Why Pawlenty for VP would be good for DFL

With Bobby Jindal saying he will not be VP, the shortlist seems to be down to just Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty. And now, Political Insider indicates that McCain may have a surprise announcement today. I don't know that it will be a Veep announcement--I've already explained why I think that's a bad idea. Nevertheless, there is certainly a ton of buzz over Pawlenty's chances.

I'm all for T-Paw being selected as McCain's VP choice. And here's why: This is our best chance to get rid of him. DFLers, let's be honest with ourselves: Tim Pawlenty has been kicking our butts. He was one of the very few Republican governors to win re-election in 2006, and he has generally outmaneuvered DFLers in the Legislature. I sure as heck don't want him here for a third term.

He and McCain will almost definitely lose the election, which might signal a Pawlenty presidential run in 2012. That could lead to him trying to shore up his conservative credentials here at home (i.e. by slashing our services some more), but I don't think he would be successful. It would become easy for DFL legislators to paint him as someone who answers to Washington and not Minnesotans, and hopefully it would also become easier to pick up a few moderate Republican votes to override vetos. Perhaps more importantly, it would definitely mean no third term for Pawlenty.

On the off chance that McCain wins, the upside would be getting rid of Tim Pawlenty. With Carol Molnau as governor, the veto pen would lose its power. Pawlenty relied on his likeability and his ability to communicate with voters to maintain control of the legislature and outmaneuver the DFL. Between increased DFL majorities and a governor who nobody particularly cares for, I can't see Molnau ever successfully upholding a veto.

A Pawlenty pick would be great for Minnesota, because we could finally start undoing all the damage he's caused. So Senator McCain, I'm begging you: get him out of our life today.

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