Jun 19, 2008 9:42 pm US/Central
McCain: Pawlenty Has 'Big Place' In GOP Future
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ―
Republican John McCain made no secret of his regard for Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty during a visit to the state on Thursday, saying Pawlenty has "a very big place in the future of the Republican Party."
But McCain wouldn't say whether that place would include a spot on his ticket.
The presumptive GOP nominee for president visited Minneapolis for a fundraiser and was set to speak at a town hall meeting in St. Paul Thursday night.
Pawlenty has been mentioned frequently as a potential running mate for McCain. But the governor has been playing down his chances of running with the Arizona senator, saying this week he doesn't expect to be offered the job.
Asked whether Pawlenty was just being modest, McCain said, "The governor is characteristically modest, as we know, about a lot of things." He added: "Everybody knows Governor Pawlenty has established a record, including being re-elected in probably the most difficult year for Republicans we've had in recent times. He has a very big place in the future of the Republican Party."
McCain said Pawlenty proved that a Republican can win Minnesota, a state that has gone Democratic in the last eight presidential elections. He also mentioned the governor's support during a difficult period in his campaign when many observers had written him off.
McCain declined to name candidates for the job of running mate and said his campaign doesn't even have a short list.
Pawlenty sat quietly next to McCain on his "Straight Talk Express" campaign bus while McCain answered questions about his prospects for landing on the ticket. The governor and first lady had boarded the bus to welcome McCain before the senator's plane had even touched down.
They were on their way to the fundraiser, where Pawlenty was one of the hosts. The invitation listed some of the state's heavy hitters, including former Sen. Rudy Boschwitz, broadcasting magnate Stanley Hubbard and philanthropist Wheelock Whitney.
Contributors who raised $50,000 could get a private reception and photograph with McCain before he headed across town to a town hall rally with a hand-picked audience.
McCain said he sees himself as the underdog in Minnesota, but plans to fight to win the state's 10 electoral votes.
"The governor proved in 2006 that a Republican can win here, but I understand that we're going to have to campaign hard, do a lot of work here, count on the governor," McCain said.
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