Andrew Sullivan Predicts Pawlenty As McCain Veep: 'I Think He's Already Made That Decision'

Atlantic's Andrew Sullivan drew praise on this morning's Chris Matthews Show for having called the nomination races for John McCain and Barack Obama early, and for prescient reasons. Matthews gave Sullivan a chance to issue another pronouncement on the 2008 Veepstakes, and the Daily Dish scribe didn't disappoint, not just predicting that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty would be McCain's pick for vice president, but insisting that the decision to do so had been "already made."

Oh, and then Chris Matthews tells one of the worst puns you've ever heard. And yes, a small piece of you will die when you hear it.

[WATCH.]

MATTHEWS: Welcome back. Andrew, let me tell you something you already know. Some of your predictions are right on the money. More than a year ago, you sat in that chair and predicted Obama. Let's watch.

SULLIVAN (taped): I think most people want to move on. I think that's Obama's fundamental strength. If you look at the polling this week, 72%, wrong track. The highest ever reported. Who is the candidate that most represents change? Obama.

MATTHEWS: Score, Andrew. And then, well before Iowa, when McCain was running fourth, you predicted McCain would be the winner.

SULLIVAN (taped): There will be a moment probably in New Hampshire when John McCain emerges as the John Kerry of this cycle when the Republican party panics with all the people they have and swoop back to the old war horse.

MATTHEWS: There are going to be some horseraces in Washington next week. So Andrew, tell me something again I don't know.

SULLIVAN: I think the vice-presidential picks are both going to be boring and underwhelming. We hope for a big moment, but actually...neither candidate wants to mix their brand up with another strong brand. I think that Pawlenty will probably be McCain's number two - I think he's already made that decision, actually - and I think Obama has yet to pick, but he doesn't want someone that will outshine him.

MATTHEWS: So that ticket is going to be known as good and Pawlenty.

Comments

[TrueBlueMajority]

If McSame picks Pawlenty that will be the proof as far as I'm concerned that he is just a placeholder for Jeb in 2012.

[nanoscare]

Yea.. a candy from the 1800s that will rot your teeth.

[nanoscare]

Well I checked Wiki, Good N Plenty turns out to be the oldest branded candy in the United States. 1893. Its flavor? Black licorice. Yuck.

[svb909]

We live in Minnesota. Tim Pawlenty is awful! We're not even sure how he got reelected here -then the damn bridge fell down.

[Zhonni]

I predicted this a while ago on this site. I don't remember if it was posted or not.

It would be Obama/Kaine v. McCain/Pawlenty.

[NoLove4HillaryAnymore]

I don't know there is any sane Republican who thinks have a future in politics would be crazy to run with McCain unless they want to commit a political suicide.

[Vermontah]

Oh yeah, now I remember who this joker is. HIs bridge fell down. Nice. But hey, the rich people in his state paid less taxes!!!!! Yay!!!!

Seriously, it does seem the Repugs have a death wish for this election. The best they can do is this old cranky member of the Keating Five. And as he spouts about "experience" he would pick an utter greenhorn to be president should he not be able to govern? What the hell has this guy Pauleanty (sp?) done?

Come ON! McCain is OLD! The chances are great that he will not be physically able to serve a 4-year term. So the VP choice is rather important, no? Powluntie? He would be our president????

I. Don't. Think. So.

OBAMA '08

[RFBorjal]

He's the joker who can't get enough sex from his wife.

[NotMcCain]

Crist is tanner. Pawlenty is taller. And Jindal is crazier.

He won't choose a Mormon, a minister or a woman. Embracing Bush is bad enough without reminding us of it daily with the equally loathesome, Rice.

I'd say, "Pawlenty". McCain will just have to stand on a box whenever they're together (probably easier than spray-tanning himself for Crist).

[Missmn]

Can someone tell me what exactly Pawlenty brings to this ticket besides youth? I mean, he couldn't even deliver this state for McCain in the primary - he came in third.

[Grunty1]

He would hopefully resign and let my state get a real governer...
Wishing thinking, I know...

[lutzi]

He has been getting high positives in MN polling. I don't know why.

[wm1066]

They polled on the Iron Range, 300 miles from the 35W bridge.

[filo]

WOW! When was the last time anybody heard of Choo-Choo Charlie???

You're dating yourself Chris.

[JimR]

Wow. What an uninspired choice that would be.

[buddydave]

Uninspired and STUPID.

Pawlenty can't even deliver his home state.

And nationally, he's known as the guy who let the I-35W bridge fall into the Mississippi.

Not very good judgement on the part of McCain if that's his choice -- kind of a Dan Quayle-type selection, if you ask me (and McCain's far more likely to croak in office than Bush Sr. was).

[levibatgirl]

Pawlenty is a bush poodle to the core.

I can't stand him!

[gaspi]

That ticket would be a natural for the slogan

McCAIN: GOOD AND PAWLENTY

Barf !

[BetterDays]

Minnesota resident for 25+ years. Pawlenty is a terrible choice for VP so hope he is the chosen VP candidate. Some friends saw him present regarding technology and STEM in front of a group of business people and educators a little over a year ago. The educators in the audience were under the impression that he didn't realize that they were even present. He was absolutely insulting about public education in MN and pandered to big business the entire presentation. This was a very well attended meeting so there must be a video record and many more similar presentations. From all reports, his statements in front of this audience would be very damning. Note to reporters: Start Digging!

[dawlishgal]

I agree. We lived in MN for ten years, and just moved to another state last year. Pawlenty is loathed by the education community (at least in the small rural-resort area where we lived). He has NO PRESENCE at all...a very weak chin that gives the impression of wimpiness, and a droning style of speaking. He is not the best VP choice for an old presidential candidate from whom people would expect a strong VP image for worst-case scenario. I can't imagine that if McCain would win and serve only one term that Pawlenty would be the presidential candidate in '12.

He would have lost the last gubernatiorial race in '06 if the Democrats' choice of a well qualified guy, but a loose cannon, hadn't shot off his mouth at the worst possible moment near the end of the campaign, and if his Lt. Gov. candidate had learned the acromym for ethanol production.

Just told my husband, and he said, "BIG mistake. Pawlenty is way taller than McCain."

[lutzi]

I think that he lost due to the 3rd party Peter Hutchinson (a previous DFLer) candidate draining his metro and suburban vote. And shooting off his mouth.

Plus, Pawlenty is also a minority governor, getting less than 50 percent of the vote during the general election.

[recruitgal]

The younger and more 'vibrant' the Rep VP nominee is, the more it will emphasis how lacking those qualities are at the top of ticket... None of the other candidates (including the ladies profiled elsewhere on this site) are really going to cut the mustard. Maybe the Republicans will decide to sit this one out..? ;o)

[SEQUOIABISON]

I am not sure what Andrew Sullivan stands for, first he was for the war and wholeheartedly supported every Republican running for office and now he seems to have found his brain and has a more democratic approach to politics? An inconsistent unreliable source of information somewhat like Cheney.

[Grunty1]

Sounds like the perfect guy to cover Mc'Cain's campaign then :-)