The John-John Ticket

Andrew Sullivan argues in The New Republic for a Kerry-McCain ticket:

There is one obvious possible result of the Abu Ghraib fiasco, and it affects the presidential election profoundly: It has, I think, made the possibility of a Kerry-McCain ticket much more imaginable. In fact, in some ways, a Kerry-McCain pairing would be an almost painfully appropriate response to the recent loss of confidence both in the war and in the Kerry candidacy. Such a bipartisan ticket remains highly unlikely, but recent events make it less so.

There is an excellent case for a Kerry-McCain ticket. There's recent support from Joe Biden and a Boston Globe article that was picked up by that old Hickville Dispach© reliable, The Salt Lake Tribune.

But there's an elephant in the room: McCain has repeatedly said he does not want to run. Kevin Drum speculates that McCain is quietly talking terms with Kerry. Well, here's my thoughts on this:

The only reason a Kerry/McCain ticket might be unbeatable is the fact that McCain will be publicly calling on reneging on his promise not to run. However, remember that this need not be a zero-sum game. Sen. McCain has a third option, other than simply joining a Kerry ticket or not joining it, and it's an option that solves a lot of problems for him: issuing a public ultimatum.

While McCain's party loyalty has always been the main obstacle to his joining the Kerry ticket, he has a more practical reason to remain a Republican s well. It makes him much more valuable to the Democrats. Remember what happened to Jim Jeffords after he formally left the Republican party? While Jeffords faded into obscurity, McCain has remained a major figure since his failed run against Bush four years ago. (This is not mere political machination: a politicians reputation defines what he or she can accomplish.) While the situation is not the same, it's similar, and simply saying "this national crisis demands that [McCain] put country ahead of party and serve" sounds, unfortunately, like an excuse.

That's why he should issue an ultimatum. "Mr. President, for the sake of the country, you must dismiss Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. If you do not, I will rethink my decision not to run for Vice President with John Kerry." This sets out a clear line, that, when crossed, will allow McCain to join the Kerry ticket. If Bush does fire Rumsfeld, McCain will be hated in the White House and by the GOP orthodox, but independents and moderates will respect his ability to get things done by taking on comers from both parties. Which is pretty much what we have now. If Bush refuses, yes, some conservatives will lambast him and Ann Coulter will no doubt call it the "John-John ticket." That's something we can't avoid. But this way, when McCain appeals to moderates with the message, "I had to join this ticket, my conscience demanded it," he'll mean it.