McCain, Pawlenty trade compliments

U.S. Sen. John McCain and Gov. Tim Pawlenty put on an unusually warm public display of affection at a news conference Wednesday.

And to the inevitable speculation that they might make an attractive Republican presidential ticket in 2008, they protested, but not too strenuously.

Pawlenty effusively praised McCain, a well-known former Vietnam POW and war hero who headlined two fundraisers for Pawlenty's reelection.

"He inspires us with his life story, he engages us with his bold ideas, he encourages with his ideas about how we can make government work better, he has the confidence to chart a better course for our children," Pawlenty said.

When asked whether he was ready to endorse the U.S. senator from Arizona for president, Pawlenty said it would be "premature" because McCain has not announced a candidacy. But Pawlenty then offered "the personal sentiment" that McCain ranked among his top heroes such as former President Ronald Reagan and Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Bart Starr.

McCain and Pawlenty have been paired on several occasions and policy fronts. Pawlenty was one of a select group of elected officials who went to Iraq recently on a fact-finding trip at McCain's invitation, and the two worked together on prescription drug initiatives earlier in Pawlenty's term. Their personal rapport and shared penchant for occasionally breaking with party orthodoxy are no secret.

"Having someone with his skill set, his character, we'd be very well served to have him continue on as a national leader," Pawlenty said. "I just think he's one of the most compelling leaders in our nation's history."

McCain, in turn, twice described Pawlenty as "the next generation of leadership in our Republican Party and in America."

When asked whether he would consider Pawlenty as a vice presidential running mate, McCain laughed off the question, saying that the minimal duties of the vice president might not interest Pawlenty, given his "heavy responsibilities" as governor.

But McCain said, more seriously, "I don't see limitations as to his horizons."

Pawlenty, when asked whether he'd commit to serving all four years if reelected governor this year, hedged a bit. "I wouldn't be running if I didn't want to stay as governor," he said.

Word of mouth for McCain

McCain has been generating a big buzz in beltway circles lately with a stepped-up travel schedule and conciliatory gestures toward social conservatives. He travels to early-caucus state Iowa today.

The grinning, wisecracking McCain hit two other Minnesota cities Wednesday, mostly raising money for 2006 GOP candidates. In Rochester, he admitted that his party faces a "very big challenge" this fall in overcoming mounting negatives over the war in Iraq and corruption scandals surrounding ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

McCain began the day at a breakfast fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Gil Gutknecht, a Republican who represents the state's southern tier.

Pawlenty's campaign manager, Mike Krueger, estimated that Wednesday fundraisers at the Minneapolis Club and at St. Cloud's Territory Golf Club brought in more than $100,000 for the gubernatorial reelection campaign.

rdsmith@startribune.com • 651-292-0164 dapeterson@startribune.com • 612-673-4440