McCain forms exploratory committee Options

[pebkac]

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/1.../ap3165098.html

Republican Sen. John McCain intends to take the first formal step toward a White House run next week by launching a presidential exploratory committee, GOP officials say.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a public statement from the four-term Arizona senator, who is considered the front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

McCain, the GOP maverick who unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination in 2000, already has opened a bank account for the committee, one official said.

"The senator has made no decision about running for president," said Eileen McMenamin, a McCain spokeswoman.

Aides to McCain say the senator will discuss whether to seek the presidency with his family over the Christmas holiday and decide thereafter.

Establishing an exploratory committee allows a potential candidate to raise money for a White House run and travel the country.

McCain is a former Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was elected to the Senate in 1986 and had served in the House for four years before that.

If McCain were to run, he would turn 72 on Aug. 29, 2008, at the height of the campaign. Only President Reagan was older - 73 at the start of his second term. McCain's health could be another issue. The senator has had several cancerous lesions removed from his skin.

Since losing to George W. Bush in 2000, McCain has alternately challenged and embraced the president, building an independent reputation as one who isn't afraid to speak his mind. At the same time, he's sought to mend fences with conservatives he alienated in his first presidential run.

After Republicans lost control of both the House and Senate on Tuesday, McCain called for a return to the conservative principles he said make up the foundations of the Republican Party.

"We came to Washington to change government, and government changed us," lamented McCain. "We departed rather tragically from our conservative principles."

He urged the party to return to a time when it was known for careful stewardship of tax dollars, less government, less regulation, lower taxes and a strong defense, as well as community and family values.

"I'm confident we will do that," he said.

The Republicans' loss of power in the Senate was a double blow to McCain, who had been in line to become chairman of the powerful Armed Services Committee in January. The panel's top post overseeing the military would have given him a high-profile platform during wartime and in the year leading up to 2008.

McCain has spent the past year padding his Straight Talk America political action committee with supporters in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, and he has broadened his inner circle of advisers to include several strategists with ties to Bush.

During the 2006 election cycle, McCain worked to spread goodwill throughout the party, attending 346 events and raising more than $10.5 million on behalf of Republican candidates across the country. He also donated nearly $1.5 million to federal, state and county parties.

There's no shortage of Republicans vying to replace President Bush in 2008.

A full 15 months before the first primary contest in Iowa, McCain is considered the one to beat in a crowded field. Possible candidates include Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

An Associated Press-AOL News poll conducted late last month found Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Giuliani and McCain essentially tied for support. Rice has insisted she will not run.

[jonathan83]

i like him as the republican candidate

[Spectatrix]

I don't know that I agree with all of his views, but I like him because he's not afraid to challenge the party line.

[The Fanatic]

I hate John McCain

[Trespass]

He isn't hillary clinton... thats a plus.

[Spectatrix]

I hate Hillary, I hope to God she doesn't win the primaries.

[pebkac]

I want Obama to run.

[Spectatrix]

Me too. He seems like a neat guy. I think a McCain vs. Obama race would be really keen.

[The Fanatic]

see, I don't actually think Hillary will win the primaries. It just does not seem feasible for the democrats to nominate her and actually win the election in 08. Nominating her would be political suicide, if I do say so myself. Hopefully the voters will do the right thing again in 2008, and oust these pig fuckers. I will vote for anyone that is not republican.

[pebkac]

Me too. He seems like a neat guy. I think a McCain vs. Obama race would be really keen.

Yeah. It would be the first time in a long time that I would think both candidates actually deserve the job (but I'd probably vote for Obama).

[Spectatrix]

see, I don't actually think Hillary will win the primaries. It just does not seem feasible for the democrats to nominate her and actually win the election in 08. Nominating her would be political suicide, if I do say so myself. Hopefully the voters will do the right thing again in 2008, and oust these pig fuckers. I will vote for anyone that is not republican.

I don't think she'll win either, but crazier things have happened. All I know is that I could not bring myself to vote for Hillary. Most any other Dem, yes, but not her.

[The Fanatic]

I will admit that if Hillary won the nomination, I would probably vote third party. I am actually not affiliated with any party, I just realize that America is built on a two party system, and my hate for the republican agenda fuels my voting habits.

[chook]

I'd vote mccain, very levelheaded between the religious extremist and the pussies on capitol hill

[Hartmann]

I like McCain but I don't think he's going to win... I do not think the Republican party wants him as their candidate for one. I think he's a little too far to the left to really get a vote from his own party.

[pebkac]

I like McCain but I don't think he's going to win... I do not think the Republican party wants him as their candidate for one. I think he's a little too far to the left to really get a vote from his own party.

McCain's not really a leftist, he's more of a moderate. In the long run, centrism is what gets votes and I think the Republicans will realize that.

Either that or they'll be assholes and vote for Mitt Romney in the primary.