McCain as a possible VP

[ludwigb]

There is speculation today that John McCain might be considering running as Kerry's VP.

Because he seems to be a stand up guy, I (and most other Dems, I imagine) do like McCain more than most Republicans (although I'm anything but a big fan!). And Kerry and McCain seem to genuinely like each other. If this is really a possibility, then I think Kerry had better entertain it. This would be a massive boost and generate tons of positive media.

Still, I can't imagine McCain abandoning the GOP without some enticement. He'll want a certain role in the administration, for instance free reign to make certain decisions and champion selected issues. I would be comfortable with this as long as he keeps his hawkish hands off national security. But what domestic cause is McCain interested in these days? Are his current domestic preoccupations compatible with a Democratic administration?


Edited to add--No question, I have big time doubts about this--I have big time doubts about McCain's judgement. But domestically, McCain's actual positions are no longer that different from the Democratic agenda. He has moved to the left SINCE 2000. Check out this article from TNR, where Jonathan Chait actually argued (a year ago) McCain should be the Dem nominee.
http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20020429&s=chait042902

If ABB is our biggest priority, why not seriously consider this?

[proud patriot]

1. I saw McCain interviewed on a ABC this morning it may have been local

He sounded like he might consider it ..

[napi21]

5. He didn't say NO, but..............

although I was a McCain supporter in the last primaries, there are a lot of Pubs that HATE him, and so do a lot of Dems!

I wish he were Pres today, but I think it would be a mistake to put him on our ticket this time.

The only way we're going to win this election is to convince EVERY eligible Dem to vote, and get some Independants too. To think we're going to change any Pybs is foolish thought!

[BootinUp]

2. Absolutely not!

McCain might be a moderate Republican but thats a long ways from being a moderate Democrat. I would have a big problem with McCain on the ticket. And this would probably drive more liberal Democrats to vote for Nader again.

[demnan]

3. Whatever happened

to the Democratic wing of the Democratic party?

I know everyone wants to now jump on the "I hate Bush" bandwagon, but that's not enough to make you a Demo candidate for the VP, for crissakes.

[vi5]

4. It's not going to happen but it DOES help us....

Look, in such a risky election there is no way Kerry or any Dem would pull a stunt like this.

However, the discussion of it and McCain's not totally balking at the idea keeps focus on the democratic nominee and what WE are doing rather than what buscho is doing and more importantly their attacks on Kerry. Anything that shifts focus away from them and onto us without being negative publicity is a very good thing.

[Dhalgren]

6. Why not?

This would get the Zell Miller wing of the party on board!

[ecstatic]

34. Then I and other liberal Democrats might as well vote Ind./Green

I really don't want Zell Miller's wing on board. I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic or not, if so, ignore this...

[LoZoccolo]

7. He approved of those ads that said...

..."some are attacking the president for attacking the terrorists."

You know, the ones that wanted to get people paranoid without actually even naming any names.

I don't want John McCain anywhere near what we do.

[BigBigBear]

8. Wow

People really believe this to be a possibility?

I just do not. I think it's a bad idea and unlikely in the extreme.

The most I could see is McCain NOT going out of his way to help re-elect Bunnypants.

Here's a hypothetical: McCain accepts the VP nod. Which party's Congressional candidates does he endorse during the campaign?

Seriously - think about it.

[ludwigb]

11. It would definitely have to be a condition

that he endorse Democrats in all races. And this would help Democrats in all races.

McCain would be the one doing the compromising here. He would have to move to the left, not us. His reward is being VP.

[dmkinsey]

9. Ridiculous

OK, the first requirement for our VP candidate is that he/she MUST BE A DEMOCRAT.
Geez, McCain??
No way

[TheFarseer]

10. what happened to the democratic wing of the democrats?!

Isn't John Kerry one of the top rated liberals? What more can you ask for? If McCain is running with him, it's certain victory. Bottom line.

[ludwigb]

13. That's what I'm saying

If McCain runs with us, independents will take notice. It will be two Vietnam hereos against the chickenhawks.

In all liklihood, it wouldn't even be a contest. That's why getting McCain wouldn't necessarily come easy--McCain realizes what an asset his image is.

[TheFarseer]

12. and another thing

If you think this would make waves in our party, the Republican party would implode!

[connecticut yankee]

14. But hasn't McCain

been campaigning for Bush around the country?

Also, wouldn't he have to renounce his Republicanism? If (God forbid) the Kerry/McCain ticket loses, he'd be up the creek.

[elsiesummers]

15. Kerry must sew up base to chose McCain.

Could Kerry sew up the base and promote Dem turnout enough to bring McCain on board?

McCain would have to spend a lot of time like Clark on proving himself, especially on the type of judicial nominees he would pick if he were pres. This could be a problem. I personally think McCain is more liberal than his votes which are sometimes forced along the party line - if he were any more liberal he would have to leave his party.
I think my Republican SIL and her Husband would vote for a Kerry/McCain ticket over the Bush/Cheney ticket - McCain would definitely pull in some swing votes.

McCain has truely moved into the Dem column on a lot of votes - cosponsored with Kerry on CAFE standards - and of course cosponsored with Feingold on Campaign Finance Reform, also cosponsored with Edwards on Patients Bill of Rights.

Big Problem: Without McCain in the Senate, what Republican would co-sponsor Dem bills? Seriously? This is a big question. If Kerry gets to be pres he may need McCain right where he is at if Dems are to get any legislation through.

edited for clarity

[ludwigb]

20. Good points....

You're right that McCain's support for certain bills does put GOP Senators in a bind sometimes... But there are other moderates like Chafee. And as VP, McCain would have more of a platform to help push the liberal agenda.

[Zinfandel]

45. Not a chance!

[Mandomaniac]

16. I've been thinking this for a while.

Someone must have gotten that idea from me!

I don't know much about McCain, but he seems like a stand up guy. I think he would lure rethug voters to our side, but in turn would probably alienate some dems. But, then again, what do I know?

[mobuto]

17. I don't think McCain would do it

What does he gain? He has no chance of ever being President, unless Kerry croaks. He'd have four or eight years, and then he'd be out with no chance of ever being elected to any post as a Republican (and very little as a Democrat, since he's not a Democrat).

I think he's threatening to go for Kerry as leverage against the Administration. They'll now offer him concessions to stay in the Party and his power increases.

[ludwigb]

18. That is certainly a possibility

And I wouldn't put it past McCain. But I think becoming VP is certainly something to gain. This is his last shot. He'll be to old to run for president in 2008.

[elsiesummers]

21. Sure McCain would do it.

His power lessens as his options lessen. That's the first thing. Right now he is marginalized within the Republican Party.

Second, it would give McCain the opportunity to be on a presidential ticket that beats Bush - and because he has been campaigning for Bush it would give his arguement against Bush a lot of weight.

Basically, he could say that he is a Republican but that Bush is misleading his party. He can say that Bush is leading the country in the wrong direction and he can't in good concience support Bush when he is doing bad things to our country, misallocating resources in terms of defence and concentrating on lesser threats while ignoring festering problems such as Korea. Bush is mishandling the budget and doing irreperable harm in terms of record deficits - that Bush has left the fold of fiscal conservatism. McCain can say he is a Reagan Republican and that George W. Bush is no Ronald Reagan:).

Seriously, McCain could seal the deal against Bush, if this is the path he choses.

[Merlin]

19. Nice red meat for the media. Not gonna happen. It's gonna be Clark.

This is a pipe dream, but one both Kerry and McCain, who are friends, realize will bring them needed media attention, and play up their close relationship.

Any such connection would be way too risky in any year, let alone this one.

Besides, with Wes Clark, Kerry gets nearly everything McCain brings to the table, and does not alienate people like me who, though I like McCain, don't agree with him more than 1/2 the time.

[Zorra]

22. Why don't we all just become effing republicans and get it over with?

:puke:This is a fucking joke, right?

[TheFarseer]

23. some of you are only looking at half of this

Sure the democratic party would be somewhat compromised, but this would be a devastating blow to the Republican party. They would have to completely reanalyze everything they stand for if the landslide I anticipate from a Kerry/McCain ticket happened.

[dryan]

24. McCain

As much as I like John McCain this idea has not been tried in about 200 years -- read an American history book.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

25. NO WAY!!!!!!

If Kerry has so few principles that he would choose one of the most conservative (economically, not behaviorally) Republican Senators as his running mate, then I would reluctantly have to join the Nader voters. Or pack up and move to Japan.

McCain seems like a nice guy personally, but don't political principles mean ANYTHING?

[ludwigb]

28. If possible

please read the article I link to above. As this article (and other posters in this thread) have pointed out, McCain's economic positions are actually close to the mainstream of the Democratic party. Many of his votes with Bush have been procedural, or to pay back favors. He also has had to watch his back lately because Arizona GOPers were threatening a primary challenge.

[TheFarseer]

26. well I guess

I'm more excited about this prospect than everyone else on here, but sinse I give it about a 1% chance of happening, it's a moot point.

[Astarho]

27. Black Mesa!

The 1974 Navajo-Hopi Settlement Act was pushed through Congress by a group representing the coal-fired power industry, which believed their industry would benefit by having the U.S. government finance the eviction of all the people living in an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. In their rush to promote national energy self-sufficiency, Congress never considered where the people would go or how relocation would affect their lives. Nor did they consider the wishes of the people they planned to relocate. John McCain authored this "relocation" bill.

http://www.aics.org/BM/bm.html

In 1996, McCain drafted an “Accommodation Agreement,” which offered benefits to the Dine for relocation or an option to remain on the land for up to 75 years—but with reduced livestock grazing rights, no chance to pass on land to families, and subservience to the Hopi tribal government. McCain gave the Dine people two choices: sign the agreement or be forcibly evicted from the land in four years.

http://www.educationupdate.com/archives/2001/july01/htmls/spot-mesa.html

McCain, the so-called reformer and "champion of integrity" authorized this genocidal bill. Afterwards, it was signed by President Ford into law. This past summer, McCain was reminded of his "helpful hand" in genocide at the Shadow Convention, which occurred during the same time as the Republican Convention, but was attended mostly by left-wing activists not interested in the major-party gathering. McCain was invited to speak on campaign finance reform, but was shouted off the podium by chants of "Black Mesa!" Peace activists do not forget.

http://summitfreepress.com/topstory5.htm

We can do much better than this thug!

[scarletwoman]

29. If I wanted to vote for an effing Republican, I'd BE a Republican!

I am a DEMOCRAT! I don't vote for Republicans EVER!

This is such utter horseshit, I can't BELIEVE there's THREE DAMN threads about this!

Put a Republican on a Democratic ticket and you've got one more Nader voter, real fast!

The idiocy quotient at DU is getting WAY beyond belief! :eyes:

sw

[Zhade]

30. McCain is a neoconservative hawk.

Bad idea. Very bad.

[Leilani]

31. It Will Never Happen!!!

The media loves McCain leaves GOP stories.

They know he HATES Bush; they know he LOVES Kerry. They are really close.

But it won't happen, because McCain won't leave the Repugs, & Kerry won't choose a Repug.

[eissa]

32. Never happen

I can't believe the number of threads regarding this "possibility." No way -- it would be a slap in the face to every democrat; as if we don't have enough capable people within our party that we must rely on the dark side to help us win against a lame "president."

[Rose Siding]

33. Wouldn't that make us proud to be Democrats

:eyes: Weird that the politically saavy McCain would say this.

[Crunchy Frog]

35. No. If we're to have a Republican on the ticket

then let it be a true Republican like Wes Clark. See this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=452571&mesg_id=452571

[BootinUp]

37. I am truly shocked!

Not at you crunchy lol,

but at the suggestion of putting McCain on the ticket. Flabbergasted, and its been posted so much, this ain't an attempt at humor.

[Crunchy Frog]

39. Why aren't you shocked at me?

Now I'm really mad.:grr: I will make you get shocked at me I tell you. I promise you, I will find a way. :mad: (How can you possibly not find me shocking?:cry: )

[BootinUp]

40. because dear crunchy

you are an ardent supporter of the great man we call the General. And it is impossible for me to take your remark above seriously. ;)

:hi:

[ecstatic]

36. I really do think that its time for a little bit more bipartisanship

True bipartisanship, not just silence out of fear.

The bickering and hatred of the other side is something I would like to see gone (after Bush is removed of course, because I truly do hate what he has done).

I'm not well versed on McCain's stances on the issues. I would have to know that first before deciding.

[Crunchy Frog]

38. I like and respect Senator McCain

but he is definitely a conservative Republican and loyal to the Republican party. His stances on the issues are by and large, conservative Republican ones.

His political views are not compatible with Kerry's or with the Democratic party as a whole.

As for the bickering and hatred of the other side, that is the Republican party's doing, or do you not remember the entire past 12 years? At this point the Republican side wants us destroyed, and that makes bipartisanship currently an unrealistic prospect.

I would love to see a time when the Republican party once again becomes a respectable party of moderate conservatism, with bipartisanship possible once again, but I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

[ibegurpard]

41. I agree with everything you said except your post header.

For the reasons you laid out, I neither like nor respect Senator McCain.

[KT2000]

42. He campaigns for Bush

After the SOTU - he went out and actively campaigned for Bush.

Why on earth would anyone consider a Republican on the Democratic ticket?
We have some good candidates - Wesley Clark, for one.

[mitchum]

43. NO...

for many obvious reasons

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

44. Basically, he would have to switch to the Democratic Party.

I don't really see any other way.