Pawlenty as VP draws doubt from political analysts

Gov. Tim Pawlenty
Gov. Tim Pawlenty speaks during a roundtable discussion at the State Summit on Foreclosures and Housing Solutions May 28, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia.
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

A veteran national political analyst says John McCain and Tim Pawlenty are a good fit politically.

Time Magazine's Mark Halperin spoke in St. Paul last night. However, Halperin thinks the Minnesota governor will not be McCain's choice for a running mate.

"He's going to pick somebody with a little bit more national experience, a little bit more manifestly ready for what will be a bright hot spotlight. To me the lead option is Mitt Romney. They are not as close as McCain is like Tom Ridge and like Gov. Pawlenty. But I think that Romney right now makes the most sense," Halperin said.

Halperin said Minnesota is a "purple" state that either party could win. Halperin believes the state is leaning toward Barack Obama right now - but Republicans will be working overtime to try to win here.

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