Politics / Cuban embargo Minn. Gov. Vetos Cuba Resolution He Supported Is Pawlenty suddenly backing embargo to boost VP odds? By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff Posted Jun 11, 2008 5:40 PM CDT Copied Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty addresses delegates at the Republican state convention at the Mayo Civic Center on Saturday, May 31, 2008, in Rochester, Minn. (AP Photo/The Star Tribune,Jennifer Simonson) Some Minnesota lawmakers are scratching their heads over their governor’s unusual veto of a resolution backing renewed trade relations with Cuba, but Matt Snyders writes in City Pages that Tim Pawlenty’s move may be a play to buddy up to John McCain. Pawlenty's been mentioned as a possible VP, but McCain could ill afford to have anyone on the ticket who wants to end the embargo—even if it would help the state's farmers. story continues belowNFL Star Rob Gronkowski Loves These ShoesShoes Much More Comfortable Than Traditional Dress Shoes. Italian Leather and Running Shoe Technology Providing First Class Comfort All Day Long.Wolf & ShepherdLearn MoreUndoWho’s looking for Love in ColumbusExplore new connections on eharmony now!eharmonySign UpUndoWSOP Poker Finally on Desktop: The King of Poker Games Is Breaking RecordsGet On It Now And Experience It With 1,000,000 Free Poker ChipsWorld Series of PokerPlay NowUndo The veto was especially surprising because Pawlenty had blessed a state delegation’s recent trip to the island state and previously expressed support for free trade. But the support of anti-Havana Floridians is critical to national electoral success, and McCain has taken aim at Fidel. A Pawlenty rep insists, “That’s not the reason he vetoed it.” A veto letter said that Minnesota wouldn’t benefit from the change. (More Cuban embargo stories.) Report an error