Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty wants nothing to do with being part of any sort of Romney VP-pick speculation.
“I’m going to take my name off the list, so if … you’re a journalist, an observer, remove my name from the list,” Pawlenty told the Minnneapolis Star-Tribune Tuesday. “I want through it before with McCain.”
McCain examined Pawlenty as a possible running mate before selecting Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Many pundits considered him an excellent presidential candidate, at least on paper, last year before he became the first candidate to withdraw following a dismal showing in the Iowa Straw Poll last August.
Pawlenty later endorsed Mitt Romney and became one of his campaign’s most visible surrogates.
He, however, has not rule himself out as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate or governor in 2014.
