August 24, 2008
Posted: August 24th, 2008 11:40 AM ET

From

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the Republican VP candidate will be able to handle Joe BIden.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that the Republican VP candidate will be able to handle Joe BIden.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, long-rumored to be on Sen. John McCain’s short list for vice president, told CNN’s “Late Edition” he isn’t concerned about newly chosen Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.

Calling Biden “long-winded,” Pawlenty told host Wolf Blitzer, “I think any of the people that Senator McCain is thinking about for vice president will be more than able to hold their own against Senator Biden.” The Republican vice presidential nominee will get his or her chance to face Biden during the vice presidential debate on October 2 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Other names circulated in Republican circles for the number two spot on the McCain ticket include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney; Tom Ridge, former Homeland Security Secretary and Pennsylvania governor; and Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent Democrat and longtime ally of McCain.

Pawlenty appeared on “Late Edition” today while campaigning for McCain in Pennsylvania. He has spent the last few months speaking on McCain’s behalf in battleground states such as Michigan, fueling further speculation that he’s being seriously considered for the VP spot.

On Monday he is expected to campaign in Ohio for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

When pressed by Blitzer if he expected to be McCain’s running mate, or if he felt ready to hold the office, Pawlenty refused to speculate. “I just don't talk about the VP speculation anymore.”

Filed under: Joe Biden • John McCain • Tim Pawlenty


Matt   August 24th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Wow, this sure is the liberal blog, huh? Biden is a hothead, and is so full of hot air he could be a float in the Macy's Parade. Anyone McCain picks will make Biden throw a temper tantrum and look silly.

GOP Be Very afraid!!   August 24th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Biden is fiesty and knowledgable. He was able to do one thing that Obama has not been that able to do. In a just a couple sentences Joe Biden turned John Mccain into Goerge W. Bush. None of the Rethugs can go toe-eo-toe with Joe.

keith cummings   August 24th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

Biden is both very intelligent and witty, two distinct atributes sorely lacking in all short-list Republican VP possibles.
I'm interested to see how CNN will comprehend this election, hopefully way better than its initially strong support of Bush and co. and the Iraq invasion.

Peter   August 24th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Wow,mccain and your vp is in deep trouble.obama and biden will eat you all row. obama/biden 08

Jonathan   August 24th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Gov. Huckabee could handle Sen. Biden hands down. I think anyone who watched the Republican debates would have to admit that Gov. Huckabee was the best speaker and debater. His quick wit and comments were great! I am 100% behind McCain now but had Fred Thompson not gotten in, Huckabee would have won South Carolina giving even far greater momentum going into Super Tuesday causing many Romney supporters to take a second look at him.

Jeff   August 24th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

Why all the name calling. It weakens your own position and makes you all sound childish. Do all of you people even do your own research on these people? I bet you all go by what all the media (mainstream or not) and biased blogs feed to you. I personally have a feeling Biden will be called on quite a bit of flip-flops being Obama's running mate. Supporting Obama is in itself a flip-flop.

gaurs817   August 24th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

I can see the GOP is quaking in their boots. this coming from the man that just stated that Obama should have chosen General Petraeus as his running mate? Stupidity sure does run in the GOP family. Personally, I am hoping that McCain chooses this Pawlenty fellow for his running mate: since Pawlenty is so sure that a McCain VP "can handle Biden" this would give Pawlwnty a chance to put him money where his mouth is.

Jeffrey Sanders   August 24th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

The funny thing is, Biden brings Florida into play. If the Democrats gets Florida this race is over. Look for South Florida to jump on the Democratic bandwagon now that Biden is on board. The GOP is in big trouble. Good night, the party is over.

ran   August 24th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

The Democratic ticket is on its way and people a great change is a coming. We the people will get our country back and hope once again will prove the best medicine over fear any time. Everyone Democrats/Independents/Republicans and even Pumas get on board. This is going to be a great ride for the people.

Vote only Democrats and Obama/Biden.

JD, FL   August 24th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

If Grand Pa think that the VP spot was snubed from HRC, and also claimed that she had a lot of votes, he should offer the Repub VP spot to her

Latinos for Obama/Biden   August 24th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Panamanian McCain =

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (unresolved).

This fraud McCain is dangerous, very dangerous for America!

Bryce   August 24th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

I find it highly ironic that this guy talks about the campaign period, and even more that there is buzz about him being a VP running mate for John Mccain. Has anybody looked at his 1% margin of victory in 2006?

Scott   August 24th, 2008 4:15 pm ET

Uh oh, Dems... things aren't looking good. First, Bush negotiates troop withdrawal in Iraq then gas prices drop more the 50 cents per barrel. What will the Obama 'message of change' be now??? You can't just say change, change, change if things are dramatically improving. So add Biden – who himself said Obama wasn't ready to be POTUS. Brilliant.

Sam Germany   August 24th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Mccain / CLINTON 1968

Go Obama/Biden 2008

ANGIE   August 24th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Biden will eat that young guy alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cant wait for the debates!!!!!!!!!!!!!! obama/biden08

Chris   August 24th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Go get 'em Tim!

Sam Germany   August 24th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Obama is smarter as i thought.

Biden is exactly what´s he need. I´m sure Mcsame is disappointed – Cause not only Biden knows Mccain better than (they are freinds for over 20 years, but he can say anything he wants because people and the media are used to it...

But if Mccain is smart he should pick Hillary for VP.

Mccain / CLINTON 1968

Go Obama/Biden 2008

What?   August 24th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Instead of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty saying you can take Joe Biden, why don't you try and get McBush to HANDLE the REAL & SEVERE ISSUES that affect the average 95% of voters who are struggling day to day.

Such a LAME brain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obama/Biden 08

Trokon   August 24th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

When did Tim Pawlenty and the rest of the Republicans became lovers of the Clintons. The Republican are hurt because Barack Obama did not choose Hilary Cliton, so they could tear her apart. Please be smart Ameriacans. George-McBush are the same. The Republican can lie. How about George Bush who lie on Iraq? Women the Republicans and McBush does not love you. They do not love the Clitons. Think wisely.

gwsulapas5   August 24th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

When was the last time Gov. Pawlenty was in Iraq, or for that matter
any other country. I think when you come from a state where you have
a major infrastructure failure, you just may not want to be out in the
main stream public view trying to say what a wonderful job the GOP
has done running the economy.

ellen   August 24th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

McCain did mop the floor with Obama at the church meeting. His VP
will do the same with Biden.

Ray from CA   August 24th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

Really? Well than all the people that is rumored to be a pick from McCain could not last against Biden. So I guess McCain must be picking someone we have no idea about.

Make me laugh McCain and pick Liberimen, Biden would kill him.

Hen   August 24th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Now I really want McCain to pick Pawlenty. Mainly because Biden would eat him in the VP debates.

Obama/Biden 08

BOOTSTOMPER   August 24th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

What is Grandpa Munster doing running for president ?

Derek   August 24th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

DEMOCRATS ARE IDIOTS THEREFOR MCCAIN AND WHOMEVER HE CHOSES WILL DEVOUR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

CJB in CA   August 24th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

Biden is RIGHT: NObama is NOT QUALIFIED, period !!

Democrat for McCLAIN in '08 !!

Danny, OH   August 24th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

Of course this is America. Anybody can open their mouth and say whatever they like and want.
Tell me any better person in McCain camp. All that they know is attack and nothing positive.
I pray that you get selected.

calvin rias   August 24th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

barak obama made right choice with joe biden it shows experience togetherness and racial and party lines will be broken and barak obama and joe biden will win.

Danny, OH   August 24th, 2008 3:53 pm ET

SEE WHO IS TALKING

BrooklynDodger   August 24th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

This is such small-mindedness from a person who should know better.

Denise   August 24th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

I doubt it. Nothing like Irish power!

jason, tx   August 24th, 2008 2:22 pm ET

McCain and his VP are going to get eaten alive since the straight talk express is more like the lieing paddywagon. Biden won't put up with it.

javone77   August 24th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

I see we are STILL behaving like children. "long winded"? why didn't he just say something about his family members and give him a wet willy? smh

Jack Jodell, Minneapolis, MN   August 24th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

HA! Were that Bush-clone Pawlenty McCain's VP candidate, Biden would chew him up and spit him out in VERY short order!

RyanD.   August 24th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Biden will mop the floor with this inexperienced doofus. Tim better hope McCain picks Mittens.

Obama/Biden 08'

jay   August 24th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Instead of saying you can take Joe Biden why don't you try and do it. I don't think McCain will stand a chance against Obama. Joe Biden is a great debater. I don't think anyone from the Republican side is going to hold a good debate with Joe. Tim Pawlenty is Pawlenty of nothing just like John McSame.

Bill Charlotte, NC   August 24th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

"Calling Biden “long-winded,” Pawlenty told host Wolf Blitzer, “I think any of the people that Senator McCain is thinking about for vice president will be more than able to hold their own against Senator Biden.”

These people think fight... trash... attack first and policy last. This is all we need in the White House.

GEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZ!

DC Insider   August 24th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

MY neighbor's 12 year old could handle Joe Biden, especially on foreigh policy decisions. Consider this excerpt from Biden's record

Biden voted against the first Iraq Was when Hussein invaded and occupied Kuwait.

Biden voted for the current Iraq was.

Biden wanted to divide Iraq into three separate independent regions.

Clearly the man's judgement is flawed. add to that ticket a totally inexperienced Obama, and you have recipe for disaster.

Charlotte   August 24th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

Why is this election so close???? Anyone who believes Hillary was even considered for VP never heard Michelle state, "she would have to think about voting for Hillary if she beat Obama." Come on people, the Obamas' are anti-Hillary, yet expect her to bend over backwards to support this unqualified jerk. I don't know why she will be held responsible when Obama loses. I agree with her, he is not ready to be President. They were in competition for Christ sake. Biden said the same thing, yet he is Obamas' VP? Did Joe Biden receive 18 million votes? The Dream Ticket is gone and so are the hopes for a democrat in the White House. The Dumb Nuts Committee have really blown it this election. I will write Hillary on my ballot and be proud of my vote. I don't care if I am the only vote she gets, which I doubt, it will be mine.

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