Posted on 02/17/2008 12:14:32 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Even through the McCain campaign’s darkest days in 2007, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty remained a steadfast ally to the Arizona senator in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
As a result, with John McCain as the clear GOP front-runner and insider talk turning to speculation about his possible running mate, party insiders are now buzzing about the 47-year-old, second-term governor’s vice presidential prospects.
Vin Weber, a Minnesota congressman-turned-Washington-lobbyist who is one of Pawlenty’s biggest boosters, ticks off the list of appealing traits.
“First of all, his age is attractive,” Weber says, hinting at the nearly quarter-century difference between his fellow Minnesotan and the 71-year-old McCain. “Second, he’s from outside Washington. Third, he represents a battleground part of the country. And he has a nice balance of, on one hand being totally acceptable to the conservative wing of the party, especially to social conservatives, but at the same time sharing a couple of key maverick strains of thought with McCain.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
There are many compelling reasons to consider Palwenty as a running mate. His popularity in his home state definitely helps.
Naw, T-Paw wouldn’t bring anything to McCain’s ticket. McCain needs a solidly Conservative Southerner.
He’s also a Global Warming guy.
lol, McCain has never saw the need to reach out to conservatives before, why now?
Isn’t Pawlenty one of those Republican governors who has spent the past 8 years trying to re-brand the party from the inside as Democrat Lite?
No sale with me; ecotard Warmist cult members not welcome.
It seems to me that that global warming nonsense he’s been spouting is a recent phenomenon. Prolly to give himself some cover with the so-called moderates and to take that issue away from the dems if it comes to that. He’s a solid fiscal conservative who brought the state back from the 2001 recession and budget deficits without tax increases when a lot of other governors, even republican governors, were raising taxes. He gets no credit for that around here though.
His Lt. Gov. (Carol Molnau) is unpopular and making her governor in his absence would be a democrat talking point that might swing the state to the dems in the GE.
Prolly to give himself some cover with the so-called moderates and to take that issue away from the dems if it comes to that.
Agreeing with the Global Warming eco-nuts is not “taking away the issue.”
It is agreeing with them.
I suppose we could take away every point of distinction between the GOP and the Dems to deny any such little problems at all. 8^)
$20 says he taps Miss Lindsey Graham, a real twofer. With Graham, McCain locks up the South and gets the extra mileage of having a woman on his ticket.
While I’m not a real fan of the Huckster, it seems to me that he would be the one best suited to bring the Conservative Base back to the ticket.
Am I right or wrong? Comments anyone?
Given McCain's age and relatively poor health, his VP choice should be extremely important for conservatives. I would be pleased with Pawlenty.
PAWLENTY RULES OUT VICE PRESIDENTIAL BID (see video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeFyAd1sDAs&feature=related
Now that's funny. I don't care who you are, that right there is funny.
He never been the Republican nominee for President before, that is why.
Pawlenty? Who the hell ever heard of him? Polenta? Huh? Would be almost as dumb a choice as Bobby Jindal or (God forbid!) Condoleeza Rice.
If Hillary cheats her way to the nomination via superdelegates, don't be surprised if JC watts suddenly gets picked.
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