Pawlenty tops Post VP list

05/12/2008

Washington Post
May 11, 2008


Gov. Tim Pawlenty is back in the national spotlight. With the presidential race firming up between Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the media are moving on to vice presidential speculation, and Pawlenty was listed Sunday as McCain's most likely choice for a running mate by the Washington Post. Here's what it said:

"The Minnesota governor remains the single possibility in the Republican vice presidential field who best fits what McCain wants and needs in a VP. Pawlenty has been elected twice in a Democratic-leaning state that is almost certain to be a battleground in the fall. He is liked and respected by both conservatives and moderates, and he gets rave reviews for his political instincts. He has also known McCain for nearly three decades and, at 47, could allay some concerns about McCain's age."

MOST LOGICAL VEEP CHOICES?

Here is the Post's list of the "five most logical veeps," assuming McCain and Obama are the candidates, ranked in the order of the likelihood of being chosen.

REPUBLICANS

5. Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts

4. Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida

3. Former Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio

2. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota

1. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota

DEMOCRATS

5. Former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia

4. Gov. Tim Kaine of Virgina

3. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York

2. Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio

1. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas