Some friends of McCain believe that he made up his mind about a vice presidential short list a long time ago and is simply going through the motions to satisfy the news media’s need to see the slow arc of a purposeful search. Indeed, before the campaign tamped down such talk, advisers and aides freely speculated that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an evangelical Christian, was the odds-on favorite. McCain likes and trusts Pawlenty and is said to think that the governor makes an effective surrogate for the campaign.
I’ve said it many times before, Tim Pawlenty would be a good, safe choice for McCain. He’s not going to change the dynamics of the race and he’s not going to win Minnesota for McCain, but he will be a loyal and effective surrogate. If McCain really wants to turn his VP selection into a political asset, he should pick a woman. Someone like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.
Meanwhile the LA Times notes Timmy’s new favorite past-time: making fun of his wife.
The buzz surrounding Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has risen to bee-hive levels, with two recent articles offering in-depth looks at the positives and negatives he would offer as John McCain’s running mate. And if Pawlenty does end up the pick, it will be interesting to see if he continues his habit of cracking jokes about his wife.
Tim Pawlenty better be careful here. The beginnings of a media narrative are starting to appear.
Maybe T Paw can teach him how to turn on a computer? After all, it is 2008, and I think thats an important skill for a president to have…
Take him away!
Palin will not be the VP. She just had a kid (who has Downs), and is poised to be the most pwerful Republican in Alaska. When Ted Stevens gets chased out of office and Don Young goes to prison, Palin will be “da bomb” in Alaska. She hates Young and “Series of Tubes” Stevens, she will want to relish in her victory from Juneau, not the Naval Observatory.
Assuming Pawlenty gets the nod and McCain wins, that means Molnau will be Governor, and Jim Metzen will be Lt. Governor. I would be willing to bet that if Pawlenty gets the nod, Molnau would step down, and Laura Brod would take her place. This would happen before the election so it wouldn’t look to much like the Wendy Anderson/Rudy Perpich fiasco in the 70’s.
“good” and “safe” are not good enough! Pawlenty is simply not gonna cut it. To win, McCain needs Sarah Palin as his veep-mate.
I do believe that Palin will get the nod.
McCain/Palin ‘08