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In 2004, John Kerry wanted his friend John McCain to be his running mate on a bipartisan "unity ticket." Polling from May 2004 showed that a Kerry/McCain ticket had a 14% lead over Bush among registered voters. McCain showed interested but he ultimately declined and endorsed Bush. Curiously, McCain had been approached by Senate Democrats to leave the Republican Party in 2001 in order to become an independent. McCain showed interest, but remained with the GOP.
But suppose that McCain is convinced to accept Kerry's offer in 2004. (Perhaps the POD is McCain becomes an independent in 2001). Could this ticket have possibly worked? Would Democrats be willing to unite behind a Kerry/McCain ticket? If so, would Kerry/McCain win in 2004?