The Trail

BAGGING A BIG NAME

Pawlenty Encourages Maryland GOP

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Maryland Republicans were without a featured speaker for their breakfast yesterday morning, so delegation leader Don Murphy started trolling.

By 5 a.m., Murphy had arrived at the St. Paul restaurant from which MSNBC's "Morning Joe" is being broadcast this week. The morning talk show, hosted by former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough (R), has attracted an A-list of politicians and journalists -- and Murphy reeled in a big one.

Around 9 a.m., Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), a veepstakes finalist, addressed Maryland delegates and alternates at their hotel.

"I'm glad this worked out," Pawlenty said upon taking the microphone.

Pawlenty said he felt that Maryland and Minnesota Republicans "are kindred spirits in some ways," given that both live in states that have traditionally been dominated by Democrats. His talk focused on ways to build the party.

"Please don't quit," Pawlenty said. "Persistence matters. . . . This party needs to reach out to folks and not just be the stereotypical Republicans. . . . We have to be the party of Sam's Club, not just the country club."

After the governor departed, Murphy, who was wearing a baseball cap, mentioned that his cellphone had gone off after he was captured on camera at Scarborough's show. It was his mother. "She said, 'You're indoors. Take off your hat.' "

-- John Wagner

VIRGINIA DELEGATION