McCain isn't switching parties - get over it - we have our own talent

[fujiyama]

We have enough talent within the democratic party. It looks pathetic for so many to start getting so excited because McCain is critical of some republican policies.

I was sort of young during the Clinton administration, but I'm sure there were a couple senators that always gave him trouble. Didn't Bob Kerrey have some problems with Clinton? Hell, I also know that Moynahan of NY had some trouble with the Clintons over their health care proposals. Gephardt fought with them over NAFTA.

Members of a party may at times criticize their party. It's no big deal, and while we should welcome McCain's criticisms of his party, he still wants to change his party. Most of us believe that that party is not salvagable. Now, if there are some discussion behind the scenes, that's great and all, but I seriously think McCain would have switched a while back, if he wanted to.

[Iceburg]

1. Lessons from SA

Do you think Mandela and his homeland South Africa would have succeeded without inviting De Kerk (a white) to be VP in SA's first all-race election. Mandela did this post-election -- not because he had to, because he wanted to .. he knew that the country need accelerated healing. If he had not made that gesture, South Africa may have fallen the path of Zimbabwe.

"Most of us believe that that party is not salvageable." -- I would argue that most believe there are some good Republicans (past & present). America needs healing, and I, in my humble opinion believe a Kerry-McCain ticketwould soothe the deeps wounds.

[fujiyama]

3. Don't get me wrong...

I'm not against the ticket. I have respect for McCain, and I welcome his criticisms of his party's policies.

If there are behind the scenes talks I am unaware, that's great. As I said, I honestly wouldn't have a problem with it.

I just don't think we should be begging him to run. It would be more emberassing for dems to say, we want McCain as VP, and then have him say no. If he wants to join the party he's more than welcome and if he wants to be the VP for Kerry, I think most dems would welcome it also. I just don't think it's a very realistic option though and I view it very unlikely he'd agree. I'd drop it there.

[Iceburg]

4. I agree - no begging

If the men/women that run this country can't come to that realization alone, unfettered by politics and ego, then it serves no-one. If there is a union then it must be for love of country alone.

[R3dD0g]

5. I think that you're confusing South African politicians

with American politicians.

De Klerk was a moderate white. McCain is a conservative - real conservative.

McCain is a maverick only because he's a truth teller in a party of liars. He's against most everything that Democrats hold dear. Abortion rights, minimum wage, affirmative action, corporate responsibility, tort reform, etc, etc.

If you list the next Dem platform, then McCain's positions would be opposed on most all of them.

But, it would be fun to twist the noses of the Repukes with a McCain VP.

[Iceburg]

6. No whites in SA were moderate

... they became moderate -- shunned/isolated by the world for inflicting their hatred and power over 35 million people. It was only in that state of isolation (and fear) that they realize "unrealized" options.

You say McCain is "truth teller in a party of liars" -- I say that takes courage.

You say McCains against "Abortion rights, ..."

I say "Not all democrats and liberals are for abortion rights"

True leaders find union and with it power on the middle ground.

[R3dD0g]

7. I'm not gonn'a argue about South African politics.

I don't know enough about the subject. I'll just end that with the fact that they were able to work it out and seem to be living together.

On the other issues though, I have to say that there are few issues more important to Democrats than abortion rights. Maybe not all liberals are for abortion rights, but then again, I see a lot of liberals on here that I wouldn't want to associate with.

So, maybe the liberals aren't so monolithic, but the Dems are pretty fixated on abortion rights, affirmative action and minimum wage.

[charlie]

8. Hah

Mandela wouldn't have had a chance if De Clerk hadn't released him from prison, legalized the African National Congress. Mandela embraced a reformer, not someone with a reputation as a "maverick" because of a few quibbles with his party. Not only that, he did so when his movement was undeniably prevailing. He had the luxury of being magnanimous (and smartly so). The notion that the embattled Democratic party extending an offer of veep to a disgruntled rightwinger is equitable to what Mandela did is nuts, like thinking that including Botha in his government would've been a good idea.

[efhmc]

2. Don't want him. Don't need him and what real Dem cares?