What's this? Obama longs for GOP rival like McCain

Google/AP ^ | June 2, 2012 | JULIE PACE, AP

[Innovative]

President Barack Obama seems to think that the world of politics would be better if someone like John McCain were running for the White House.

It's all a way of drawing a contrast with Obama's current GOP rival, Mitt Romney, and trying to convince crucial independent voters that the former Massachusetts governor is outside the mainstream.

But Obama's flattering memories of McCain conflict with their campaign clashes of 2008. Back then, Obama hammered his rival as "out of touch" with many of the problems facing people in the United States.

Today's platitudes also conceal the reality of Obama's current dynamic with McCain. The senator is one of the president's staunchest critics on everything from health care to foreign policy, and he's a vocal Romney supporter.

Obama's take on McCain has become a standard part of his fundraising appeal to donors. As the general election heats up, the Obama campaign is relishing more opportunities to try to turn its former foe into an asset.

When Romney didn't condemn his supporter Donald Trump for raising more questions this week about the president's citizenship, the Obama campaign dug up old video clips of McCain correcting supporters in the 2008 who said they were scared of Obama and one clip of a supporter who thought he was an "Arab."

"As the Republican nominee, John McCain stood up to the voices of extremism in his party," an Obama Internet video says. It then asks why Romney won't do the same.

[radiohead]

I just need to post because this strikes me as so crazy and bizarre. When have we had a sitting president wish to run against a former opponent?

What is wrong with this guy? Does he want the GOP to just throw Mitt over and bring in McCain to suit him?