Tim Pawlenty

No matter who is trying to spin it one thing is undeniable John McCain has long been his own man.  All you really need to do is look at how the base of his party has treated him and you will realize McCain is not the darling of his party.  McCain has differed from his party on things such as immigration reform, the Bush tax cuts, the gang of 14 and campaign election reform. 

The “independent maverick” has done it again.  Based on back and forth email conversations from two of McCain’s closest friends it is clear McCain made this decision on his own.  The McCain inner circle, which is small, was looking for McCain to go a different direction.  Part of McCain’s circle, the more conservative part, was looking for McCain to go with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.  The other part of McCain’s circle really wanted McCain to shake it up and go with Democrat turned Independent Joe Lieberman.  Lieberman was closer to being the pick than many conservatives would want to believe. But McCain had plans of his own.

McCain not only went against what many in the Republican establishment thought was the wise pick, he also went against what his own inner circle thought was the wise pick. 

Should we ever be surprised at what our senior senator does?

Last night we went to bed under the impression that Tim Pawlenty was the likely running mate for John McCain while Mitt Romney was still a possibility too.  One thing Inside Edge was told is it would be a “safe pick.”  This morning we wake up and the impression is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is the pick.  But could this all be just for media attention.  Maybe we need to look at yesterdays report where McCain backer Sid Rosen said Meg Whittman was the choice.  While there is no way that could be considered a “safe pick” it can’t be ruled out.

Speculation continues that John McCain will announce either former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or current Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty tomorrow as his running mate.  McCain’s people seem to be telling others the choice is a safe and traditional choice.  But will that choice cost McCain a few bucks?

Earlier today the Arizona Republic reported McCain fundraiser Sid Rosen was betting on the choice being Ebay head Meg Whitman.  Rosen was so convinced he told donors he has been working on raising money from that he would not ask for another donation if the choice was not Whitman. 

Either Rosen had a real good reason to think it would be Whitman, or he may have been just looking for an out. 

Hoping to break through the media's focus on the Democratic National Convention, U.S. Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix) will join other Republicans Thursday morning at a "Not Ready '08" press conference to "discuss why Barack Obama is not ready to lead."