Can someone explain their horror regarding the AP 'McCain Veep' article?

[jpgray]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/11/kerry.mccain.ap/index.html

'Kerry has asked McCain as recently as late last month to consider becoming his running mate, but the Arizona senator said he's not interested, said a Democratic official who spoke on condition of anonymity because Kerry has insisted that his deliberations be kept private.

A second official familiar with the conversations confirmed the account, and said the Arizona senator made it clear he won't change his mind.

Both officials said Kerry stopped short of offering McCain the job, sparing himself an outright rejection that would make his eventual running mate look like a second choice.

"Senator McCain categorically states that he has not been offered the vice presidency by any one," said McCain's chief of staff, Mark Salter, who would not confirm the officials' account.'

**He didn't offer McCain the spot--he only asked him if he was willing to be considered, as Edwards is being considered, as Clark is being considered, as many others are being considered. McCain refuses to be considered. What is the problem? This is the same 'look--I'm bipartisan' game Kerry has been trying to play for months--how does this article change things?

edit: Those of you who saw Jennings on ABC--did he categorically state that Kerry asked McCain TO BE VP rather than just be under consideration? How did he put it and what was his source? Thanks.

[Comrade_Goldstein]

1. the horror is due to how it's being spun

The media is reporting it as if Kerry did offer it to McCain and McCain said no. This means that the eventual running mate will be spun as if they were only a second choice.

[jpgray]

4. I just read the ABC news thread

I hope someone knows whether or not Jennings has new stuff, as in Kerry categorically offered the VP spot, not just a chance to be considered, to McCain. I wonder what his source was? Kerry would keep this pretty close to the vest, if true, I imagine.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. It doesn't change a thing.

For the life of me, I swear 20% of the participants here have Histrionic Personality Disorder.

Even if he was offered the job, we all know he would have turned it down. He's as repuke as it gets.

[MikeG]

3. Try that in a singles bar. Ask the girl if she'll consider fucking you.

If she turns you down it stings the same.

[jpgray]

6. Worst analogy I've ever heard

I think what you meant to say was 'ask the girl if you may consider dating her'. That is a quite different think than asking her out on a date. Considering is not the same as choosing.

[w13rd0]

9. With a suave comeon...

...like that, get used to the sting.

[Kahuna]

13. LOL!

I'll say.

Guy: Hey Baby.. You wanna go home with me tonight?
Girl: No..
Guy: Ow.. You hurt my feelings.
Girl: :wtf:

[Wickerman]

5. I see a very gracious Kerry reaching across the aisle and saying,

"yes, we are different, but this nation needs to heal and I will give token consideration to a moderate McCain just to show how accepting I am and how different this administration will be than another Bush* administration." I certainly hope McCain doesn't call his bluff.

[Gman]

7. I don't think Kerry's serious about McCain

but rather I'm pretty convinced this is a play for moderate Republicans. I think Kerry would like the moderate Republicans to say, "hey, how bad can he be if he want McCain for VP".

[jpgray]

10. That's my take

Keeping McCain's name in also gives the press something to ramble about. Offering McCain more than consideration, offering him the spot, is something else entirely and I don't agree with it, IF it happened which is not at all clear at this point. Hopefully someone will post what Jennings said exactly, or who his source was.

[sallyseven]

8. No McCain for me

I cannot abide his snotty attitude. He is to damn conservative for me and I am not a raging liberal. Just the best kind.

[Gloria]

11. But the headline is what most people will see...and it makes Kerry

look like a jerk....McCain REJECTS Kerry. Great.

McCain rejects Kerry's veep overture

Friday, June 11, 2004 Posted: 4:13 PM EDT (2013 GMT)

[jpgray]

12. That's how Democrats may see it

But Independents and undecideds will see it as a reaching across party lines, which has PR value even when it fails. If he truly asked McCain TO BE VP and not just be under consideration, then I think it is carrying the political game too far, as it insults the other candidates. But simply considering McCain along with the others is politically smart, and adds some spice to the VP story for the press to nibble on.

[Kahuna]

14. I'm thinking that Kerry being trying to counter the Guiliani talk...

If bush dumps cheney and runs with Guiliani, that would be a very formidable ticket. Bush will also have Rudy to shield him from the embarrassment of having his convention in NYC. Indeed, Rudy could reverse bush's fortunes in NY.

[Mike L]

15. The press is probably good.

The Independents like McCain. This report will probably help Kerry with the moderates (swing-voters). It makes him look "reasonable". It might have been an intentional leak.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi Mike L!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: