Political Maverick to Opportunist

So according to the Hill McCain, not only approached Democrat Senate minority in 2001 to switch parties, he also approached, according to MyDD.com, John Kerry for a possible spot on his '04 Democratic Ticket.

Here's what happened in '01:

Daschle said that throughout April and May of 2001, he and McCain “had meetings and conversations on the floor and in his office, I think in mine as well, about how we would do it, what the conditions would be. We talked about committees and his seniority … [A lot of issues] were on the table.”

Obviously McCain's people deny this. But who will you believe? The man out of politics or the man gunning for the presidential nomination for the party he nearly abandoned?

Kerry's interview with Jonathan Singer from MyDD.com is available on their Website, but here's a transcript:

Jonathan Singer: There's a story in The Hill, I think on Tuesday, by Bob Cusack on the front page of the paper talking about how John McCain's people -- John Weaver -- had approached Tom Daschle and a New York Congressman, I don't remember his name, about switching parties. And I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about what your discussions were with him in 2004, how far it went, who approached whom... if there was any "there" there.

John Kerry: I don't know all the details of it. I know that Tom, from a conversation with him, was in conversation with a number of Republicans back then. It doesn't surprise me completely because his people similarly approached me to engage in a discussion about his potentially being on the ticket as Vice President. So his people were active -- let's put it that way.

Singer: Okay. And just to confirm, you said it, but this is something they approached you rather than...

Kerry: Absolutely correct. John Weaver of his shop... [JK aswers phone]

So all the wrangling between McCain and Kerry early on in his VP search ends up making Kerry look foolish was actually a crass attempt to get into the White House by any means, even abandoning his own party. A true maverick. But really it is not the "good kind". Maverick's aren't necessarily ideal politicians. Here's the definitions provided for what a maverick is:

maverick, 1867, "calf or yearling found without an owner's brand," in allusion to Samuel A. Maverick (1803-70), Texas cattle owner who was negligent in branding his calves. Sense of "individualist, unconventional person" is first recorded 1886, via notion of "masterless."

Emphasis added.

Right- masterless, as in self-serving and without loyalty. McCain's problems are adding up, not just with Iraq, but with his questionable loyalties.