Minn. Gov. Vetos Cuba Resolution He Supported

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.

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.)