The New York Times has started profiling some of the potential choices for Vice President in each party. They have profiled Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty a couple of days ago, and today profiled Indiana Senator Evan Bayh. I found the Pawlenty profile to be a good piece that did as much as one piece could to bring Pawlenty’s political persona forward. Some of the things I found interesting in the Times story:

Outside his home state, Mr. Pawlenty is among the least-known of the prospects Senator John McCain is said to be considering as a vice-presidential partner. But those who have followed his political rise here say Mr. Pawlenty’s personal story — his direct, everyman appeal to ordinary people — is among his most powerful attributes.

As a Republican Pawlenty talks the limited government mantra, but also tries to move beyond the corporate types to everyday folks.

Long before the polls began suggesting that Republicans could face trouble in November, Mr. Pawlenty, now in his second term, was urging his party to become “the party of Sam’s Club,” not just the country club.

“We need everybody — to grow the party and to move forward,” Mr. Pawlenty explained in a recent interview. “One of the most powerful reasons people go to Sam’s Club or Target or Costco is they want value, and Republicans are well suited to be the party that says, ‘We’re going to have a limited but also effective government.’ ”

Pawlenty was an early supporter of John McCain, and has been on friendly terms with him for some time. McCain, from what I gather, will place a premium on such qualities as he makes his determination.

While he was working for Mr. Durenberger, Mr. Pawlenty met Mr. McCain when the senator came to Minnesota, as Mr. Pawlenty recalls it, for a veterans’ program and Mr. Pawlenty (and his wife) volunteered to drive him around. They got to know each other over the better part of two days, Mr. Pawlenty said. They stayed in touch over the years, and Mr. Pawlenty was an early, vocal supporter of Mr. McCain’s presidential bid, even last year when some considered it doomed.

I have picked Pawlenty as the person I think McCain is likely to select as the Republican nominee for Vice President. Remember that our contest (the VEEP sweeps) is still on. Win that Starbucks Coffee gift certificate by correctly selecting the VP picks from each party. I enjoyed Pawlenty’s response to a media inquiry about what constitutes the most important quality a running mate would bring to the table.

Asked at a press luncheon in Washington what the most important quality of a running mate would be, Mr. Pawlenty responded, “Discretion,” and walked away from the microphone.

Touche, Governor Pawlenty.

Read the Times article here.