Time to ask the vetting question again

This is a reminder that there won't be a Daily Digest until next Monday (I'm on vacation).

But I thought the Pawlenty for VP watchers would be interested in knowing that Marc Ambinder is reporting that McCain's VP vetter is vetting eight to ten candidates including Gov. Pawlenty.

In general, candidates who are asked to provide information ranging from references to tax returns have been promoted to the next round by the nominee himself. Because the vetting takes lots of time, nominees tend to ask for vets of only those under serious consideration.

Republicans close to the McCain campaign say that veepstakes supervisor A.B. Culvahouse has begun to vet between eight and ten candidates, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty of MN and Ex-Gov. Mitt Romney of MA.

Meanwhile, Powerline's Scott Johnson goes through Pawlenty's credentials on National Review's site.

Pawlenty is back in Washington DC again today.

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can answer:

If Pawlenty runs with McCain, regardless of the outcome in November, is he then relieved of his gubernatorial responsibilities? Obviously I am aware that a McCain victory in the fall election, with Pawlenty as his running mate, would end Pawlenty’s tenure as Minnesota’s governor, but I am interested in the more likely outcome: an Obama victory with Pawlenty running as the GOP vice presidential candidate. Furthermore, in the case that Pawlenty is no longer our governor; would there be an automatic appointment? How would that work?

Tyler - in Nov, Pawlenty would go back to his day job. In the (unlikely) event that a McCain-Pawlenty ticket won, Lt Gov Molnau would ascend to the governorship upon Pawlenty's resignation.