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Pawlenty is co-chair of McCain Exploratory Committee

Posted at 8:33 AM on January 15, 2007 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)

Here's the release:

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TO BE NATIONAL CO-CHAIR OF MCCAIN EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE

For Immediate Release Contact: Danny Diaz

Monday, January 15, 2007

ALEXANDRIA, VA – U.S. Senator John McCain’s presidential exploratory committee today announced that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will serve as National Co-Chair of Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign should he decide to run.

In his role as National Co-Chair, Pawlenty would help lead Senator McCain’s presidential campaign and provide strategic guidance on its direction.

“Senator McCain has been a strong leader and common sense conservative in the U.S. Senate and will continue to be in the White House,” Pawlenty said. “As our country pursues the War on Terror, we need a seasoned leader with international affairs and national security experience. I’m honored and excited to help Senator McCain’s efforts to become our next President.”

Senator McCain stated that he deeply appreciated the support of Pawlenty. “Tim is a good friend and a great leader. He has implemented a reform agenda that has moved Minnesota forward and has done so with character and integrity. If I decide to run for president, Tim’s help and advice will be something my campaign will look forward to and rely on.”

Pawlenty was elected Minnesota’s governor in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He also currently serves as Vice Chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA) and is slated to become NGA Chairman in the summer of 2007.

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Comments (3)

"If I decide to run for president . . ."

Can you say "disingenuous," class? Does anyone truly believe that McCain doesn't plan to run?

It's not a surprise that Tim Pawlenty has become one of McCain's lads-in-waiting. The two of them have been courting for some time, with Pawlenty reportedly high on McCain's VP running-mate list.

What is surprising is that Pawlenty is still eager to hitch his wagon to McCain's falling star. The man now known as "The War Candidate" has taken a very unpopular stance on Iraq, particularly about ramping up the war.

Oh, wait, Pawlenty promised he will finish out his governor term in Minnesota. Well never mind, then. This must be a non-issue.

Posted by Barbara | January 15, 2007 3:29 PM

This VP business is going to be interesting. Pawlenty's apparent aspirations here conflict with his stated views on transportation. I don't think a VP candidate can be viable after two vetoes of transportation packages the state desperately needs. Either he's really not going to run for VP or his statements on transportation are all bluster in an attempt to make sure the legislature doesn't raise taxes too high.

Personally, I think he's bluffing. The state needs more transportation dollars and he knows it. He needs to show he can accomplish something significant to become VP. The Democrats have already claimed health care.

Posted by David | January 15, 2007 5:55 PM

It was obvious that Pawlenty had national ambitions when he went to Iraq in the same party as McCain ealier this year. Also, note the national intervention in the past campaign, it is important to the Republicans that Pawlenty maintain his office to remain a credible candidate. The heavy support of the insurance industry reflects the future national importance of the issue of "universal" versus "single payer" coverage. Pawlenty's wife left the judgeship earlier this month in a deck-clearing maneuver. Also, notice how much time Pawlenty has spent talking bi-partisanship. This will be one of the key elements of any Republican campaign-showing the candidate can work with both parties. It will be interesting to see how the Dem's attempt to show the true nature of Pawlenty's bi-partisanship. Also intersting, how will Pawlenty wiggle around the probable failure of the Iraq "surge" and continuing US prescence in Iraq? Could the choice of St. Paul for the GOP convention been part of this GOP push for McCain/Pawlenty, given that MCCain is the closest one to an heir-apparent for Bush? The support of local people could be very important for a convention that could experience an extreme amount of protest if the Iraq situation continues without resolution.

Posted by Neal | January 16, 2007 7:58 AM

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