How about thinking?

* McCain has often been like a Dem Lite, but not always. THINK.

* To the extent that he conflicts with other Republicans, going to Sec-Def means he escapes the Senate and those conflicts. It's a fine pasture in which he can spend (at least some of) his last years in Washington. Defense has normally been a problem for the Dems (and has tarnished liberalism) and this is an easy solution for the Obama team.

But Obama no doubt is thinking.

What are the trends? In 2006 and 2008, away from the GOP and by default in favor of the Dems. In which states? Pretty much, all of them. Where do the Dems need to make the most progress if they want a real future? In the traditionally Red states and in the more modern, vital states where population migration is largely still taking people, and political clout — in the South and in the West. You know, like Arizona.

Who is in Arizona? Someone well known in Dem circles, moving up in her career, perfect as a replacement in the Senate, a Dem, namely Janet Napolitano. (She's also a possible Obama Cabinet member.)

Getting McCain into Sec-Def means getting a Senate seat loose and open for contention.

THINK.

Except he got a “D” from two veterans groups who follow congressional voting patterns.
How about Max Cleland? He gave up 3 limbs for his country, and was rewarded for it by being pictured by the RNC in an ad with al queda and Osama bin Laden!

I had not looked at McCain's comment that way, but you're right, even in his (genuine or not so genuine) defense of Obama there was a slight (intended or not) to a whole ethnic group.

“Some of the differences in the campaign between the two were trumped up, but…”

Perhaps it is my Latin temper. But I would never forgive anyone–heat of the campaign, or no heat of the campaign– who would call me(or imply that I was) a traitor, unpatriotic, 'palled around with terrorists,' or that I waved the white flag of surrender.

At his very moment, McCain is campaigning his heart out in Georgia for Chambliss. Chambliss is the guy who in his 2002 campaign against Democratic Sen. Max Cleland, a triple amputee Vietnam War hero, used TV ads questioning the war hero's patriotism and his national security credentials. Ads that had a picture of Osama Bin Laden in the background. And, we sould support McCain for Sec Def? Yes. McCain condemned Chambliss' ad back in 2002. But now he is campaigning for him. What has changed? Not Cleland's heroism. Not Chambliss' shameful conduct in 2002. Perhaps McCain?

This is the man (McCain) who at this very moment is campaigning his heart out for Chambliss down in Georgia . Chambliss, if you remember, campaigned in 2002 against Vietnam War hero, Democratic Sen. Max Clelland–a triple amputee from that war–questioning Cleland's patriotism, national security credentials, etc., using and ad that in the background showed a pictufre of Osama Bin Laden. (Yes, McCain condemned Chambliss for this in 2002–that is why I respected him, THEN)

Certainly hope not, for many reasosn. Among them:

Differences over Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia-Georgia, and any future military actions and conflicts, are just too large and too fundamental.

Gates is a decent man, a decent Republican, has been doing a decent job. Thus keeping him would be like killing three or four birds with one stone

McCain doesn't deserve ANY position in an Obama adminsitration. Especially not as Sec. Def. after all his votes (and non-votes) against military personnel benefits legislation (e… G I.. Bill). He is not the same man I respected in 2000, 2002, and even in 2004. Even leading Republicans are turning away from him.

Finally, how could he faithfully, honorably and principled serve a man whom he said did not have the qualifications to be a Commander In Chief? A man whom McCain smeared so much, especially on national securirty issues. A man whom his running mate accused of “palling around with terrorists”, accustaions which McCain, by his silence, condoned.

I am sure 'll think of some more

A retired military officer

I doubt that Obama is seriously considering this… Obama has better judgement than that (but who knows, I may have to eat my words next week).

First you want to put a polititcian with terrible administration skills and no foreign policy experience in the most important foreign policy postition and now you want some guy who almost finished dead last in his class at Annapolis and who rates very low with a number of veterans groups to be the civilian adminsistator for the Defense Department. How about suggesting some people with competence for these positions?

This is not fantasy baseball.