Does McCain even want to be President?

[undeterred]

He may have wanted it in 2000, but I think part of the problem with his performance this year is that he really isn't that eager for the job. Its a lot of work at his age and he knows it. Too bad "his turn" came up so late in the Republican scheme of things.

[Lucinda]

1. Age isn't the issue. As for him wanting to be POTUS, we'll know by his veep choice.

He has very few options to even TRY and be competative.

[phantom power]

2. The next president is going to preside over a major recession...

And the opening acts of climate change and peak oil, too. I would understand if he's not that eager.

Republicans are happier sniping from the sidelines anyway. When they're in charge, it's much harder to pretend their ideas make any sense.

[KittyWampus]

3. I think he wants to compensate for being an under-achiever his entire life who never measured up

to his father and grandfather.

He doesn't realize it was his own immaturity and irresponsibility that lead to the gaping hole and gnawing emptiness that eats away at him.

[undeterred]

4. He's like Bush's evil twin.

[NanceGreggs]

5. Honestly, I don't think he does want it.

I think he also knew, from day one, that he was his party's "designated loser".

Running at a time when the Republican "brand" is at an all-time low was bad enough. But trying to compete with a popular and charismatic candidate like Obama must be absolute hell.

That probably explains why McGrumpy is as grumpy as he is - he has no choice but to go through the motions, talking about what he'll do when elected, etc., all the while knowing it's never going to happen.

[DebbieCDC]

6. He could have dropped out last summer when his money was running out

But he didn't. Make no mistake -- he wants this but purely for personal reasons -- to prove Mr. fifth-from-the-bottom at the Naval Academy go one better than his daddy and grandpa. This isn't to help the country or make the US "safe" - it's another case of "I've gotta be better than daddy". Why else literally get in bed with Rove and Bush who smeared McInsane and his wife and family in 2000. It must be awful to have such an inferiority complex that you'll sell your soul to the devil.

[monmouth]

7. Well, there is that "ego" thingy....n/t

[apnu]

8. He's probably realising, right about now, that being Prez means he's gonna miss naptime. (nt)

[Barack_America]

9. I think he wants to be called "President", but he doesn't want to do the job.

Can you imagine 4 years of, "How dare you accuse McCain for the failure of Social Security...for 5 1/2 years he had NO SECURITY of any kind when he was in prison".

[undeterred]

10. I don't see him as someone who even enjoys

being a Senator except for the schmoozing part. Some people love tackling the big problems of our time and shaping policy- for better or worse. Bill Clinton had an endless appetite for shaping policy, as does Hillary Clinton, as does Senator Obama, as does Joe Biden, as does Russ Feingold. McCain does not strike me as one of them.

[Barack_America]

11. Indeed. He's just the face for an endless number of aides and advisors...

In short*, he's another GWB.

(* pun intended ;))