So, what about this speculation? Can the Bushies can pull it off? It would certainly allow for a massive re-framing of public perceptions of President Bush.
Why would straight-shooting fiscal conservative McCain join a ticket with Bush, whose campaign smeared him in such ugly fashion 4 years ago, and whose budgetary policies McCain has criticized?
Because he thinks a Democrat would be worse?
from "the left" (more accurately, a great bunch of enthusiastic anti-Naderite liberal Democrats), Buzzflash:
"What Deal Has the Bush Cartel Struck With McCain? Are They Dangling the V.P. Spot? More Proof the Whitewash Commission (Who Needs An Investigation When the Bush Trail of Lies is All Recorded in the Media?) is a Set-up. McCain Says Bush is Innocent."
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/iraq_usa_mccain_dc
from "the right", American Daily:
"McCain, on the other hand, would buttress Bush's political vulnerabilities as he prepares to face a Kerry-Edwards ticket. First, and most obviously, not only does McCain's war heroism equal Kerry's [blah blah blah anti-Kerry talking points]....
"McCain would also shore up Bush's shaky support among fiscal conservatives. He voted against the massive Medicare bill, the bloated farm bill, and the pork-laden energy bill. With McCain, voters can be plausibly reassured that the administration will cut spending and reduce the deficit in its second term."
http://www.americandaily.com/item/4572