The perfect legacy for President George W. Bush would be for Sen. John McCain of Arizona to be elected president in 2008, some suspect with Florida Gov. Jeb Bush selected as his vice-president. That ticket could go a long way toward minimizing the "Culture of Corruption" problems in Bush II's administration, because of McCain's squeaky-clean image.
And to those independents and moderate Republicans who just couldn't bring themselves to vote for any Democrat, it would let them off the hook with a clear conscience.
Voting for McCain would allow Republicans and independents who have turned against Bush-Cheney-Rove-Abramoff to believe they were "taking the Party back" from crooks and hard-core religious fanatics.
E.J. Dionne wrote about that prospect here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
But what if the Bush name is so besmirched from the lying, spying, and other scandals that Republican and independent voters in 2008 that McCain had to choose someone else as VP?
In a deal that would stun Democrats, if Jeb Bush looked to be an unacceptable choice for V.P., McCain could even choose Ct. Sen. Joe Lieberman as a running mate. Remember how Kerry courted McCain? Well, McCain could court Lieberman, who would finally get to be VP and appear as a moderate bridge to Dems throughout a McCain administration.
Maybe the prospect of this Presidential spot for McCain is why he's been so conciliatory and forgiving of Bush II since Rove smeared him in the South Carolina primary. Remember McCain's embrace of Bush II on camera, even though it was clear that he had been visibly enraged during the prior primary season? Seasoned pols everywhere smelled a deal. That McCain wants desperately to be president is well known, discussed, and written about.
If the speculation that Cheney will resign after the fall mid-term elections is true, Bush II could appoint McCain as VP to grease the wheels. Because of McCain's perceived moral stature, it could be (would be!) spun as bringing reform and ethics to the Bush White House. Imagine - the evil Dick Cheney gone and Mr. Clean takes his place. What better way to bring moderate Republicans back into the fold?
For Lieberman's chances to be named a Republican VP, he doesn't even have to get by the fundies in a primary for that one. All he needs is to ride his white horse through the Republican convention hall as the bi-partisan, voice of morality, to thunderous applause and cheers from Republicans desperate to hold on to power. That he condemned Clinton for misbehaving with Monica would only bring them smug satisfaction.
One of my most vivid memories of watching Lieberman was his "debate" with Cheney in 2000. It was more like a love-fest. Lieberman mentioned with more than a little wistfulness about how much money Cheney had made at Halliburton and how his wife was also impressed with those monetary rewards. So, Lieberman just may not like the peanut pay of a Senator when he could be earning the really big bucks as an energy company lackey. Who better to troll the halls of Congress as a lobbyist for Big Oil than a former Dem Senator who was a VP in a Republican administration?
Maybe that's what that infamous Bush kiss after the State of the Union was all about. And it could be why JoeMo takes such delight in ticking off the liberal Dems every chance he gets. What better way to build your conservative-moderate creds?
Blogged about on Decision08.net (not recommending this blog)
http://decision08.net/...
Some interesting co-sponsored legislation by McCain and Lieberman:
Advancing democracy abroad
http://mccain.senate.gov/...
Lobbying reform
http://www.hillnews.com/...
Guns
http://www.campaignadvantage.com/...
Environment and global warming
http://www.pewclimate.org/...
McCain courting conservatives and tap dancing with Russert, as blogged on Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...