Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, often named as a potential running mate with John McCain, is catching flak about a sex joke he made prior to a fishing event over the weekend.

During a light-hearted interview with a local radio station, Pawlenty implied his wife loves fishing and sports, but isn't as excited about marital acts.

"I have a wife who genuinely loves to fish. I mean, she will take the lead and ask me to go out fishing, and joyfully comes here," he told radio station WCCO. "She loves football, she'll go to hockey games and, I jokingly say, 'Now, if I could only get her to have sex with me.'"

Pawlenty quickly reiterated that his comment was a joke, adding his wife knows he is not serious.

John Wodele, a public relations consultant, told MyFOXTwinCities that although it is never appropriate for a politician to discuss his sex life, he didn't think it would hurt his political future. But, David Schultz, a political science professor, said it can't help his vice presidential prospects.

The Republican National Convention is being held in Minneapolis-St. Paul in September.

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