[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/24/art.pawlenty.jpg caption="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.”
Mccain / CLINTON 1968
Go Obama/Biden 2008
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.
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?
Panamanian McCain =
POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (unresolved).
This fraud McCain is dangerous, very dangerous for America!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wow,mccain and your vp is in deep trouble.obama and biden will eat you all row. obama/biden 08
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.
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.
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.