Barack and John, Not Like Old Times

Wake me when it's over...

The "Two McCains" meme is delusional High School infatuation on a national stage. There is only one McCain. He reliably does what is politically expedient at the time. You can't change him with your love, girl. Go find a boyfriend who likes you for you.

Obama should've invited Bill Ayers to the meeting as a surprise guest.
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Can you imagine Ayers sneaking up behind McCain and shouting, "BOO!"?
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Ol' John may have had a grabber...

You know, I was all ready to get really mad at this article, but it's a good piece. The list of specific issues from the Obama side is useful, and I hadn't realized that Graham called Emanuel to get the ball rolling.
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It wouldn't have been so bad to note the DeMint's list of complaints are on issues where the Democrats have more popular, well-considered views than does the GOP, BTW.
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There were some who doubted the sincerity of McCain's pledge, coming so soon after the end of a campaign that featured a series of personal attacks on Obama. But it pays to remember that the self-styled maverick was never very comfortable as the standard bearer of a party that he had opposed so many times on so many issues.
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Please be aware that this is a non sequitur. Also, McCain's occasional noisy apostasy has always been more geared towards getting attention and media plaudits than results. Beyond campaign finance reform, what has he ever done? Also, pourmecoffee is right that McCain's lodestar is gaining attention and his own political advantage.
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Still, in this Senate, he could play a constructive role. A lesser man than Obama (ie, me) would give McCain the kick while he's down that he probably deserves, given his disgraceful campaign. But Obama's about results, not ego. No wonder McCain didn't understand him.

JC - Nothing to see here...no really, I do have one comment: I hope John McCain tells Obama where Osama Bin Laden is.

@Pali Nina Towel: My vote for surprise guest is Lieberman...and, after McCain walks in, Rahm makes his move and we can hear the sound of coconuts colliding over here in Detroit...bliss!

But it pays to remember that the self-styled maverick was never very comfortable as the standard bearer of a party that he had opposed so many times on so many issues. And the party long felt the same way.

And so once again, we see the staying power of a good story even if it has no bearing whatsoever on reality. If McCain were a quarter as principled as you insist on pretending, then he would have run an honest campaign. From the moment he repudiated the DREAM act(10/25/2007) , McCain embraced hatred and fear as the driving force upon which he would build his campaign.

Obama, for his part has a strong interest in toning down the polarization that McCain encouraged and McCain's concession speech was certainly a demonstration both that he could be gracious if he chose and that his supoorters could not.

Certainly the meeting is a good thing, but the effort to rehabilitate McCain has a lot more to accomplish than merely earning Jay Carney's forgiveness.

kbanginmotown,
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Yes, Rahm is no Harry Reid. Lieberman would have been McCain's court eunuch a long time ago had Rahm been in charge.

Wow, maybe I'm not cynical enough, but I think this has some interesting possibilities. McCain has little to lose at this point in his career, and I think many of his Republican colleagues may shut him out. Marginalized in his own party, his best play to have any influence may be to ally with Obama; & Obama's best play may to have him come in (bringing Joey Lieberman, Lindsey & Mel?) to get over a 60 vote threshold on a few issues. Plus - if McCain has some ACTUAL insight as to how to "cut out pork" via the executive branch -- why not pitch it to Obama? It's one of the few things he actually seemed to care about (other than war, war, war -- which ain't gonna happen) and why not help get them enacted?

The Mac looked pretty uncomfortable; as did his sidekick. I don't see much point in this - even the symbolism. It may have been better to arrange this in the White House at a later date. Mac's smile was about as forced as it could be. The optics: not good. Jay, I know you want the Mav to get back on track. I don't think he is going to erase the negative view of him. But, at least, he can get out the ribs and give you all a picnic. To the bbq.....

There's one man missing in this picture: right! he has a date with the Senate Democratic Caucus, to-morrow. Hope Sen McCain did not need a prompter.

I agree that Jay is still carrying a torch for McCain and this two McCain meme is crap, there is something useful about a senator who has his own self interest to protect. While the GOP diehards are busy doubling down on a failed strategy McCain can become the press darling again by leading the bipartisan charge. McCain gets back his genteel knighthood and the msm feels vindicated for these years backing what we have come to know as a supreme creep. I'll just say that Jay be careful. Now that I know your proclivity for revisionist history , don't you dare try to give the credit for Obama's victory to McCain.

John McCain has always been an egomaniac without many virtues. Still, just as easily as John McCain manipulates the press with his "friends with benefits" shtick, he can be manipulated by stroking said ego to be another vote.
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That said, there are other Senate Republicans who are actually moderates. Also, John McCain is up for re-election in 2010 and has to play nice. He doesn't have a whole lot of leverage.