BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — Republican Tim Pawlenty denied Thursday he is letting his work on behalf of presidential candidate John McCain get into the way of his job as Minnesota governor.

Pawlenty is mentioned as a possible McCain running mate. This week alone, he spent parts of three days stumping for McCain in three states. That included meeting with McCain advisers at the campaign’s headquarters in Virginia, where he did two cable news interviews, and a speech to Michigan Republicans. He was at a gas station in Bloomington Thursday afternoon to promote McCain’s energy plan.
“There are some weeks I hardly do any McCain stuff and there are some weeks I do more of it,” Pawlenty said. He said he used this summer to plan for the 2009 session, has appointed judges and met regularly with cabinet officials.

“Candidly, this time of year the governor’s job is manageable,” he said. “I’ve got it under control”

Until recently, Pawlenty said he hadn’t provided information to the McCain vice presidential search effort.

Now he said he won’t address questions about his possible interest in the No. 2 slot. He said people are spending too much time parsing his words for clues.

Pawlenty is McCain’s national campaign co-chairman.

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