NYT: Remember, McCain Almost Became A Democrat -- Twice!

[babylonsister]

Interesting that the NYT is pushing so hard on this; some 'bad' press finally?

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/03/nyt_looks_at_mccains_reported.php

NYT Looks At McCain's Reported Flirtation With Party-Switching
By Eric Kleefeld - March 24, 2008, 8:33AM

This morning's New York Times takes a look at two episodes that John Mccain would probably prefer to forget, if he wants to work on conservative unity in this election: The times in 2001 and 2004 when Democratic operatives say he was interested in switching parties, once to flip control of the Senate and the other time to potentially become John Kerry's running mate.

McCain already has the Republican nomination sewn up, so there may be a limit to just how much damage these allegations could do — but it can't be good for getting the activists jazzed up about supporting their nominee.

NYT article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/us/politics/24mccain.html?ex=1364011200&en=42789f184bcc1a8b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

[derby378]

1. But do we WANT him on our side?

A hundred years' war with Iraq and Iran isn't something that makes me swell up with pride when I think about our nation...

[babylonsister]

4. Not at all; that's not the point. I think the point is to make rethugs

question McCain's allegiance to their party.

[rox63]

5. Of course we don't want him

But if the GOP base thinks he's a RINO, they may stay home on election day.

[tridim]

6. The base has always thought he's a RINO.

What am I missing here?

[AirmensMom]

2. MSNBC is too.

"McCain twice flirted with the Democratic Party
Candidate considered leaving GOP in 2001, and running with Kerry in 2004"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23773941/

[rox63]

3. Now this is a good story for us to push

Let's raise some doubts about McCain with the GOP base. Let's fight the real enemy, not each other.

[flowomo]

8. careful how you "push" this.....

one of McCain's more threatening aspects as a candidate is his appeal to "independents." It is well known that he does not appeal to the GOP base -- as it is well known that both Clinton and Obama are weak with certain elements of the Democratic base. The GE is likely to be a fight over the independents as much as fight to hold or re-win the base. If McCain is seen as a some sort of "middle way," that might not be such a positive for us. His vacillation between GOP-Dem might be seen as such a "middle way" -- and attractive to people wary of (or even disgusted with) both parties.

[underpants]

7. "McCain has the latinos in his pocket"

I was told this TWICE over the weekend by a Repub and a Dem

Seems word on the street is that since McCain sort of went against the Repubs the latinos love him for it....

I'm not kidding.

[babylonsister]

9. I find that hard to believe; McCain with his 100 year war,

all the Latinos fighting this war? Why would they vote against their best interests?