MyDD :: So, Not Pawlenty, Then?

So, Not Pawlenty, Then?

by Todd Beeton, Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:53:48 PM EST

CW has held that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is on John McCain's VP shortlist but he may not be for long. Maybe he knows something we don't know. Check out who Pawlenty praised today, and, by extension, who he criticized.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, said Wednesday GOP candidates would do well to adopt a positive tone like that of McCain's Democratic rival Barack Obama.

"Say what you will about Barack Obama," the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, "people gravitate when you have something positive to say." He added that McCain has been positive as well.

"People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders," Pawlenty said in a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. "They don't want to follow some negative, scornful person."

Gee, who might that negative scornful person be? Talk about off-message. Sounds like Pawlenty is giving McCain a big F-you, doesn't it? Could get awwwwkward in St. Paul next month. I'd put money on Romney, although the CW theory right now is that McCain's ultimate decision will likely be informed by Obama's decision. I still think Pawlenty is toast, though.

Tags: 2008 presidential election, john mccain, vp, tim pawlenty (all tags)

Permalink :: 23 Comments :: Post a Comment

Wow, so yesterday (2.00 / 1)

it was Palin. Today, Pawlenty. McCain's VP team better get the the Q's in a hurry.

by Neef on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:56:28 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

he did actually add that McCain has been positive as well, which is just flat out silly

by Dog Chains on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:56:42 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

The election would be won in MI ,VA , CO , OH , NV and IND .

Romney would help Mccain the most.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 04:58:06 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (2.00 / 1)

So you think the voters in MI will vote for McSame if his choice is Romney because his father was once Governor? I think Romney won the primary because the Dems voted for him to screw with the repubs. Plastic man will hurt McSame as much as he will help, they would be team flip flop.

by thenurse on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:08:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not amongst the Christian right (none / 0)

Oh no. I think Romney on the ticket would tip VA and NC firmly in the Democrats favor. And make the rest of the deep South way to competitive.

There are too many Christianist Republicans who think that Mormons are just as bad as Gays and Muslims and they certainly wont vote for one. Basically, most of those who voted for Huckabee would never vote for a McCain/Romney ticket. They will sit on their hands and wait to get Huckabee elected in 12 or 16. He is still their dream candidate.

I certainly hope Romney is the VP pick because it will prove that McCain only wants to continue 4 more years of Bush/Cheney policy.

by gavoter on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:01:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

Obama-Pawlenty 08!

Laugh hard, its a long ways to the bank.

by JerryColorado23 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:00:31 PM EST

I'm calling a youngster (none / 0)

e.g. Thune or Cantor. McCain will try to make a subliminal message that Obama should be someone's veep, rather than a presidential candidate. Pubs think this way sometimes....

by Blazers Edge on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:12:17 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

If his decision is informed by Obama's, then there is no reason not to wait until the convention to announce - let McCain try to react on short notice.

by rfahey22 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:18:31 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

PLEASE let it be Romney. I think that would be the final nail in McCain's coffin.

by Raumfahrer on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:20:14 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

At the rate candidates are eliminating themselves, I think we should all brace for the McCain/Cheney '08 juggernaut.

by TCQuad on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:30:56 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

Heh, heh, heh.

The Moose is on the loose. "And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"

by Hollede on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:37:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Eric Cantor (none / 0)

Cantor might be the favorite. He's liked by the Club for Growth, he's From Virginia, he's Jewish, and he's only 45.

I think he's the favorite now.

by esconded on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:32:39 PM EST

What about his seat? (none / 0)

What's VA's rules for replacing candidates who have withdrawn? Could we get his seat for free?

by Ramo on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:12:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What possible purpose could it server (none / 0)

a prominent Republican to be McCain's VP?

"Failed VP Candidate" doesn't look real good on the resume...

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:36:21 PM EST

I'm starting to think that way (none / 0)

Pawlenty has enough problems without getting tied to McCain's sinking ship. This isn't the first time he's gone off-message from McCain's campaign; he's probably signalling that he doesn't want the VP spot.

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to be able to vote against him again.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:55:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I'm starting to think that way (none / 0)

he's probably signalling that he doesn't want the VP spot.

Or maybe Pawlenty has received word--via back channels or whatever--that he isn't going to be the veep and is now exacting a little revenge.

by Will Graham on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:10:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Thanks for the laugher! (none / 0)

Pawlenty REALLY doesn't want to get thrown into the briar patch.

by Glaurung on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 05:55:15 PM EST

Romney Can't Name McCain Accomplishments on Energy (none / 0)

That's all folks?

by Glaurung on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:03:55 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

So much for becoming Vice President... I thought the exact same thing when I saw this on youtube... if he were in contention for the VEEP selection, he isn't anymore.

Well at least he is telling the truth...

by Justin Pugh on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:14:20 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

I think Pawlenty has hopes of a political future,and just made sure he would not be asked to be McCain's running mate. He is smarter than I thought.

The Moose is on the loose. "And I scream at the top of my lungs, what's going on?"

by Hollede on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:34:17 PM EST

That Lifetime poll (none / 0)

indicated that women voters were less likely to vote for McCain if he put a woman on the ticket than the number that would be more likely. Surprisingly, there were more women likely to vote for Obama if he put a woman on the ticket than the number that would be less likely to vote for him. So, it would be a pander for McCain but not so much for Obama? Doesn't bode well for Fiorona or Hutchinson's chances but perhaps Sebelius is alive as the question didn't ask about HRC specifically.

The Club for Growth seems to be getting in McCain's ears; McCain allegedly won't support the energy compromise as currently constructed because the tax breaks are being eliminated. That points to Romney, Portman, Thune, or Cantor.

by Blazers Edge on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 06:42:41 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

Pawlenty doesn't want to be the VP pick because he realizes that McCain has no chance of carrying Minnesota. He doesn't want to look like an idiot if he can't win in his own state.

by Steve24 on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 07:06:28 PM EST

Re: So, Not Pawlenty, Then? (none / 0)

I can't see it being him. What does he add? He won 44% and 47% plurality victories in a blue state. His anti-tax policies contributed to the bridge failure, and despite some initial waffling, he continues to oppose a way to fund transportation infrastructure upgrade programs. Jesse Ventura would help McCain more than Pawlenty, but that'll never happen either.

by alamedadem on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 07:37:13 PM EST

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