MANCHESTER-- Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) said that he was "glad" John McCain participated in the first presidential debate.

Days before the debate McCain suspended his campaign and said he would not attend the debate until a compromise was reached on a financial bailout package. McCain though announced Friday afternoon that he would attend the debate in Mississippi.

Pawlenty, who was often mentioned as a possible vice-presidential candidate, was in New Hampshire to attend a Republican unity dinner and presidential debate watch party.

"I'm glad he did the debate I think it was the right thing to do," Pawlenty told PolitickerNH.com.

Pawlenty also said that he thought McCain benefited from the foreign policy topics of the debate.

"John McCain has a sturdy hand on those areas and I think he demonstrated that tonight," he added.

Pawlenty, visiting the state with the first-in-the-nation primary, downplayed any suggestion that the visit was a prelude to a future presidential campaign.

"Every time I have been here for Senator McCain and that's my focus when I come to New Hampshire," Pawlenty said. "Besides I have a job in Minnesota."