Pawlenty ducks VP questions, paints Obama as celebrity

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today repeatedly ducked questions about whether he has been courted as Republican Sen. John McCain's vice presidential pick.

"Any questions about the vice presidency, that's obviously Sen. McCain's decision, and the McCain campaign will be making those announcements," Pawlenty said, trying to shut down reporters who persisted with questions.

Pawlenty spoke at a press conference this morning in which Republicans, aniticipating Democrat Barack Obama's speech tonight at Invesco Field at Mile High, tried to paint the event as a flashy extravaganza that will be devoid of substance.

"We anticipate there'll be lots of lots of glitz and glamour and spectacle, but once that is done and once that clears the air, the question remains, 'What's underneath and what's left behind?' " Pawlenty said.

Republicans this week have consistently hammered Obama as unprepared to be president, often using the words of prominent Democrats who have said the same thing, including Hillary and Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, Obama's running mate.

"The question I have and I know many other Americans have is, 'Sen. Obama, what have you done and what have you run?' " Pawlenty said. "And when you look at those two questions, the answer is, 'Not much and nothing.' "

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