Subscribe by RSS
Filed under the “ironic” category, it seems that Joe Biden is now being quoted as strongly advocating for John McCain joining John Kerry in 2004 to make up the Democratic ticket. Of course this doesn’t matter all that much for 2008 but it is interesting to read.
Story from WorldNetDaily:
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has chosen for his running mate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., a man who once proposed the bottom half of the Democratic presidential ticket would best be filled with an unusual selection: Republican John McCain.
In two separate television interviews in the spring of 2004, Biden suggested the best way to bring unity to a divided nation was for the then-Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry, to select McCain as his running mate.
“I think John McCain would be a great candidate for vice president. I mean it. I know John doesn’t like me saying it, but the truth of the matter is, it is,” Biden told Tim Russert of NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Only a few months earlier, Chris Matthews of MSNBC TV’s “Hardball” asked Biden if he thought McCain would consider joining Kerry on a “fusion ticket.”
“I think that this is time for unity in this country, and maybe it is time to have a guy like John McCain – a Republican – on the ticket with a guy he does like. They do get along,” answered Biden, “and they don’t have fundamental disagreements on major policies.”
Leading up to the interview with Matthews, McCain expressed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” that he might show interest in joining a Democrat on the ticket.
“John Kerry is a close friend of mine. We have been friends for years,” McCain told the ABC morning show. “Obviously I would entertain it.”
By the time he faced Russert on “Meet the Press,” however, McCain had reshaped his comments.
“I will always take anyone’s phone calls,” McCain told Russert. “But I will not, I categorically will not do it.”
Biden expressed both skepticism that McCain would accept and support for him if he did.
I’m not sure who this would annoy more, Democrats or Republicans? Seems that McCain’s “maverick” status is more troubling to conservatives since back in 2004, McCain was the media golden boy seen as somewhat of an anti-Bush.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
Loading ...Visit the You Decide 2008 Store »
Loading ...
This is just another example of what will ultimately be ineffectiveness on Biden’s part to smear McCain. I realize that’s his job in all of this, but he won’t be able to do it well. Too many of his own words will come back to bite him.
I think back in 2004 McCain would’ve made a good running mate for Kerry, as McCain was still the maverick to some degree and McCain couldn’t stand Bush. Now though things are very different and McCain has to pander to the right if he’s to ever stand a chance. All’s fair in love and politics.
I don’t think Biden really cares if his own words comes back to bite him so long as they don’t bite Obama and they do bite McCain. Cheney’s been Bush’s proverbial press punch bag for the past 8 years, taking a lot of heat for the President.
But, pudding, when they bite Biden they bite Obama. It doesn’t appear to be phasing McCain one way or the other so far.
When the conventions are all over and done with and the candidates are on the road again we’ll have a more clearer picture of who’s biting and who’s bitten. At the moment insanity has set in with most people, including me, and people are saying and doing crazy stuff.
The GOP convention should give Obama much better material to go after McCain, especially since Bush will be there and they can do the whole 3rd Bush term with a bit more depth. Unless McCain completely throws Bush under the wheels.
I can’t remember who it was today who basically said they’ve got ads ready for practically every possible McCain VP pick.