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Posted on 06/18/2004 8:19:27 PM PDT by Angry Republican
FORT LEWIS, Wash. - Before cheering troops, President Bush got a strong endorsement on Iraq and a boost for his re-election campaign Friday from Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican courted by Democrat John Kerry to be his running mate.
Bush seemed to relish keeping McCain, his one-time rival for the presidency, out of Kerry's corner.
"Both candidates in this race are honored to be a friend of John McCain," Bush said at a campaign rally in Nevada. "Only one of us gets his vote. And I am proud that it is me."
McCain issued dire warnings about the threat from terrorists and backed the war to oust Saddam Hussein in words matching the starkest language Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have employed. The support from McCain came as the president is trying to counter rising questions about the invasion.
"Should the enemy acquire for their arsenal the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons they seek, this war (on terrorism) will become an even bigger thing: It will become a fight for survival," McCain told thousands of GIs at the Army base here. "That's why your courage is so indispensable to us."
Bush sat just behind McCain on a stage erected in an aircraft hangar, basking in the endorsement from his fierce opponent for the 2000 GOP presidential nomination. They seemed determined to project unity, heaping praise on each other with no mention of the bitter contest.
The president said of McCain, who spent 5 1/2 years in a Vietnamese POW camp: "When he speaks of service and sacrifice, he speaks from experience. ... The United States military has no better friend in the United States Senate than John McCain."
McCain said of Bush: "He has not wavered in his determination to protect this country and to make the world a better, safer, freer place. You will not yield, nor will he."
McCain said 26 soldiers from this base have died in recent combat; Bush met with some of their families after the speeches, and with wounded GIs.
He offered similar praise for the Iraq war and for Bush Friday evening in Reno, Nev., at the Bush campaign rally.
"I believe just as strongly as when we began our efforts there, this was noble, achievable and necessary," McCain told several thousand Bush backers. "And for his determination to undertake this task, for his unflagging resolve to see it through to the just end we see, he deserves not only our support but our admiration."
McCain has criticized Bush on certain issues - including tax cuts, the environment and Medicare - and has said more troops are needed in Iraq. He also has declined to join other Senate Republicans in criticizing Kerry, a friend, and has even defended Kerry over his defense record.
But Bush and McCain have sought a broader political detente, cooperating when it benefited both men. Earlier this year, Bush named McCain to the commission investigating intelligence used to justify the Iraq war.
For Bush, McCain's vigorous defense of the war was a welcome rebuttal to a report this week that called into question a central pillar of the case for war.
The independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks undercut the administration's insistent claims of a link between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida. That comes on top of the administration's failure to find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
In Nevada, Bush trumpeted his administration's efforts to clean up Lake Tahoe, but steered clear of a hot Nevada topic on which he has taken an unpopular stance.
Bush backs a nuclear waste dump 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, at Yucca Mountain. Democrats cast that as a broken promise because as a candidate in 2000, Bush had promised to wait for "sound science" before making his decision on the dump. Yet, dozens of scientific studies remain incomplete.
Terry McAuliffe, Democratic National Committee chairman, said Bush "lied to the citizens of Nevada and he did it for partisan political gain."
About 600 people demonstrated against Bush outside the convention hall, many of them drawn by the chance to air their opposition to the dump. Many others opposed the war in Iraq and carried signs promoting Kerry.
One protester held a sign that read, "Send Bush and nuclear waste to Texas!"
BTW, what's this they're saying about a nuclear dump?
Surely Bush wouldn't put McCainiac in the VP slot! Not if he wants my vote. Bush would be safer with a pit viper than he would with McCain and his machine-gun mouth. Also, with McCain as VP, Bush had better sleep with one eye open.
Now I read he defended Kerry over his defense record.
I guess he knows most people won't notice his hypocrisy so it's OK. Sad. Very.
Actually I like this that McCain is for now a team player. I'll wait and see how it goes for sure but McCain has too much power now to want the VP slot. Guiliani? sure he may take it but for McCain it would be a step back. Maybe to take a step forward true but still.... I like the idea of Cheney taking over the CIA maybe Guiliani as Atty Gen if Ashcroft steps down. Rummy will retire so is that where McCain fits? We're seeing the jockying right now for 2008.
McCain says alot of things I disagree with. However, he is a stand-up guy and is doing Bush a huge favor by campaigning for him. His is staunchly pro-life so he can't be all bad.
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Going down your bullet list, allow me to comment:
Cheney or Giuliani - CIA
Cheney. Giuliani will not conduct the blood purge that is needed. Too many goobers at the Agency were leaking for the Dems. The whole Joe Wilson scam came right out of the CIA. Giuliani needs to go to the Senate where he can shine.
Giuliani - Attorney General (If Ashcroft wants to leave. If not, let him stay as he has endured a heck of alot of bashing and I would not want to give the bashers a reward).
Agreed here, but I think that Giuliani wants to try his hand at unseating the Hildebeast in 2006. AG could be the ticket to doing that. The problem? He can't be in any position in which he can be held accountable for a successful terrorist attack, or he's dead meat.
Rice or McCain - VP
If Bush is down to this choice, he goes with Rice. He doesn't truly trust McCain. Bush must have had to give McCain some serious pork, perhaps even a promise that he could have Rummy's job in the Second Term, to get this endorsement. Besides, I'm convinced that Bush and Rove are thinking Big Demographic and want to go with Rice to tear away some black and female support from the Rats. A black woman does that for you, especially that black woman.
Oh yes, and one last thing. McCain is still being treated for melanoma.
McCain or Rice - Secretary of State (Powell probably does not want to serve another term but would stay if Bush asks. Bush won't.) Cheney - Secretary of Defense (Rummy may not want another term. If he does, by all means let him stay on. He is an awesome Secretary of Defense.)
Don't be surprised if Bush asks Powell to hang on. Rummy may go, as this whole Abu Ghraib thing blindsided Bush. Cheney's done SecDef. That's why this may be McCain's spot. McC also wants Rummy to go. Bush may have decided that Rummy is the easiest one to toss over the side next year.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
I was invited to view his departure on Airfoce One at Boeing Field in Seattle. He was told in-flight on Marine One between from Fort Lewis and Seattle about the beheading of Paul Johnson. Because of this, he did not greet the line of about 200 people that were invited, but instead walked directly from Marine One to a press staging area where he gave his comments about Johnson, and then directy boarded Airforce One. We all understood. It would of been tacky for him to work the crowd, with what he was just told.
I did get some great pictures.
First off. Bush doesn't get a boost from McCain. President Bush gives McCain a boost. This was the classic rope a dope.
Well, I'll be: McCain has actually come up with at tagline worthy quote.
I still don't trust him, but I'll take his help. What was that line Reagan was famous for? "Trust but Verify"? It would be wise to remember this philosophy when it comes to McCain....
BTW, why don't we hear about Richardson as a VP for Kerry? I think he would really help him so I am glad we haven't heard much about him.
Rice perhaps could form a dream ticket, but she would not innoculate Bush on Iraq and foreign policy the way McCain could. She could serve to help Bush eat into the African American vote, but it would have to be coupled with an issue to trumpet that appeals to African Americans. They have it right at their fingertips: school choice/vouchers. No one will pick up the ball on this and run with it though. If Rice was in the VP slot she could take the issue and hammer away in black churches in every swing state and Bush would win with 380 EVs.
You know who else could innoculate Bush on Iraq but just does not do it? Colin Powell. He occasionally says some great things to support his President, but too often it is followed by some damn piece in Vanity Fair or Time magazine quoting senior staff members of his who hate the President or Cheney. I think he tries to play both sides in the background.
BTW, I visited your blog a minute ago. You are an excellent writer. I will make it a favorite.
Oh yes he does.
McCain's out-front support covers a multitude of sins, and shuts up the media.
What's more, McCain is sincere about his support. He knows where his bread is buttered, and where his future lies.
This was a very good day for GWB.
Bush would put McCain on the ticket in a heartbeat, if Cheney dropped out.
I don't think McCain wants VP; he's got more power on the committees he chairs in the Senate.
This was a major "bury-the-hatchet" day. Neither of these two men have been as effusive about each other as they were today.
Never.
So, don't be surprised if there are some surprises.
Suddenly...the August Dem convention looks like a pall bearers last cig gathering : )
No joy in demsville...none.
Only Bills book to read this summer.....memories.
John Mclaughlin on his program laughed big time at Dems pushing Bill Clinton for Party momentum.
Laughing.....he noted it will just motivate more Republicans to vote in November....and polarize the democrat ranks more.
Smirking.....John said that Kerry is on his own now.
Why would you get that out of this article? McCain has been endorsing Bush.
That doesn't mean Cheney is out. My goodness, President Bush is the most loyal person there is.
"McCain's out-front support covers a multitude of sins, and shuts up the media."
That's why I called it a rope a dope. You don't believe this was McCain's idea. McCain silences the talk about a VP spot while McCain throws his weight behind his bread and butter, because he benefits, and President Bush gets a temporary bounce in the polls while Kerry eats crow. All of this plans designed ahead of time.
That's what I meant.
I had not heard this.
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