Some news operations appear so eager to create an anti-Bush political groundswell that they'll grasp at any straw. Last weekend, that straw was Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., again the subject of speculation in the totally objective, nonpartisan news columns of the New York Times that he might run for vice president on John Kerry's Democratic ticket.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., delivers the commencement address to students of the University of Southern California during their 121th annual ceremony Friday. (AP photo)

Some Democrats want McCain for "a bipartisan ticket that they say would instantly transform the presidential race," the Times said.

McCain, meanwhile, is co-chair of Bush's re-election campaign and holds views on issues such as abortion that conflict with the Democratic liturgy. But McCain is still sore about being beaten for the 2000 nomination, the theory goes, and would bolt to get even at Bush. So CBS Evening News jumped on the story, with a "Dream Team?" label above photos of the pair.

"The Vietnam veterans are reportedly close friends and talk regularly," CBS' Kelly Cobiella said. Oh. So do Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch.

On NBC's Meet the Press, host Tim Russert went further.

"It's the elephant in the room, the story that will not die," Russert said.

Not if he can help it. He brought on McCain and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., to give it mouth-to-mouth, but McCain did his best to smother it: "I've said categorically, categorically, I will not be vice president of the United States. I will not be a candidate. And I mean that. I'm happy in the Senate. I'd like to maintain my role. I am a loyal Republican. I am supporting President Bush's re-election. I am campaigning for it. And I'd like to mention one other thing. The bullet played in all these stories is John McCain is angry at President Bush about 2000. Look, that was four years ago. ... I work with President Bush on a lot of issues and I want him re-elected and I'm not looking back in anger at anything. So I'm afraid this will not be the last conversation you and I have on this issue and I categorically say no, but I can only hope."

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on NBC's "Meet the Press" at the NBC studios in Washington. (AP photo)

Even that wasn't enough for Russert, who virtually begged McCain to reconsider: "Senator McCain, as an American, you can stay a Republican. You can be a loyal Republican. It would be a fusion or a unity ticket. Would you contemplate it in any way, shape, or form?"

Biden chimed in: "I know John doesn't like me saying it, but the truth of the matter is ... We need to heal the red and the blue here, man, the red states and the blue states."

If Biden wants a "fusion" ticket, man, maybe he should volunteer to be Bush's running mate. Why aren't the networks busy enabling wild rumors of a transformational "heal the red and the blue" campaign headed by Bush?

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Have you heard or read a statement by a politician, media personality or other public figure that you think doesn't add up? Let us know. Call Ray Cooklis at (513) 768-8525; e-mail rcooklis@enquirer.com