The Occasional Observer

Pros:

1. Young (born 1960), up and coming.

2. Reputation as a solid conservative.

3. Executive experience: currently a 2nd term governor.

4. An effective communicator/campaigner: Pawlenty won reelection in the difficult environment of 2006, in the midst of a national Dem sweep. In a purple and historically blue state.

5. Could help carry a swing state: MN has gone Dem during the past few close elections, but Pawlenty could help put McCain over the top. MN is not a huge state, but isn't Rhode Island either. Plus, as an amiable midwesterner, Pawlenty probably will play well in other upper midwest swing states like Iowa and Wisconsin.

6. Maintains a tone of bipartisanship, and plays well with independents.

7. Has a nice bio, coming from a large blue collar family and working his way up.

8. Not connected in any way to the Bush White House.

9. Firmly pro-life, which place most social conservatives at ease.

Cons:

1. Nice guy image might not convey the gravitas people expect from the person a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

2. Pawlenty failed to carry his homestate for McCain in the MN caucus: Mitt won in a romp. Does that impact McCain's view of T Paw's vote-getting ability?

3. T Paw's conservative credentials are questioned by some. His willingness to raise cigarette taxes, for example, was seen as a cave-in on his low tax priniples. Likewise, his recent support of the House Democrat version of the economic stimulus package.

4. Doesn't have high name recognition.