Undeterred by McCain Denials, Some See Him as Kerry's No. 2

[ringmastery]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/politics/campaign/15MCCA.html?ei=5006&en=9a0a3b46f9e87ccc&ex=1085284800&adxnnl=1&partner=ALTAVISTA1&adxnnlx=1084632130-qNAJQvVfEl5ip+zNJ61KYQ&pagewanted=print&position=

Despite weeks of steadfast rejections from Senator John McCain, some prominent Democrats are angling for him to run for vice president alongside Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, creating a bipartisan ticket that they say would instantly transform the presidential race.

The enthusiasm of Democrats for Mr. McCain, an Arizona Republican, is so high that even some who have been mentioned as possible Kerry running mates — including Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Bob Kerrey, the former Nebraska senator — are spinning scenarios about a "unity government," effectively giving Mr. Kerry a green light to reach across the political aisle and extend an offer.


This kind of open speculation suggests that Democrats are so eager to regain the White House in November that they are willing to overlook members of their own party, and to accept a candidate who disagrees with one of the core tenets of their platform, the right to an abortion. At the same time, the Kerry-McCain talk is testimony to the close friendship between the two, and the cool relationship between Mr. McCain and President Bush. The senator from Arizona is co-chairman of President Bush's re-election campaign there, but it is no secret in Washington that Mr. McCain has not quite forgiven Mr. Bush for the attacks on him during the 2000 Republican presidential primaries.

[boxster]

1. Not surprising. Hillary's adamant denials about running for president

were met with similar denials and continued speculation.

There is no chance whatsoever that McCain will be the VP candidate. I think it's more likely that McCain would end up in a cabinet position, etc., in the Kerry administration. But VP? Won't happen. Nor should it.

Oh, and the author could have just as well changed "Mr. McCain has not quite forgiven Mr. Bush" to "Mr. McCain will not forgive that Bush bastard for as long as he lives", as I think that more accurately represents McCain's view. :)

[sangha]

2. Quelle surprise!!

More rw trash from ringmastery

[Webster Green]

3. It would instantly transform the presidential race for me.....

I hadn't planned on voting for any Republicans this year.

Is Nader still running?

[Nay]

7. Really. WTF is up with that?

Are they trying to say that Dems are so hard up they have to put a Republican in the VP slot?? Good god. If that's true, then welcome to the communist party, where every candidate is a good party member. Jeez.

[freetobegay]

4. Kerry's #2 as in going to the bathroom!

[Snoggera]

5. This is bullshit

McCain has been stumping for *. Just the fact that this article was printed is enough to make me want to scream, yell, and verbally abuse those around me.

[gristy]

6. dupe

discuss here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=556340
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1605532
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1604723
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1603801

[noahmijo]

8. I don't think McCain as VP is possible either BUT

If he was it would almost shoe in alot of votes to realy help push Kerry over the top. Alot of Republicans are still pissed that McCain didn't win the nominee against Bush and are still sore at Bush's people for employing the same tactics against McCain that they are now using on Kerry.

Incidently just a little request to all fellow DU'ers I know how much you want to hate and spit on every Republican that you see without even really knowing about the person.

McCain is NOT a Republican. Anyone from Arizona will tell you that our elected "Republican" officials are really Democrat Lites and not to be confused with the likes of Trent Lott or even Zell Miller for that matter.

Sure he's stumping for Bush but what do you expect? his career will end in seconds should he defy the emperor. Look what happened to Moore's movie and Howard Stern. They're not even connected to the party and they're feeling the muscle of Bush Co. Just imagine what would happen to McCain if he were to do anything but salute the emperor.

Although I would prefer to support Democrats I'm one of those "traitors" I guess that will support someone if I agree with their platform as opposed to what party they belong to. It just so happens that so far 99% of the time it's been a Dem which is why I registered Dem.

[Snoggera]

10. I expect people to be honest and courageous

If someone thinks it is okay for a politician to fear the end of his career if he says what he thinks, and would vote for that numbnuts, then they are free to do so. I, however, am not in the frame of mind that permits me to see someone who goes on the campaign trail for *, says he is a republican, and votes against what I would vote for 90% of the time, as an individual to be considered on the Democratic ticket. It's insane, and ignorant, not to mention that this is just another diversion to sow seeds of doubt in the minds of voters - what? Dems need a repub on their side to have a chance of winning?

If it walks like a repub, and talks like a repub, why the hell would anyone want it to pretend to be a democrat?

This entire question is absurd.

[AP]

9. Jody Wilogren's name's on that by-line. Ie, it's probably total BS.

[RedEagle]

11. McCain- An Apple Falling Not Far From The Same Tree

McCain is just Bush Lite. Buy into the scenario that Kerry must use McCain in some fashion, and you have yet another, compromised individual that the Bush's can use. Don't go there.

http://www.the-catbird-seat.net/Lawyers.htm
(Scroll down)

February 29, 2000

Pluck, leaks helped McCain to overcome S&L scandal

By Walter V. Robinson, Globe Staff

A decade ago, Senator John McCain's role in the most politically corrosive episode of the $150 billion savings and loan debacle threatened to end a political career that now holds some promise of concluding instead with a McCain presidency.

-snip-

He was a close friend and early congressional ally of Charles H. Keating Jr. - the figure at the core of scandal - and one of the leading beneficiaries of Keating's political and personal largesse. Yet, he benefited from decisions by the Senate Ethics Committee that minimized his culpability and the resulting sanction.

[demosincebirth]

12. God, I hope not!

Unless he switches party

[ibegurpard]

13. I would actively work against such a ticket

eom

[LittleApple81]

14. What about despite most Democrats saying Hell No? Don't we count?

These repugs disguised as Democrats drive me crazy.

[TankLV]

15. NO FUCKING WAY!

If that happened, it would make me seriously think about NOT VOTING AT ALL for the first time in over 30 years.

Why go with repuke lite when you can have the real thing?

McCain has been on the side of good - what - twice? Just like a broken clock - he can be correct twice a day.

He has a horrible voting record - and his ponouncements for bushco make my brain explode. He would be a plant and use his power to get ANYTHING on Kerry so he could beeome the prez.

NO FUCKING WAY!

[joanski01]

16. What? McCain is going to run

as the Democratic VP and vote for bush* at the same time. Give me a break. I can't wait for Kerry to pick his VP so that this shitty speculation can stop!!!

[candy331]

17. Surely this wouldn't be a slap in the face for what the

Bushitas did to McCain would it? The revenge factor.

[seabeyond]

18. democrats have better than mccain

why are we continually putting this on the board. mccain has been a stand up REPUBLICAN at times and at times he has not. but he is not democrat, and we have people of our own who are better than mccain, why settle for less.

which people would stop this

[KG]

19. maccain as veep; boy, that will show those pesky naderites how wrong

they were about there not being 'a dimes worth of difference' between the 2 major parties. :eyes: