Is former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman ready for a comeback?

Coleman, you’ll recall, is the Republican who endured a wrenching re-election defeat by Democrat Al Franken in 2008. On Tuesday, he offered a hint that might suggest he’ll join a crowded open-seat race for governor.

But it was just a hint. Coleman’s wording was vague, leaving room for conjecture about what he intends to do.

Coleman issued a statement that primarily is an endorsement of Republican Pat Anderson‘s decision to drop out of the race to succeed retiring GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and instead run to try to reclaim the office of state auditor that she lost in 2006.

Coleman switched the topic from Anderson to himself, though, saying, “In the near future, my decision about which path I intend to pursue to help Minnesota and its citizens address our state’s challenges and opportunities will become clear.”