Possible vice president Tim Pawlenty clears his schedule, raises eyebrows

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty -- who has frequently been mentioned as a possible running mate for John McCain -- abruptly canceled his afternoon interviews with reporters in Denver today.

Pawlenty, a loyal McCain surrogate, has spent the last several days in the Mile High City defending the Arizona senator against the Democratic attacks. 

So the news that he's cleared his schedule has to make one wonder: Did Pawlenty, the governor of an important swing state, get the big call from McCain?

Stay tuned.

-- Kate Linthicum

Photo: Office of Gov. Pawlenty

Comments

[Stephen C.]

Fantastic! After spending months calling Obama "inexperienced" McCain chooses a guy who is the same age as Obama and who has no national legislative experience. McCain has tried to twist Obama's style and popularity into "arrogance" and "celebrity." In choosing a little known governor who until recently donned a mullet he has chosen the perfect "Anti-Obama!"

[Janie]

Great! Best choice, as far as I am concerned. Hopefully we won't have an Inaugration in Berlin!

[Mike Robinson]

John McCain reminds me of Tanya Harding. He can't win fairly or honorably. Announcing his VP pick, or announcing that he might be announcing his VP pick on Obama's acceptance of the nomination is akin to busting your opponent's kneecap before the figure skating competition. A couple of spoiled brats who can't face the fact that they are going to loose to a better opponent.

I hear Pawlenty is less popular than former Governor and ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura in Minnesota....

[george Cervenka]

Found On the web, FYI

John McCain is playing dirty! Tonight, after Barack Obama's speech, McCain bought airtime for a rebuttal ad. There are no details on which markets and channels the ad will air on ("battleground states" does not mean much!) but it will surely end up repeated on every channel in the name of "news" a couple million times. What will McCain do in this mysterious and unprecedented ad? We're not sure, but this is a terrible sign:

Aides would give few details beyond the fact that McCain will speak directly to the camera, addressing Obama.

The strip-tease on the ad is one of several moves by the McCain campaign that could distract attention from Obama's big night.

Ok, John, that's a really bad idea.

Also his Vice Presidential pick will be announced either right before Obama's speech, which is a brilliant way of getting it no publicity until tomorrow, or after the speech, when we are drunk or asleep. It will be either internationally beloved sanctimonious baby mole-rat Joe Lierberman or reviled phony rich prick Wilbur "Mitt" Romney And His Totally Not Gay Sons.

Or Pawlenty or Kay Bailey Hutchison, who are boring, or Rudy Giuliani, who is not boring.

Read More:

[Tom J]

Is he still scheduled for Meet the Press on Sunday?

[jcm267]

Stephen, Pawlenty has experience running a Government. Something that neither Obama nor Biden have.

What I find idiotic is that after running an entire campaign on changing Washington Obama went ahead and picked a 35 year Senate vet instead of an outsider. Biden not a man with executive experience. What's more, he picked someone who has a temper problem (takes away from a personal attack you could make against McCain) and who has said that McCain is experienced enough but that Obama is unqualified for the Presidency.

But what do I know, I'm just a stupid conservative.

[george Cervenka]

More details emerging from Denver

More details emerging from Denver as we write this in the predawn hours on the now-suspected plot to assassinate Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama with a high-powered rifle on national television during his outdoor acceptance speech at Invesco Field on Thursday night.

Authorities have reported a fourth arrest in the unfolding plot that The Ticket first wrote about here a few hours ago at the end of Monday night's Democratic National Convention events at the Pepsi Center.

We knew then that authorities in suburban Aurora had stopped a pickup truck for swerving between lanes early Sunday morning in what they thought was a routine drunk driving incident.

But in the rented vehicle of Tharin Gartrell, a 28-year-old convicted felon (see photo), they found two high-powered scoped rifles, ammunition, sighting scopes, radios, a cellphone, a bulletproof vest, wigs, drugs and fake IDs.

According to Brian Maass of Denver's KCNC Channel 4, under questioning Gartrell implicated two other men -- Nathan Johnson, who is 32, and Shawn Adolph, who is 33 -- and Johnson's girlfriend, Natasha Gromack. Johnson also reportedly confirmed the plot to FBI and Secret Service interrogators. (See video below.)

One of the men, Adolph, reportedly wore a ring with the Nazi swastika. He was injured when he jumped out of a hotel window fleeing Secret Service agents. All are now in custody on drug and weapons charges.

U.S. Atty. Troy Eid declined to elaborate on Monday but said there is no credible threat to the party's convention or to the freshman Illinois senator, who was campaigning in Kansas City on Monday and traveling to Montana today.

But the television station reports that under questioning the men admitted there was indeed a plot to kill Obama during his speech before some 70,000 supporters and a nationwide television audience.

More details are expected to emerge later today when Eid holds a news conference at 4 p.m. Denver time.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Associated Press / Aurora Police Dept.

Ensure that you don't miss breaking news like this or any national political developments at the parties' conventions or throughout the fall campaign and beyond into the new administration. Join those receiving every Ticket item -- plus special offline Tweets from The Ticket's writers starting with the party conventions -- sent directly to their cellphone.

[CWG]

quote:John McCain reminds me of Tanya Harding. He can't win fairly or honorably. Announcing his VP pick, or announcing that he might be announcing his VP pick on Obama's acceptance of the nomination is akin to busting your opponent's kneecap before the figure skating competition/quote

God, you're stupid. Please dont vote. You have personally weakened the economy and our place in the world standings by that simple statement.

[Lisa]

No, you are quite wrong. Pawlenty is more popular than Jesse was, at least by the time Jesse left office. TP even gets the support of 30% of the dems.

I don't think he ever had a mullet either. Sorry.

[Ami55]

I would be hard pressed to identify what Tim Pawlenty has done for the state of Minnesota since taking office. He has covered for an incompetent director of the state department of transportation who had been asleep at the wheel prior to the bridge collapsing here last year. That woke her up enough to become defensive. He has managed to oversee the decline of our education standards which were once the envy of the nation and he has been in lock step with Bush in his desire to give tax cuts to the richest of the state. One thing is for sure -- If (God forbid) McCain becomes president and (God forbid again) dies while in office, the GOP would have another do nothing, accomplish nothing and imagine nothing president as we do now. That appears to be Pawlenty's only credential for the job...other than being able to fill a suit.

[Yale Norwick]

As a long time activist in local politics in MN, I've watched Mr. Pawlenty destroy our educational rankings and ignore our transportation and infrastructure needs. "No taxes" has been his one line but at what expense? A bridge falling down that had failed inspections?

He will do the same thing in Washington - "No taxes" Let them explain the difference between no taxes and record debt? Debt hurts all of us and our children, not the very weathy who are building record estates with tax breaks.

[Terri]

I don't see what difference it makes if McCain announces his VP pick tomorrow. The Democratic convention is over tonight. Obama announced his pick the week before the convention.

[John]

Now I know I'll be voting for Bob Barr. Pawlenty is a global warming alarmist and a social if not liberal, moderate. Why does McCain do crap like this??

[Character Counts1]

For John McCain, Joe Lieberman would actually have been the better choice.

[Len Johnson]

Fair and honorable? Are you not aware that Obama won his first state election by challenging the petition signatures used by his Democratic primary opponents to get on the ballot, and because of their inability to respond to his hundreds of challenges in time, ran unopposed? Or that his defense to Republican charges is not to address the charges, but to start a campaign to have them and their financial supporters criminally prosecuted, with little or no evidence of wrongdoing? Obama is a bare-nuckle Detroit politician. Fair and square is not in his playbook.

If the claim is that John McCain is not playing fairly or honorably, name a few particulars we can actually debate, as I did. Of course he will choose fortuitous timing; wouldn't you? Wouldn't Obama?

[George]

McCain just continues to alienate republicans. Pawlenty is a RINO. If it wasn't for a third party candidate he would have lost!

[BZ]

Why can't McCain have a "rebuttal" on TV after Obama's speech? We never had it before, but in the last few years, the Democrats have a rebuttal to the President's State of the Union Address. I haven't heard any Dems say they are against that.

So what's the difference?

[Ami55]

Pawlenty has experience running a government...aground. His lack of originality is laughable. Bush would do something...so would Pawlenty. Bush gets in bed with big busines....Pawlenty did the same thing. Bush gives tax cuts to the rich...well...you get the idea. I have more respect for McCain than to think he would be so foolish to think Pawlenty would give him an edge in this state. He is not all that popular or personable. And this state is 2 - 1 for Obama as it is now.

[RationalandSound]

It's comical how dems think that the same game that they play is unfair when republicans pull the same crap.

McCain buying airtime after Obama's speech is called "politics". It's not Candyland. This is the real deal, and it counts.

And for those of you that say Pawlenty is as inexperienced as Obama... Pawlenti ran a government. A state government. There IS NO BETTER PLACE TO PRACTICE!!! In my mind, he has more experience than McCain in that regard. You liked Clinton... what did he do before he became President? It was good enough for you then...

[John]

Old news. This morning on MSNBC it slipped that Tiny Tim has secret service coverage. Check out his highway maintenance budget cuts and the political hack he put in charge of the state's transportation department - BEFORE the bridge collapse.

[don]

There will be jealousy. Someone will be sleeping alone. This could be the end of McCain's "special" relationship with Lieberman.

[Piter]

YES!! I couldn't be more excited about McCain's pick, unless it was that large rubber Bigfoot suit stuffed with roadkill that those jokesters from Georgia used to hoodwink a nation. Come to think of it, the only actual difference between the Bigfoot suit and Pawlenty is that more people know about Bigfoot.

McCain / Sasquatch '08!

[Pragmatus]

Pawlenty is the only person left in the Repugnican Party not tainted by scandal or viewed with disgust by the electorate.

[Kevin]

"Fantastic! After spending months calling Obama "inexperienced" McCain chooses a guy who is the same age as Obama and who has no national legislative experience. "

Where does it say this is who McCain has chosen?

[Grayson Jennings]

He should throw a curve and pick...........HILLARY !!!!!!!!!

18 million votes ! What the hell !!!!! Aside from healthcare....she's probably more conservative than McCain

[Wendy Rebecca]

"But what do I know, I'm just a stupid conservative. "

Yes, you are. But we forgive you.

Seriously, is this the best McCain can do? Just goes to show you how weak the pool is for the Republicans. McCain will never make the "inexperience" label stick with this clown.

It's so sad, it's almost funny.

And yes, "Lisa", Pawlenty did have a mullet, until he started angling for the veep spot:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/03/pawlenty/

[William]

I was hoping for Rice as the vp pick
I am confused should we believe Hillary, Bill, and Biden now when they say Obama is ready to lead or all the times in the past when they all said he was not ready.

[Kammie]

Pawlenty is quite a weasel - he doesn't raise taxes - he raises "user" and "health impact" fees. (75 cents per pack of cigarettes)

A recent poll showed him with 55% approval. However, the twit he has for Lt. Governor (Carol Molnau) has an approval rating of 27%. She was the MN DOT commissioner when the bridge collapsed. The state Senate gave her the boot.

The thought of her for governor will not benefit McCain in MN.

[Danson]

" A couple of spoiled brats who can't face the fact that they are going to *loose* to a better opponent."

McCain could very well be a spoiled brat, but the fact that he has enough money to buy 7 homes PROBABLY has something to do with the fact he can SPELL.

Voting for McCain-XXXX-2008 whoever he picks.

[beebles]

"Stephen, Pawlenty has experience running a Government. Something that neither Obama nor Biden have."

Er, neither does John McCain.

Think before you post!

[Justin]

Ha. That would be funny. McCain making the same mistake as Obama in picking someone who would do absolutely nothing for him to win.
The obvious choice is Mitt Romney. He has the stuff to turn this country around.... and the track record of doing that over and over.
I really don't like McCain anyway and plan to vote for Obama... unless he choses Mitt Romney or someone else who knows how to work the economy. McCain would be just as dangerous as Obama in that department so why not just vote for a guy who doesn't seem too bright... but at least has some respectability.
Go Obama... (unless McCain picks Mitt Romney).

[Bobierto]

If the McBush's are so certain that Obama's stadium address is a hubristic spectacle, why are they trying to deflect attention from it. Sad, pathetic, desperate. Seems to me they have NOTHING to offer the American people, which is why their only campaign tactics are personal attacks.

[zack]

BZ- the rebuttal has actually been going on since 1966. You must not have been paying attention until now. Gotta love wikipedia!

[Derock]

Its amazing with the brain washing that happens during election time. Someone actually took offense to Mccain nominating his presidential VP because it might step on Obama's momentum. Are you frickin serious? Is McCain supposed to vote for Obama too? It figures that no logical or cogent debate comes from the Obama supporters. So let me be the first to add one.

On McCains website his fix for the economy is to stop pork barrel spending, balance the budget, cut taxes on corporations to encourage economic growth, and increase Research and Development by tax breaks.

Obama wants to hand out 20billion to american workers, hand out 10 billion to people in forclosure, hand out 10 billion to states agencies effected by mortgage issues, and extend 10 billion to unemployed people in which each dollar spent gets 1.73 dollars back into the government (doesn't go on to explain actually how that happens).

So lets recap, McCain is for fiscal responsibilty and our vast government that ranks in trillions of dollars to stop wasting that money and become slimmer and more efficient thus eliminating the burden on the economy. Obama wants to spend 50 billion dollars. Anyone want to argue which one sounds like it will help the economy more?

(this was done with 15 minutes of research and the ability to read)

[Brian Howard]

Ok... here is an observation.... getting emotions out of it. If you notice from the previous comments, why do the democrats keep making generalizations and baseless subjective comments while the republicans support what they are saying with facts. This is the problem with the liberal side. It's like two kids in a shoolyard where the one looks up in the sky and says "the sky is blue", and the other liberal one says "no it's not you weenie head" and runs off. Support what you say liberals with facts, and if you can't, get out of the schoolyard!

[Piter]

Derock wrote:

"On McCains website his fix for the economy is to stop pork barrel spending, balance the budget, cut taxes on corporations to encourage economic growth, and increase Research and Development by tax breaks."

Balance the budget! Good idea--very incisive too. A little broad, though, don't you think? Like saying "increase prosperity" or "improve the quality of education".

[Gerald Spencer]

Interesting. One can lie ,as much as one wishes to do so, on the internet and one can tell the truth as much as one wishes. Case in point: Arrests in Denver: plot to assassinate Obama; turned out false. It is a total ploy to play up the convention, as bizarre as shutting down the expressway bordering the convention center. Is it a ploy or very "jumpy" security? Security should be calm: please, keep your heads. Obama supporters, get real. Contrary to some media beliefs, Obama can claim NEITHER being an African-American or a black as he's been called by the media and some minorities wishing to claim him as one of their own. Obama is a man, well educated and eloquent, as well as being old enough to be President of the USA

[Derf]

That'll work...

Tim-may! Ti Timmay!

[Kenyon]

I heard that this falls election has been rigged and that the Republicans are going to win and that Michael Moore is already working on a documentary researching the outcome of the election. Meanwhile back at the batcave McCain and Vice President??? are plotting a US invasion of Georgia.

[CJ]

No need to apologize Jcm; you're in good company. Like other double-standard conservatives who frothed at the mouth to impeach Bill Clinton over a sex act with a consenting adult, but who vehemently defend George in spite of the fact that he lied about weapons of mass destruction, plunging us all into a needless war that has cost thousands of lives and robbed our nation blind, while turning his back on genocide in Darfur and Hurricane Katrina - (but I digress) you probably voted for George Bush - twice. In which case, you really have no room to complain about electing someone to office who has no experience running a government.

On second thought, George does have experience running a government... right into the ground!!

That said, even as a Democrat, I must agree with others here who have expressed that Mr. McCain has a right to time his advertising, or the announcement of his VP, to his best advantage. Other Dems, buck up! Stop your whining! Or else McCain will sick his top economic advisers on you!

p.s. to RationalandSound - George allegedly ran the state of Texas first, so apparently running a state isn't necessarily the best place to learn how to run a country. On the other hand, if you ask him, I'm sure George will tell you he done learned real good as Governor!

[Felix Montez]

Governor Pawlenty is a perfect VP pick for John McCain. The conservative block is all but secured, if not by enthusiasm for Senator McCain by the sheer terror caused by Barrack Husain Obama.

The moderate Tim Pawlenty has more experience than Obama; let’s not forget he has been a tremendously successful and popular governor for 6 years! Let’s face it, his re-election in 2006 in MINNESOTA no less is nothing short of a miracle for a Republican.

He is a younger version of the maverick McCain, and puts Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota up for grabs and puts the age issue to rest. He is the safest pick McCain could make, plus Gov. Pawlenty has been loyal to McCain through thick and thin.

Obama squandered his VP pick on Biden, McCain can not it out of the ball park if he picks Pawlenty.