McCain Picks Pawlenty?

Everyone knows these guys from the Corner are, like, totally in the know and have all of the inside knowledge, right?

If Pawlenty Was McCain's Pick, His Schedule Would Presumably Suddenly Change

A source tells me that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is John McCain's choice, and that the announcement is coming very soon. But I checked with the American Legislative Exchange Council, who Pawlenty is scheduled to address Wednesday at 11:30. As far as they know, his speech is still on.

So I urge skepticism. Maybe Pawlenty is the choice, and it's coming later. Or perhaps this was just an overreaction to the news that Pawlenty is going to Iowa Saturday for the state Republican party.

We all better hope and pray that it's Pawlenty. Talk about not-ready-for-prime-time and fully in the pocket of lobbyists and the Christian conservatives...

Check out the all black outfit...is the suburban Johnny Cash in a mock turtleneck look really going to play well next to John "Cotton Hill" McCain?

UPDATE: Pawlenty's record as the Governor who keeps telling people that the bridges are safe got a rude awakening over the weekend. Could a 1,200 pound piece of concrete be an issue this fall if McCain picks Pawlenty?

--WS

You Know, Pawlenty Would Be a GREAT Pick

Sorry--just feeling like a concern troll this morning.

Is there serious consideration that Senator John McCain will pick Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty? Let's hope so. He has quite a few negatives that will help pigeonhole McCain on a number of issues:

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty drew more attention as a likely short-lister earlier this week after McCain brought him up unsolicited in New Hampshire, telling a private meeting of delegates they were “really going to like him.”

At a media availability inside a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania grocery store Wednesday, McCain was asked about talk Pawlenty was at the top of the list.

At first, McCain demurred, saying “you know that I can’t mention any names. We have a process going on.’

Pressed on whether he had anything positive to say about him, McCain quickly said, “Oh, Tim. I’m sorry. He’s a great, fine person.”

Pawlenty is a special-interests candidate, through and through. He has seen campaign contributors like Piper Jaffray receive fines for giving him money. When in doubt, he always goes with a religious right view on the issues. He vetoed a bill that would have kept phthalates, flame retardants, or other polymers or chemicals from being used in maternity care--how stupid is that? You get a bill like that, you sign it. So, aside from being a bit of a wingnut, and being, well, boyishly young in comparison to John "Cotton Hill: McCain, Pawlenty recently vetoed home foreclosure relief in Minnesota:

In a move that political analysts say could hurt Tim Pawlenty's VP chances, the governor vetoed the Foreclosure Deferment Bill on Thursday. The measure would've kept nearly 15,000 Minnesotans from losing their homes by giving them the time and authority to renegotiate their loan terms while they make a required good-faith effort to pay. Pawlenty claims the temporary foreclosure freeze would make credit more expensive an add an "additional business risk into mortgage agreements."

About the only thing going for Pawlenty is that he has a pulse. Other than that, he's probably no worse than any other pick McCain could make. McCain has ties to lobbyists, a dismal voting record when it comes to taking care of people, and religious right maniacs braying at him constantly. Tim Pawlenty helps drive home those negatives with his own baggage.

--WS