McCain't going to happen. And shouldn't.

There's been some recent speculation in the press regarding the possibility of John McCain joining Kerry's ticket as Vice President. Now, I don't think there's much of a chance this is going to happen, but I'd still like to make a case against it, just briefly.

First, of course, there's the fact that, although McCain is a reasonably progressive Republican, he is, nonetheless, a Republican. One who, in his own words is "a pro-life, free-trading, non-protectionist, deficit hawk." Inviting him to serve as vice-president would give credence to the accusation, made by some both on the Right and the Left, that the Democrats can only succeed by turning into Republicans. It would thereby both embolden Republicans by further acquiescing to their agenda, as well as alienate the far Left, lending some legitimacy to their claims that "there's no difference between Kerry and Bush," and spurring them to vote for Ralph Nader or another third-party candidate.

Second, there's the fact that, while, a few ideological qualms notwithstanding, McCain would make a fine ally to the Democrats, he makes an even better opponent. McCain is one of the few true conservatives left among a Republican party that has otherwise given itself over to Bush/Cheney-esque faux-conservative corporatism. He also conducts himself with poise, generally staying above partisan mud-slinging. He is thus an excellent role-model for Republicans interested in returning the party to its fiscally prudent / anti-government roots, and doing away with "Party of Treason"-type name-calling. Bring him into the Democratic fold, and where do young, prinicipled Republicans turn to for leadership? Somehow, I doubt Tom "Redistrict and Deregulate" DeLay would be open to the suggestions of a junior party member concerned with fair play and corporate responsibility.

The Democrats don't need McCain. But the Republicans do. For the sake of a GOP that isn't just a clubhouse for corporate lobbyists, and whose rhetoric doesn't include disingenuously suggesting its opponents are traitors, let him be.