The speculation that Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be named John McCain’s running mate is again percolating. CNN reported this morning that McCain dropped a serious hint that Pawlenty is his guy, while former Rep. Vin Weber said on "Talk of the Nation" today that the believes the three leading contenders are Pawlenty, Bobby Jindal and Mitt Romney.

 

So the timing couldn’t be much better for Minnesota Monthly’s in-depth profile of the state’s most powerful politician. Unfortunately the whole story is not currently posted on-line, but there is a significant excerpt available. Here’s a taste of Michael Tortorello’s take on "The Cipher":

He doesn’t particularly want to discuss the veepstakes (what he wants, of course, is for other, more powerful people who are not in this room to discuss the veepstakes). But questions about a potential cabinet post—Education? Energy?—bring a less Delphic response.

“I have, I think, a fairly realistic view of what those positions are,” Pawlenty says. “And I think there’s a mistaken impression that going from governor to a cabinet post is somehow a promotion. I don’t necessarily view it that way.”

Self-possession and self-effacement mix about as easily as Kahlua and Clamato. But that’s the governor’s intoxicating style, his gift as a communicator. Here, sitting at a round glass table, serving coffee out of fine china on top of a paper cocktail napkin with the state seal on it, explaining how a light tasting menu of conservative innovations can sate the appetites of a famished electorate—this is the Tim Pawlenty we know.