Pawlenty campaigns for McCain

by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio

Gov. Pawlenty heads to New Hampshire this weekend to campaign on behalf of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

St. Paul, Minn. — Pawlenty said he will campaign with McCain at several town hall meetings on Saturday and Sunday.

New Hampshire holds its primary on Jan. 8, and recent poll numbers show McCain doing well among the Republican candidates. Pawlenty told MPR McCain's efforts to work through campaign problems over the summer are now paying off.

"The polls seem to indicate that he's tied or nearly tied for the lead in New Hampshire, which is quite a comeback for him," Pawlenty said. "And if he is able to do well in New Hampshire, that sets him up I think to do well in other states and would really mark an incredible comeback."

The governor will head back to Minnesota on Sunday night. Pawlenty is the co-chair of McCain's presidential committee and is making his third trip to New Hampshire for McCain. Pawlenty has also travelled to Michigan and Iowa on McCain's behalf.