Better Best Forgotten: McCain Rarely Mentions Talk Of Leaving GOP

New York Times:

Senator John McCain never fails to call himself a conservative Republican as he campaigns as his party's 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. Kerry's 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. McCain's 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.

Keep reading.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[MikeDu]

01:22 PM on 03/24/2008

My respect for Senator Kerry just fell through the floor. Was he really having discussions with repub McCain about being the *Democratic* VP nominee but instead went for frickin' Lieberman? Hell, why not ask Rush Limbaugh to be your running mate while you're at it! ...and a man shall be known by the company he keeps.

[GingerB]

03:28 AM on 03/25/2008

John Edwards was Kerry's running mate, not Lieberman.

[huffhuffpass]

11:00 AM on 03/24/2008

I'm curious, whenever there is a story on Obama that could potentially damage his campaign the media is all over it and play them on continual loops and usually is the main topic of discussion on the 24hr news networks, but when there are stories of either Clinton or McCain they get little or no play at all.

EXAMPLE: McCain ties to controversial ministers, his gaffe on confusing Iran with assisting Sunni militia, the fact that he is touring Europe and the Middle East with Lieberman an ex democratic senator and liberal.

Clinton's stories of being under sniper fire when visiting Bosnia with her then 16 year old daughter by her side when there is proof she wasn't, her own ties to controversial ministries, her taxes, and her First Lady schedule that has NOT proved her readiness as Commander in Chief.

Makes me think about their loyalty and affiliation with LOBBYIST whom they owe favors and likewise owes them the same. Mainly TELECOM companies!

[tumblewind]

09:41 AM on 03/24/2008

I would have voted for McCain if he had switched sides and ran with Kerry! But, I will not vote Republican under any circumstances. If you are in the RNC you toe the party line or they will force you out. Their agenda is to far to the right for my tastes. You either tout the far right agenda or your ostracized. I won't vote Republican again until they clean up the corruption in their party (voter fraud included). Until they lose all the religious nuts. Until they lose all the right wing party hacks that have infested the airwaves for years. Until they start caring a little about the American worker who is suffering. Until they lose a lot of their nasty attitudes and etc. Ronald Reagan did more to start the Republican Party on the downward side than anyone else has. A lot of the current Bush's policies were started by Reagan. I grew to despise the man and started looking for someone else to vote for. A liberal looks damned good compared to a venomous right wing nut!

[Crozier]

09:06 AM on 03/24/2008

The world stands in amazement that the Republican Party and its surprise presumptive nominee, septuagenarian McCain, would be viable following two terms of George Walker Bush.

Of course, those who understand US realpolitik understand it well. Corporate fascism has a stranglehold on the economic, political and social fabric of the nation. Both historic political entities have been hijacked and rendered impotent to the Corporate borg. K Street lobbyists have outrightly bought both significant congressional leaders and write their legislation to strip human beings of their rights over corporations. Billions are spent on Corporation-owned MSM to subliminally convince the US voter that the NWO is both inevitable and impossible to reverse.

Of course, deeply closeted billionaire activists enjoy their ability to literally choose and crown the two nominees of the historical parties. This time, they chose Guiliani v Clinton. When Guiliani folded, they told McCain it was his if he swore a blood oath to support the Corporate Borg.

On the Democratic side, the Corporate Borg has long since stopped worrying about the Democratic Leadership Council and the Blue Dog caucuses. This majority contingent of the Democratic party owns the Congressional leadership. Their allegiance to Corporate globalism is equal to the Neocon.
The founding leaders of this DINO group is of course, the Clintons, Lieberman, Zell Miller, for example.

Entitlement concepts are clear. If the Corporate Borgs have promised a coronation, how dare anyone to stop the slide to banana republic fascism with only a few families sharing the presidential role?

The Borg is fallible. They miscalculated who this Senator Obama was. A first-term federal legislator, and an African-American who is in fact, biracial....white and black. This was just Jesse Jackson with an education and an ability to re-engage voters for former President Clinton and his wife to share the presidency and WH for a second eight years. The former president said as much.....the first "black president" did not want a real one to replace he and his wife when the Corporate Borg said it was theirs.

The Corporate Borg is responsible, along with the Clinton campaign, to counterattack with a scorched earth strategy. The MSM is actually and unbelievably, handicapping the race to John McCain to replace George Bush. The Superdelegates are remaining silent because the Borg has threatened any attempt to end the race and tell the Clintons to cease and desist and suspend their attempts to destroy the presumptive Democratic nominee, Senator Obama.

What is next? A dead woman or a live boy in bed with both of them on secret cam video.?A black Mass where they sing to the Devil and have Reverend Wright officiate and rant during the service?
What is the Corporate Borg strategy. It matters little or not at all to them if it is either the Clinton Co-Presidency or the McCain-Lieberman ticket.

An awakened American sheeple? No, absolutely not. It took billions to make Bubba and Bubbette vote against their own economic and political interests. Cynical boomers reawakened to the possibility of a second Camelot? That is poison to the DLC and to the Borg. Hopelessness is the weapon of choice.

My only prayer is that these truths will become self-evident and that Senator Obama is elected the 44th President of the United States. The world awaits such a redemptive act..

[ProudNeoCon]

08:55 AM on 03/24/2008

That should be good for McCain in general election... It will be harder for Democrats to paint him as Bush clone...

[VOTER]

09:30 AM on 03/24/2008

Huh?

WAKE UP!

You are dreaming about SWISS CHEESE!

[VOTER]

08:51 AM on 03/24/2008

Several of my Republican friends wish McCain had left the Party. They dislike him and can't

stand having him as their Party's Candidate. LOL

Real Respect For McCain, the GOP Nominee, is hard to find among Republican Party Members.

[mouselion]

08:50 AM on 03/24/2008

Hey, stay away from my girl! Take your eyes off of her and go dance with the old wrinkled lady in the corner like your supposed to!

[VivaZapata]

08:40 AM on 03/24/2008

he used to be slippery when wet, but now he's too ossified, and when not holding the microphone as if it were a crutch or a crucifix, he looks like he's about to fall over. increasingly, he's going to need joey l., the kissing bandit, to whisper sweet nothings in his ear.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

08:39 AM on 03/24/2008

The Republican Party tent has become to small tilted toward the right wing for moderate Republicans not from the Bible belt to survive politically, which has been illustrated by Lincoln Chaffee’s defeat in O6 and honorable man of principle who lost in 06 because he had an R next to his name. All of the independents currently in the Senate as well as the House with the exception of Lebercon have been voting more progressive than the Republican Party they left. I am no fan of Ronald Regan because he turned on the moderate and conservative Democrats who put their trust in him by giving their vote. The beginnings of our decline as industrial power and creditor nation can be traced back to Ronald Regan. I find it so ironic that current conservatives believe that they can trace their principles to Regan, when his own polices on taxes, immigration, pulling out of Beirut, and pro big spending, big government, would make him unelectable today. Generation X weaned on right wing talk radio and media has made being a moderate or centrist is the Republican Party today impossible in the Bush era. This country has been so poorly lead in 7+ years by Bush holier than thou blood lust and Cheney’s sheer arrogance and zero tolerances for decent and incompetence for compromise on any issue has marginalized the future of the GOP.

[thatsNotWhatIHeard]

08:26 AM on 03/24/2008

I swear HuffPo, I'm not one of those snooty grammar-police types, but every time I see "Better Best" and not "Better Left" it bugs the ____ outta me. ....Ah, but checking again, its not anyone here's fault (see? "anyone here's", I'm with you guys!), its with the NYTimes.... who are apparently in the market for a new editor...

[EspritDeVoltaire]

07:59 AM on 03/24/2008

This is still more evidence that Senator Clinton's utter desecration of a fellow Democrat has more behind it than a last ditch attempt at the nomination. I believe that there is a good possibility that a cross party ticket with Senator McCain is under way. Both her comments as well as Bill's indicate this as a possibility since they both praise Senator McCain over Senator Obama. They may believe her supporters will follow her to the Republican camp as her Senate voting record has been Republican already.

Senator McCain would have little to lose as the section of his party which he would forfeit will only vote for him if he opposes Senator Clinton in the general election. I cannot see the Evangelicals voting for him unless he runs against Senator Clinton as a large number of them favor Senator Obama even if their leadership does not.

[bish66]

08:32 AM on 03/24/2008

No, that is bulls#t. If we see a mixed ticket, it will be McCain-Liebermann.

McCain is a good man and both Democratic candidates mention themself in connection with senator McCain. Obama points out that he is the best candidate to tackle McCain, despite the fact that polls show Obama crushed by McCain in all kinds of states, including liberal stronghold Massachusetts. He even talks as if the nomination is already won, despite the fact that there are still lots of states out there.

Clinton praises McCain, because he is a praiseworthy opponent, no doubt about that. She uses him to draw a contrast to Obama and I think that is fine. Let us first see how the nomination plays out and let us not worry about who McCain's running mate might be.

[EspritDeVoltaire]

09:11 AM on 03/24/2008

I believe your argument hit a rock and sank with "McCain is a good man". Senator McCain is certainly a force with which to be reckoned. He is not inept as some here portray him. However, good and praiseworthy are not a terms which I would use to describe him. His record of corruption goes back at the very least to the Keating 5 and Silverado S&L scandals.

Senator McCain and Senator Clinton have voting records in the Senate which are almost mirror images. They are both warmongers. He overtly and she more covertly as she has her followers duped and is playing them for fools on this issue. Senator Clinton is no more telling the truth about withdrawal from Iraq than she did about the trip to Africa with Joseph Wilson which never took place.

[rbdc]

07:55 AM on 03/24/2008

I had wondered why McCain had gotten testy with a reporter on his plane a few weeks ago when asked about being asked to be Kerry's vice presidential candidate in 2004. Now it seems obvious; he didn't want it known that he had apparently voluntarily flirted with the Democratic Party so recently when he was actively trying to woo the nut wing (wingnuts?) of the Republican Party.

[TLV]

07:37 AM on 03/24/2008

If McCain becomes president, the elderly poor won't be just having to stand in line for government "cheese food," they'll be dying from lack of food or they'll eat rather than take their medication.

[rowvee]

07:05 AM on 03/24/2008

Who cares? The last thing you need in order to be president is a soul. Ask Bush and Clinton.

[WilliePilgrim]

07:04 AM on 03/24/2008

I have no regrets. He's as embematic of what's wrong with the GOP as he would be if he were with the Democrats. Until we see beyond the unquestioned sacrifice he made (despite my reservatons about the cause) we are bound to be fooled by our own lack of perceptions. If we think he deserves a reward, fine...I'll pony up a few bucks, but the administration of the nation's business and the negotiation of its challenges and opportunities requires someone who has their head on straight and not a political legacy with a passion for the country club set. Thanks John, but no thanks..you've shown you have the right stuff as Naval Officer material, and I seriously mean that as a veteran enlisted personnel.

[dawlishgal]

07:33 AM on 03/24/2008

Heck, we can even question the sacrifice. The North Vietnamese, in deference to McCain's father's military status, offered to let him go. He turned them down and opted to stay with his men. It seemed a noble thing to do at the time. But, sadly, shortly thereafter his wife was badly injured in an auto accident and required a lot of care.....she lost several inches of height and was on crutches for a long time. I believe there was a stepson who was still quite young, as well. He could have asked then to be released in order to be there for her. But he didn't. She waited 5 or 6 years for his return, and his way of showing family solidarity was to cheat on her, then dump her for a younger woman with a rich father...one with enough $$$$$ to finance his entry into politics.

Military valor will only get a creep SO far, when he has behaved like an *ssh*l* in almost every other respect.