BLOOMINGTON - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has been discussed as a vice presidential running mate for Arizona Sen. John McCain, came to Bloomington Saturday to praise his potential boss's national security expertise.

Asserting that McCain is "the right person to be president at the right time," Pawlenty described McCain as a strong proponent winning the war in Iraq and strengthening border security.

"Senator McCain's message is that he's heard the message of the people. He's fully committed to securing the borders before doing anything on immigration," said Pawlenty.

Pawlenty spoke at a rally originally planned as a campaign appearance by former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

The event at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center was retooled last week after Giuliani dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination and endorsed McCain. It was to be the only Twin City visit by any presidential candidate.

Pawlenty, who mingled with the dozens of people there instead of making a stump speech, seemed to strike the right chords with his audience.

"The biggest thing McCain will provide for this country is military force. Americans should keep in mind that with a strong military force, the threat of a terrorist attack is less likely," said Randy Pollard, president of the Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association.

McCain is the "most qualified (candidate) to make the decisions that need to be made to keep our country safe and secure and move our country forward," Pollard said.

Pawlenty commended McCain for having supported the controversial troop surge last year in Iraq. Pawlenty said the decision to put more troops back in Iraq was unpopular, even among Republicans, when it was first implemented, but it proved to be successful.

Beyond increasing the number of troops in Iraq, Pawlenty said McCain recognizes that "how you use them" also is important.

McCain wants to rely on commanders on the ground, like Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty said McCain also will do "whatever it takes" to secure the borders, including using unmanned aerial vehicles, increasing border enforcement personnel and utilizing "tamper-proof, biometrically imbedded ID cards for visitors and immigrants."

McCain made several appearances with Pawlenty while the latter was campaigning for governor in November 2002, and media speculation about a spot on the ticket for Palenty has continued during the current presidential campaign.

"A lot of names have been batted around," said state Rep. Dan Brady, who is helping to lead McCain's downstate Illinois campaign, on the topic. "It's way too premature to talk about that."

Pawlenty himself did not discuss the topic in his visit.

Pawlenty later went to East Peoria to attend the Tazewell County Lincoln Day Dinner and then to Galesburg to attend the Knox County Lincoln Day Dinner.