The courtship of John McCain
Apparently it was even more humiliating than I thought.
The "Outlandish" McCain Offer. Kerry's courtship of Senator John McCain to be his running mate was longer-standing and more intense than previously reported. As far back as August 2003, Kerry had taken McCain to breakfast to sound him out to run on a unity ticket. McCain batted away the idea as not serious, but Kerry, after he wrapped up the nomination in March, went back after McCain a half-dozen more times. "To show just how sincere he was, he made an outlandish offer," Newsweek's Thomas reports. "If McCain said yes he would expand the role of vice president to include secretary of Defense and the overall control of foreign policy. McCain exclaimed, 'You're out of your mind. I don't even know if it's constitutional, and it certainly wouldn't sell.'" Kerry was thwarted and furious. "Why the f--- didn't he take it? After what the Bush people did to him...'"
Uh... because he's a Republican??
Comments
And he wants to run himself in 2008.
Posted by: CRB | November 5, 2004 01:53 PM
I actually give Kerry credit for trying something different.
As we all saw, Edwards proved to be a complete waste of time.
In fairness, I doubt that any of the other usual suspects mentioned such as Gephardt would have made any bigger difference.
In truth, adding a McCain might just have swung matters for Kerry. Imagine if the Swiftees had to deal with McCain's response to their attacks?
The MSM would have been all over the SBVT rather than trying to ignore them.
What Kerry, and the media don't understand about McCain is that he has a massive ego. he could never be anybody's #2. I have small doubt that he will try for the prize again in 2008 assuming the health of him and his wife holds up.
Meanwhile, the MSM was furious with McCain playing the good republican soldier.
In their minds, they had created his aura - the maverick who spoke his mind, who nettled Bush, etc.
Anyone who doubts their collective peeve should have heard Jennings asking him if he felt that the Bush campaign had 'used him' on election night.
You could almost hear: "You stupid twit! We created you! And this is how you repay us?"
Posted by: mal | November 5, 2004 05:45 PM
I agree, Mal. A conservative friend of mine often takes me to task for my fondness of John McCain. He asserts that McCain is "too naive," and lets himself be "used" by the Democrats. Looks more like the other way around to me!
Posted by: Barry N. Johnson | November 6, 2004 09:52 PM