Is McCain The "A-Rod" Of American Politics?

Update: video added: I think snapped is a bit much. Hell, I'd have been worse. LOL What's with the NY Times reporterette, can't she handle a little back and forth? Geez. I don't even like McCain but fair is fair.

h/t reader Andy for this - McCain's seemingly minor temper flare up with a NY Times reporter today over his possibly running with Kerry as VP in 2004 isn't going to do him much good with the base because of the subject it brings up. However, I decided to re-visit the NY Times in May, 2004 for a review.

What it really looks like is that Dems were using McCain to lend Kerry credibility in 2004 and are now looking to use Kerry to undermine McCain in 2008. That sort of makes Obamaniac Kerry look pathetic coming and going on that score.

While the NY Times and now ABC seem to want to get McCain on simply denying any meeting, by the end of May, 2004, it appears as though the issue was moot. It was also reported that McCain was sending signals to Kerry that he didn't want to be put on the spot by any potential offer.

EB: Well can I ask you when the conversation was?

McCain: No. Nope, because the issue is closed as far as I’m concerned. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows it in America.

...

EB. Okay. Can I ask you about your (pause) Why you’re so angry?

McCain: Pardon me?

EB: Nevermind, nevermind.

McCain categorically denied it to MoDo on the 20th.

He reiterated that he would never run with John Kerry. ''I'm a loyal Republican,'' he said. ''A lot of their resentment goes back to campaign finance reform.''

However, it was being pushed by prominent Dems. May 15: "Best friends?" That should make this year interesting.

Chris Lehane, a Democratic strategist who once worked for Mr. Kerry, said such a ticket ''would be the political equivalent of the Yankees signing A-Rod,'' referring to Alex Rodriguez, the team's star third baseman.

Mr. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee, ''continues to be interested in'' Mr. McCain, a fellow Vietnam veteran whom Kerry aides describe as the candidate's best friend in the Senate, as a running mate, said one longtime Democratic official who works for the Kerry campaign.

Despite Mr. McCain's protestations that he would not be Mr. Kerry's No.2, Senator Nelson, of Florida, said he had spoken to both Mr. McCain and Kerry campaign officials about it.

''There's a collective sigh that says, 'This feels right,''' Mr. Nelson said Friday, adding, ''I think it's very plausible that, with Iraq still in chaos, that if offered to him, he would say it's time for me to go serve my country again in another capacity, where I can do some good.''

Asked if Senator Kerry had made such an offer, Mr. McCain said no without hesitation. But asked if the two men had ever discussed it, even casually, he paused for a moment.

''No,'' he said finally. ''We really haven't.''

Gephardt was pushing it, even over himself. But the Times itself was playing it down in reporting by the end of May.

In addition, several of his aides argued that Mr. Bush's troubles made it more likely that Mr. Kerry would go for what is viewed as a safe if unexciting choice like Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri or Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, rather than a riskier candidate, like Senator John McCain, the Arizona Republican.

Comments

[syn]

I must say I like the way McCain turned the reporter into a needy child.

[Andy B]

Dan--

I know this episode with McCain's temper is being over blown. I get that. But why would he even blink at such a question? Perhaps it's because he doesn't remember exactly what his previous responses were to this issue. If you've not been particularly honest about something in the past and your unsure what your last response was on something. What better way to avoid contradicting yourself than putting the onous on the person asking the question?

[BobInStamford]

Wow, my friends, the broken old man isn't sounding too good. Even when angry he sounds like a feeble oldster. He needs a rocker and an afghan.

[WAHOO WILLIE]

"an afghan"

An afghan, with that blonde he's got for a wife???