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?