Carl Tyler's Blog

1 - I cannot imagine this happening. First, because McCain has improved his own standing so effectively in the last months, he's got a hell of a chance at winning next time around. Second, because I can't imagine him playing ball with the Bush administration over a long term -- I don't think even long enough to get through November. He has very different ideas on many issues. Third, it would be very much against the nature of G.W. Many of us don't like what W stands for, but there are some things you have to give the guy. He's effective. Unfortunately, he's effective at doing things you (or at least I) don't care for. He's also loyal to those he considers in his circle. For the same reason he's not asked Rumsfield to step down, he won't ask -- or tolerate it being asked -- of Dick Cheney.

You're welcome to call me on this if it does happen, but I won't be waiting with held breath.

-- Andrew

2 - I think it is unlikely, but I think even if it did, it would have only about a 50% chance of helping. No matter how Cheney spun it, you would have to wonder about the deseration of jettisoning the VP at the convention, and Cheney may be very unpopular with the masses, but he is very popular with "the base".

Ny the way, I completely disagree with the idea that Kerry has no new ideas. I think he has excellent ideas, and while I don't agree with all of his positions, I think he would do a great job as president, even side from not being Bush. I just wish the media would cover some of the positions, and not just talk about the horse race all the time. Health care is one of the top crises in this country, and a serious issue of non-competitiveness with other countries, and Kerry has a plan for fixing it, and the media hardly ever mentions it. Instead, they rail on about both candidates being negative or positive, but never report on any substanative positions either side holds, which then makes the positive/negative spin control almost inevitable, as it is all that will be reported.

3 - I have to agree with Andrew -- McCain has repeatedly said that he does not want to be anyone's VP, and I believe him. His own standing has gone nowhere but up, and there's no reason why he wouldn't remain in the Senate for the next four years (regardless of who gets elected in November), positioning himself for a run in '08.