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CNN Live Saturday

White House Nervous McCain Will Jump Ship

Aired June 02, 2001 - 13:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush administration has been busy counting noses on Capitol Hill, amid fevered speculation that another Republican senator was about to jump ship. Well, for the latest on that, let's turn to our senior White House correspondent, John King.

Good morning, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Donna.

Well, that speculation centering on Senator John McCain, who of course was President Bush's rival back in the last Republican presidential campaign. Senator McCain insisting he has no plans to switch, but still as you mentioned, a great sense of anticipation, not only here at the White House, but all across Washington.

When the Senate comes back to work this week, it will be controlled by the Democrats because of the defection of Senator Jim Jeffords from the Republican Party. And this weekend, as we see these pictures of Senator McCain at last year's Republican convention, Senator McCain meeting with the man who will be the majority leader, Democrat Tom Daschle invited out to McCain's ranch near Sodona.

This leading to some speculation McCain, too was considering leaving the GOP. There are fresh reports today perhaps no, he will become an independent and run again against President Bush in the year 2004. So McCain today issuing a statement, trying to quiet all this down. The Senator saying "I have not instructed nor encouraged any of my advisers to begin planning for a presidential run in 2004. I have not discussed running for President again with anyone. As I have said repeatedly, I have no intention of running for President, nor do I have any intention of or cause to leave the Republican Party. I hope this will put an end to further speculation on this subject."

But of course, there will be continued speculation as we have the great political theater of the Democrats taking control of the Senate. And the White House has voiced some frustration. They say they're convinced Senator McCain will stay as a Republican, but increasingly he is working with the Democrats on key issues at which he is at odds with the White House. He's working with Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts on a so-called HMO patients bill of rights.

McCain, also a critic of the President on campaign finance reform, harsh critic of the President's tax cut plan. So Senator McCain will be one of the more colorful figures, as this new political dynamic takes effect here in Washington. Again though, he is assuring people again today that he has no plans to leave the Republican Party. And he is insisting, although there will continue to be speculation, that at least as of now, he has no plans to run for President again as a Republican or as an independent in 2004 -- Donna.

KELLEY: From the White House this afternoon, John King, thanks for very much.

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