Rumors of Kerry/McCain Ticket Started In McCain Camp

I’ve always suspected that the rumors of McCain running as John Kerry’s running mate began with McCain. He had also floated rumors in the past that he had been Bush’s top choice but turned him down as he was not interested. Writing at The Huffington Post, James Broyce also believes that the stories about McCain running with Kerry started in the McCain camp:

Through a remarkable orchestration of behind-the-scenes politicking, John McCain’s advisors thrust him in the middle of the John Kerry Vice Presidential selection process - the McCain as VP rumors started not in the Kerry camp but in the McCain camp.

By elevating his status among Independents and Democrats, John McCain dramatically increased his appeal and political power. In fact, McCain currently outpolls some potential Democratic 2008 candidates among DEMOCRATS.

The possibility of McCain running as John Kerry’s Vice President forced Rove to deal with McCain. Because with the pending launch of the Swift Boat veterans teed up, Rove simply couldn’t let Kerry pick McCain. Two veterans, running together, unifying the country in a time of war would have been virtually unbeatable.

But would McCain have really switched and joined Kerry? The White House couldn’t afford to wait to find out. Was a true deal struck?