WILLMAR -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty has the skills and abilities to make an "excellent vice president," but the likelihood of that happening may be getting less, said Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar.
Gimse made the comments Thursday during a legislative update with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce in response to a question about Pawlenty's chances of being Sen. John McCain's running mate.
While the Legislature was in session, Gimse said the odds were four out of five that Pawlenty would be selected. His "conservative bent" increased the chances, said Gimse.
But since then the "dynamics of the (McCain) campaign changed" and he now pegged Pawlenty's chances at 50-50.
If it were to happen, Gimse and Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, said Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau could handle the job as governor. "She's a good person," said Juhnke. "I like her."
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Gimse worried more about the next step in the succession that would make Senate President Jim Metzen, a DFL'er, the new lieutenant governor.
Juhnke said having the two top people from different parties would be an interesting situation.
Even if Pawlenty is not selected, Gimse said the national attention the speculation has brought to Minnesota has been good for the state.
In response to a question about Molnau's removal as the transportation commissioner, Gimse said Molnau was "totally qualified" for the job, but it was a "conflict of interest" in some cases to have her represent the policies of the department and the politics of the administration.
"It was hard for those roles to be separate," said Juhnke.
Juhnke said having Molnau fill the dual role was an experiment that "was not successful in the end" and the Minnesota Department of Transportation needed a "fresh start" with a new commissioner.
