Pawlenty: I’ll be in Minnesota at the state fair tomorrow; Update: Pawlenty headlines “Meet the Press” this weekend
posted at 4:14 pm on August 28, 2008 by Allahpundit
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We’re on 24-hour VP watch now so might as well throw up a post about this. Drudge is red-fonting the fact that he’s mysteriously canceled some public appearances — but then how to explain this?
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, on the short list of possible GOP vice presidential picks, said he plans to be home at the state fair for a radio show appearance Friday, when Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is expected to announce his running mate.
Pawlenty was the main attraction at a press conference to highlight Republicans’ argument that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is “not ready” to be president. Pawlenty referred all questions about the ticket to the McCain campaign.
“On issues relating to the vice presidency, that’s obviously Sen. McCain’s decision,” Pawlenty said. “The McCain campaign will be making those announcements [Friday] presumably.”
Roll Call doesn’t specify when he said that so maybe he got the call from McCain after the press conference. Or maybe it’s a head fake coordinated by the campaign to throw the media off the trail. Or maybe it’s a Bidenesque “I’m not the guy” bald-faced lie before the announcement. All theories welcome!
The closer we get, the more I find myself in the same boat as Ross Douthat. I crave an exciting pick, but the only excitement available is Jindal or Palin and they’re both simply too green for McCain’s message (as is, er, Pawlenty). We’re bound to be disappointed. Pessimismania!
Update: Sounds like the presser at which he made the state fair comment happened before he canceled his appearances, so maybe he did get the call late:
Pawlenty, in Denver to criticize Democrats on McCain’s behalf, canceled without explanation an afternoon roundtable interview with the AP as well as other media interviews. Questioned about the vice presidential selection earlier, Pawlenty would only say that he is to be in Minnesota on Friday for the state fair. He had cautioned during a series of morning TV interviews that while speculation might be fun, “most of it turns out to be inaccurate.”
Update: Meanwhile, more whispers of Secret Service sweeps at Romney family homes.
Update: Hold the phone. The Secret Service says the Romney rumors are indeed just rumors.
Update: Hmmmmm.
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Good!
lodge on August 28, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Please say it’s true. Thank you Jesus.
JeffreyLloyd on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
McCain will immediately get $50 from me if it’s Sarah Palin.
I’m still praying!
lansing quaker on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Me too Lansing.
JeffreyLloyd on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
McCain…please pick Mitt!
davenp35 on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Just said he PLANS to be there. It’s not saying he’s not going to be the pick.
Darksean on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Yes, go to the fair and enjoy a corndog…. leave the veep for a dark horse. Kthxbai!
Enoxo on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Ditto! Or if it is Thompson as well.
jencab on August 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM
It’s gonna be bloomberg, just watch. How many houses does he own?
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
I’ve been fairly convinced for a couple of weeks that its Pawlenty, so I think this is just a decoy. I’m 90% sure its Pawlenty. McCain would rather be safe than sorry.
jimmy the notable on August 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
well Pawlenty just spiked on intrade up 25.8%
lan astaslem on August 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Why do I have this feeling that the Maverick is going to pick somebody that nobody expects?
MarkTheGreat on August 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
It’s a strawman. Biden also used the same headfake. Take a look for planes going out of either Denver or St. Paul on their way to Dayton or Cincinnati.
Allah, you really need to get your head out of Romney’s pocket. We know you’re in the tank for him.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Unless McCain has a surprise pick like General Petraeus, out of the names on the short list, Mitt Romney is the best pick, he might not help you get over the top in Michigan but he shores up Colorado and Nevada, and if those go McCain’s way he just needs to keep Ohio and Florida and he wins.
War69DotCom on August 28, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Still convinced its Pawlenty…
changer1701 on August 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM
My strong preference is Huck.
But if not him, please not Lieberman, Rudy, or Mitt. Both picks would fracture the base (and yes I know Huck might do that too)
I can only dream that its Fred.
YellowDawg on August 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM
It’s Candice Miller, from Michigan!
JeffreyLloyd on August 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Go Pawlenty! He’s been governor for 6 years…before that a big leadership role in the MN state assembly. More experienced than Palin for sure, probably a tie with Jindal.
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM
The left is SALIVATING to attack Mitt and the elitist, entitled ticket.
I still think that Palin will be the only one that will be criticism-free, unless they want to whine on and on about the “Trooper” thing, which will never get legs.
Mitt will be attacked like no other.
lansing quaker on August 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Dangit.
Now I’m jonesing for funnel cake.
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM
I see why Palin and Jindal are too green (although I’d love to see Palin be the pick, outside of teh Fred!), but why do you say Pawlenty is too green? Six years executive experience as governor? That’s more exec experience than anybody on the other side of the ballot.
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Yes, I’m famous among our longtime readers for being in the tank for Romney. Mittheads love me.
Allahpundit on August 28, 2008 at 4:22 PM
And McCain is going to announce his pick tomorrow. They can do the cheesy joint appearance on Saturday, kinda like The One and Biden.
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
My gut tells me it’s going to be Mitt.
ThackerAgency on August 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
OK, choked on my lunch.
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Screen pass. Quarterback drops back to lure the D in, too deep to recover for the quick pass. Don’t believe anything politicians tell you, particularly around election tme. BTW, where is Palin? Still in the frozen north?
a capella on August 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
It’s going to be Huckabee. McCain will win and die in office of old age and Huckabee will be prez.
God works in mysterious ways!
GoodBoy on August 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
PESIMISSIMania……love it….
I sooooo want him not to F this up…..I really think he has momentum and the Emperor is about to be exposed for not wearing any clothes but if he picks Joe or KBH, I am afraid what might happen…….
SDarchitect on August 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Choked chicken???
Darksean on August 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
its going to be Powell.
elduende on August 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Can an inanimate object be Vice President:
NoDonkey on August 28, 2008 at 4:25 PM
caramel apple and fresh lemonade
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 4:25 PM
I’m mentally preparing myself for it to be Liebermann. I was hoping for Mitt or Palin, but I think McCain will pick someone he really wants – hence Joe.
evenfarer on August 28, 2008 at 4:25 PM
NoDonkey on August 28, 2008 at 4:25 PM
sweet!
elduende on August 28, 2008 at 4:26 PM
I’ll make a little preemptive strike, just in case McCain does something stupid: If you think you hate Vice President Pro Choice, think long and hard about President Infanticide.
Kafir on August 28, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Powell just denied it today…
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Pawlenty.
Almost certain it is NOT.
He was on Medved just over an hour ago.
Didn’t sound very Vice-presidential.
/
carbon_footprint on August 28, 2008 at 4:27 PM
OMG! This is torture! (sorry Senator McCain, poor taste) Friday can’t get here fast enough.
Jim-Rose on August 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Hmm. Cheese curds and Leinie vs VP slot?
Tough call, really.
Tanya on August 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
ninjapirate on August 28, 2008 at 4:27 PM
OH NO!
elduende on August 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
If McCain tries to make a pick satisfy the “base” he’s going to lose. The only reason he’s in this thing is because he’s not a generic Republican. If he tries to prove that he is, he’ll scare away the centrist voters who will decide this election.
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Him and Huckabee. Allah loves Huckabee. Right, Big A?
amerpundit on August 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM
My apologies, Allah. I just get tired of every Tom and Big Dick dissing on one of my good friends, Mr. Pawlenty.
For those who want KBH, She’s Out. Done. Over. Not happening. Good riddance.
For those who want Palin: No news yet. Trust me, I’m keeping track.
Pretty much, the only one who has any actual reportable movement has been Pawlenty.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Was that you praying to Jesus to have McCain select Mitt??
right2bright on August 28, 2008 at 4:29 PM
McCain says he hasnt even called his VP yet to tell him.
I think Pawlenty is just having wishfull thoughts hoping he is the one.
William Amos on August 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM
It is going to be…………..Obama’s brother.
right2bright on August 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Its going to be Hillary
William Amos on August 28, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Allah you have mentioned you like Palin too. Would you go Palinite, IF it happened?
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM
The following post from another thread is interesting! I think it’s gonna be Mitt!!!
Romney Family Gets Security Sweep
By David M. Drucker
Roll Call Staff
August 28, 2008, 1:26 p.m.
If security sweeps are the giveaway, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may be on the brink of being selected as Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) vice president.
The obligatory SS story.
But I sure hope there’s fire. Only way I’ll sleep at night.
eaglesdontflock on August 28, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Shelby on August 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Oh, look, over in the corner………….. something shiny!
Seven Percent Solution on August 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Too bad…Pawlenty know McCain better than McCain and if you all had cared to listen to him rather than act like superficial dems you would have seen this.
tomas on August 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM
:) hey, keep an eye on Wiki. Trust me ;)
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:31 PM
pawlenty would be a good choice if not powell or hutchinson.
minnesota is currently in obamas favor, that could change if mccain chooses pawlenty.
venicesurfer on August 28, 2008 at 4:32 PM
If it’s Huckabee, that scenario won’t take place, because if McCain
dies, it will just be as a Senator, and Obama will be inviting Ayers in for overnights in the Lincoln Bedroom.
a capella on August 28, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Gah.
*takes long lunch*
*eats*
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 4:34 PM
My cat told me it’s going to be Fred, and my cat licks his own butt so I know I can trust him.
FiveWays on August 28, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Izzat you, Red Pill?
sulla on August 28, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Keep an eye on wiki? You should tell me more.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Funny, when you do a search for various random websites, http://www.mccainpalin.com redirects to mccainvp.com, which has a pretty professional looking website design that alternates between Mccain-Pawlenty and Mccain-Romney with information on the two candidates. You have to go to http://www.mccainpalin.com and sometimes you will get a page for McCain Romney and other times for McCain Pawlenty. There’s even an ad to donate to the McCain campaign.
charlestperry on August 28, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Man, McCain is playing a great game here. He has us running around in circles. Or do we have ourselves running around in circles?
kerrhome on August 28, 2008 at 4:35 PM
LOL! That’s the understatement of the year!
Shelby on August 28, 2008 at 4:36 PM
I’m newly registered and a long time lurker so this is a test post.
McCain/Powell 08
420sniper on August 28, 2008 at 4:37 PM
We walked around in circles a singing…Wah UH ohhhh!
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Yes indeed His Ways are mysterious to man, but Him picking Huckly to be VEEP, and suddenly the whole universe becomes unintelligible.
trailboss on August 28, 2008 at 4:38 PM
The Dems can’t make the “too green” argument over our VP pick without amplifying the fact of Obama’s lack of experience for the top job. And they are both governors.
DerKrieger on August 28, 2008 at 4:38 PM
I think we should employ the ego model to the VP selection. That model says the Presidentual candidate wants to be the prime focus of any campaign. So almost exclusively they pick someone that doesnt upstage them in the campaign.
I think its safe to say McCain will pick someone who doesnt come across as a better candidate than himself.
So I predict no exciting candidate being picked.
William Amos on August 28, 2008 at 4:38 PM
If he’s going to the state fair, that is where they give the blue ribbons….
what time is the Hillary calling contest?
flyoverland on August 28, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Would he try to blow up the bedroom, you think?
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Sooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Here, pig pig pig pig.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM
I second that motion, Allahpundit. I said it before. This VP announcement is going to over like a turd in a punchbowl (or swimming pool for the Caddyshack fans out there).
IrishMcPundit on August 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM
I say it will not be a woman, Romney, Liebermann or anyone else exciting.
Its down to Pawlenty or Cantor.
William Amos on August 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Just make sure to keep an eye on it. Sarah’s wiki
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Just someone trying to make a quick buck on ad money. All those websites are bogus.
lan astaslem on August 28, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I hate to be the one to break the bad news to all of you BUT……………..
McCain has picked ME.
LOL
Old Hippie Vet on August 28, 2008 at 4:43 PM
The Dems can’t make the “too green” argument over our VP pick without amplifying the fact of Obama’s lack of experience for the top job. And they are both governors.
DerKrieger on August 28, 2008 at 4:38 PM
True that. Having Palin on the ticket may undermine efforts to paint Obama as green, but that’s not really the direction they’ve gone, is it? They’re painting him as weak, stuck-up, and egotistical. Any efforts on the Democrats’ part to paint a VP choice of Palin (or Jindal) as green would only amplify such an assertion about Obama. And he’s the TOP, not the bottom of the ticket. So the inexperience angle could be a moot point.
As much as I love teh Fred!, I still think a McCain-Palin ticket has the best chance in a general election, especially with all the disenfranchised Hillary supporters out there. I wish (hope) that the McCain campaign sees it that way.
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Pawlenty would be a safe pick.
tarpon on August 28, 2008 at 4:44 PM
I hope you’re not John Kerry.
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 4:45 PM
McCain picking Palin or Jindal might be interpreted as giving in to the “same old Washington” argument (just like Obama gave in to the “too green” argument by picking Biden). I don’t think that McCain would like to look like giving in to anything.
Rather than making a strategic choice, I expect him to stay true to his Maverick-who-reaches-across-the-aisle image and pick Liebermann (sad, I know).
evenfarer on August 28, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Heh.
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
ROFL! no.. I’ve been here for quite a while. I was just kidding.. but if it does happen.. I’m gonna freak..
GoodBoy on August 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Hey, I like Pawlenty! Every video clip I’ve seen of him has been really excellent. He did great with Diane Sawyer this morning….and it was so early where he was it was still dark outside. I would have just yelled at her to shut her face so I could get more coffee.
funky chicken on August 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Besides her other credentials, Palin would almost be impossible for the Obama campaign to attack. How could they risk losing more female votes?
AntonDomi on August 28, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Seriously, though, what are the boldest, most mavericky choices he could make?
1.) Pick a woman (+1 for Palin)
2.) Pick a Democrat (+1 for Lieberman)
3.) Pick a minority (+1 for Jindal, Powell, or… dare we hope… Watts?) (The danger here would be the “me too” of having a black man on the ticket.)
So… how mavericky is he going to be?
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:50 PM
SHOW ME THE ROMNEY!!!
Elizabetty on August 28, 2008 at 4:51 PM
You don’t think picking a Mormon is Mavericky?
Especially in the face of all the loud haters threatening McCain against doing it?
Elizabetty on August 28, 2008 at 4:52 PM
I second that. They’d almost have to walk around her on eggshells. I think she brings a lot to the ticket.
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Um, no.
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 4:53 PM
No
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:54 PM
But how does he benefit from that? Winning the Mormon vote? If McCain needs help snatching Utah and the Mormon vote away from Obama, he’s already toast.
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:54 PM
No, they’d go after her on abortion. She’s a bit extreme in that area, and any hopes of attracting a few Hillary followers by nominating her are probably in vain.
Big S on August 28, 2008 at 4:55 PM
And she’s Mormon. :-)
Beo on August 28, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Exactly.. picking Palin owuld be a awesome item.
Besides the fact she is also pro-military (her eldest in in the Army), pro life (her new baby Trig **even if he has “special needs”) and the fact she whipped Alaska back into shape. Says a lot right there.
And don’t forget the oil… more so then even McCain.
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:56 PM
McCain isn’t so dumb as to pick Lieberman. Why would he? The Maverick already has his own “cross the aisle” cred to highlight. Why alienate half of the party by going further across the aisle? He will pick someone to balance the ticket, meaning pro-life and conservative.
Palin would be an excellent strategic choice:
1. Female to appeal to 18 million Hillary voters and blunt the libs identity politics.
2. Young and energetic to counter McCain’s old man image.
3. She has a strong family yet has gone on to become a governor. That will appeal to the “I am woman, hear me roar” crowd.
4. Her conservative views will not seem too threatening because she doesn’t not have a threatening appearance. She can go one-on-one with Barry for the “beautiful people” vote.
Mallard T. Drake on August 28, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Ahhh try non-demoninational.
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:57 PM
No way Bubba, NOT EVEN CLOSE. Just seeing or hearing his name sets me off.
I spent 2004 digging up dirt on that pile of *^$t.
I’m one of those soldiers he called a Babay Killers at Winter Soldier and in front of Congress.
I still have a score to settle with him.
Sorry for the rant people……………..
But back to the fun topic of the day…………VP?
Old Hippie Vet on August 28, 2008 at 4:57 PM
To those who are campaigning for Palin or Jindal, all I can say is, “Patience. Patience”
As Captain Jack Sparrow says, “Wait for the opportune moment.”
Marking Time on August 28, 2008 at 4:57 PM
I wish everyone would just be patient and wait until tomorrow, instead of throwing up wishlists of people not even in the range of darkhorses. I believe you all are actually clogging the server….
Vashta.Nerada on August 28, 2008 at 4:58 PM
You must be a newbie.
And then I turn around and talk to those who are actually talking ABOUT something.
upinak on August 28, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Meaning 4-8 years, apparently.
Sakaki on August 28, 2008 at 4:59 PM
You got it, Sakaki
Marking Time on August 28, 2008 at 5:00 PM
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