My take on the McCain as VP thing - - and it ain't positive

Us talking up McCain for VP is incredibly harmful to Kerry now and whoever runs for the Dems in 2008 because of the following reasons:

1.) It's not going to happen. And if there are actually moderate Republicans or Independents who would vote for Kerry only because McCain is on the ticket will have another reason NOT to vote for Kerry. Because they thought he was going to be a real uniter, but he turned out to be a partisan jerk after all and picked some Democrat.

2.) The more energy we and the media focus on John McCain, the less energy and time we have to promote things that actually will win votes for Kerry and other dems.

3.) The media promote this idea because it fits their one dimensional story line about McCain - - the moderate Republican who appeals to everybody, not just millionaire pundits. Remember, this is the same corporate media who have spent the last 7 years promoting Smirk as the moderate Republican who appeals to everybody, not just millionaire pundits.

4.) John McCain's backers (and possibly McCain himself) encourage it because - - oddly enough - - it promotes John McCain. And guess who McCain is out actively stumping for? Smirk. Every second we spend promoting McCain as an independent thinker, as a moderate, as a real leader, we make it so much easier for him to pursuade independents and undecideds to vote for Smirk. Why, Smirk must be okay, or a stand up guy/moderate republican/geniune statesman/insert your own pro-McCain spin here like John McCain wouldn't be asking me to vote for him!

5.) McCain will probably run in 2008. Team McCain is hoping to win over as many Dems as possible now with his image as a uniter, not a divider. Especially if this election ends up as razor close as it is now, the appeal of somebody who is a "uniter, not a divider" will be even greater. Maybe the McCain support we create today will be enough to swing the next razor close election.

6.) The GOP knows that the grassroots aren't just motivated by opposition to Smirk - - huge numbers of us are motivated by a violent opposition to the GOP. We can't win if we're divided. What better way to get us divided and screaming at each other than to constantly talk up putting a Republican on the ticket.

7.) The GOP knows what the main fault line in the Democratic party is - - it's between the moderates and the left. And we have spent (at least) the last twelve years bickering about whether the party needs to be more moderate or more progressive. Promoting a conservative Republican is guaranteed to hack off the left - - who are essential footsoldiers of the party, especially in Cali, Oregon and Washington. (If Kerry looses Cali, it doesn't matter how many middle class white males vote for him in Missouri. And with Der Groppenfuehrer Aaaaanold out stumping for Smirk - - and enough left wing Dems staying home or voting third party - - the Republicans could win Cali.)

7.) The GOP also knows what a turn off screaming partisanship is to the undecided/independent voter is. The more the Democrats squabble over McCain and call each other names for promoting him (or not promoting him), the more undecideds and independents we turn off.

that doesnt make him pro-Democrat.

We need and want a Democratic Administration, not a half-and-half one at war with itself.

And I'm available ....

The mediawhorses are throwing it at us as an insult (we are wusses and dumb - need one of W's reelection committee to help us). Those who fail to see it need therapy for their self estime.

however I disagree with pt#5:

McCain will not be running for Prez in 2008.He will be way too old...he was thinking of retiring this year & not rerunning for his Senate seat.

The media loves this story, because the race is boring.

I have also heard that John Kerry HIMSELF would really like McCain as Veep...he considers him his closest friend in the Senate.

Your argument should be with Dems who are pushing this idea.
Joe Biden, for one. Hillary Clinton & Gephardt also said they would support McCain as Veep. Bill Nelson has been talking to both sides & trying to push this idea. And there have been many other Dems talking it up.

Why? A Kerry/McCain ticket would TROUNCE Bush/Cheney, & the pols know this. It would also add major excitement to the race {McCain turns on Bush, etc}

However, McCain will not leave his party, & I think too many people are looking for evil conspiracies where they do not exist.

(or not) Kerry is talking about McCain because McCain is widely respected across the country, because it shows Kerry to be a bipartisan kind of guy. McCain will not be VP, but talking about it has nothing but upside...except for some who cannot abide the possibility that the Democratic candidate is not running his campaign according to GD2004 wisdom.

And that's not true!

We have great Democrats who would be great VP candidates.

McCain will be more useful as a maverick Republican senator.

Clark
Edwards
Gephardt
(man I wish Paul Wellstone was alive today)
I'd prefer Nader to McCain (if you get those percentage votes you've got it)
What about Gore or Bill Bradley or Mario Cuomo or Ann Richards?
I'd love seeing Bill Bradley towering over Cheyney at the debates?

It all comes down to what priority you want in a VP.

1. Likeabiltiy and Southern appeal - Edwards
2. Strong defense team - Clark
3. Strong labor and probably the most qualified in terms of experience to handle taking over - Gephardt
4. Eliminating an adversary and picking up guaranteed 4-5% with a strong environmental record - Nader
5. Strong bipartisan defense team - McCain
6. Previous experience as VP so certainly qualfied - Gore
7. Business and human rights advocate - Bradley
8. Former popular governors - Cuomo or Richards

There are others. I'm curious what women and black leaders would be good candidates. I'd prefer not to go to a Republican party VP.