Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s audition on the national stage continues today. This morning he appeared at GOPAC and had some rare kind words for Barack Obama. Then it was on to the National Press Club, where he discussed his much ballyhooed belief that the GOP must reach out to "Sam’s Club Republicans." T-Paw touted his working-class roots and love for Ronald Reagan. You can listen to the talk at MPR.

Meanwhile Politico’s Mike Allen says the conventional wisdom is that Pawlenty will be the man. And NBC’s First Read has this to say about him: "As for Pawlenty, many in McCain Land continue to marvel at how good the Minnesota governor has become as a campaign surrogate."