Up next...John McCains soul...the bidding starts at...

There was a cover story on Sen. Chuck Hagel in yesterday's NY Times. He's thinking about running, too. Like McCain, he's Vietnam vet and conservative in many ways, but:

--He's highly critical of the Iraq War;
--He thinks his religious practice is his own business (and vice versa);
--Doesn't seem the type to cater to anyone to get their support.

Hence he's highly unlikely to get the GOP nomination. An interesting guy, for sure...

blatham wrote:

JustWonders wrote:

blatham wrote:

ps...I do understand the difficulty of him getting past Hillary, of course. But if past that, why not?

Experience. As in, lack of.

Not a problem. Eg your boy.

I think Obama will most likely be everyone's choice for running mate in '08 (that's assuming he doesn't do anything really dumb between now and then).

Will be interesting, for sure...a veritable zoo on both sides, no doubt.

Do you realize that the '08 presidential election will have a unique characterization not seen since 1952? No incumbent (either side) will be running! Not that being an incumbent necessarily meant an automatic win, but wow...that spans 56 years.

I keep saying it ... and despite dailykos beseeching Hillary to "not run for the good of the country"...I think the nomination is hers for the asking.

You're most welcome. Did you see the post where they're predicting the Dems will pick up exactly zero seats in the House and Senate in '06?

how many are "nearly zero"? is that as many as 1 milllion illegal aliens cross the border daily?

I had not realized the 56 year span there either. Odd and unpredictable times these are.

JustWonders wrote:

You're most welcome. Did you see the post where they're predicting the Dems will pick up exactly zero seats in the House and Senate in '06?

Even you know that ain't gonna happen.

John McCain lost my vote in 2004 when he started swapping slobber with George Bush!!

Anon

Report: McCain Making Signs Of 2008 Run
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2006 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is making moves that seem to be testing the waters for a potential 2008 run for president, ABC News reports.

McCain, who tried for the Republican Party's nomination for president in 2000, has early March trips planned to New Hampshire and Iowa -- sites of early tests of election strength -- and has been stressing his conservative credentials, ABC said.

McCain's strong points with conservatives are his stances in reining in federal government spending and his support for the war in Iraq. He's also recently said intelligent design should be taught along with evolution, supports a ban on same-sex marriage in Arizona and said he never supported Roe vs. Wade and wouldn't mind if the abortion-rights decision was overturned, ABC said.

The key, however, is the McCain position on spending. He's seeking to have lobby reform include changes in rules that allow lawmakers to insert spending projects into must-pass legislation.

McCain would be 72 by the time the 2008 election rolls around. He won re-election to his Senate seat, which he first claimed in 1986, in 2004.

If Hillary runs and McCain gets the nomination, it will be another Republican president for 4 years. I don't think he'd win re-election unless he totally sells out because reformers never last long. If he doesn't get the nomination, absent another well-respected reformer for nominee, people will hold their noses and vote for Hillary.

McCain was his own man, that's what was thought--
A man who spoke his mind, a man who'd fought
A war and suffered mightily, in fact,
But toughed it out. His honor was intact.
On certain issues, he would hold his ground
No matter where the party line was found.
This man seemed strong and fiercely independent,
And that's what caused his star to be ascendant.
As was his way, McCain displayed no fears
Replying to those Carolina smears.
"An agent of intolerance" was what
He labeled Falwell, Karl Rove's favorite nut.
But now, discerning where his future lies,
He kowtows to this nut he must despise.
Yes, presidential fever's got him now.
To old McCain, alas, we must say ciao.
That independent man is gone for good.
What torture couldn't do ambition could.

The McCain Makeover
Does the veteran Republican rebel really mean all those nice things he's saying about George W. Bush?

By Glenn Frankel
Sunday, August 27, 2006; Page W12

IT'S FEBRUARY 15, 2000, a pivotal moment in the race for the Republican nomination for president, and at the televised candidates' debate in Columbia, S.C., temperatures are rising.

John McCain, fresh off an upset victory in the New Hampshire primary, has run into a buzz saw of negative advertising about his record and rumor-mongering about his personal life, and he blames his main opponent, George W. Bush.

"You should be ashamed," a tight-lipped McCain scolds Bush.