Gov. Pawlenty seemed calm even glad today at the State Fair, despite hanging out with some scary snakes and responding to word in Time that Mitt Romney is McCain's pick. He praised Romney when asked by reporters. He also said he planned on being back to do his radio show next week on the very day McCain is set to name his VP. Mondale & Jones & I talked with Mrs. Mary Pawlenty on WCCO this morning and she said life has been busy but still pretty normal. When I pressed if she really thought a guy named Timmy she met in law school would put her on the front page of the New York Times, she admitted she didn't think that would ever happen.
The other topic I'm tackling in my Campaign Notebook this week, is the first debate for the Third District. All the candidates seem to hold their own. Madia went after Paulsen for voting against transportation funding after the bridge collapse. Paulsen defended voting again tax increases and disagreed with his leadership's decision to discipline the Override 6. Much more on our air tonight. And don't forget to check our website for daily web reports, David Gillette essays and my blogs from the Democratic National Convention in Denver.