Faint Praise for T-Paw, But I'm Not Damning Him

Here's my take on Tim Pawlenty's candidacy for President of the United States.

I understand he used to be a RINO on a couple of issues.

BUT...

He's seen the light now, I think.

PLUS...

He's not a kook.

He doesn't appear to have a fatal flaw.

He's not a tiresome Beltway relic.

Furthermore, he's actually running, and last time I checked that is still a prerequisite to winning the party nomination. He's also not allergic to tea parties, which is a nice touch. And of course, he's a far cry from the abject failure currently occupying the White House.

So I have Pawlenty penciled in as a definite possibility. He may be a tad boring, but that's OK - so is the the narcolepsy-inducing drone America elected last time around.

There are other potential candidates I'd be more enthusiastic about, but they haven't thrown their hats in the ring yet. Nudge me when they do and I'll reassess.



Cross-posted.

McCain VP Announcement Imminent, Pawlenty Cancels All Appearances

Looks like we won't be waiting around until 3 am to get this announcement.

DENVER - Republican presidential candidate John McCain decided on a running mate early Thursday, and one top prospect, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, abruptly canceled numerous public appearances.

The Arizona senator will appear with his No. 2 at an Ohio rally on Friday, aides said, though they provided no details on who McCain had picked.

Without explanation, Pawlenty called off an Associated Press interview at the last minute, as well as other media interviews in Denver, site of the Democratic National Convention.

Others believed to be in contention for the No. 2 slot on the GOP ticket included former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who was meeting with donors throughout California, and Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who was vacationing on New York's Long Island.

I can live with Pawlenty, but would prefer Romney.

Please, not Lieberman. Decent enough guy, but way too liberal.

Now, does it come tonight or do they wait for tomorrow's McCain appearance in Ohio? The media and Obamatons will have a hissyfit if it's tonight.

McCain's Cabinet Possibilities

Well, since the GOP is resigned to having John McCain as the standard bearer come November, it's never too early to begin speculating what his cabinet would look like.

We've already heard the rumblings about Tim Pawlenty as VP, and I have to admit that's not a bad selection. From a possibly winnable blue state, young, relatively conservative and apparently no baggage, though I'm sure the Democrats will rifle through his writings from as far back as third grade to find some dirt.

Maybe they'll pin the Minneapolis bridge collapse on him.

So now I see this item on possible members of a McCain cabinet, and like a few of the possibilities.

Of course, the names floated are white men, which is sure to anger certain people who've never had anything to be happy about, apparently.

At this early stage, the names and faces that would flesh out a McCain White House remain pure speculation. After all, McCain insists he hasn't started seriously thinking about a running mate yet. And there's still a general election to win against a yet-to-be-determined Democratic opponent. But political experts and analysts already are contemplating what a McCain Cabinet might look like.

Some common guesses include well-known McCain allies and even past rivals in key positions:

• Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., in a prominent job, possibly even secretary of state.

• Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., as attorney general.

• Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as homeland security secretary.

• Former Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas as treasury secretary.

• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as health and human services secretary.

For his part, McCain last week said he'd be looking for Cabinet members who "just share my conservative philosophy and views: less government, less regulation, lower taxes." But he also volunteered that conservationism would be a priority, saying he would hope "to preserve the great natural treasures of the West and our state and do whatever we can to protect our environment."

"I return to kind of the Teddy Roosevelt outlook toward things," McCain said.

Lieberman as secretary of state is intriguing. It's safe to say he'd be more a friend of Israel than his predecessor, which is comforting.

Fred Thompson as AG and Rudy Giuliani as DHS are certainly choices I could live with as well.

As for Huckabee, he may have a chance if he gives up on his impossible bid for the nomination.

Read the rest.

One thing I have a major problem with, however, is the idea of closing down Guantanamo Bay. That's opening up a huge can of worms a President McCain can live without. Still needing to bring conservatives back into the fold, such an idea will not go over well in the least.