U.S. News: McCain camp is focusing on Pawlenty

A reporter with U.S. News and World Report says the McCain campaign is now focusing on Tim Pawlenty as a possible running mate to the Arizona Senator:

Internal McCain polls show that adding Pawlenty, 47, to the ticket would help McCain win not only Minnesota but also the neighboring state of Wisconsin. Both are close swing states. In 2004, John Kerry beat President Bush by 3.48 percentage points in Minnesota and 0.38 percentage point in Wisconsin. In 2000, Al Gore beat Bush by 2.4 points in Minnesota and 0.22 in Wisconsin.

This all validates my theory that Team McCain is pursuing a "Big 10" victory strategy, trying to win the states from the college football conference, especially Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This path could result in McCain losing the popular vote but winning the electoral vote.

The news comes at a time when Pawlenty is telling the local press that he "doesn't expect to be asked" to be McCain's running mate.

McCain is in the Twin Cities today for an afternoon fundraiser in Minneapolis and a town hall meeting that is closed to the public. The campaign selected undecided voters through a polling firm to attend the St. Paul town hall.

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