Joe Biden Wanted McCain For Kerry’s VP

From the May 16, 2005 edition of NBC News’ Meet The Press:

MEET THE PRESS

Transcript for May 16 [2004]

Guests: Secretary Colin Powell, Department of State; Senator Joseph Biden, D-DE, Ranking Member, Foreign Relations Committee; Senator John McCain, R-AZ, Armed Services Committee

Moderator/Panelist: Tim Russert - NBC News

Russert: Senator Biden, what do you think of John McCain as a Democratic candidate for vice president?

Biden: I think John McCain would be a great candidate for vice president. I mean it. I know John doesn’t like me saying it, but the truth of the matter is, it is. We need to heal the red and the blue here, man, the red states and the blue states. And John McCain is a loyal Republican. God, he drives me crazy how loyal he is as a Republican as much of a friend as he is. We disagree on a lot of things, but I’ll tell you, the fact of the matter is that we’ve got to bring together the red and the blue here. This is a divided nation. And I think that — I would still urge John Kerry to pick up the phone and call John McCain. He’ll say no probably. But I think John Kerry has an obligation to do that for the way he wants to heal. And I know John will listen. He’ll say no, but I’m going to tell you, I’m counting on him being a more loyal American than he is a loyal Republican.

And, John, I’m not so sure you’re so happy about the Senate. I’d like to see you president instead of the guy we have now. So–but you’re a great senator. But I think you’d also be doing a great service. Do I think it’s going to happen? No. But I think it is a reflection of the desire of this country, and the desire of people in both parties, to want to see this God-awful, vicious rift that exists in the nation healed, and John and John could go a long way to healing that rift.

And all this time we thought it was the Anointed One who was going to be the ‘Great Unifier.’

Still, it is far more troubling than reassuring to hear this out of the mouth of Mr. Biden.

But there it is.