Geraghty: Source says it’s Pawlenty for VP

hotair.com ^ | July 28, 2008 | Allahpundit

[Free ThinkerNY]

Announcement coming “very soon.” Geraghty notes that Pawlenty’s still scheduled to give a routine speech on Wednesday, but TNR noted over the weekend that he’s already pulled out of one event and his plans for this week are suddenly and suspiciously hazy. See this recent item from Marc Ambinder, too, passing along a rumor that McCain was planning to meet with his inner circle about VP yesterday. And then of course there’s that CNN item claiming an attendee at a fundraiser heard McCain say conservatives are “really going to like” Pawlenty. Put it all together and today’s scurrilous veep du jour meme seems a tad less scurrilous than usual.

Here’s a bullet-point argument, again from TNR, about why Pawlenty is a “slam dunk” pick. His working-class pedigree is all to the good, but between the lack of name recognition and the “boring old Republican white guy” effect, I’m underwhelmed. He doesn’t even have serious religious cred to reassure antsy evangelicals. Let’s hope the report’s wrong, although given the general savviness of McCain’s campaign these days, it probably isn’t.

Update (Ed): Well, I live in Pawlenty’s state and have met him on a couple of occasions, and this pick would not make me too glum at all. Pawlenty has a good center-right track record, especially on holding the line on taxes with a hostile Legislature. He demonstrated real leadership during the bridge collapse and its aftermath, keeping the gas-tax-increase advocates at bay and convincing the rest of the state to ignore them. He’s also pro-life, and a humble but telegenic man who will inject a little vigor into the campaign.

[dforest]

Someone told me he is another Global warming champion.

Argh. Geesh, these people make me ill. How can you trust them when you know their opinion is based on an unproved science?

[Colonel_Flagg]

keeping the gas-tax-increase advocates at bay and convincing the rest of the state to ignore them.

This explains why the Legislature increased the state gas tax, right?

I'm not a huge Pawlenty fan. He has passed tax increases onto localities so he could avoid blame at the state level, and city services are in a huge bind across the state as a result. Let him run on RINO McCain's ticket and let's see if Carol Molnau can get it right.

It would be worth it to see Governor Molnau make the Red Star Tribune's blood pressure spray out its collective ears. They detest her so she's already good enough for me.

[Valin]

Thanks a lot. Hugs and kisses
B Obama.

[Dan Lacey]

It would be an excellent choice.