Stephanopoulos Begs McCain to Join Kerry Team

ABC "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos took an unabashed detour from his moderator duties during his Sunday interview with Sen. John McCain, literally begging the Arizona Republican at one point to join the Democratic presidential ticket as Sen. John Kerry's running mate.

The exchange went like this:

STEPHANOPOULOS: Senator John Kerry was on this program and I asked him if he'd consider asking you to be his running mate. ... Are you open to the idea?

MCCAIN: No. I'm a Republican. It's hard for me to imagine that a pro-life, free-trading defense and deficit hawk would be acceptable to the Democratic Party. It's always flattering to hear one's name mentioned, but I do not intend to leave the Republican Party.

STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of Democrats think this is a dream ticket. So, there's no chance you'll reconsider?

MCCAIN: I cannot envision a scenario, George. As I say, it's flattering. But I have no view where I could leave the Republican Party.

STEPHANOPOULOS: OK. You're not quite being General Sherman, but I think you're clear. [End of Excerpt]

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2004 Elections
Media Bias
Sen. John McCain
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