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

New York Times ^ | May 15, 2004 | SHERYL GAY STOLBERG and JODI WILGOREN

[OESY]

Good analysis, though having McCain as VP of a losing ticket would increase Hillary's chances of getting the Dem nomination in 2008.

However, promotion of McCain by the Times, Peters and Kristol for VP (or SecDef) acknowledges two verities: The Dems know Kerry is weak and therefore vulnerable on defense issues and want to improve his credentials though his campaign thinks defense (Vietnam service) is his strongest suit. Second, The Dems know that McCain can do serious damage to Bush's prospects for reelection, especially for his sway with independents.

But McCain would be foolish to take the nod since it would mean giving up his chairmanship of the Senate Commerce Committee where he can rail against pork, his pet peeve. Also he would be relinquishing his role as a media darling, which was gained by being a maverick who often sides with Dems and never hesitates to criticize Bush. Dems love how he undercut the GOP on campaign finance reform while rarely criticizing 527 circumventions by the Dems.

[Michael.SF.]

If he does pick McPain, Cheney can fake a heart attack and W. picks Zell Miller or Joe Lieberman!

Either of those picks would leave the door wide open, and she does need the door very wide open, for Hillary's 2008 campaign.

If Bush selects an alternate to Cheney, he will do so with 2008 in mind as well as 2004.