Posted on 03/24/2008 8:10:44 AM PDT by ninonitti
WASHINGTON Senator John McCain never fails to call himself a conservative Republican as he campaigns as his partys presumptive presidential nominee. He often adds that he was a foot soldier in the Reagan revolution and that he believes in the bedrock conservative principles of small government, low taxes and the rights of the unborn.
What Mr. McCain almost never mentions are two extraordinary moments in his political past that are at odds with the candidate of the present: His discussions in 2001 with Democrats about leaving the Republican Party, and his conversations in 2004 with Senator John Kerry about becoming Mr. Kerrys running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.
There are wildly divergent versions of both episodes, depending on whether Democrats or Mr. McCain and his advisers are telling the story. The Democrats, including Mr. Kerry, say that not only did Mr. McCain express interest but that it was his camp that initially reached out to them. Mr. McCain and his aides counter that in both cases the Democrats were the suitors and Mr. McCain the unwilling bride.
Either way, the episodes shed light on a bitter period in Mr. McCains life after the 2000 presidential election, when he was, at least in policy terms, drifting away from his own party. They also offer a glimpse into his psychological makeup and the difficulties in putting a label on his political ideology over many years in the Senate.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Timing is everything ;-)
They do seem inseperable lately...
On the bright side, I can’t see this article making him LESS palatable to Democrats who can’t stand or don’t trust their candidate, but don’t want to vote for a doctrinaire conservative for President.
Better McCain than Hillary or Obama!
IIRC, Rush mentioned that at a meeding with a Jewish group, McCain’s rep mentioned that the “Christian right” was a serious problem.
Yeah, but the point is that the NYT prefers Clinton and Obama to McCain. That’s all I need to know.
LOL. . .yes and we can smell the smoke of some serious thinking going on here. . .
.. .but again, think Lieberman is not a worry - most likely Cabinet or 'State' for him; but do wish there were more to realistically choose from for VP.
A 'Fred fan'; but he does not ease the 'age' thing with McCain - or appear to; nor does the image of 'two white-haired, white men' as per Charlie Crist exactly cut it. Lindsey Graham is OTOH; a baby-faced loser IMHO.
So, still looks like 'slim-pickens' from here. Would be great for McCain to have what is perceived as an 'exciting ticket'. Just don't see a dynamic duo lining up here.
It's amazing how many people here at FR still think "republican" and "conservative" are synonymous. Yes, McCain is a republican. No, he is not a conservative.
I guess we now know what they were talking about at the big "summit," eh?
I had similar thoughts, but I want him to select a rino or a rat for vp that way they go down with him and we nominate a conservative in 2012
Be thankful if it's not Kerry or Kennedy!
No, he's going to pick Ms. Linsey Graham. This way he'll sew up the Southern vote, and he can have two first ladies in the Oval Office.
Kennedy would be a de facto adviser in a McCain White House. Maybe President McCain could invite him up for "sandwiches".
Good one! LOL!
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