Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP

The Hill ^ | 03/28/2007 | Bob Cusack

[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.”

[Def Conservative]

Exactly. The threat of Hillary can’t scare me into voting for ANOTHER liberal.

[fullchroma]

I’ve worked for McCain. I disagree.

Can you give us more on that?

[Tired of Taxes]

I don’t intend to vote for McCain, but I agree with you - this story sounds like the Dems just stirring the pot a bit. They know we’re unhappy with him, so they’re adding to it. JMHO.

[fullchroma]

Amen. All of it.

[supercat]

I don’t intend to vote for McCain, but I agree with you - this story sounds like the Dems just stirring the pot a bit. They know we’re unhappy with him, so they’re adding to it. JMHO.

I don't know why the Democrats would be trying to undermine McCain at this stage of the game. It makes no sense. Not to say they wouldn't do it anyway...

[Senator Goldwater]

now all of the Rudy lovers are heartbroken and wondering how they got stuck with McCain and Romney.

---

I’m not heartbroken. I’m hopeful McCain asks Rudy onto the ticket, which sets him up nicely for 2012 as the incumbent VP when McCain steps down after one term.

[ApplegateRanch]

this story sounds like the Dems just stirring the pot a bit. They know we’re unhappy with him, so they’re adding to it.

Take a look at the date. The story is nearly a year old.

If they were really that prescient, they would know how bad their policies would turn out...

...Whoa! Maybe they are that prescient, and really are hell bent on the destruction of our nation.

[lolhelp]

Since he was so good at what he did then, he should have stated in the business world. Probably did a lot more good than he can in politics.

[Eva]

I knew about McCain’s near defection and I was thinking about it when I read Thomas Sowell’s remark that Benedict Arnold was a war hero, too. It is really a good metaphor.

[ncalburt]

This nothing compared to what his buddies fellows in the dem/socialist media have planned once they have suckered the repub party into making him the nominee.
Mccain sleazy/sneaky past will make the Rudy trashing seem tame.

[khnyny]

I didn’t start with all of the financial advantages of Mitt Romney, but I did employ about a dozen people this past year. I have to make payroll every other week. How about you?

I would bet my last dollar you didn't start out with the intellectual and a whole host of other benefits of a Mitt Romney either, lol. But, that being said, congrats to you. Just don't be jealous or covet. Not cool. Playing the bitter victim is not the American way, unless of course, you jump on the Dem train to no where.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Romney is spending millions of his own money, has put a hold on his life, so he could run for President on a platform that conservatives would drool over. That’s what he has done for us.

IN response, we have questioned his sincerity, doubted his motives, he has been attacked for making money, castigated for his faith, and ridiculed because he has changed his positions to the right ones.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I missed you on the previous thread where the rest of the “stay home and screw america” crowd was languishing about in their gloom and despair.

[morkfork]

He should do NOTHING for us. It is not the job of politicians to do “STUFF” for people. I don’t vote for who does the most for me. I vote for who will get out of my way, hold the line socially and change the Constitution and the American Way the least.

A politician the does the least, from a Washington perspective anyway, probably is governing the best.

And yes, I am a former Thompson supporter going to vote for Romney. He’s the best of the worst out their and the one who, if he is nominated and is elected, owes something to conservatives, not Washington insiders and the plethora of lobbyists. Less than the others anyway.

[PhilDragoo]

[Kevmo]

Well, aren’t the dems glad he didn’t do that... they’ve got the whole game rigged in their favor.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I do find it amazing all the folks around here who seriously think McCain is worse than Romney. Mass hysteria. Are you gonna sit out November if he's the nominee ?

[CharlesWayneCT]

I’ve known him 14 years

Still with that false description of your relationship of 3 months trying to get him elected and 13+ years of stalking him.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Don’t be deceived by people who claim they “know” something.

[lone star annie]

This is really disgusting. I never knew this and I am a political junkie.