The secret friendship of Hillary Clinton and John McCain

It's one of those things that sneaks up on you in politics, a sense of things happening not quite as you expected. It started in April when our Times colleague Louise Roug called with a quote from Sen. Hillary Clinton.

She'd shaken hands at a factory gate in Toledo, Ohio, then before flying to Texas held a media availability where she said: "Sen. McCain brings a lifetime of experience to the campaign. I bring a lifetime of experience. And Sen. Obama brings a speech he gave in 2002."

A pretty good zinger that got Clinton into the day's news flow while her plane was heading to an Austin, Texas, rally.

But why would the Democratic candidate mention the Republican at all? Let alone in a positive way as qualified to be president in comparison to a fellow Democrat?

That thought quickly passed in the flood of primaries and news.

But then in the final weeks of the primary season, as the inevitable delegate math closed in on Clinton, she attacked Barack Obama, of course. He was ahead. And she clearly didn't want four more years of President Bush. John McCain, already running for the general election, attacked Obama. And Obama fired back at the Republican.

But neither Clinton nor McCain fired at each other.

Then after the last night of primary ballot-counting, Clinton and Obama spoke briefly about each other. McCain uttered one sentence ...

... about Obama.

And then the Arizona Republican said this about the wife of the only Democrat to be elected twice since FDR: "Sen. Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage. The media often overlooked how compassionately she spoke to the concerns and dreams of millions of Americans, and she deserves a lot more appreciation than she sometimes received.

"As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend."

And then a week ago this morning it became clear that the Democratic Party was forcing Clinton to end her bid. On Saturday, Obama went golfing. Clinton and her family dressed as if for a funeral and went to thank their supporters with a grateful speech and, on paper, a hearty, full endorsement of Obama.

But something was missing. Not one word in the speech about the Republican nominee that Obama must now confront for the White House.

As she was speaking, the McCain campaign's new website blog, The McCain Report, posted a special tribute to the losing Democratic candidate, familiarly headlined "Hillary Out," something the Obama campaign didn't fully match for two days.

"Sen. Clinton has really grown on us," McCain blogger Michael Goldfarb wrote. "She ran an impressive campaign ... an impressive candidate ... inspired a generation of women. ... Sen. Clinton also didn't mention John McCain once during her speech. This came as something of a surprise over here, and a pleasant one at that. But it's clear that John McCain and Hillary Clinton respect each other -- and there is a genuine affection for her here at McCain HQ."

The blog post included a photo of McCain and Clinton together on a ship in the Arctic during one of their several journeys as members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. These things do not happen on official campaign websites spontaneously or by accident. Nor does the enemy get accidentally omitted from a major speech.

So The Ticket called a bunch of people who know both McCain and Clinton. It's true, they confirmed, there is a special friendship between them. And it apparently started in January of 2001, when Clinton became the first former first lady elected to public office and walked into the U.S. Senate.

It has always been a gentlemen's club, if not always populated by gentlemen. And the warmth toward Clinton was missing. Until McCain walked up and heartily welcomed the newcomer and showed her around. "They really hit it off," said one friend.

They shared many things, including a candid tongue. Both also have at times been at odds with their own parties. They found they could work together across the aisle as committee members and enjoyed each other's company on fact-finding trips around the world. In Estonia, according to one famous tale, Clinton challenged McCain to a vodka shot-drinking contest, which he readily accepted.

Later, McCain remarked to friends "she was one of the guys," a high compliment among guys.

Learning about their unexpected friendship got us to thinking about a few things. What if McCain and Clinton, both their party's front-runners a year ago today, ended up confronting each other in the general election? Would we have seen a more civil campaign for a change?

According to several sources, including the Atlantic's respected Marc Ambinder, McCain came within a breath of publicly promising last year that his would be a one-term presidency. Aides convinced him it was an unnecessary chip to discard then.

Meanwhile, Clinton appears to be delivering early on her commitment to help Obama, steering her financial supporters to assist him in recent days, though some demur.

She's promised "to do all that I can" to help ensure his election, which sounds good but is practically hard to define. There will be some grand unity event soon. And at the Denver convention. But we'll see about the fall come fall.

The fact is, many of her 18 million supporters may not go for Obama. Wouldn't it be an amazing end scenario to an amazing political season if the working-class supporters, especially women, of the Clinton who so many Republicans love to hate helped elect the GOP senator from Arizona that so many Republicans have their own doubts about?

Such a Republican win, even a narrow one, as unlikely as it seems right now, would erase the present presidential hopes of the usurper Obama and could clear the way in 2012 for another try by that same Clinton, who'll only be 64 then.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: Associated Press; The McCain Report.

Comments

[Mandelay]

Ah, what might have been! Real bi-partisan effort instead of the divisions being created by the Obama camp. Too bad. Hillary for the Dems and John for the Republicans could work together for the United States of America. That would be refreshing ... for a change.

[navyvet48]

If Ros ve Wade were going to be overturned it would have happened while Ronald Reagan was president. The most that can happen to Roe vs Wade is that certain things about abortion become more restrictive. Stop threatening women with this law, that time is so over. I favor stronger laws about abortion. I think young teenagers should be required to inform their parents, not the clinic. The less these kids tell their parents especially about pregnancies, the more is helps dissolve family ties. I am totally against late term abortions and actually want laws passed aginst them.

I am a Hillary supporter and now I am on McCain's team. Whoever commented that I would never have voted for Obama is correct.

He has a pape rthin resume. He has less time on paper in politics then either Hillary or McCain (the IL legislator only meets 55 days a year!). Obama has never taken a tough stance on anything....so much so that families of people (veterans) who died in his state have never even heard him address the issue at all. He simply inflated numbers in Congress by proposing 19 bills or ammendments that had no purpose until proposed. Now that was quite a waste of taxpayers money. When he is afraid a tough stance might hurt him politically he presses the PRESENT button. He simply doesn't know how to get the tough jobs himself.

[hong]

"On Saturday Obama went golfing. Clinton and her family dressed as if for a funeral" What cynical you are! That saidt all about you and the newspaper you work for . You are the reason I stopped La times subcription.

[Anne Linn]

First of all, all three - Obama, Clinton and McCain - are American patriots. What's all this dissing and hissing going on? It's a good sign when two powerful Senators from "across the aisle" work together. That's good for the U.S. because congress can get something done when they cooperate for the good of all of us. As far as the election 2008 goes, it's a democracy. We can vote for whom we choose. Our vote doesn't mean we hate the other guy, or that we are voting for Clinton in 2012 or that we are for or against abortion. Usually people vote for the person that best fits their interests and background.

Hey, "can't we all just get along?"

Thanks for the article, it made me think and was at least not bashing on any one candidate.

[db]

I smell a lot of pro-McCain spam on this comment board.

[Jomama]

Anyone who says McCain '08 & Hillary 2012 will have a nasty surprise in 2012 from the OTHER 18 million Democrats paying you back. It works both ways...

[Christopher London]

John McCain is a "Rhinestone War Hero." Before this race is over we will no longer have to question John McCain's manhood because it will be clear to all that the "Fiction" of McCain's legacy is a greater illusion than his testicular fortitude. WAR HEROES do not need to run around telling anyone and everyone that they can find how how god damn heroic that they are. Do they? Ever listen to Bruce Springsteen's Song Glory Days? Heroes do not live to tell tall tales. Myths do. Heroes die. Liars never tell you how they graduated 4th from the bottom of their class at the Naval Academy, how their legacy admission is the only reason they were not expelled and how they were never promoted to Admiral because they spent most of their time in a drunken stupor and destroying military property. McCain's legacy is as fictional as McHale's Navy, the 1960's TV show. Google it. Consider that even those who once propped up McCain, see him as a souless opportunistic fraud. Ask Ross Perot, one of McCain's early benefactors what he truly thinks of John McCain. My guess is you will see live in primetime before this election season is out what Perot really thinks. Google it. Ask the wife he left behind or the current one who supports him and who he cheats on. JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT A MAN, NOT A REAL MAN. HILLARY is a similar creature. The "Mythical Clinton Legacy" does not match up with the actual legacy. What they share is their ability to deceive masses of ignorant white folks that they are something different then they really are. McCain is a RIGHT WING TROJAN HORSE and HILLARY is a faux feminist, shape shifting political fraud and working class predator who is particularly adept at skillfully manipulating and deceiving those on the left side of the bell curve, the intellectually undernourished and the spiritually unenlightened.

[Susan]

Perhaps McCain should choose Hillary as his vice president--that would be truly bipartisan, truly revolutionary, truly a way to break the endless logjam in Washington. With all the messes we're in, a genuine national unity ticket would have great appeal. All of us need to think of loyalty to the country above loyalty to the party.

[Mega2lAM]

I will suggest a "world day of healing" democrats before November Elections. Obama & Hillary rise above the norm and bring us (people) together. Beliieve me it does nit matter to me who is the Pres. as long it is a Democrat...who would inject a spiritual healing among the American People and then everything would fall into place. Get together some of the renowned spiritual leaders like Joel Osteen to lead this initiative.

[ann]

And in 2004 Kerry asked McCain to be his VP. So, McCain is far preferable to Obama for President. He treats Clinton supporters and Clinton with more respect. He doesn't denigrate everyone over 30 as being unwanted, not needed, and racist.

You have to respect a man who doesn't give his Party members or his opponents the finger, wipe them off his shoe and treat them like an adolescent boy having a temper tantrum. Oh, yeah, McCain is far preferable to BO. Thank goodness he's the repub nominee.

[THANGAMMA]

MY DOGS POOP ON YOUR NEWSPAPER.
A RUMOR MONGERING NEWSPAPER WITH NO CREDIBILITY.
A MYSOGINISTIC NEWSPAPER TO SAY THE LEAST
WHY DON'T YOU WRITE ABOUT OBAMA AND AYERS?
OBAMA AND LARRY SINCLAIR AND HIS PROCLIVITIES?
HUH?
HUH?
HUH?
OBAMA AND LOUIS FARRAKHAN?
OBAMA AND HIS INDONESIAN MADARASSA?
STOP DIGGING DIRT ON HILLARY CLINTON!!!

[Faye]

They may be friends, but she is NOT anything like a republican. Way more social programs going on than a republican could stomach. I think it's good that the two parties don't always try to kill each other. We're working for the same thing--America. We just have different ideas on how to save it.

[jy2008]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

It seems no many are realy interested in unifying anything.

As to friendship, do not you think
Uncle McCain is much better than Uncle Wright?

[Mira]

I am a Democrat and just so happen to really like Senator McCain. I applaud Senator McCain for his most
kind, gracious, sincere words to Senator Clinton, after her campaign loss to Obama.
The Clinton's are masters at solving world problems and working together bipartisanly. This is also why I believe that Senator Clinton should have been our democratic nominee.
I believe that Senator McCain and Senator Clinton would make the best team! So, maybe Senator McCain should ask Senator Clinton to become his V.P. running mate.

[Cahil]

I am an educated white male in my 50s and a staunch supporter of Senator Clinton.

She was by far the most qualified candidate in this race. She makes Obama looks pale in every conceivable way.

The disrespectful way she has been treated by him, by the media and by the DNC ensure I will never vote for Obama.

The media likes to pretend it's just a bunch of angry older woman who won't vote for him. Well, add my name, my brothers' names, my families' names, and six of my educated middle aged male friends to that list.

Dean better start paying attention to the fact that his 'selected' candidate is about to get trounced in November.

If I can't have Clinton, between the two left standing, McCain is a far better choice than Obama.

[TedinNY]

At her Baruch College event in NYC just a few days ago, Hillary Clinton added her name to a Major League Baseball that was inscribed by the famous New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra with the quote: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Bill Clinton also signed his name to the ball. A photo of it can currently be seen on eBay. This Yogi Berra quote summarizes the essence of the Clintons’ drive to win and their spirited campaign style. Don’t count them out from politics just yet.

[Maj Fraser]

christopher london is a jerk. the most decorated congressional medal of honor winner, col bud day, swears that mccain is a bonifide hero and only the lowest life of a girlee man like you denies it. silver star, dfc, repeated breaking of his limbs, and staying in the hanoi hilton for his men. my uncle was a spy in hanoi and he saw the hilton. he knew mccain is a hero. and you are the scum of the earth to denigrate it.

[vote4thebest]

McCain is more centrist than Obama, at least he has a record for us to look at. Obama only has words and promises so far and his thin record does note even support his words.

I don't want to vote Republican but it looks like McCain is the better choice than Obama.

[Joe Press]

I want you to read all the comments above.

Now ask yourself....
Why are people so weird? There were a few normal comments but most were fanatical weirdo's without a shred of unbiased thought in their bones.
Doesnt anyone care about the truth--or just distorting it?

[Mi13]

You Obama lovers are threatened by virtually everything, aren't you? When you feel threatened you turn defensive.
Get past yourselves will you, we have a country to worry about, not just your reflection!

[granny]

Cool, I'm voting for McCain then. Any friend of Hillary's is a friend of mine.

[Elaine from Ohio]

I wish John McCain would ask Hillary to be his VP - now there is CHANGE- A Republican and Democrat on the same ticket! If not she should run as an Independnet, I will not vote for Obama- he spends too much of his time giving speeches, explaining what he meant to say and not voting on issues, only says present as to not to commit! Too wishy-washey! (If Hillary is on his ticket will be the only way I will vote for him- if he chooses another woman I think the Democratic Party will be split forever!)
Also, don't like Obama's wife's comment about finally being proud for the first time to be an American... I am sure the world is laughing at us because of that!

[Mira]

A Democrat for....

McCAIN CLINTON 2008!
McCAIN CLINTON DREAM TEAM!
McCAIN CLINTON 2008 WINNING TEAM!

NO OBAMA/WRIGHT!!!!!!!!!

[dibst bia]

So vote for Mc Cain and suck it up! you idiot. Just scary of a black man. Your intellectual laziness will lose yall.
Suck it up if you vote for Mc Insane and don't complain about gas prices, or Iraq or Health care.

After all you gotta assume your vote.

[ying]

Why can't McCain and Hillary be friends? We should only vote for someone who is qualified as the president of our country, not a political party for the US. In fact, for better or for worse, we know McCain and Hillary for years, we know the weakest sides of each of them. But how much we know about Senator Obama whose wife can finally feel to be proud of being an American only when she saw there is a chance for her husband to be the president?