Nice scoop by MyDD.com, who have John Kerry on tape saying that political handlers for John McCain approached him regarding the possibility of the senator from Arizona joining the Democratic presidential ticket. This news comes on the heels of reports that John McCain apparently approached Sen. Tom Daschle in 2001 about caucusing with Senate Democrats, wresting control of the chamber away from the GOP (Jim Jeffords beat him to the punch).
The senator's presidential campaign is already reeling from disappointing fundraising numbers for the first quarter. His biggest strength is that he has a huge number of small dollar donors, many of whom probably won't mind that he flirted with crossing the aisle. But as these reports go public, the big money in the GOP will turn off even more.
At this point, Senator John McCain's only remaining path to the presidency may well be as a third party or independent candidate. It's got to be an option his advisors are weighing.
Previously on 'The Stump':
· CNN Reporter Heckles McCain? An Update
· McCain Strolls Baghdad
· GOP Fundraising Shows Energy on the Dems' Side
· Did McCain Nearly Leave the GOP?
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. McCain isn't a viable candidate, regardless of how you feel about his politics, because he's too old. The man will be 72 in 2008. For anyone who lived with Reagan, who was also too old to be in that job, it's ridiculous he's continuing in his quest. Can you imagine if he were elected and served two terms and left office at 80? And no, it's not comparable in the least to Supreme Court judges. Their jobs are exceedingly narrow in focus and they're not in session for a great portion of the year.
Ann at 1:32PM on Apr 3rd 2007
2. i feel bad for Mccain
another life ruined by Dumbya
pbdotc at 2:17PM on Apr 3rd 2007
3. Gore and Hillary are running neck-and-neck in California on http://www.solidpolitics.com
Don't think either one of them will pick McCain this time around.
Bill at 2:20PM on Apr 3rd 2007
4. I have expected McCain and Lieberman to make a presidential run on an Independent ticket ever since Lieberman changed his party affiliation. I don't think they stand a chance of winning, but I do think it would be fun watching them fight over which one should be on the top of the ticket. The only people that would even consider voting for them would be the ever dwindling "stay the course" republicans and democrats. It would be sad if the thought of it wasn't so darn entertaining.
Fuzybuzy at 2:35PM on Apr 3rd 2007
5. I think Kerry and McCain would have won in 2004. McCain would have balanced the trouble Kerry was having with his war record. Too bad this didn't happen. Anyone is better then Bush and Cheney, and Kerry and McCain are good Presidential material.
Nelson Rasmussen at 4:37PM on Apr 3rd 2007
6. THIS IS OLD NEWS I HAD HEARD THAT MCCAIN WAS APROACHED BY KERRY'S PEOPLE IN 2004 BEFORE HE CHOOSE EDWARDS. AS FOR MATCHING WAR RECORDS AND SUPOPORTING IT THAT WAY HE MAY HAVE DONE OK. BUT AT LEAST ONE OF THEM NEEDED BRAINS. KERRY AT LEAST COULD SPEAK UNLIKE BUSH. AFTER THE IRAQ STUNT MCCAIN HAS PULLED THIS WEEK SAYING THERE IS PROGRESS. WE KNOW WHERE HIS BRAINS ARE. SAME PLACE AS THE DECIDER IN CHIEF'S. DEFINE PROGRESS GOING SHOPPING IN 2 HEAVILY ARMOURED HUMVEES WITH 100 BODY GUARDS BODY ARMOUR AND HELICOPTERS OVERHEAD. LINDSEY GRAHAM ALSO ON THIS TRIP HAD EARLIER DESCRIBED IRAQ AS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE ON THE PLANET ...... HE HAD TO TRAVEL IN AN AMOURED TANK . MCCAIN AND KERRY WOULD HAVE SPELLED DISASTER THEN AND NOW. IT IS MY OPINION THAT A VOTE FOR MCCAIN IS A VOTE FOR THE SAME!
LIZBETH ANDREWS at 5:05PM on Apr 3rd 2007
7. So what they are saying is what Conservative Republicans have been saying since 2000. McCain is a Democrat in Republican's garb. He is now trying to gain favor with the right side of the party but truly has not changed much.
Kerry and McCain would not have been good for the Country. All you Bush bashers need to take some History lessons and start trying to understand how the rest of the World works. They do not understand the woosy language all you peacemakers are spattering. They do understand strong stances and tough posturing. I feel sad for the US... so many misguided leaders and followers trying to tear at the very fabric of the Country because they think that being nice and talking to the bad guys would get them somewhere. Remember High School? The bullys and bad guys? Who did they attack and who did they respect? For sure they did not mess with other tough guys... The world is just a big High School and the day all you Americans learn that and stand up to the bullys, the Country and the World will be a better and safer place. Take it from someone that is not a US citizen. Do not side with those that want to take your Country down only because they are jealous and want you to be as miserable as they are. Give your President the respect and backing he deserves, no matter what his political affiliation is.
C D Rhys at 5:37PM on Apr 3rd 2007
8. ...A humble bow to John McCain for all that he endured as a POW in Vietnam. A sad shake of the baffled head for his ridiculous approval of the Iraq War. Surely, he knows better. (As did John Kerry when he voted Yes for the President's invasion plan). War is a great teacher, it repeatedly slams you upside the head with buttstrokes, while it screams: "Murder! Madness! Never Again!" (Except when utterly necessary, as Afghanistan was.) McCain acts like he's suffering from severely chipped marbles. And he's running backwards--Because nobody who hooks for the Bush War in Iraq is gonna be elected President in 2008, or '12, or '16...If we're still around by then... ;-)
Bill Barry at 6:01PM on Apr 3rd 2007
9. To the writer who said give the President the respect and backing he deserves, I totally agree. This President has earned virtually no respect from me as he only cares about the rich, the right-wing and theocrats. How can I back a leader whose arrogance, narrow-mindedness, grab for power, divisiveness, and dictator-like actions make a mockery of liberty? Why support a failed Presidency of failed policies and a war that drags on and on, misguided from the start, mismanaged throughout? So, the degree of respect and backing Bush is getting (or rather, lack thereof) is what he deserves and has duly earned.
Lee at 6:21PM on Apr 3rd 2007
10. THERE IS ONE THING THAT MAY SEEM IRONIC TO MANY BUT IT IS NOT. THERE'S MORE COMMONALITY ABOUT INTELLIGENT PEOPLE OF DIFERENT PARTIES THAN AMONG THOSE OF THE SAME PARTY.
FOR ONE THING, THEY GET TO SEE A SIDE OF THE OTHER WHICH PEOPLE OF THE SAME PARTY DON'T SEE OR DON'T HAVE THE OPTION TO SEE GIVEN THEIR COMMON VIEWS.
ANOTHER THING THAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT DESPITE HIS AGE, JOHN MCCAIN IS A SHARP GUY WITH THE SUBSTANCE AND EXPERIENCE YOUNGER WANNA BE'S LIKE OBAMA AND HILLARY LACK TO MENTION A FEW.
HIS RATINGS HAVE FALLEN FOR HE IS A GUY WHO STICK TO HIS BELIEFS BUT NOT IN THE STUBORN WAY GEORGE W. DOES, BUT IN A WAY THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE OK WITH
HOMOPHOBES KILLED THE HOPE JOHN KERRY HAD TO BE PRESIDENT AFTER AN INTERVIEW IN WHICH HE SAID HE FELT GAY PEOPLE HAD RIGHTS TOO AND THAT THEY PAID TAXES AS WELL SO THEIR PRIVACY WAS THEIR BUSINESS-AS GAY MARRIAGE GOES. GEORGE W. BUSH ASKED BY THE SAME PEOPLE PLAYED THE CONVENTIONAL HATE CARDS SAYING WHAT WAS EXPECTED, THAT IT WAS WRONG, INMORAL, ETC, AND WON HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KERRY SUPPORTERS TO HIS SIDE -THAT ALONE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN LOSING THE WHITE HOUSE FOR KERRY AND THE GATES OF HELL FOR THE IRAQ WAR OPENED VAST WITH A GREEN LIGHT THAT MAKES US ALL NOW SEE RED ALL OVER. "NICE GUYS FINISH LAST" THE OLD SAY GOES. MC CAIN AND KERRY ARE BUT 2 EXAMPLES TO SUBSTAIN THAT SAY.
MANY OF THOSE WHO CHOSE BUSH OVER KERRY NOW REGRET IT AS THEY BURRY THEIR SOLDIER SONS AND DAUGHTERS, BUT MISTAKES OF THAT SORT GO UNDONE.
John at 6:26PM on Apr 3rd 2007
11. mcclain leaned toward the liberal side and after the november election limbaugh rejoiced how he no longer had to lie and cover up for the republicans.
george bush is the anti christ...and we mourn for our country
e smith at 6:26PM on Apr 3rd 2007
12.
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Made in the USA: Spoiled brats
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Posted: November 20, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way. Oh what a mean man I am.
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did … insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''
I suggest this Thanksgiving we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.
Lenny at 6:42PM on Apr 3rd 2007
13. WHEN IS JOHN KERRY GOING TO STOP HIDING BEHIND
THAT FAKE "FULL HEAD OF HAIR" WIG AND SHOW THE PUBLIC HIS BALD HEAD?
DR. W. MORRIS at 12:15PM on Apr 6th 2007
14. So John Kerry was going to run for President as a Republican? This would help Al Gore win.
sovietdemocrat at 6:58PM on Apr 3rd 2007
15. sick of antiBush,and anti war jerks,most,listened to left wing teachers,,they dumb down Bush when in reality,at Yale Bush took tougher courses and scored highed marks then Kerry..I know about war first hand,,Went from Normandy to the Battle of the bulge was stopped with SCHRAPNEL In 9 weeks 19 000,KILLED 78 thousand wounded,,don't BS me aboutwar..just admit your gutless if my buddies were alive today you would never get away with your big mouths...olddick 4 years WW2
ed windsor at 7:03PM on Apr 3rd 2007