politics

Gov. Tim Pawlenty returned from a visit to Iraq on Monday and joined a bipartisan delegation urging President Bush to consider a summit meeting to help in the creation of an Iraqi national unified government.

Pawlenty said the rise of sectarian violence in Iraq could continue or get worse if Iraqi leaders do not deliver on a promise of a unified government to quell dissatisfaction from groups feeling marginalized after national elections.

"The prompt formation of a unity government is critical if we're going to move the country forward on a democratic basis," Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty joined a bipartisan group of senators, congressmen and governors traveling with Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain in calling for Bush to convene a Camp David-style summit for Iraqi leaders if a unified government is not formed within the next weeks.

Pawlenty also said American political leaders must do a better job of relating the importance of the effort to the American people.

"It is imperative that America is successful in this effort. The likely or possible scenarios if we do not prevail or succeed with this war are deeply troubling and potentially catastrophic in terms of the region's stability," Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty left on Thursday at McCain's invitation. It was his second trip to Iraq in two years. Two other senators, three members of Congress and two other governors accompanied McCain and Pawlenty.

It has become increasingly common for the Department of Defense to invite the nation's governors on trips to Iraq. Pawlenty's trip, which included the governors of Utah and Alabama, was the latest in a series of bipartisan, Pentagon-sponsored trips for governors to visit troops. At least 10 other governors have visited Iraq since the Pentagon program began in November.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and publisher of the widely read Sabato's Crystal Ball, said it is often seen as good politics for governors to make the trip.

Two Democratic governors and two Republican governors just returned from a week in Iraq. Virginia's governor carried messages from more than 100 Viriginians for the state's National Guard troops.

"The National Guard troops are mainly over there instead of over here, and so it's public relations for the governors to greet the troops," Sabato said.

Beyond that, Sabato said, it may be good politics both for McCain, a possible presidential candidate, and Pawlenty, who faces a tough reelection campaign. Being seen as aligning with McCain, a moderate Republican, could strengthen Pawlenty's standing among wavering Democrats and independent voters, Sabato said.

Soliciting Pawlenty's support in what is being considered a Midwestern "purple state" (Democratic but wavering) could strengthen any McCain presidential bid, particularly in a state adjoining early-caucusing Iowa, Sabato said.

McCain is scheduled to be in Minnesota for two fundraisers for Pawlenty in April.

Pawlenty, who has described McCain as one of his personal heroes, discounted the political implications of being invited to accompany McCain.

"He and I share an interest and an acquaintance, and presidential politics didn't have anything to do with it," the governor said.

Mark Brunswick • 651-222-1636