In an interview with PolitickerOH.com, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) took a few shots at the Barack Obama-Joe Biden ticket, annunciated the fine details of John McCain's economic policy and speculated just a bit on possible Republican vice presidential nominees.

Pawlenty said the Biden pick is admission of weakness by Obama and the two men are down-the-line liberals.

"For somebody who is going to potentially be president of the United States, you don't want to have to look to a trainer, or a supervisor or a mentor. I think the fact that he has that...lack of experience is concerning," Pawlenty said. "I would also note that Obama has been rated by most non-partisan groups as one of the highest partisan voters in the U.S. Congress or the Senate. Biden is just one or two notches away from him. They've got two kind of echo chambers when it comes to being extremely partisan in their voting record."

Pawlenty was asked if voters really cared if he, Biden or any politician have modest background when most voters do as well.

"The voters take the full measure of a candidate, and they look at his or her life experiences, and part of that is where you grew up. Who we are is, in part, where we're from because of it helps shape some of our thinking and some of our values.... It's certainly not that only that thing voters look at but I think its one thing that informs them, gives them a little insight into the person," Pawlenty said.

When asked what he's learned as a Republican who's won elections in Democratic Minnesota, Pawlenty pivoted to say why McCain would do well in Midwestern, Democratic-leaning states.

"He has a lifetime record, objectively measured, of attracting independent and swing voters. Some of the characteristics would include: number one, he's a straight-shooter, a straight-talker, I think Midwesterners appreciate that. Number two, he's authentic, what you see is what you get. ... Number three, he's a bit of a populist, bit of a maverick," Pawlenty said.

The man famous in political circles for saying the GOP must become the "party of Sam's Club" and address middle-class economic concerns, said that it's possible that McCain supporters and possible vice presidential picks with business backgrounds, such as Mitt Romney, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, and former HP CEO Carly Fiorina can sell a economic message that resonates with the middle class.

"I think in each case, without knowing their life stories, they would be able to point to some challenger or adversity they've overcome," Pawlenty said.

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