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Tales from the straight talk express

Arizona Senator John McCain is single-handedly causing both Republicans and Democrats a great deal of stress. He's too centrist for the Republicans, and lately he's been too big a threat to their Boy Wonder, George W. Bush.

He's too centrist for the Democrats, and if he gets the GOP nomination he might pose a threat to their beloved Al Gore.

The GOP "maverick" seems to be caught in between parties, trying to garner a clan of supporters from both sides. He is lacking solid support from either party.

Now, the only people who unconditionally love McCain are the American press.

The presidential contender is known for having a busload of reporters with him as he cruises the campaign trail. He gives them more access than probably any other candidate, and in doing so he gives them stories while getting the free exposure.

One wonders what the conversations are like on that bus ...

Reporter: What do you think of Bush's shrinking war chest?

McCain: It's a shame that money plays such a big role in his campaign. We need to end the influence of big interest groups in American politics. That's what the Democratic party's about.

Reporter: No John, you're a Republican.

McCain: Oh, right.

In theory, McCain is Republican, in reality he is catering to Democrats - or, he is pretending to. McCain's name is found on the Republican ticket, but of late it has spelled out Democrat very clearly. He has successfully framed himself as a moderate, using the illusion of campaign finance reform as his weapon.

And his schizophrenia is having an effect. Al Gore's challenge is no longer to beat Bill Bradley. This he can do in his sleep. Now the challenge is to hold on to as many Democrats and Independents as he can before they all run to McCain's side.

Gore recently criticized both Bush and McCain in one breath. When he blasted Bush for being anti-choice, he added, "(Bush's) challenger, John McCain, has an identical record, and the anti-choice forces would do anything to divide Democrats on this issue."

McCain's threat to Gore has been so strong that the White House has slowly begun to spin. As Richard L. Berke reported in The New York Times, "Some Democrats close to the White House, who for months braced for a general election race against Mr. Bush, in recent days have begun quietly putting out negative information about Mr. McCain's record."

Gore is clearly wringing his hands at the prospect of McCain being the GOP nominee.

So are most Republicans.

In fact, the party may lose its firm conservative basis, all because of John McCain. Republicans dislike McCain so much that McCain's nomination could force the far-right to leave of the GOP.

Good riddance.

McCain's support seems to lie in the moderates from either side who are sick of politics as usual. The "maverick" seems like a true reformer, a trooper, the kind of guy who can really change American politics.

"If McCain keeps steady, McCain is a much more dangerous candidate," said Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., D-Del. "(He) is energizing those folks who have already given up on elections."

But that McCain has pulled this trick - putting fear in both parties - is an impressive feat. He's got no solid partisan support on his side. What he does have is his press corps to eat up his rhetoric.

In today's media-driven politics, maybe that's all he needs.

Reporter: Senator, how can a candidate who is disliked by leaders from both parties get elected?

McCain: I don't worry about politics. I worry about America. I worry about big money in politics, and how I, as president, can get it out. That's what Democrats are all about.

Reporter: No John, you're a -

McCain: Whatever.