Rumor: McCain will announce Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty as running mate tomorrow

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The New Republic political blog reports on a rumor that Gov. Tim Pawlenty canceled Minnesota events for tomorrow and adds in an Atlantic rumor that John McCain will announce his VP pick tomorrow which TNR says points to TPaw as VP pick.

To add a minor fact to the speculation, Pawlenty's public events schedule, release Friday afternoon, listed no public events for Saturday, Sunday or Monday. And he said Thursday that he would be spending some time up north relaxing this weekend but he was a little vague about it -- and McCain is reportedly hosting some politicos at his ranch this weekend.

http://blogs.twincities.com/politics/2008/...peculation.html

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I already know - Mr. Bill Chaney!

[Ban Hammer 14,585]

so how does this stack up politically?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Hmmm....interesting. A better choice than Romney....or at least less baggage.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Personally, I think Pawlenty's a safe and solid choice.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Personally, I think Pawlenty's a safe and solid choice.

I agree...good move on McCain's part.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Here is what a writer for Canada Free Press has to say about Pawlenty:

Here are six reasons why I think Pawlenty would be McCain’s best choice.

First, Pawlenty has been a loyal stalwart of McCain from the get go.

...

There is no question ... that McCain trusts Pawlenty both explicitly and implicitly.

Second, Pawlenty has been twice elected Governor of Minnesota.

...

Minnesota is a proudly liberal state ... The fact that Pawlenty could not only campaign as a conservative and win but then govern Minnesota as a conservative and win is remarkable. Pawlenty was one of the few Republicans who did well on election night in 2006.

...

Third, Pawlenty would be ideally suited to serve as McCain’s point man on illegal immigration ... Pawlenty has taken a hard line against illegal immigration. Pawlenty went so far as to send the Minnesota National Guard down to the U.S./Mexico border to back up the U.S. Border Patrol when the Departments of Defense and National Security came a calling.

Pawlenty has taken measures to ensure that state law enforcement officials co-operate with federal immigration officials; crack down on fraudulent state drivers’ licenses and that new state employees and contractors are legally authorized to work in the United States.

...

Pawlenty also wants to put an end to sanctuary cities.

...

Fourth, the Republican National Convention takes place in St. Paul. If McCain should select a favorite son to be his running mate he will be received with great enthusiasm by the hometown crowd.

...

Fifth, speaking of friendly, there is Pawlenty’s pleasant disposition. From time to time, McCain has been criticized for his occasional bursts of anger. Pawlenty, on the other hand, is even tempered and possesses a disarming charm. He’s smooth yet sincere.

...

Finally, there is Pawlenty’s youth ... Pawlenty is only eight months older than Obama.

[Ban Hammer 14,585]

Here is what a writer for Canada Free Press has to say about Pawlenty:

Here are six reasons why I think Pawlenty would be McCain’s best choice.

First, Pawlenty has been a loyal stalwart of McCain from the get go.

...

There is no question ... that McCain trusts Pawlenty both explicitly and implicitly.

Second, Pawlenty has been twice elected Governor of Minnesota.

...

Minnesota is a proudly liberal state ... The fact that Pawlenty could not only campaign as a conservative and win but then govern Minnesota as a conservative and win is remarkable. Pawlenty was one of the few Republicans who did well on election night in 2006.

...

Third, Pawlenty would be ideally suited to serve as McCain’s point man on illegal immigration ... Pawlenty has taken a hard line against illegal immigration. Pawlenty went so far as to send the Minnesota National Guard down to the U.S./Mexico border to back up the U.S. Border Patrol when the Departments of Defense and National Security came a calling.

Pawlenty has taken measures to ensure that state law enforcement officials co-operate with federal immigration officials; crack down on fraudulent state drivers’ licenses and that new state employees and contractors are legally authorized to work in the United States.

...

Pawlenty also wants to put an end to sanctuary cities.

...

Fourth, the Republican National Convention takes place in St. Paul. If McCain should select a favorite son to be his running mate he will be received with great enthusiasm by the hometown crowd.

...

Fifth, speaking of friendly, there is Pawlenty’s pleasant disposition. From time to time, McCain has been criticized for his occasional bursts of anger. Pawlenty, on the other hand, is even tempered and possesses a disarming charm. He’s smooth yet sincere.

...

Finally, there is Pawlenty’s youth ... Pawlenty is only eight months older than Obama.

can't we just replace mccain with pawlenty now?

[Dan J 277]

Personally, I think Pawlenty's a safe and solid choice.

But it really wont get him anything. Minnesota is not likely to go to McCain with or without him Pawlenty on the ticket.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Personally, I think Pawlenty's a safe and solid choice.

But it really wont get him anything. Minnesota is not likely to go to McCain with or without him Pawlenty on the ticket.

If Pawlenty is as hawkish on immigration as that Canada Free Press article would have me believe, him as VP may alleviate some of the concern from the extreme nativist wing of the GOP. McCain can't win without them.

[Dan J 277]

Personally, I think Pawlenty's a safe and solid choice.

But it really wont get him anything. Minnesota is not likely to go to McCain with or without him Pawlenty on the ticket.

If Pawlenty is as hawkish on immigration as that Canada Free Press article would have me believe, him as VP may alleviate some of the concern from the extreme nativist wing of the GOP. McCain can't win without them.

He doesn't really need to win over that group. Its pretty much a given that they will vote for him.

Over the election so far, McCain has kept moving to the right. He started out more in a right of center position, but has progressively pushed himself to the right to appease the more extreme right elements of the party.

At the same time, he has alienated to some extend the support he has had in the center, leaving them open to Obama. And he has wasted little time gaining ground.

Pawlenty hardly won the election in 2006. Since then, he has done a few things that has lost him some popular support. Pawlenty's way around his no new tax pledge? Call them fee's. I don't see him helping McCain in any that will help him win the election.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Is Pawlenty less impressive than McLame (for AJ--the little fact that Romney competed for the nomination makes him anathema).