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.

[Gothmog]

Other news about this bio/epilogue have focused on McCain running for president. This is the first I have seen that indicates McCain would deliberately force the issue and make the Senate Dem controlled as a preliminary move to running for president.

Only a prediction, and I do not know anything about the author. But, if true, doesn't it sound like McCain is not only waiting for the outcome of the elections, but also the outcome of military action? In other words, no principled opposition beforehand, but if it goes badly he would consider using it for political/personal gain.

[weikel]

If McCain had by some horrible disaster won the Republican nomination I would have supported Gore.

[Thane_Banquo]

If the Democrats keep getting people to switch party in order to gain control of the Senate, they'll start pissing the American people off really quick.

[anniegetyourgun]

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

[citizenK]

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.

[Recovering_Democrat]

gossip mongering. I'm surprised the Hill is engaged in such shenanigans. I think McLame is a jerk, but I also don't think he'll switch parties.

[weikel]

And you believe him. Yeah the Sudtenland was flatly stated by Hitler as his last territorial demand in Europe.

[Cincinatus]

A completely stupid thesis. Why on Earth would McCain switch, when by remaining in the GOP as a "maverick" and being a big pain in the butt, he gets all this fawning, slobbering media attention? Or, to put it another way, when was the last time Jim Jeffords was on Meet The Press?

McCain switch to the Dems? Don't make me laugh.

[comebacknewt]

I think Independent is a reasonable possibility, but I can't picture McCain becoming a RAT.

[weikel]

We should be bribing blackmailing democrats to become Republicans they have enough dirty laundry that they are vunerable to blackmail.

[Samwise]

He's a jerk, but he's our jerk.

[ladtx]

....McCain has no idea, really, what he's going to do.

Well that about sums up the whole McCain problem doesn't it?

[TheGrimReaper]

McCain Switching Parties?

What's this? Ol' John may actually become a Republican??

[Mr. Mojo]

If memory serves, McShame was the only Senate Repub to vote against the repeal of the estate tax a few months back. This POS is a leftist puke through and through, and quite frankly I'd be surprised if he didn't switch parties.

[js1138]

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.

Not out of principle, but because it would be suicide.

[areafiftyone]

He was also on Chris Matthews Hardball College tour and he said he is NOT running for president and will NOT switch parties. I don't think McCain would do it. He knows he would lose.

[rwfromkansas]

Right. Folks, McCain is not like the other guys.......HIS IDENTITY IS BEING A MAVERICK REPUBLICAN.....he would never throw this all away to become an Independent or Dem. This is his identity.

[SoDak]

He would be just another Dem if he switched parties, one that the Dems wouldn't trust either. This way, he can be a RINO siding with the Dems and be a star because of it. Why would he switch? He wouldn't.

[weikel]

Your probably right.

[savedbygrace]

So this bit of news being broadcast by McCainiacs is supposed to do what? Keep people from voting Republican? Ha, how silly!