Kerry Keeps Recruiting, McCain Keeps Resisting

[AmyStrange]

Kerry Keeps Recruiting, McCain Keeps Resisting
By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer

FROM: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mccain12jun12,1,1161532.story?coll=la-headlines-nation
WASHINGTON — John F. Kerry had more than half a dozen conversations with Sen. John McCain about the prospect of him joining the Democratic presidential ticket, but the Arizona Republican repeatedly told his longtime friend that he was not interested, according to an associate close to McCain.

The Massachusetts senator broached the idea with McCain at least seven times, first raising it about 2 1/2 months ago, the source said Friday. All the conversations occurred over the phone but one, which took place on the floor of the Senate.

The last conversation was about a week ago, the McCain associate said. Each time, he said, McCain "respectfully declined, but firmly."

Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was careful not to formally offer McCain the position. But he did raise the prospect of a joint bipartisan ticket.

<SNIP>

[physioex]

1. I just read this on Google news...

Is this actually true? I can't believe he would pander to a guy who has already signed up to help Shrub. There are plenty of good candidates on our side of the isle from Richardson to Edwards...WTF???

[Maestro]

2. My thoughts exactly

Get away from McCain. There are plenty good democrats out there. Why look at McCain?

[AmyStrange]

3. If you really want to defeat Bush...

you look at all options that will do that. Getting Bush out of office is the most important thing don't you think?
d

[philodox]

4. My guess

Is that Kerry's trying to portray himself as someone who won't look at party affiliation. To me, it's kind of a risky move, since it may alienate democrats who might see him as a wolf in sheeps' clothing.

[LittleApple81]

5. It is a risk that he apparently is willing to take. He takes the

base for granted, wants to win the undecided. I hope it works. It made me upset, then I decided that I would still vote for him...but with a lot less enthusiasm. I call him my WBWCDB (warm body who can defeat Bush).

[shraby]

6. I think it's just a bunch of

noise put out there to upset democrats.

[LittleApple81]

7. I guess you have missed all the threads discussing this in GD.

Many people here agree that it is probably true that Kerry as made the offer because he knows it would be rejected. And many DUers call it an brilliant political move.

[emulatorloo]

14. Run to the Center - Rule from the Left

Politics 101

For a recent example, George Bush ran to the Center, and now he is ruling from the extreme Right.

[AndyTiedye]

8. He Must Think This is the Only Way He Can Win the Election

and actually be allowed to take office.

He cannot prevail against the BFEE without allies in the less-visible parts of the government.

This is nonetheless a very dangerous course for Kerry.
We know what they did to the last Democratic President from Massachussetts
with the initials "JFK" who had a more conservative and warlike VP.

[Booster]

21. I'm with you....

I find this extremely embarrassing for the Democratic party. If Kerry really does keep on asking, after McCain said absolutely NO, then Kerry will start to look pathetic and desperate, not strong and in control. Give it up, Kerry.

[ugarte]

9. McCain to Kerry: "I'll only take the top spot"

Knowing McCain.

[Leilani]

10. I believed that Kerry was using this to irk Bush & Rove

however if it is true that he has discussed this with McCain so many times, it is probably true for a couple of reasons.

1. Kerry & McCain are friends...the comfort level.
2. Kerry knows McCain...he can trust him implicitly; I think he has
more integrity than anyone else I know of in politics. ( And do not
throw Keating 5 at me.) He knows it was wrong, & has spent years
trying to make up for it.
3. McCain is too old to run for the Presidency in 2008 or beyond...
his political ambitions would not threaten Kerry.
4. He is mega qualified.
5. After 5 1/2 years as a POW, he is shock proof; he will not go
wobbly during a crisis.
6. Kerry knows the political atmosphere in the country is poison & I
think he would like to bring the country together, in order to
govern effectively.
7. Winning! I think if he announced McCain, the election would be a
done deal.

However, it will not happen for several reasons:

1. There is just too much disagreement on issues.
2. McCain would not make a good 2nd banana for anyone. People who
know McCain say there is a reason he flew 1 seaters in the Navy.
3 McCain really believes in the Republican party of Teddy Roosevelt
& Abraham Lincoln, & he feels he can do more good by trying to fix
the Republicans.

I supported John McCain in 2000. I disagreed with him on many issues, but admired the man. I also admired his campaign...a Reform agenda..
to take big money out of Washington, & give power back to the people.
He took on the Fundies, which won my heart, because most people are afraid of them. Also, he never discussed the Fundie agenda; that is not where his agenda is. He also wanted to slash Pentagon spending, he
supports stem cell research, & is big on environmental issues.

I now support Wes Clark for Veep...he brings gravitas to the ticket.
I do not think the average voter knows much about him. But if they were informed, I think he could bring many of the same attributes as McCain, however, as a Democratic Liberal, agreeing with Kerry on the issues.

[WilliamPitt]

15. Nice post

Thanks.

[Leilani]

24. Thank you for the compliment

I believe John Kerry is trying to find the best Veep candidate.

The dance behind-the-scenes seems to be 2 friends trying to work something out, however finding it impossible.

[Scoopie]

18. Speaking of independent voters

...isn't it ironic how many former McCainites (primary 2000) who are now Clark fans?
Just an observation.
I voted for McCain, too.
I wanted Gore, but would have been just as happy with McCain. ABB since 1999!!! :)

[Leilani]

23. I think Clark fans see many of the same qualities

that they liked in McCain.

Service to country
Bravery & Courage
Integrity
Honesty...not afraid to speak out against the powers that be
Sincerity...people believe them
Gravitas
Great knowledge of foreign policy, defense, etc.
McCain: Annapolis grad; Clark: West Point grad

[bklyncowgirl]

11. Can't blame a man for trying.

I remember reading somewhere that Kerry once talked about what he was looking for in a Vice President. The interesting thing is that, while most of us are interested in who's going to help win the election, he was looking beyond that to who can do the best at the job. He was particularly interested in choosing someone with excellent qualifications, who he works well with, and who could be entrusted to handle certain areas of policy.

McCain would give Kerry an electorial boost and is someone Kerry knows from past experience that he can work with. I don't know if any of the other people being considered bring the combination of swing voter appeal, experience in both foreign and domestic policy, charisma and a personal relationship with Kerry.

I don't think the McCain thing is going to happen. I'd personally prefer Kerry pick a Democrat although I don't have a favorite candidate. Given Kerry's criteria, however, it's not surprising he'd try and recruit McCain.

[wyldwolf]

12. This reminds me of the "Dean asked Clark to be VP" controversy here...

Officially, never happened. Unofficially, it did.

[emulatorloo]

13. Thanks for that blast frm the past. . .Yes it is just like that. . .

I had forgotten the endless threads on that one/

[randr]

16. What is interesting to me

is that Kerry and many Democrates in general are willing to look at the possibilities and advantages of a bi-partisan administration.
One of the biggest problems we are facing is the rift in our society between the political parties.
I am proud to belong to a party that recognizes this as an issue and is not afraid to move toward a solution.

[Scoopie]

17. And I still think this is all hogwash

The delusions of a bored media who isn't used to having a nominee so long before the convention.
The Reagan-fest left them as bored as it did us by the time it was over, so they have to find something to fill pages with. This use of unnamed sources is a clue.
We're not talking about a life or death situation here, so why won't these people go on record? If they're making an accurate prediction and they honestly believe it's the truth, wouldn't that make them a hero to the public for outting this information? Of course it would, but since it's a bunch of hooey, no one's going to claim it.
I think Kerry HAS been talking to McCain. But I think he's been talking to him about being in his cabinet - possibly Def. Sec. or Homeland Security or even NSA - and not about VP.
But, if Kerry wants to attract some disgruntled Republicans and fence-sitting Independents by allowing this charade to go on, big deal.

[MoonRiver]

19. This is 100% Rethug propaganda.

People on DU should be smart enough not to keep falling for it over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. I thought we had an average IQ level higher than *'s. But I guess its that bell curve thing.

:thumbsdown: to this garbage.

[DrFunkenstein]

22. Yes, GOP Civil War Is "Rethug Propaganda"

C'mon, do you really think a perceived fissure is really in their best interest?

The perception of Kerry-McCain:

1. Kerry is truly a uniter, not divider.

2. The GOP rats are jumping ship.

As long as this stays in the media, I am thrilled because it is fantastic. Talk of "bipartisanship" only reinforces how partisan the GOP is.

[zulchzulu]

20. Put a fork in the McCain VP nom...it's done

I'm glad Kerry did the outreach. It got independents to look at Kerry. It made headlines. It scared the Freepers.

[beavus]

25. so all independents are disgruntled neo-cons?

or just the ones who arent neo-cons are not allowed to have an opinion?
That the feeling I get reading the spin about Kerry trying to pander to independents.