Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP

The Hill ^ | March 29, 2007 | Bob Cusack

[jubail]

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001, weeks before then-Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) famously announced his decision to become an Independent, according to former Democratic lawmakers who say they were involved in the discussions.

In interviews with The Hill this month, former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and ex-Rep. Tom Downey (D-N.Y.) said there were nearly two months of talks with the maverick lawmaker following an approach by John Weaver, McCain’s chief political strategist.

Democrats had contacted Jeffords and then-Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) in the early months of 2001 about switching parties, but in McCain’s case, they said, it was McCain’s top strategist who came to them.

[theDentist]

You mean he stayed? Looking at his votes, I wonder. Go on John, run for Pres as a Dem.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm shocked! I thought McCain was the last Reagan Republican in the party.

I have to run know the mothership is waiting.

[cricket]

All too pathetic. Can only say I appreciate his stand for our Military and the War.

Too bad he could not muster some personal loyalty for the rest of Repub Party principles to go with it.

[drpix]

They are out to damage him but the timing makes me think it's for another reason. If it was because of his run for the GOP nomination, they would have broken this story when he was running strong not now when he's fading on his own. I think, because he is weak, they don't want to tolerate his pro Iraq stance any longer and have decided to weaken him further.

[ZULU]

John "Judas" McLame will NEVER be President or be nominated by the GOP.

Of the three looser currently supported by the mainstream media, Giuliani is the most likely as the least offensive.

But hopefully SOMEONE - perhaps FRED THOMPSON - will rescue his party - and the Nation - from a devil's choice in 2008.

[MovementConservative]

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001...

That's a problem. I was softening a little toward McCain because of his strong support of the Iraq war and the fact he is a real American hero.

If Romney isn't electable, it's time to step up the draft Fred Thompson campaign.

[Little Ray]

Don't let the door hit you on the @$$ on the way out, McCain...

[magslinger]

You posted the composite vote. McCain didn't do that well with members only.
Member Opinion
Fred Thompson 47.3% 635
Duncan Hunter 17.2% 231
Newt Gingrich 9.5% 127
Rudy Giuliani 9.4% 126
Undecided/pass 5.1% 68
Ron Paul 3.8% 51
Mit Romney 3.2% 43
Tom Tancredo 3.2% 43
Other 1.0% 13
John McCain 0.4% 6
100.1% 1,343

[OldPossum]

Re post 13, you mean that to this minute the Rudybots account for only 10 percent? I hope that such a percentage holds. It'll prove that they have a crocodile mouth but backed up by only a hummingbird ass.

[bnelson44]

The Hill is a liberal paper, I think. So the question is why are the Dems attacking him now and not later?

[Let's Roll]

Right ... I mean, who knew?

[Red Badger]

Boy, we sure were lucky, huh?!?!?!?!?!........

[dirtboy]

Note that McCain contacted the Democrats first about switching parties. The Dems did not initiate the idea. And there are actually Republicans that want this guy to lead the party in 2008?

Hmmm ... McCain or Rudy. The guy who thought about becoming a Democrat, versus the guy who should go ahead and become a Democrat, given his views are more consistent with the Dem platform than the GOP platform.

Lovely choice. I think I'll wait for a better one.

[drpix]

You dislike the man even more than I do. I gave him the benefit of 00.3% more popularity.

[Lecie]

This rumor has been around for a long time. Back in June 2001 McCain said, "I have no intention of leaving the Republican Party, nor have I ever displayed any intention." Today a McCain spokeman told Power Line blog.."John McCain never considered leaving the Republican party. Any statement to the contrary is inaccurate and merely election year politics."

I suspect this is nothing more than some denizens inhabiting the world of politics who have set out to negate McCain's extremely effective voice on the war and his opposition to the "retreat and defeat" bill passed in Congress.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

The surprise is that we are willing to fall all over ourselves to believe what a Democrat strategist is quoted in the Hill as saying about a Republican candidate.

I am no fan McCain, but I agree with your assessment here.

[AntiGuv]

McCain wouldn't fit the left's anti-war agenda anyway.

What makes you think that McCain's position du jour has anything to do with core principle? When in doubt, consult my tagline.

[drpix]

Why now and not later? He's fading now on his own. He can't even raise money anymore. So I've got to ask: Why - if they feared his nomination - didn't they hit him earlier when he was a real contender?

[Triggerhippie]

Truthfully, I've never met anyone who is 'for' McCain. On the forum or in person.

I've met some in person. Those people happened to be democrat party folks, though.

[zook]

No, I believe these Democrats are lying. Or else like like smitten spinsters, they got their hopes up over political sweet talk.