Pawlenty Praises Obama – Shoo-in For VP?

From an approving Associated Press:

GOP’s Pawlenty Praises Obama’s Positive Message

Wednesday, Aug. 06, 2008 By AP / FREDERIC J. FROMMER

(ARLINGTON, Va.) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often mentioned as a possible running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain, said Wednesday GOP candidates would do well to adopt a positive tone like that of McCain’s Democratic rival Barack Obama.

“Say what you will about Barack Obama,” the Minnesota Republican told a conservative group, “people gravitate when you have something positive to say.” He added that McCain has been positive as well.

“People want to follow hopeful, optimistic, civil, decent leaders,” Pawlenty said in a speech to GOPAC, which helps recruit Republican candidates. “They don’t want to follow some negative, scornful person.” …

Ronald Reagan still offers important lessons for today’s Republican Party, Pawlenty said, because the former president was civil, optimistic, pragmatic and a good communicator.

“He actually had some ideas,” Pawlenty said, adding that the Republican idea factory has seemed “a little stagnant in recent years.” …

Pawlenty even seems to be comparing Obama favorably to President Reagan.

Alas, this will undoubtedly put him way out in front in the VP horse race.

After all, one can’t praise B. Hussein Obama enough for John McCain.