Mr. Likable Pawlenty

People like the governor.

A new statewide poll found that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is more popular than the Legislature, and that the second-term Republican governor has admirers across the political spectrum.

The poll by Minnesota Public Radio and the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute found 55 percent approved of Pawlenty's job performance, while 39 percent disapproved. Views on the DFL-controlled Legislature were more mixed, with 46 percent saying they approved compared to 44 percent who disapproved.
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Pawlenty scored highest among Republicans with 84 percent in support. Among Democrats, he garnered a 37 percent approval rating. "And I think that's generally very good news for the governor," Jacobs said.

Watch for him to be a leading vice presidential candidate if John McCain gets the nomination. He's a governor and a McCain supporter in a swing state that's hosting this year's Republican National Convention. McCain likely won't be able to choose another Senator because it would be more of the same, which likely leaves him choosing a governor.

Pawlenty gets a bad rap from some conservatives in Minnesota for his support of ethanol, the global warming issue, and public transportation. However, he's largely unknown on the national scene and is reliably conservative on social issues and on holding the line on taxes. I have a feeling Tim Pawlenty will be McCain's man.