:

“I’m very thankful for my red-hot smoking wife, the first lady of Minnesota,” said Gov. Tim Pawlenty, pointing to his wife, Mary, who was standing a few feet away.

(speechless)

Seriously, why would a man who seems to be planning on running for president in 2012 publicly refer to his wife the way a fraternity brother might refer to a girl he'd seen naked on the internet?

Clearly, the poor woman must have been set ablaze somehow. And from what I gather, no one in the crowd had the decency to try and put her out.

Always the good sport, Mrs. Pawlenty tried to put a positive spin on her fiery predicament:

As the audience roared, she said with a smile: “Who, when they’re turning 50, doesn’t like to be called a red-hot smoking wife?”