McCain: Pawlenty has 'big place' in GOP future

Sen. John McCain
Sen. John McCain speaks to an audience in Michigan. Sen. McCain and Gov. Pawlenty were in Michigan over the weekend to campaign for McCain.
MPR Photo/Tom Scheck

Presidential candidate John McCain says Tim Pawlenty has "a very big place" in the Republican Party's future. But McCain is not saying whether he's considering Minnesota's governor as a running mate.

McCain says he's not naming potential running mates, and does not have a short list. But he's praising Pawlenty for sticking with him when his chances didn't look good during the primaries.

He also says Pawlenty has shown that a Republican can win in Minnesota, which hasn't supported a Republican presidential candidate since 1972.

McCain says he's the underdog in Minnesota, but he intends to fight hard for the state's 10 electoral votes.

McCain spoke with Pawlenty sitting next to him on his bus from the airport to downtown Minneapolis for a fundraiser.

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