WASHINGTON — John F. Kerry had more than half a dozen conversations with Sen. John McCain about the prospect of him joining the Democratic presidential ticket, but the Arizona Republican repeatedly told his longtime friend that he was not interested, according to an associate close to McCain.
The Massachusetts senator broached the idea with McCain at least seven times, first raising it about 2 1/2 months ago, the source said Friday. All the conversations occurred over the phone but one, which took place on the floor of the Senate.
The last conversation was about a week ago, the McCain associate said. Each time, he said, McCain "respectfully declined, but firmly."
Kerry, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was careful not to formally offer McCain the position. But he did raise the prospect of a joint bipartisan ticket.
McCain's Senate office on Friday did not return a call about the matter, and aides to Kerry would not comment on the topic.
The account of McCain's associate, who agreed to be interviewed only on condition of anonymity, provided the first confirmation of Kerry's interest in the Arizona senator as a potential running mate, a position McCain has repeatedly said he would not accept.
But the notion of the two decorated Vietnam War veterans running together has proved irresistible to many Democrats, who have been speculating about it since McCain briefly left himself open to the possibility in March.
Many Democratic strategists believe that McCain's crossover popularity as a Republican maverick, as well as his rapport with Kerry, would increase their chances of defeating President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney by drawing votes from independents and swing voters, and perhaps some Republicans.
For Kerry to choose McCain as his running mate would be seen as a bold choice and an indication of his desire to bring a more bipartisan mood to Washington, some hoped.
In a recent CBS News poll, a hypothetical Kerry-McCain ticket beat Bush and Cheney, 53% to 39%.
McCain's contentious history with Bush -- whom he challenged in the 2000 Republican presidential primary -- and his open respect for Kerry, a longtime friend, has spurred the conjecture. In one interview in March, McCain disputed the Bush campaign's characterization of the Massachusetts senator as "weak on defense."
But there are substantial policy differences between Kerry and McCain, raising questions among Democrats and Republicans about the feasibility of a bipartisan White House.
