According to Downey and Daschle, a McCain staffer, Tom Weaver, came to them and asked why they hadn't approached McCain about switching parties shortly after the 2000 election, and things developed quickly from there:
Daschle said that throughout April and May of 2001, he and McCain "had meetings and conversations on the floor and in his office, I think in mine as well, about how we would do it, what the conditions would be. We talked about committees and his seniority ... [A lot of issues] were on the table."Naturally, McCain denies it. Reading the whole article, there appear to be a lot of small nuances to this, including some differences between a Daschle staffer and Daschle himself.It seems to me that there are two possibilities, both of which are extremely interesting. First is that McCain really did negotiate to leave the GOP but either thought better of it, or couldn't reach a deal. If true, it's going to deep-six his campaign forever and for good. GOP voters will not elect someone who negotiated to give control of the senate to the Democrats for personal gain (like committee assignments).
The second possibility is that Tom Daschle and friends are putting more into their talks than was ever actually there, knowing it would kill McCain's chances at the presidency. In that case, is the strategy to take out one of the GOP's strong candidates in order to clear the way for Rudy or Romney? Do the Democrats see those guys as more vulnerable in the general? If so, it's an obviously flawed analysis. It's more likely that McCain really did more than think about leaving the GOP.
More thoughts at CQ.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. The Republican primary is a mess... McCain almost switched parties, Rudy's more liberal than Hillary and Romney's relying on the ghost of Strom Thurmond all on http://www.solidpolitics.com
Bill at 10:06AM on Mar 29th 2007
2. He would probably feel better as an independent anyway. If only there was a way to get elected from the vast middle, rather than the far right or left.
Steve Bonomo at 6:20PM on Mar 29th 2007
3. during an election year no one tells the truth.
while in office they still don"t
blnbernie at 7:48PM on Mar 29th 2007
4. How a about a trade, McCain for Lieberman. I'd go for that any day.
Randy at 11:18AM on Mar 30th 2007
5. So far, the Republicans aren't bringing anyone forward who has the ability to beat either Clinton or Obama in '08. And it's no wonder; the two-term Bush administration is an unmitigated disaster, and no individual with significant ties to Bush has a prayer. What we're left with are mavericks like McCain and shady characters like Giuliani.
Eric at 11:32AM on Mar 30th 2007
6. I believe McCain would make a very poor president.
The only notable thing about him is that he spent 6 years as a prisoner of war, and he has about wrung everything he can out of that fact.He also almost defected to the Democrats. Being a prisoner of war does not make you a hero.
In my honest opinion the best man for the presidency is FRED THOMPSON. Senator Thompson is a good man & an honest man. When he says something you can take it to the bank. He is a man of his word, and is head & shoulders above any other candidate.
Van R.Ladner at 11:36AM on Mar 30th 2007
7. I think the Democrats should trade Joe Lieberman for John McCain, a 1st round draft choice in the 2012 election and cash!
Thunder at 11:49AM on Mar 30th 2007
8. Bill,Steve,Randy...I agree with all of you and the GOP has no one even close to being able to get them the White House to keep...NO way...Bush stole the election last term never again will that happen...
mikel-chas. florida
Mikel at 11:51AM on Mar 30th 2007
9. I still wish McCain had been the Republican nominee in 2000 over Dubya (in fact all but the radical right wishes this). Even if VP Gore had lost to McCain, I am sure he would have been much less concerned about the outcome. Our nation would be healthier and we would not be in such a mess as Iraq. Afghanistan would be stable and secure. And it is possible that even Saddam would be gone without such a disaster of 3000+ American’s dead.
McCain nearly “defecting” makes some sense. McCain is a man with a lot of common sense, unlike his 2000 primary opponent. He is a centrist and this is why he will never ever be the GOP Presidential candidate. The Radical Right cannot stand anyone who is not a conservative fruitcake.
His candidacy is sunk by this reality, NOT that he may have considered for a moment switching parties.
Chuck at 12:03PM on Mar 30th 2007
10. The Republican party will be very much alive, if they consider Fred Thompson as their candidate for president in 2008. Fred has the ability to offer the same charisma for the Republican party that Barak Obama offers to the Democratic party.
Larry at 1:41PM on Mar 30th 2007
11. Now I understand why McCain and his buddies deserted our Commander-in-Chief and handed the keys to the democrats for their takeover. Greed. I hope they never again represent me.
Papyjac at 12:09PM on Mar 30th 2007
12. McCain is the only chance the Republican have at getting a President elected. The far right wing of the Repbulican party are lame ducks. Conservatives only have McCain to negotiate with the Moderates.
Giuliani is already being busted for being too liberal for his party. Unless the Republican party decides to go left, they don't have a chance without McCain.
Rudy at 12:18PM on Mar 30th 2007
13. McCain would probably make a pretty shady/shifty president, although a lot of the stuff he says seems to be more liberal then democrat.
Tom Wing at 12:48PM on Mar 30th 2007
14. Throughout his Senate career, John McCain has flipped,flopped,twisted and turned on any issue(s)and any individual(s)deemed necessary to further his pursuit of the Presidency. He should do himself and the nation a favor. Simply go home to Arizona and open "John's Plumbing and Heating" and enjoy life.
Larry Thompson at 2:00PM on Mar 30th 2007
15. I DON'T BELIEVE SEN. MCCAIN HAS THEHE SAME AURA THAT HE HAD IN 2004 OR 2000. HIS HEALTH IS ALSO AN ISSUE. BESIDES, IN A HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH GIULIANI, RUDY WILL KICK HIS B--T!
FRANK at 12:47PM on Mar 30th 2007