Fineman: McCain 'In Effect' Already Kerry's VP

Media favorite Sen. John McCain has repeatedly denied he's interested in joining the Democratic ticket as Sen. John Kerry's running mate, but Newsweek's Howard Fineman says it may not matter in the short run since he's already fulfilling that role.

"He's already, in effect, Kerry's veep," Fineman told NBC's "The Chris Matthews Show" on Sunday.

"The Republicans are making life uncomfortable for McCain. ... He's drawing all the fire for [Democrats]," the Newsweek scribe added, agreeing with Matthews that recent Republican criticism of McCain will likely encourage him to pull "a Jim Jeffords."

"And since he's up [for re-election] in the Senate in Arizona and is a sure winner, if he really gets mad he might be able to cost the Republicans both the presidency and the Senate at the same time," Fineman added gleefully, after noting that the Kerry camp hasn't given up hope that McCain will defect.

Editor's note: