We saw this coming. McCain's veep flirtations with Kerry have seriously pissed off Republicans, adding to discord within their caucus. Novak has
the scoop:
In this winter of Republican discontent, the last thing the Grand Old Party needed last week was Sen. John McCain leaving the door open for him to be John Kerry's vice presidential running mate on the Democratic ticket. That opening was tiny, and McCain quickly had it closed with a bang. Nevertheless, the incident was disturbing to knowledgeable Republicans.
A Kerry-McCain ticket is out of the question, and nobody knows it better than McCain. Then why did he for several hours last Wednesday permit what the Associated Press described as ''a glimmer of hope'' for this unlikely combination? It reflects more than the senator's indisputable propensity for mischief-making. At a time when George W. Bush needs help and support, McCain is opposing him on a broad front of issues from tax cuts to global warming [...]
Salter could not undo all the damage. At the moment that Republican strategists are intent on unveiling Kerry to voters as the most liberal member of the Senate, the immensely popular McCain says the prospective Democratic nominee is OK. The tough 2000 primary campaign waged against McCain is cited in the Democratic mantra protesting all criticism of Kerry. McCain's refusal to talk about Kerry's long voting record against defense and intelligence spending gives aid and comfort to the political enemy [...]
Worse yet is what the veterans of McCain's 2000 presidential campaign say when no reporters are around. Other Republicans have been shocked by how contemptuous they are of the president and his record.
At one recent private dinner, what the former McCain campaign operatives said was hardly distinguishable from Democratic ranting against Bush.
The hard truth is that wounds of 2000 never really have healed for John McCain. When the congressional Republican leadership is complaining about the president's inability to project any message other than the war against terrorism, McCain's ability as a Republican to reach out to America could be helpful. Notwithstanding his proclivity to cause trouble, a strong commitment to Bush would have precluded him from seeming to reach out to Kerry.
Let Bush reap what he sowed. His treatment of McCain in the 2000 GOP primaries was unconscionable. If this is the result, my faith in karma would be reinforced.