McCain Would Consider Being the Democratic VP with Kerry?

[AgPete]

Was this taken out of context? Maybe it was just a joke response on McCain's part but I don't think I've ever heard a popular Republican admit so close to an election that they would even consider running as the VP on the Democratic ticket. :confused:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=694&u=/ap/20040310/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_mccain_1&printer=1

Sen. McCain Open to Being Kerry's VP
Wed Mar 10, 1:01 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. John McCain allowed a glimmer of hope Wednesday for Democrats fantasizing about a bipartisan dream team to defeat President Bush (news - web sites).

McCain said he would consider the unorthodox step of running for vice president on the Democratic ticket — in the unlikely event he received such an offer from the presidential candidate.

"John Kerry (news - web sites) is a close friend of mine. We have been friends for years," McCain said Wednesday when pressed to squelch speculation about a Kerry-McCain ticket. "Obviously I would entertain it."

But McCain emphasized how unlikely the whole idea was.

"It's impossible to imagine the Democratic Party seeking a pro-life, free-trading, non-protectionist, deficit hawk," the Arizona senator told ABC's "Good Morning America" during an interview about illegal steroid use. "They'd have to be taking some steroids, I think, in order to let that happen."

McCain gained a reputation as a party maverick who appeals to independent voters during his 2000 race against Bush for the Republican nomination. This year, McCain has campaigned for the president and said he would continue to do so.

Unlike some other Republican senators, he hasn't railed against Kerry, a fellow Vietnam veteran. McCain called the Kerry-Bush contest "the nastiest campaign so far that we have seen" and said he preferred campaigning for candidates instead of against their opponents.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

That could actually make me vote for Kerry...

[mckerney]

Maybe not:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/10/politics/main605167.shtml

[JonInMiddleGA]

Maybe not:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/10/politics/main605167.shtml
Sheesh. For a minute there I was starting to worry that McCain had taken leave of his senses. Thanks for the linky.

[AgPete]

It did sound odd. I know he's the maverick of the party but that's a little drastic to suddenly switch parties so soon. It would definitely appeal to independent voters though.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

and said he preferred campaigning for candidates instead of against their opponents.


still showing that he has more class than bush and kerry combined...

[Franklinnoble]

I'm hoping he selects Hillary Clinton.

[kcchief19]

Sheesh. For a minute there I was starting to worry that McCain had taken leave of his senses. Thanks for the linky.Just out of curiousity, why do you think that? I can see it both ways, but I did know if your objections were ideological or otherwise.
edit: that should be "didn't know."

[ISiddiqui]

A Kerry/McCain ticket would be virtually unbeatable. Would have been interesting.

[JonInMiddleGA]

... but I did know if your objections were ideological or otherwise.
That was pretty much what I had in mind, although I think it would have been a bad political/career move on McCain's part as well.

[CamEdwards]

That was pretty much what I had in mind, although I think it would have been a bad political/career move on McCain's part as well.

McCain/Feingold kinda turned me sour on McCain.

[kcchief19]

I think it would be a huge risk for both, albeit with a huge reward. McCain will likely never get that close to the White House because he's too far outside the Republican establishment. On the other side, it would be seen as a bold bi-partisan move and could secure a solid block of independent voters but would weaken both his political strength and his backing from his Democratic base.

It won't happen, but the mere fact that McCain said he would consider probably says more about his relationship and thoughts of Bush than it does of Kerry.

[Ksyrup]

I think I caught a 10-minute segment of Rush Limbaugh discussing (and dismissing) this idea a few weeks ago. It's just now turning up in the press?

[Leonidas]

I think Kerry's best choice would be John Breaux (LA). He's a conservative democrat from the south who is well respected by both parties, much like Sam Nunn was. He'll never choose him though because Breaux isn't liberal enough for the current democratic leadership.

[yabanci]

I think I caught a 10-minute segment of Rush Limbaugh discussing (and dismissing) this idea a few weeks ago. It's just now turning up in the press?

I think the rumors had been there, but this is the first time McCain's commented on them.