June 22, 2008
Posted: June 22nd, 2008 03:00 PM ET

From

(CNN) - Sen. John McCain supporter Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota, remained mum on Sunday about the possibility of running alongside the Arizona senator in the general election.

"We talked about family and sports and politics and the like, but we did not discuss any talk about the vice presidential pick," the governor told CNN's Wolf Blitzer when asked about his recent meeting with the presumptive Republican nominee.

Many analysts have identified Pawlenty as a likely V.P. candidate. He is the national co-chairman for the McCain campaign and has been an active supporter of the Arizona senator's presidential pursuit.

Minnesota, which hosts the Republican National Convention in September, is also widely considered to be a battleground state for both parties this November-adding to his appeal as a potential running mate.

Despite staunchly defending McCain on issues ranging from taxes to oil drilling to alternative energy solutions, Pawlenty refused to take the bait on the "veep" question.

"I am very happy being the governor of the state of Minnesota. [being vice president] is not something I have designs on," Pawlenty stated.

Filed under: John McCain • Tim Pawlenty


Rob indetroit   June 22nd, 2008 7:58 pm ET

I think straight should pick scooter libby for his running mate,Obama in 08.

Anonymous   June 22nd, 2008 7:55 pm ET

Well, Loretta, Gov. Pawlenty named his Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as chief of the Department of Transportation and we did have the 35W bridge collapse last August, with 13 people killed and many severely injured, so that was impressive, although for all the wrong reasons.

We'd love to get him out of Minnesota, but is it fair to punish the rest of the country? Hmmm.

Anonymous   June 22nd, 2008 7:53 pm ET

Well, Loretta, Gov. Pawlenty named his Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as chief of the Department of Transportation and we did have the 35W bridge collapse last August, so that was impressive, although for all the wrong reasons.

We'd love to get him out of Minnesota, but is it fair to punish the rest of the country? Hmmm.

minnesota   June 22nd, 2008 7:50 pm ET

agreed...mn is nowhere for mcain...pawlenty might be a good mate for mcain as hes young and energenic...but wont help him over minneapolis and st.paul ....OBAMA COUNTRY BABY

Peter   June 22nd, 2008 7:46 pm ET

What does he add to the ticket? Minnesota is pratically a democrat's stronghold! So he is young, so what? This guy adds nothing to a ticket which has nothing

carter from mn   June 22nd, 2008 7:38 pm ET

No he has pretty much been a big nothing in minnesota, we really dont like him here so having him as the vp nom wouldnt really help mccain out too much here.

Brian   June 22nd, 2008 7:30 pm ET

ummmm isn't this the governor of the bridge that fell in the Mississippi?

Democratic is the way!   June 22nd, 2008 7:08 pm ET

Please think and vote "Democratic" – We are spending billions of dollars on a war. - We own other countries trillions of dollars. -

We are losing jobs, losing homes... gas is sky high and because of that war we are losing lives.

Since Bush, we are losing a lot...– now with the floods, which will cost billions. Now food will go up.

This is not about whom you like or dislike - this is about the Democrats winning... Save the USA or we will be the new 3rd world.
Please do not vote McSame.

Ryan   June 22nd, 2008 7:06 pm ET

Yeah, he let his Lt. Governor also run our dept. of transportation, and we had a bridge that had been on the 'needs repair' list for 17 years fall into the river because she didn't think funding it was important. Then he defended her ability to do both jobs. Scariest thing is, if Pawlenty were to be VP, she'd end up our governor.

Andrew from Ohio   June 22nd, 2008 6:52 pm ET

But it'll take much more than him to seal the deal in Minnesota. Romney would probably be a better choice I think.

Crush Rush   June 22nd, 2008 6:43 pm ET

Just what do you have designs on Pawlenty?

edex, FLORIDA VOTER   June 22nd, 2008 6:40 pm ET

WHO THE HELL IS TIM?

Derek   June 22nd, 2008 6:11 pm ET

Nope

dennis from chicago   June 22nd, 2008 6:10 pm ET

mc cain ought to pick huckabee or romney now.... let us get excited ///// enough of the inexperienced over indulgent...cocky misleading....oratator barry barack hussein o bama from kansas motifs.... per jakarta.... ought to hit the road for all the lies and misconceptions he embraces.........hey did you know that i am black,...actually that is a lie too you are bi racial. get it right tell the truth for once YOU ARE JUST AS MUCH WHITE AS YOU ARE BLACK//// or did you forget what you said earlier go mc cain and win....o bama is wayyy tooo inexperienced to lead this great country hillary 2012

mike   June 22nd, 2008 6:00 pm ET

OIL HUNTERS OF THIS COUNTRY-----> BUSH/MCCAIN FLIP FLIP FLIP MCCIAN FLOP FLOP FLOP MCCIAN BUSHES PUPPIT

mike   June 22nd, 2008 5:57 pm ET

i didnt know mccian is aive. Please Mccain dont waist your money all the lobbyist pay you a lot of money take that and run away. hahahahaha mccian flip flop flip flop flip flop!!!!! oooooooooo yes lets flip now Americans i will tell you when to Flop. haha God save us from Mccain and Bush

DFL   June 22nd, 2008 5:53 pm ET

Pretty much the only thing he's done for MN is destroy our highly rated educational system and act like a baby when the MN legislature supported voter desires by increasing funding for highways and infrastructure. Before Tim, MN had a proud heritage of using tax monies wisely...improving everyone's lives. Pawlenty came in and spread the same old GOP lies that taxes are a bad thing. Now our state is full of selfish, greedy idiots...just like the rest of the country.

Diana   June 22nd, 2008 5:45 pm ET

I'm from Minnesota, and am not thrilled with Pawlenty...

curtis in WI   June 22nd, 2008 5:42 pm ET

Well, that's good, Tim, because you are never going to be Vice President. You will be very lucky to win re-election in my neighboring MN after all the damage you have done there.

No More McSame!   June 22nd, 2008 5:31 pm ET

IT dont Matter who is McSame VP.
He lost his "BID" when he Represent a Third Term Bush!
No economic plans
No end of the War in sight (meanwhile Iraq prime minister was seen hugging n kissing the Iranian President) Straight Dis to the US!
No plans for help at the pumps – only some cosmetic offshore drilling that will not get gas to the pumps for another 10 yrs!
A woman's right to choose will be taken away!

Charlotte   June 22nd, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Loretta, about the same as Obama did for Illinois...

Loretta from California   June 22nd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

I have never heard of him. :) Has he done anything impressive for his state?

applecrispbetty   June 22nd, 2008 5:10 pm ET

I agree. You make McCain look too old and you are not that popular in Minnesota to be of much help. We Minnesotans know you too well, Tim.

Franky   June 22nd, 2008 5:02 pm ET

For real, right? I mean, it seems like Gov. Pawlenty really might not be all that interested. Plus, I will say that I do consider him a very good Gov. in Minnesota(by the way, the Twins suck!!! LOL!!!). But I do believe if the opportunity comes, I'm sure he'll listen......I mean, who wouldn't! LOL!!!

Phil, FL   June 22nd, 2008 5:01 pm ET

Good – we don't need that man in our U.S government.

It's too bad a state is stuck with him. Not much longer, tho.

gary   June 22nd, 2008 4:56 pm ET

TAKE HRC MCCAIN FOR VP. SHE WILL HELP YOU AND COMBINE ISSUES WITH YOU. I RATHER SEE HER BEING PUT WHERE SHE CAN USE HER QUALIFICATIONS ,NOT WITH O.B. SHE DONT NEED TO FALL WITH O.B. HE THINKS HE IS GOD ,LET HIM FALL ON HIS OWN. HRC IF YOU READ THIS GO INDEPENDANT. YOU WERE SWIFTBOATED OUT OF THIS RACE BECAUSE OF O.B.'S MONEY AND THE DNC'S BIAS. O.B. WILL LOOSE IN NOV. WITH YOU HE WILL WIN. DONT DO IT. OUR COUNTRY NEEDS A REAL LEADER, NOT A GREENHORN THAT CONTRADICS EVERYTHING HE TELLS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

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