That's the best the Dems can do for VP ?

A Republican ?

Maybe Dick Cheney can head up the search committee...

Wouldn't it be pleasant to think that McCain squealed, actually sticking his neck out a little for the team? That said, probably Lehane again . . .

If this really happened, I think it's pretty good proof nobody is buying either the I-am-a-war-hero (he had to ask a real one to join the ticket) or I-know-all-about-defense-because-I-shoot-a-gook (he had to ask someone with real combat experience ditto) lines from Kerry.

I don't get the implications here, as to who revealed this info.

However, Kerry really has painted himself into a bit corner playing the military/combat experience card so heavily. If he picks Gephardt (Mo ANG but not even a pilot like W) or Edwards (Advanced Torts) he's flipflopping on yet another issue. If McCain declines, he's left with Kerrey, Cleland, Gen. Clark, an untested dem like Gen. McCaffery or Gen. Shinseki or a potentially disloyal Republican like Hagel.

Gen. Zinni has been mentioned but he's politically untested and supposedly a Republican.

For McCain to accept Kerry's VP slot is to accept no future in the Republican party and an end to his political career if Kerry loses. And the benefits for saying yes is slim.

People accept the VP slot either because 1) he is a young up-and-comer who will gain from the high profile as VP candidate, or 2)he is an old loyal party member and accepts a "demotion" to the VP for the sake of strengthening the ticket. Neither applies to McCain.

And Chris B.,whether or not you like Kerry's politics, you CANNOT say or imply that Kerry did not have "real combat experience." He got shot at just like everyone else. He shot back just like everyone else. He was not a guy doing desk work behind the lines. And he has the medals to prove it. That makes him both be a real war hero and have real combat experience.

Neither alone may justify a vote for him based on his actual positions, but give the man his kudos.

At this point, the motives and intellegence of anyone who is willing to join this team must be questioned.

Shriver's and Ferraro's political careers really took off, didn't they? Lloyd Bentsen and Lieberman had the smarts to keep their Senate seat warm. Even Algore's joining Clinton to knock Bush the Elder only got him eight years of being Dan Quayle's successor. (And where's Jack Kemp these days?)

If OJ is right and Cheney is dropped, would asking McCain to be the Vice-Presidential candidate be helpful to Bush. (maybe in California?)

I am not a fan of McCain, but I'd go along with anybody they choose. It's difficult to plan the various McCain career moves, but won't he be in his mid-sixties in 2008. I don't see him in the cards for President unless lighting strikes.

I don't see it happening. There;s still probably bad blood between the two and McCain just wouldn't be trusted enough to take on Cheney's duties which means he'd spend the next 4 years being bored out of his skull.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rice makes it on to the ticket but Bob Woodward seems to think Cheney isn't going anywhere.

I don't see it happening. There's still probably bad blood between the two and McCain just wouldn't be trusted enough to take on Cheney's duties which means he'd spend the next 4 years being bored out of his skull.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rice makes it on to the ticket but Bob Woodward seems to think Cheney isn't going anywhere.

McCain is actually 68 now, so he'll have to make his move one way or the another no later than 2008. Frankly, though, I think OJ is dreaming when he keeps saying that Cheney is going to drop off the ticket.

Mr. Durnell

I was harsh and probably hypocritical since I haven't been under fire either.

My opinion remains

Being shot at in a war doesn't make you hero, it just means you were doing your duty.

Being awarded medals doesn't make you a hero either. McCain has the biography to go with the status, and you should read about what http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/200456162723 "> some of our guys are doing in Iraq, like taking out trenches of fedayeen with an M16 and a pistol.

I find Kerry's Vietnam War portfolio just a little to convenient, but I don't deny that Kerry served under fire.

He is overreaching (like I did) when he tries to turn his service and decorations into insulation from criticism of his positions on defense and foreign policy issues. I don't see Senator McCain making similar claims.

Lastly, I would probably feel more charitable toward his service record if his cohorts would stop trying to claim that an honorable discharge from the Texas ANG is the functional equivalant to draft dodging.

Or, (tinfoil hat on), the leak is false, planted in an effort to embarass Kerry and/or make him deny that he wants McCain as a running mate (raising the question, 'why').

Cheney has said that he has no ambition to run for President himself. Which means that in '008, for the first time in decades ('52?), the field will have neither the incumbent President nor Vice President, on any ticket. If Bush drops Cheney for anyone, he is, in effect, making that person his chosen successor, since it will be assumed that that person will be running for the White House (a la Bush the Elder). No way is Bush going to give McCain that advantage.

If true this makes Kerry look bad in that he has been rebuffed and has to settle for his second (or 3rd) choice. The liberal media will spin it as Kerry reaching across the aisle but a rejection is still a rejection. It can't help inspire confidence in the other VP candidates. As for McCain I can't see Bush putting him as VP but perhaps a cabinet post? Like Joe I don't see Cheney going anywhere but if I remember correctly Bush Sr was the first VP to get elected in like 100 years so being the sitting VP isn't as great an advantage as people think.

The rumor I've heard is going around Washington is that Cheney will be given a mandate to clean up CIA and someone else (Giuliani?) will be put on the ticket.

Raoul's point really is key. Leaving aside purely political considerations, won't Bush feel a duty to do everything he can to make sure his successor will continue to fight the war?