Bob Collins
If we were to say we’re surprised that Gov. Pawlenty now says he’s open to being the vice president of the United States, we would have to pretend this is our first day covering politics for a living, that we don’t know what political flirting looks like, and that we didn’t know the steps to the dance.
1-2-3-1-2-3 … promenade.
“I’m committed to being governor of the state of Minnesota. That’s why I ran. I love it here. I don’t have a big goal or ambition to go be Washington. I’ve got young kids. I’ve got a lot of work to do and great opportunities for public service right here in Minnesota.” Pawlenty said.
“But if one of the presidential candidates were to ask you to be a running mate, would you accept?” host Gary Eichten asked.
“I said I would serve out my term as governor if I was re-elected. And that’s what I intend to do,” Pawlenty said.
1-2-3-1-2-3, step to the side:
“People always assign motives and labels, and half of the stuff is unfounded,” said Pawlenty. “There are a lot of commentators and writers and people who speculate about this, but it’s simply and clearly only that I want Senator McCain to be president. I don’t need or want anything else other than that, and there’s no agenda other than that.” said Pawlenty.
1-2-3-1-2-3 ,
“For the 900th time, I am not running for Vice President. I don’t want to be Vice President and I’m focused on being governor of the state of Minnesota and have said I will fill out my term.”
1-2-3-1-2-3 …. change partners.
“I want to help him become the president, because I think he’d be a great president,” Pawlenty said. “I don’t have any designs on being vice president. If somebody came to me and said that, of course I would be honored to be mentioned, honored to be asked, and it would be difficult to turn that down, but I don’t have any designs, and it’s not why I’m such a great and strong supporter of Senator McCain.”
And… bow.
It’s not as if he signed some sort of pledge.
(Update 5:20 p.m. Mon 6/9) Listen to All Things Considered host Tom Crann’s interview with Bob Collins)
