Tim Pawlenty: The new VP frontrunner?
The former Minnesota governor and onetime Romney rival is earning a lot of veepstakes buzz, but Pawlenty could get overlooked — yet again
"Tim Pawlenty could be forgiven for thinking his fellow Republicans don't give him the respect he deserves," says Jill Lawrence at National Journal. Among the "major humiliations" the former Minnesota governor has endured are being passed over by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 veepstakes, despite being tipped as the favorite, and having his 2012 presidential ambitions quashed by Iowa GOP voters, who picked Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) over him in the ballyhooed Ames Straw Poll. But all that may change: Pawlenty has found new life as "an energetic and highly visible" surrogate for Mitt Romney, and is once again "coming into focus as a short-lister" for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket. After his successful audition last weekend, has Pawlenty now jumped to the top of Romney's VP list?
Pawlenty has become the clear favorite: Only Romney and his VP search chief, Beth Myers, "know the nitty-gritty details of where things are headed," say Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei at Politico, but Pawlenty sure looks like the top pick. In Boston, he's now revered as Romney's "most effective — and well-liked — surrogate," and his easy rapport with blue-collar voters makes him "strong where Romney is weak." He's also the only contender who meets all of Romney's big "litmus tests": A safe pick, boring but not "too boring," loyal, and sharing a good personal chemistry with the Romneys.
"Pawlenty stock soars in Romney-world"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No. He's doomed to be an also-ran: Those are all great attributes, and explain why Pawlenty was on "McCain's mentioned-but-not-picked list," says Andrew Rosenthal at The New York Times. That's where he'll end up with Romney, too. Much like Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the "extremely dull" Pawlenty is "one of those stalwart and seemingly not crazy Midwesterners that Republicans like to consider for national office but never select." Team Romney is name-dropping him so we'll all know they're taking the VP search seriously.
"It's VP mentioning season for the GOP"
It looks like it's either Pawlenty or Portman: Romney clearly wants his running mate to be a non-story, so that the story remains the bad economy, says Allahpundit at Hot Air. Throw in his other key requirement — that the VP pick be ready to take over as president — and "that leaves Portman, Pawlenty, and maybe [Louisiana Gov. Bobby] Jindal." Jindal's too young, though, and while I still think Portman's the top choice, he was George W. Bush's former budget chief, which could make him "a major liability" on Romney's key issue. If "Romney's VP credo" really is "first do no harm," Pawlenty will probably be his man.
"So, is the VP race down to Portman and Pawlenty?"
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
AI is causing concern among the LGBTQ community
In the Spotlight One critic believes that AI will 'always fail LGBTQ people'
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Modern presidents exercise power undreamed of by the Founding Fathers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 15, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flamingos in flight, taxes, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published