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.”

[CharlesWayneCT]

This story has been around for years. At one time it was said McCain was upset because he was going to “save” the senate and then Jeffords got the credit and the plumb assignments from the democrats.

[isrul]

The morons will still dutifully vote for the war “hero”. Even though he hasn’t been anything but a lying, dishonorable, back stabbing devil for years.

[RegT]

I’m pretty much resigned to the GOP losing in ‘08 anyway. Romney or McCain makes no difference. Compared to the Dem debate tonight, the Reagan debate yesterday was absolutely pathetic. There was no energy in the crowd and the sniping between the candidates was ridiculous.

After eight years of Bush disappointment, this is their moment. Ours will come again in another eight years, perhaps.

[Zack Attack]

I guess McCain decided it would be funnier to wait. Watch him switch parties if he wins the presidency.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Proof of my stalking him, asshat. Put up or shut up.

[Biblebelter]

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 ?

I will never vote for McCain. I believe on the domestic front we would be better off with Hillary Clinton. It would give Republicans something to unite against. If McCain gets elected there WILL BE AMNESTY and there will be a GREATER chance of National healthcare than there would be with Hillary. McCain does not say much about national healthcare but be assured, whatever legislation Teddy Kennedy wants to write McCain will accept.

[khnyny]

Amen. (Just for informational purposes, IIRC, amen is ancient aramaic for “yes, I agree”.)

Imho, Romney does not “need” the US, but the US may need Romney. Watching the vultures picking at Romney reminds me of how rare it actually is that a decent, humble, viable American will actually subject themselves and their family to this bs.

[sinanju]

It’s too bad he didn’t switch, like jumpin’ Jim Jeffords, he would have gone from maverick superstar to nobody overnight.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Watching the vultures picking at Romney reminds me of how rare it actually is that a decent, humble, viable American will actually subject themselves and their family to this bs."

Romney decent ? Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha !!!! Tell that to the Mauck family. What a maroon !

[linn37]

So now its Bush’s fault? Think again. He does’nt control the nominees or the voters.

[Uri’el-2012]

Is John McCain a war hero ?

Served US Army 1958 - 1964 E5 SP-5

[fieldmarshaldj]

You’re probably right. But I guarantee you as bad as McCain is, we already know Romney is worse. He’ll have gay marriage, $50 abortions, liberal judges, socialized medicine and a dead national GOP within 4 years. The shamnesty will probably be a gimme, too.

[STARWISE]

McCain is a NIGHTMARE and UNFIT
to be the GOP nominee, and especially
to be CIC.

PLEASE let Romney include this
opportunist thought of lousy
betrayal in his commercials.

[lone star annie]

McCain-Kennedy was an attempt to totally destroy the GOP through numbers. It is clear to me now what this vengeful, spiteful man is up to.

[lonestar]

What has Romney done for us?

What entitlement program are you on?

[CaspersGh0sts]

I should add to your excellent assessment that McCain also attempted to block amendments that would have denied Social Security benefits for work done illegally here in the US by those using fraudulent IDs to obtain said work.

Amnesty wasn’t enough for McCain. He wanted the whole treasure chest open.

[devolve]

.

Cindy McCain’s huge Budweiser huge distributorship has the deal to market Mexican Corona beer in the USA

Keep it simple and you’ll see John McCain in Keating Five deals thruout his whole taxpayer paid career

Look at Kerry & McCain on the Vietnam MIA-POW whitewash

Both made big financial deals with Vietnam Commies tied to their traitorous conspiracy

[CaspersGh0sts]

“Proof of my stalking him, asshat.”

I’m going to jump in here and declare that your posting history ought to be proof enough.

[newzjunkey]

Don’t you think voters should be fully informed before casting their lots in the presidential primaries?

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’d watch your mouth, newbie. Exposing the agenda of a liberal isn’t stalking. But you seem to have mastered the art of spamming for a liberal candidate.