Pawlenty to help McCain and Hackett

The governor of Minnesota, on the short list for GOP veep spot, will make stop in Dallas.

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will visit the Chris Hackett for Congress/John McCain for President Victory Office in Dallas on Saturday.

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According to an e-mail sent from the Hackett campaign, Pawlenty, considered to be on the short list of potential Republican vice presidential candidates, will stop at the office at 1 p.m. for a volunteer-appreciation meeting.

A GOP official with the McCain campaign confirmed Pawlenty’s visit but would not provide details.

Other prominent names on McCain’s short list include former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a longtime friend of the Arizona senator.

News reports circulating Tuesday had Ridge out of the vice presidential sweepstakes because of his pro-choice stance. McCain and Ridge, both decorated Vietnam veterans, entered Congress together in 1982.

Pawlenty, 47, is serving his second term as the 39th governor of Minnesota.

According to The Associated Press, McCain is considering naming a running mate in the few days between the close of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 28 and before the Republicans begin theirs in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 1.

The AP story reported McCain’s top contenders include Pawlenty, Romney, Ridge and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential pick in 2000 who now is an Independent.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.