Kerry vs McCain in 2008 - I wonder what the "tone" would be like...

[wysiwyg]

Since Kerry and McCain are friends I wonder how a 2008 matchup would go with Kerry running for reelection. Would McCain be willing and able to discourage dishonest attacks? Would McCain support voter supression efforts? Would it be an election that's actually about the issues?

I suppose watching McCain in the Senate for the next 4 years if Kerry wins would be telling.

In my opinion John McCain is clearly paying his dues to the Republican party with his current campaigning for Bush.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Frist is a more likely bet

McCain is getting old.

[slestak]

2. McCain is old...

He'll be 72 (I think) in 2008. I would be suprised if he threw his hat in the ring. I think 2000 was his last shot.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I agree. I don't think he's got enough left in the tank.

Plus he has health concerns.

[Cocoa]

4. McCain is like many other Bush supporters

total, permanent loss of credibility, for sticking with the WPE. And by the look on his face on Air Force One, I think he knows it.

Chuck Hagel is in better shape for a presidential run, he can use footage of him trashing Bush in his ads.

[wysiwyg]

6. You're right about the loss of credibility

I noticed McCain when I used to run scripts to troll pending legislation via scripted telnet sessions back in 1993 or so. What I saw back then had me thinking favorably about McCain until he went along with Bush. If he isn't planning on running for President himself and actually doesn't care for Bush then what does he possibly have to gain by his current actions?

Ronald Reagan was 69 in 1980. Of course he went sort of senile in office.

[Burma Jones]

5. Republicans like to Run Governors as Presidents

Senators are big lightning rods, although McCain has a lot of folks that admire him, I WAS one of them until he somewhat enthusiastically backed the Chimp.

I would look for someone like Taft of Ohio, Owens of Colorado or Romney of Massachusettes

There will be a big fight in the Republican Party regardless of the winner this time around. The folks demanding a ban on Abortion and Prayer in School and all that Social Conservative crap are going to want their agenda put into place if the Chimp wins and the GOP controlls both houses of Congress. The Evangelicals will demand further involvement in the Middle East so they can see the return of Jesus. These wackos will run smack dab into the Libertarian wing of the party as well as the large number of Republicans that are in it for the money.

[wysiwyg]

9. Maybe money Republicans will go Libertarian next election

I can only hope that the fanatical Republicans will split from the big-money-interest Republicans or vice versa. Maybe the Libertarians will start to look good to some who can't stand the theocratic bent of the current Republican party.

Hey, I wonder what the right-wing fanatics would call their party if they split from the Republican party. Maybe they'll cut the posturing and just call themselves "The Party of God". How about "The Patriot Party"? I think they'd go for that. Personally, I think they could bring back the "Know Nothing" party. :-)

[Burma Jones]

11. They already have the Constitution Party

I also think that if Kerry actually loses as opposed to what happened to Gore last time around, the Democratic Party establishment will start making room for big money Republicans.

[The Chronicler]

13. I agree about Owens and Romney, but Taft

is unpopular as hell in Ohio. Could he even win his home state?

[requiem99]

7. 10 bucks says it will be someone new and not tied to the failed Bush admin

[rndmprsn]

8. Mccain will be damaged goods...

by 2008 for campaigning for bush this year.

[wysiwyg]

10. He's a Republican - his past won't be looked at deeply

[The Chronicler]

12. Won't happen

McCain won't run against Kerry.