Blow to Kerry As War Hero Pulls Out

Maverick Republican senator John McCain has rejected overtures to become the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

There has been feverish speculation that McCain, a hugely popular figure from the moderate wing of the Republican party, would become Kerry's partner on a 'unity' ticket.

But sources in the McCain camp have moved to quash the debate. They said Kerry had sounded out McCain at least seven times in the last two and a half months and, after serious consideration, the Arizona senator had now rejected the idea.

The courtship of McCain has been one of the hottest topics in US politics for weeks. Polls showed that, with McCain on the ticket, Kerry would beat President Bush by a huge 14 points. With Bush already trailing badly in recent surveys, such a boost could have allowed Kerry to build up an almost unassailable lead ahead of November's election. But McCain's decision now looks to have ended that possibility.

Officially McCain's camp has denied Kerry ever made an offer, but most experts believe the discussions were held on an entirely informal basis to spare Kerry any official rejection and so avoid making his eventual vice- presidential candidate look like a second choice.

McCain was so attractive to Kerry because the two men have a strong friendship. Both are Vietnam veterans and they worked together across party lines to normalise relations with Vietnam in the 1990s. McCain, a former Navy pilot, is a national hero for his outspoken style and the five years he spent in a Vietnamese prison where he was tortured.

McCain is also believed to dislike Bush after the two fought a tough battle for the Republican nomination in 2000. However, it is believed that McCain's strong differences with Kerry on a wide range of issues persuaded him that he could not join Kerry's campaign. He is a conservative fiscal hawk and has strong pro-gun and anti-abortion views. All three stances would sit uneasily with those of a Democratic liberal such as Kerry.

Now Kerry's focus will shift back to leading figures within his own party as a choice for a running mate. The decision is seen as a vital first test of a presidential challenger. Leading candidates include North Carolina senator John Edwards, whose optimistic campaign was a surprise success when he ran against Kerry for the Democratic nomination. Another ex-rival, Dick Gephardt, is also a strong contender, due to his strong support with unions and in the vital Middle West states. Iowa governor Tom Vilsack is also a possible choice.

The decision is especially vital in an election still predicted to be knife-edge close when just a handful of key states could decide the contest. In polls last week Kerry was leading Bush by up to seven points.