2012 Cattle Call

One of the top candidates for John McCain’s VP slot in 2008, the Minnesota governor set off a firestorm of speculation this week after he announced he would not seek a third term. The move could prove to be a shrewd one on a variety of fronts for Pawlenty if he decides to run for president in 2012. For one, he won’t be around for the tough budget cuts and/or tax increases that inevitably will fall on governors around the country. The decision also gives him more time to tour the country and build his national profile, as well as more freedom in handling Norm Coleman’s lawsuit against Al Franken, who soon will likely be declared the winner in the 2008 Senate race by the Minnesota Supreme Court. While there were signs that Pawlenty could face a backlash from Minnesota voters if he refused to certify the election results, a move that would help him with the national Republican base, he now can act without fear of reprisal at the ballot box.