Kerry and the Mark of McCain

Colbert King of the Washington Post wrote a rather scathing critique of Democratic nominee John Kerry’s courting of Republican Senator John McCain:

A McCain on the Democratic ticket would have put Kerry in a similar strained position with his Democratic base. A Kerry-McCain pairing might have been a dream team for pundits, editorial writers and the political elites. But John McCain would have been as hard a sell in urban America as Charles Larson was in Baltimore and the Washington suburbs. McCain did Kerry a favor by saying no.

One more thing. Despite what Kerry may have been told by his handlers and fundraisers, his candidacy is not a sure thing in communities where concerns for justice, civil rights and economic empowerment are live issues. Townsend found that out for herself. Kerry needs to keep that in mind. His dalliance with McCain didn’t win him any points in precincts that can make or break him in November.

But at this moment, with campaign funds pouring in, Democratic politicians pledging their unwavering support, and John Kerry’s deep, abiding faith in his own political brilliance and that of the inner circle around him, why should he worry? Wait till he gets to the White House.

He probably still thinks John McCain was a good idea.

This is one more tip of the hat towards running on principle vs. selling out to the middle. The bad news is that the Dems are getting wise to this principle, and if local and state poltiics in Virginia are any sort of bellweather (and I believe we are), then the bemoaning of the polarization of American politics will only intensify.

But when you think about it, during the 19th century the rivalry between political parties was so intense that in 1876 when the Hayes presidency was hanging in the balance by less than a chad, the political parties started mustering. Now I don’t see things getting to that point, but it shows not only how serious Americans used to take their politics, but how divisive and bitter they have been in our past.