2008: the first presidential election between two sitting members of Congress?

[Erc]

There have only been two sitting members of Congress who were elected President - Garfield and Kennedy.

Hancock was never in Congress, and Nixon had been VP for 8 years.

Don't forget Harding, who was Ohio's Senator at the time.

(Cox was the governor of Ohio at the time, though).

[Erc]

is there no chance McCain would resign the Senate?  like Dole, '96?  it'd give him a good talking point against Clinton or Obama about how they aren't doing their job since they are always on the campaign trail.

I think it's unlikely, especially since a Democrat would name his replacement.  Not a great way to keep the peace with conservatives.  Dole was also Senate Majority Leader, so it was harder to keep focus on his job in the Senate while he was campaigning.  If you're just 1 of 100 Senators though, it's less of a big deal if you're distracted.

as Jim pointed out, Napolitano would have to pick a Republican.  I suggest it because it gives McCain a couple nice talking points through the campaign against sitting Senator Obama or sitting Senator Clinton, and I also think McCain would have no desire to continue with the Senate should he lose the general election and there's about a 0% chance of him running for re-election in 2010, regardless of the presidential result.

Especially since he might get primaried if he loses...