Featured Campaign '08 Content
Jul 23, 2008 6:08 pm US/Central
McCain Comment Hints At Pawlenty Filling VP Spot
(WCCO)
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Senator John McCain, right, and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. (File)
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Alex Wong/Getty Images
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There are numerous reports Wednesday that Republican John McCain is close to picking a running mate. Some people seem to think Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is at the top of the list.
According to CNN, McCain let it slip to some of his supporters Tuesday night during a fundraiser in New Hampshire that they would "really like Tim Pawlenty."
Sources in Washington have said that the comment may have been taking out of context, but acknowledged that Pawlenty is near or at the top of the vice presidential list.
The McCain campaign has confirmed that there were discussions at high levels about naming a running mate, and that he may even do so this week.
Pawlenty was in Washington Tuesday, then at McCain headquarters in Virginia. On several national interviews he said he wasn't going to talk about it, which may be significant. Previously, his response to the question has often been that he was flattered, but that the campaign hadn't been in discussions with him.
The Governor was back in Minnesota by Wednesday afternoon.
Nationally, some signs have been pointing to former campaign rival Mitt Romney as a top vice presidential pick for McCain. Romney's fundraising prowess and family ties to Michigan would be valuable to the campaign.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was also considered in the running, but took himself out of the race Wednesday after it was reported that McCain planned to personally fly to Louisiana to turn Jindal down.
Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung issued a statement that said, "Our office does not comment on the presidential campaign or other outside political activity."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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