Undeterred by Denials, Some (inside operatives) see Mc Cain as VP.

[KoKo]

(Front page of NYT's Print Edition, today. Is this article a plant by
Kerry officials to scare the Bushies, or a push to throw the Left Wing of the Democratic Party out?)

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and JODI WILGOREN

ASHINGTON, May 14 — 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.

"Senator McCain would not have to leave his party," Mr. Kerrey said. "He could remain a Republican, would be given some authority over selection of cabinet people. The only thing he would have to do is say, `I'm not going to appoint any judges who would overturn Roe v. Wade,' " the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, which Mr. McCain has said he opposes. Chris Lehane, a Democratic strategist who once worked for Mr. Kerry, said such a ticket "would be the political equivalent of the Yankees signing A-Rod," referring to Alex Rodriguez, the team's star third baseman.

Mr. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, "continues to be interested in" Mr. McCain, a fellow Vietnam veteran whom Kerry aides describe as the candidate's best friend in the Senate, as a running mate, said one longtime Democratic official who works for the Kerry campaign. But the official said the plan was unrealistic, because Mr. McCain "won't do it." In an interview on Friday, Mr. McCain said, "I have totally ruled it out."Even so, Democrats say a bipartisan Kerry-McCain ticket, featuring two decorated Vietnam War veterans from different parties and regions of the country, would give them a powerful edge in the debate over who can best lead the nation in the war on terror. "It would be a dream team," Mr. Lehane said.


Such an offer would undoubtedly be controversial among Democrats. Some say Mr. McCain would upstage Mr. Kerry; others regard him as too conservative. Among the latter is Donna Brazile, who ran Al Gore's campaign in 2000. "McCain has not been pro-choice; he's not been out front on affirmative action," Ms. Brazile said. "He's not been out front on core issues that have defined the Democratic Party."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/politics/campaign/15MCCA.html?pagewanted=print&position=

[gristy]

1. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1605532
Pullease. No more new threads on McCain for VP. :(

[NMDemDist2]

2. i was all for a split ticket JK/McCain ticket until

someone (correctly) pointed out it was probably a sure way to get Kerry assassinated in Feb 05

[ablbodyed]

3. That occured to me too....

Good on paper but not so good as a realistic situation

[dsc]

4. Un flipping believable

The one and only, condition put on McCain would be no overturning of Roe v Wade. It would be perfectly fine for McCain to indulge in the anti gay bigotry he has voted for in the past. It would be perfectly OK for him to cut any and every government program which serves the poor. But Roe v Wade that is sacred. And we wonder why so many otherwise liberal pro lifers won't vote for us. Un flipping believable.

[JHBowden]

5. People bash Lieberman, but loco McCain is somehow okay.

At least Lieberman is progressive on 60-70% of the issues.

[Zorra]

6. If these "Democrats" advocating McCain for VP are serious,

they are definitely not on our side, and should be viewed with as much suspicion as we view Zell Miller from this point on. I can no longer take anything they say seriously. Except as a threat to the Democratic Party.

This McCain garbage makes me sick. :puke:

I support John Kerry. I have voted Democrat all of my adult life, and have voted for every Democrat on my ballot during that time.

But if Kerry were to choose John McCain for VP, I will vote for Dennis Kucinich for President and join the Green Party.

And 1/4 to 1/3 of all Democrats will probably do the same.

[Gore1FL]

13. I don't think dividing up sides is a good idea

I don't want McCain as VP, but I don't consider those who think it an idea worth considering as the enemy.

I do believe a coalition governement is one way to heal the wounds the neocons have inflicted -- certainlyu not the only way. I would not mind seeing honorable and Real republicans in the cabinet mix. That doesn't just stop at GOP -- I would like to see Sharpton as Sec of HUD and I wouldn't mind Nader being somehow involved, either.

Do I want neocons? Hell no. But if Kerry finds it useful to put honorable people of other parties in the executive branch, my vote will not be lost because of it. Again I don't believe the VP slot is the place to put one.

While one may consider those who have hijacked the GOP (and are trying to hijack the whole country) to be an enemy, I don't see the GOP as the enemy, but a rival -- a partner -- co-patriots with different ideas. This is important to understand -- The division (which in my opinion started with the neocons through your limbaughs, hannity's etc) is something we need to correct, not exacerbate.

[Zorra]

18. In my lifetime, I have never seen the republican party do anything

good for this country. The republicans are the people that brought Bu$h and the neo-cons into power. Most of them continue to support neo-con policies, which are destroying our nation as I write this.

This lack of foresight and good judgement alone makes me believe that they are not suitable for positions of national leadership.

If they were genuinely insightful individuals and sincerely interested in the welfare of this nation, they would have already abandoned the republican party on principle as Jim Jeffords did:

"For 26 years in Washington, first in the House of Representatives and now in the Senate, I have tried to do the same, but I can no longer do so as a Republican. Increasingly, I find myself in disagreement with my party. I understand that many people are more conservative than I am and they form the Republican Party. Given the changing nature of the national party, it has become a struggle for our leaders to deal with me and for me to deal with them. Indeed, the party's electoral success has underscored the dilemma that I face within the party.

"In the past, without the presidency, the various wings of the Republican Party in Congress have had some freedom to argue and influence and ultimately to shape the party's agenda. The election of President Bush changed that dramatically.

"Looking ahead, I can see more and more instances where I'll disagree with the president on very fundamental issues--the issues of choice, the direction of the judiciary, tax and spending decisions, missile defense, energy and the environment, and a host of other issues, large and small.

"In order to best represent my state of Vermont, my own conscience and principles I have stood for my whole life, I will leave the Republican Party and become an Independent."
(APPLAUSE)

http://www.i-resign.com/uk/halloffame/viewHOF_41.asp

This is genuine integrity. No other republican legislator has exhibited this degree of integrity.

Anyone that supports Bu$h and the Bu$h administration, IMO, is not an acceptable choice for a leadership post in a Democratic administration.

Either they are lacking in good judgement, or they lack integrity.

[Gore1FL]

20. Me either

But I've only been around for 38 years. I know there were good Republicans in the past -- Certainly Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and arguable Eisenhower.

That being said, I know there are Good republicans, whom I disagree with, but still are honorable and well thought people.

Now that being said, I don't want one as VP -- But if one can be found that is willing to serve under Kerry (emphasis UNDER) and has unique skills for such a position, I am not offended by it (especially if they happen to empty GOP seats in the Senate!)

I trust Kerry more than any other candiate to do the right things when in office. If someone smart and honorable can voice meaningful opposition and make him better think out his positions, That might be a good thing.

[no name no slogan]

7. Leave it to the "liberal" NYT to spread this bullshit

Ever notice the only people talking about McCain for VP are the press? Are any REAL Democrats talking about this crap?

Picking a Repub for VP basically re-elects the Shrub. It would only show that the Dems are so unsure of themselves and their positions that they feel the only way to win is to pick a Repub to be VP.

Picking McCain or another Repub for VP this year would kill of the Democratic Party for all practical purposes. It would prove once and for all that the Democrats only pay lip service to their issues and positions, and that there really isn't that much difference between them and the GOP.

Ever notice that those who strongly advocate for this so-called "Unity" ticket are probably people who'd vote for Dubya anyway? But I digress...

:D

[Padraig18]

8. What 'prominent Democrats'? Zell Miller?

This idea is insane...

[dae]

9. That's one reason to hurry and announce a VP selection, just so we

won't be subject to this garbage any longer.

[incapsulated]

10. Two Jerks

"Ever notice the only people talking about McCain for VP are the press? Are any REAL Democrats talking about this crap?"

Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and Bob Kerrey


Thanks for reviving this, guys!

:grr:

[sangha]

11. I'm gonna let you all on a little secret

All this McCain talk is a way for Kerry to get additional press, and it helps negate the idea that he is a flaming liberal. It also helps foster the impression that Kerry is tough of defense.

So all liberals should keep talking about how angry the idea makes you. Those centrists just love your angst.

[Demoiselle]

12. Excellent point, sangha!

eom

[WI_DEM]

14. this is NUTS

My guess is that this story is just to amuse the press and there will be nothing that will come of this, but A Unity government as if the Democrats can't govern by themselves? I like McCain as a person and on some issues, fine, but overall he is a conservative Republican who strongly backed the war in Iraq. Sorry, but if McCain were on the Democratic ticket and only one heart beat away from the presidency--I would consider voting for Nader or writing in Dean. I agree with the poster above who said somehow Lieberman who is a Democrat and has an overall liberal voting record is seen by some as being worse than McCain who is a republican with an overall conservative voting record. Somehow it doesn't make sense.

[ACK]

15. Fuckin' nuts

This would be the dumbest move in American political history for both McCain who helps his party seem less freakin' insane and Kerry trying for the middle while still needed the faithfull to win the campaign.

I think Kerry likes McCain too much on a personal level and this is blinding him to the sheer stupidity of this sort of move.

Yuck. Even if McCain is a decent man he is still a Repuke and still wrong on the vast majority of issues this country faces.

This is soooo completely wrong.

_

[elperromagico]

16. When will this die?!?

Damn it, do we really want a Republican (no matter how honorable he may be) first in the line of Presidential succession?

Do these people want President Kerry to be assassinated?

[JVS]

17. McCain wouldn't add nearly as much to the ticket as Santorum

Pennsylvania would be a lock and we'd have the first all Catholic ticket which would certainly help among latino voters. :eyes:

[robbedvoter]

19. What's wrong with Cheney? (rhetorical question)

Nooner today was saying kerry needs someone strong, with credentials on national security, stature....Powell, maybe...
OK, Nooner, getting close, try again...

[LandOLincoln]

21. Fat chance. I'm sure the only time Nooner ever allows

that name to pass her lips is when she's muttering incantations
over her cauldron.

[dusty64]

22. No, no, a thousand

times NO!