"Condensed" or Cut off at the Knees?

I haven't heard Gov. Tim Pawlenty's speech to the National Press Club, but compared to Rep. Michele Bachmann's response, according to Politico, he more pointedly dodged the question about why the incumbent vice president might not attend his party's convention.

Pawlenty, offering an imitation of his candidate's "straight talk," didn't mince words when asked if Vice President Cheney's absence from the GOP convention next month would be conspicuous.

"Ahh, yes," he replied quickly. Pawlenty, reaching a bit, did point out that modern conventions have been "condensed," though.

Minnesotans with long memories will recall that it was Dick Cheney who called Pawlenty six years ago and told him to back off because it was Norm Coleman's turn to run for U.S. Senate.