Campaign '08

Campaigning Takes Gov. Out Of State Often In '08

ST. PAUL (AP) ― Gov. Tim Pawlenty's elevated role in Republican Party politics has taken him away from the state more than a dozen times this year.

Of the more than 30 trips Pawlenty took outside the state, about half were political, according to an analysis by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Many of the political trips came because of Pawlenty's role in helping lead Republican John McCain's presidential campaign.

As national campaign co-chairman for the Arizona senator, Pawlenty has helped McCain raise money all over the country. He has also raised money for congressional candidates in North Carolina and a Nebraska Senate candidate.

Last week Pawlenty added to his list of political appearances, speaking to Republican Party officials in Arlington, Va., and talking about his political philosophy at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

But many of the more than three dozen days Pawlenty spent outside the state were for official state business. He traveled frequently as chairman of the National Governors Association, a post he held until recently. He also visited troops in Oklahoma and Kosovo.

Pawlenty has defended his frequent trips and says he has things under control.

"Right now, the Legislature is not in session. So, we are planning for the next session," he said. "This time of year the governor's job, you know, is manageable."

Pawlenty wins no award for traveling away from his state more than other governors. The San Jose Mercury News reported in 2007 that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had traveled to Japan, Israel, China, Mexico and Canada as governor. And Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour spent 133 days out of state during a 2 1/2-year period, according to a report of the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, Miss.

Observers say Pawlenty's frequent travel makes sense, especially when looking at the fact that Pawlenty is a possible vice presidential contender.

"He is clearly running for national office, and the proof is in his travel miles," said Larry Jacobs, a University of Minnesota political science professor.

Both kinds of trips -- official and political -- help Pawlenty build a national profile while also raising Minnesota's profile.

But Pawlenty also runs the risk of being seen as abandoning his Minnesota job.

"He's caught between auditioning for a new job and maintaining his viability for his current job," Jacobs said.

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