Posted on 01/31/2008 7:52:48 PM PST by Hoodat
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.
At the end of their March 31, 2001 lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Bethesda, Md., Downey said Weaver asked why Democrats hadn’t asked McCain to switch parties.
Downey, a well-connected lobbyist, said he was stunned.
“You’re really wondering?” Downey said he told Weaver. “What do you mean you’re wondering?”
“Well, if the right people asked him,” Weaver said, according to Downey, adding that he responded, “The calls will be made. Who do you want?” Weaver this week said he did have lunch with Downey that spring, pointing out that he and Downey “are very good friends.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Where was Romney during the Republican Revolution? (Hiding from Newt Gingrich)
Where was Romney during the Reagan/Bush years? ("I was an independent then")
It was Romney's job as a Republican governor to HELP REPUBLICANS. Reagan spent four years (1976-1980) speaking at every Republican rubber chicken dinner across the country, helping Republicans raise money and run for office.
So it IS the politician's job to help people in his own party. Feel free to list all of the contributions Mitt Romney has made to conservatives in the GOP.
As I stated before, I employed about a dozen people last year.
How many people do you have on YOUR payroll?
Ping.
And if Romney found himself running against Reagan, he would be "moderate" running up the middle where Giuliani and McCain are today.
“Actions have consequences my friend” as Sen. McCain likes to say.
I haven't heard anyone saying Romney is the Second Coming. I have heard a lot of folks (me included) saying he is the only viable alternative.
But then Reagan is dead, so Mitt is the most conservative of the three available candidates...unless you plan on raising Reagan from the grave.
Correction. Mitt is not a consevative. He NOW CLAIMS to be one.
He reminds me of the guy who finds Jesus the day before he is to meet with the parole board at his prison.
We hope it is true, but it sounds really fishy.
Screw you. How much money did Romney START with? Did he start with nothing? Or did he start with millions in the bank and load of contacts of people loyal to his dad?
Ohhh, so it’s really class envy that generates your hostility towards Mitt, not his recent conversion to Conservatism...Okay I understand now.
No. It was you who compared me to Romney by stating that my success “pales in comparision” to his.
So it YOUR ignorance that I am hostile toward.
BTW, let’s now talk about YOUR success.
How many jobs have you created? How many people on YOUR payroll?
I'm e-mailing my California family (leaning McCain) with this right now. They are Reaganites, I can't believe they would fall for this Democrat stooge.
Actually- it’s not coming out late- the date of this piece is about a year ago.
Scary, huh?
Name one person he bribed.
Fill in the blank. Do it now:___________________________.
Where is my hammer and nail picture ....
Romney is also the only one of those creeps who doesn't get a government check.
Imagine that.
The rest are on the old political welfare system.
Romney is far from ideal. But he actually publicly ENDORSES conservative positions, whatever his past.
And has not spend 25 years referring to conservative Republicans as "chickens#@$" and "Mother^%.
How many inmates “endorse” Christianity in their parole hearings?
Forgive me if his “conservative endorsements” sound a little shallow and fake to me.
1. Romney hasn't been on the government teat all his life;
2. He hasn't stabbed us in the back!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.