McCain Switching Parties?

Roll Call, "Heard on the Hill" ^ | 10/31/02 | Ed Henry

[Gothmog]

The epilogue of a new biography of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) flat out predicts that if Republicans win the Senate by one seat, the maverick will switch parties to swing control of the chamber back to Democrats. Author Paul Alexander, a political writer who hosts a popular radio show based in New York, writes in the epilogue that the Senator would then decide whether to launch a presidential campaign early next year.

Alexander writes in the book to be released Friday, "Man of the People: The Life of John McCain," that he floated the following scenario to an unnamed "McCain staffer" over lunch.

"If the control of the Senate returns to the Republicans by one seat, McCain could change parties and reclaim the power in the Senate for the Democrats,"Alexander told the McCain staffer. "That way, if he decides to run for president as a Democrat or as an Independent, he could also affect the control of the Senate at the same time.

"No matter what, he won't do anything before the midterm election. After that, he has to make up his mind by January or February. Otherwise, he won't have enough time to put together a presidential campaign."

The McCain staffer replied, "That's it exactly. Only here's the thing, McCain has no idea, really, what he's going to do."

Alexander added that McCain's former presidential staffers have been approached about another run.

McCain's chief of staff, Mark Salter, did not return a call from HOHseeking comment on the book.

[AmericaUnited]

This is garbage. I don't like McInsane but do believe him when he says he won't switch.

[citizenK]

Come to think of it, maybe it was Chris Matthews show I was watching. I tune into that blowhard so infrequently that I don't remember. I do remember distinctively hearing McCain say on TV though, that he would not switch parties.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Thanks to McCain, I got off my butt and attended my first Republican caucus just to vote against him.

[SunStar]

NO WAY IN HELL MCCAIN JUMPS SHIP.

Lincoln Chafee definitely will, if the GOP regains control by one seet, however.

[Clintons a commie]

He was campaigning for Forrester, right? He wants the GOP to regain control, just so he can cause a firestorm by switching back?

He also campaigned for Jeb in Florida. I doubt he would do that if he was on the verge of switching parties.

[Cyber Liberty]

"Can't you two plan a long trip to a dangerous third world nation for this guy?"

It's been tried.

[LS]

Chaffee, maybe, but not McCain right now, due only to the fact that Iraq is HIS BALIWICK, and he knows the Dems are squishy, as Lady Thatcher used to say.

[Maelstrom]

Told ya so.

[Wil H]

FWIW, I heard McCain in an interview recently (on Fox News? H&C I think, but I don't recall the particular program) and he stated flat out that he would never leave the Republican party and become a democrat.

What's your point?

He's a known liar.

[lonestar]

A bit premature since McCain has not switched parties.

If I was talking only about switching parties you'd be correct, however, I think Phil Gramm has more integrity than John McCain. It's about priorities in their personal lives.

John McCain strikes me as a narcisstic personality.

As for running for president, I think McCain's most recent bout with cancer takes him out of running.

[Tax-chick]

I know so many Vietnam vets who really respected John McCain for his stand as a prisoner of war. It's terribly sad that he's sunk to this level. The Parliament of Whores ...

[cavtrooper21]

Sleeper Agent.....

[reg45]

McCain is a USNA graduate. The Honor code at the USNA states that midshipmen will not lie or cheat or tolerate liars or cheaters. Given that how could he possibly become a Democrat!

[reg45]

Zell Miller with an R next to his name.

As in Retired.

[reg45]

Why would they run a "newcomer", when there are so many long term Democrats who want the job (President).

[lewislynn]

How would we know the difference when he does?

[Cosmo]

He's been saying it for a while now. I don't think he or Chafee are threats to bolt.

[BillyBoy]

>> Zell Miller with an R next to his name.
As in Retired. <<

That would be nice, but with so many "conservatives" worshiping Miller, especially on FR, he'll be around for a while. Miller was one of McCain's BIGGEST supporters of "campaign finance reform" but for some reason, freepers only notice the Republicans who support it. Paul Coverdell is spinning in his grave.

[OldFriend]

Alexander trying to create buzz for his biography of McCain. My guess is that the books is NOT selling.

[Rensselaer]

The Democrats would never nominate McCain -- the left-wing base of the party wouldn't stand for it (and they control the party and have since 1972). The only "value" McCain has for the Democrat quest for the presidency is for him to act as a "spoiler" for Bush or whoever follows him. To do so requires that he remain a Republican.

First, I agree with Cincinatus. Second, I don't read the staffer's response as necessarily going to everything the author said, but more likely only the last paragraph about timing a run for the presidency.

Finally, get a grip, folks. McCain is a self-righteous, demogogic jerk, and I can't stand him, but he's not a liberal. He still publicly supports personal savings accounts for social security; favors a strong military; opposes lots of pork-barrell spending. He's been out there campaigning for Republicans. He's moved away from his roots and become one of the more liberal GOP senators, but he's not a liberal in any absolute sense.