Posted on 03/24/2008 8:10:44 AM PDT by ninonitti
WASHINGTON — 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Never trust McVain. Never. If he gets elected, we should do what we can to get him out of office as soon as possible.
I just fear McCain is going to name Lieberman as his running mate.
They have and they will. . .
The NYT is trying like the Devil to separate McCain from the conservative movement.
Of course, McCain gave them lots of ammo, but even so, the fact that the NYT is against him, and is adopting this strategy in its quest for liberal rule tells me that I’m better off voting for McCain than I am taking their bait.
Which explains why he calls evangelicals "agents of intolerance," co-sponsored McCain-Feingold, opposed the Bush tax cuts based on Democrat talking points of "class warfare," and favors taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research.
Say 'hello' to the McChurian candidate...coming to a ballot box near you!
NYT now trying to fry McCain after they worked so hard to elevate him?
I hope he learns the lesson and dumps any remnants of RAT leaning!
Hell, McCain's been doing a sterling job of that all by himself. He gives nothing but fawning deference to Obama and Hillary and saves his wrath exclusively for the conservative and evangelical base.
Face it. McCain ain't nothin' but a liberal Democrat who happens to have an 'R' by his name.
LOL Lieberman? way too conservative.....Kerry is more to Juan's liking.
I wonder what would happen if the vice-president was nominated over the sitting president in 2012?
“McCain ain’t nothin’ but a liberal Democrat...”
Yet, the NYT apparently does not believe so.
My concern as well; but then think. . .noooo; Cabinet perhaps. . .surely not VP.
Don't know; but from here; it looks like 'slim pickens' for VP for McCain.
Yet, the NYT apparently does not believe so.
The NYT is Marxist. FDR wouldn't be liberal enough for them these days.
Does the NYT realize they are sending votes McCain’s way? No way conservatives will vote for Obama or Hillary-—there is a possibility of moderate dems voting for McCain. With every conservative the NY Times convinces not to vote for McCain, he picks up a dem vote.
“I just fear McCain is going to name Lieberman as his running mate.”
Sen. Lieberman is too conservative. Sen. Clinton would be a more likely choice.
....just fear McCain is going to name Lieberman as his running mate.....
I have a different take.
Athhough Liberman is frequently present, so is Lindsey Grahm. There is a signal being sent..... The senate will be different, even with Reid as leader. The grislock will be broken by the Liberman/Grahm duo.
Liberman and Grahm will hold the Republicans and pick off enough Democrats to prevail. Control of the Sentate is more important than the VP.
Based on the letter I got from Fred Thompson, he will be veep.
“Don’t know; but from here; it looks like ‘slim pickens’ for VP for McCain.”
Not at all. Sen. Clinton will be happy to join him on the ticket. And if not her, maybe Sen. Kennedy, Gov. Corzine or maybe even Justice Bader-Ginsburg.
I keep hearing about this terrible smear campaign in 2000, but I don't recall any of it. Is this "something out of nothing" or is my memory lacking.
Or both? ;)
Poll numbers on Obama should be out today.
Timing is everything ;-)
They do seem inseperable lately...
On the bright side, I can’t see this article making him LESS palatable to Democrats who can’t stand or don’t trust their candidate, but don’t want to vote for a doctrinaire conservative for President.
Better McCain than Hillary or Obama!
IIRC, Rush mentioned that at a meeding with a Jewish group, McCain’s rep mentioned that the “Christian right” was a serious problem.
Yeah, but the point is that the NYT prefers Clinton and Obama to McCain. That’s all I need to know.
LOL. . .yes and we can smell the smoke of some serious thinking going on here. . .
.. .but again, think Lieberman is not a worry - most likely Cabinet or 'State' for him; but do wish there were more to realistically choose from for VP.
A 'Fred fan'; but he does not ease the 'age' thing with McCain - or appear to; nor does the image of 'two white-haired, white men' as per Charlie Crist exactly cut it. Lindsey Graham is OTOH; a baby-faced loser IMHO.
So, still looks like 'slim-pickens' from here. Would be great for McCain to have what is perceived as an 'exciting ticket'. Just don't see a dynamic duo lining up here.
It's amazing how many people here at FR still think "republican" and "conservative" are synonymous. Yes, McCain is a republican. No, he is not a conservative.
I guess we now know what they were talking about at the big "summit," eh?
I had similar thoughts, but I want him to select a rino or a rat for vp that way they go down with him and we nominate a conservative in 2012
Be thankful if it's not Kerry or Kennedy!
No, he's going to pick Ms. Linsey Graham. This way he'll sew up the Southern vote, and he can have two first ladies in the Oval Office.
Kennedy would be a de facto adviser in a McCain White House. Maybe President McCain could invite him up for "sandwiches".
Good one! LOL!
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