(CNN) - Former presidential candidate and current Mitt Romney backer Tim Pawlenty responded to a campaign video released Wednesday by President Barack Obama's re-election campaign that used Newt Gingrich comments criticizing Romney to make their general election case.

"Of course the president is trying to distract Americans and voters from his own record, which is non-existent or bad and trying to get people focused on some old comments by Newt Gingrich," Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, said on CNN's "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien." "I think shortly Newt will be supporting and endorsing and encouraging Gov. Romney because he's a far better candidate and will be a far better president than President Obama."

Gingrich is scheduled to suspend his presidential campaign and signal his support for Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nomine, Wednesday afternoon.