Political Buzz At Fever Pitch In Veepstakes
by PATRICIA LOPEZ (excerpt)

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The word is that John McCain is nearing a decision on his running mate, and the governor gained ground.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty returned as the vice presidential flavor of the week on Wednesday, as national pundits worked themselves into a frenzy over whether Minnesota's governor will be John McCain's running mate.

The speculation was fueled by what may have been a purposeful slip of the lip by McCain at a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, when he reportedly told a small group of supporters that they "are really going to like" Pawlenty, consistently one of the most oft-named GOP vice presidential prospects.

Earlier in the day, Pawlenty had traveled to McCain headquarters in Arlington, Va., for a private tête-a-tête with McCain folks.

Pawlenty is not the only prospect getting good buzz, but he appears to be on an increasingly short list of those still in active contention.

NOTE: Minneapolis is the site of the GOP National Convention next month.