As the brass ring grows larger on the horizon, Tim Pawlenty has formally launched the backpedaling dance that, if he is indeed selected as John McCain’s running mate, will culminate in the solemn announcement that he owes it to his party and to his country to break his word about serving out his term as governor. The AP reported that Pawlenty yesterday told reporters that sticking around as promised “is my intention.”

Here’s what he had to say at a meeting with reporters on April 12, 2007 (YouTube clip below): “For the 900th time, I’m not running for vice president, don’t want to be vice president, and am focused on being governor of the state of Minnesota and have said I will fill out my term.”