The American Spectator : 'Scorched Earth' in Arizona

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'Scorched Earth' in Arizona

By Robert Stacy McCain on 3.31.10 @ 6:09AM

John McCain's big money campaign against J.D. Hayworth.

PHOENIX, Arizona -- Behind a Dunkin' Donuts in a shopping center on East Cactus Road, J.D. Hayworth's Senate campaign headquarters has a low-budget look. Near the front door, pinned to a cubicle wall, is a campaign T-shirt proclaiming Hayworth "The Consistent Conservative," offered for sale at $15 each. Volunteers are stuffing envelopes at a folding table that holds seven telephones, the phone lines dangling down from the ceiling. A large bulletin board is festooned with letters from supporters, including a woman from Dewey, Arizona, who wrote to say, "Sock it to him, please!"

The "him" is, of course, Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party's 2008 presidential nominee and the man whose involuntary retirement from the Senate is the goal of Hayworth's candidacy.

Hayworth sits behind a desk in his office, signing thank-you letters to contributors who have given about $800,000 for his "Million-Dollar March" online fund-raising effort, and reflects on the central irony of this campaign: McCain, an outspoken advocate of "getting the big money out of politics," is spending big money in an all-out effort to destroy Hayworth's primary challenge.

"Obviously, the gulf between my opponent's rhetoric and the reality is so great it exceeds the geographic dimensions of our own Grand Canyon," Hayworth says. "It's more than a credibility gap, it's a credibility canyon.… If he was really concerned about [the influence of political contributions], he certainly seems to have gotten over it very quickly."

Whether McCain's big money will be enough to secure his re-election, it undoubtedly gives him advantages against Hayworth, whose low-budget campaign doesn't expect to match the incumbent dollar-for-dollar in the five months between now and the August 24 primary.

"We know we're not going to out-raise him," Hayworth says. "We're not going to out-spend him."

Exactly how much the McCain campaign has spent so far won't be known until the first-quarter Federal Election Commission reports are made public in April, but the incumbent ended 2009 with $5 million cash on hand and has invested heavily in attack ads against Hayworth.

"All he has to show for it is a 15-point swing toward me, and we're now down by seven points," says Hayworth, referring to a recent poll by Rasmussen Reports that showed him trailing by a 48-41 margin among likely primary voters -- a surprisingly slender lead for McCain, who was re-elected with 76 percent of the vote in 2004.

But 2010 is not 2004, and in the intervening years, McCain led a legislative push to grant amnesty to illegal aliens -- a very unpopular stance in Arizona, especially with Republican and conservative-leaning independents. (Arizona election law allows registered independents to vote in either party primary.) A Rasmussen poll last year found that Arizona voters considered immigration a more important issue than health-care reform and 65 percent said "enforcing the borders is more important than legalizing the status of those already living here."

The immigration issue has "gotten bigger" in Arizona recently, Hayworth says, after a Cochise County rancher was found shot dead Saturday near the Mexican border, a crime that law-enforcement officials suggest was committed by illegal aliens or smugglers who have made the border an increasingly dangerous place.

"Border security is national security and it is time that we enforce the law," Hayworth said in a press release reacting to the killing of 58-year-old Rob Krentz, whose family has owned a cattle ranch near the border for more than a century. "For thousands of Arizonans, border security is also quite literally a matter of personal security."

Among Hayworth's supporters who share that view is Chris Simcox, who founded the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a group that helped bring hundreds of volunteers to patrol the border in a 2005 protest against lax immigration enforcement by the Bush administration. Simcox had originally planned his own GOP primary challenge to McCain, but ended his candidacy after Hayworth threw his hat in the ring and is now a senior advisor to the Hayworth campaign.

"This campaign is gaining momentum by the hour, it seems," Simcox said Monday outside the Hayworth headquarters. "It's clear the people of Arizona want their Senate seat back. It's clear that Senator McCain feels that it's his seat. The voters of Arizona are going to, hopefully, throw a retirement party for him on August 24 -- thank him for his service, give him the gold watch and send him to retirement."

The 73-year-old incumbent, however, doesn't seem eager to retire and is wielding all his considerable power to shut down Hayworth's challenge. Taking on the powerful four-term senator (and his wife's influential Republican family) makes fundraising in Arizona a difficult task for Hayworth, as major GOP donors in the state fear the political consequences if it is discovered they have contributed to McCain's opponent.

So far, the most obvious impact of Hayworth's primary challenge has been McCain's election-year rediscovery of conservative rhetoric -- the senator made headlines yesterday by calling for deploying the National Guard to defend the border with Mexico -- but Hayworth suggests Arizonans are suffering from "McCain fatigue."

That may explain why Hayworth is being targeted by what he calls a "scorched earth" campaign from the incumbent. The challenger points out the McCain campaign began slamming him in attack ads even before Hayworth declared his candidacy for the Senate, and contrasts that approach with what he calls McCain's "kid gloves" treatment of Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.

"People say, 'Wait a minute, he's training all his fire on you, as a conservative, and he pulled punches… when we had so much at stake in the presidency,'" Hayworth says. Adapting a lyric from "My Fair Lady," he adds, "The disdain of McCain falls on conservatives in the main."

About the Author

Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (190) | Leave a comment

Gregory L. Jackson, PhD| 3.31.10 @ 6:37AM

McCain was a horrible candidate for president, Tweedledum to Obama's Tweedledee. Now McCain is GOP again? The Constitution compels Congress to protect our borders against foreign invasion. I was against McCain before my car was stolen and found wrecked in Mexico. Vote for Hayworth.

loulou| 3.31.10 @ 11:09AM

Better yet, SEND JD some money.
McCain should have the decency to retire. He's a worn out old RINO.

Conrad Spiracy| 3.31.10 @ 6:29PM

Send the bill for the gold watch to Cindy. She'll only need to sell a couple dozen barrels of beer to cover the cost.

Vaya con Dios, Senor McCain!

Con Spriacy

Excelsior!

Happyinaz| 3.31.10 @ 12:10PM

PLEASE! If you don't live in AZ then just keep quiet! AZ ran off Hayworth for a reason. He's a self-promoting liar and not fit for the US Senate. McCain is not perfect...but he's a deficit hawk and honerable!

Susan Grant| 3.31.10 @ 12:29PM

FYI Happinaz,
John McCain is a RINO and we are cleaning out the gene pool in the Republican Party and McCain needs to go to the 'funny farm' and rock his cares away. Being a 'deficit hawk' does NOT a Senator make. He has 'crossed the aisle too many times for me and I am NOT supporting him, contributing to his campaign and WILL NOT vote for him, because Arizona deserves better.

Eric Cartman| 3.31.10 @ 12:40PM

All I can say is, "What a choice!"

John Thacker| 4.1.10 @ 2:16PM

"John McCain is a RINO and we are cleaning out the gene pool in the Republican Party"

Hayworth voted for Medicare Part D, McCain didn't.
I could support the right candidate over McCain, but not Hayworth.

Bunny| 4.1.10 @ 7:30PM

I could and will support ANY candidate over the Soros owned McCain, even the Democrat, if Hayworth doesn't knock him out in the primary.

Tooey| 4.1.10 @ 10:29PM

Thacker, you're a McCain whore. Buzz off!

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 12:48PM

Exactly.

McCain might not be perfect, and I could understand voting for someone like, say, Shaddig over him, or Trent Franks. But Hayworth is a loudmouth, self-promoting fraud. He's the right's version of Al Franken.

Eric Cartman| 3.31.10 @ 4:19PM

Wish they could both lose (without electing a Liberal Ahole)

Radical American Patriot| 4.3.10 @ 3:39AM

Cliff, Your words prove that you are infected with the psychological illness called projection. You accuse someone whom you have no knowledge of being the loudmouth you clearly are. Instead of arguing the issues of the article you show your lack of intellectual capacity by resorting to name-calling and it's TRULY PATHETIC. I believe you to be one of McCain's paid political whores working for the progressives and political pimps who run McCain.

Radical American Patriot| 4.3.10 @ 3:40AM

Nick| 3.31.10 @ 6:53PM

Sorry Happyinaz, but this is AMERICA!

Where we have, for the time being, the right to say and write what we want. We don't need your permission.

We can also send J.D. money if we want to, even though we don't live in Arizona. You can't do anything about it!

Hayworth reminds of David Drier, which is to say he reminds me of a used car salesman. I don't trust him that much.

But, McShamnesty has got to go! NOW!
And not just him.

Anyone who's been in congress for more than 12 years, needs to be ousted, toot-sweet! We can start in '10 with those that have been in for 20 years, and work our way down.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:04PM

You mean like the way this Arizonan had the freedom to send money to MA for Scott Brown's campaign and the freedom to say whatever she wanted re the race in the Bay State? but now other states' residents aren't going to be given the same courtesy/right? going to be told to stay out of it?

If you and the McCainiites weren't so worried for your guy, it wouldn't matter to you.

Get serious. If outside-the-state dollars were going for your hero and he were receiving accolades from around the country, you'd be all for it.

Cal Mark| 3.31.10 @ 8:50PM

Such an "honorable" man--constantly did his best to destroy the small portions of Bush's agenda that were conservative.

Condemned conservatives specifically, almost constantly, between 2001 and 2007 out of spite because we voted for Bush, not him.

Routinely betrayed his party for camera time.

Pushed McCain-Feingold (restriction of free speech), McCain-Kennedy (Amnesty for illegal aliens), and strongly supported other lefty causes.

Knew that Dodd, Frank, and the other Democrat crooks in Congress were responsible for all the meltdowns...and said nothing, because he was afraid of alienating Democrats.

For that matter, sneered at the GOP base (conservatives: "Calm down," he told us) while trolling for Democrat votes.

And most of all, took it very easy on Barack Obama, but is firing full batteries on J.D. Hayworth.

Regardless of Hayworth's faults, it's time for McCain to go home. He is dishonorable, wicked, and utterly unprincipled.

Chet| 4.4.10 @ 11:34PM

Thanx Cal... you saved me a BUNCH of typing !!!
Vote for Hayworth if you can...
Send him money if you can't...
Folks... THIS is what it has come down to...
FINANCIALLY backing non-incumbents in other states to rid our system of the CURRENT scum.
If the NEW scum won't get it done, then we'll get rid of them too...

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 8:55PM

McCain is a Sun City pretty boy elected by the old ladies who swooned over him during his first campaign. At that time, he was all Arizona wanted in a candidate, but now, the man is tired. He won't admit it, but he is. Also, there seem to be some psychological matters popping up from his years in captivity. He isn't the same man who ran for successful consecutive terms. Something is wrong with him, I'm not sure what. As for J.D., I like him! Always have! Hope he makes it, and as for the emigres who have moved to Arizona and think they can run it like they did in their own state, forget it! Go home! If you don't like Arizona politics, the road runs both ways!

serfer62| 3.31.10 @ 9:43PM

HappyinAZ you may not realize it but this POS effects the nation so it is my concern who wins. McNast
1) Killed the perment tax cut and taxes go up next years...tank McCain
2) His Gang of 14 stopped Conservative judges from being seated.
3) Thanks to this clown we haven't been able to drill our own oil.
4) He tried to kill free speech with the McNast-Finemen law finally squashed by the Supremes this year.
No, its a national election and who morons in AZ elected him

John Thacker| 4.1.10 @ 2:18PM

"His Gang of 14 stopped Conservative judges from being seated."

His Gang of 14 also kept Democrats from getting rid of the filibuster in 2009 and so far this year too. The filibuster is good for conservatism, overall. To sell it for a few judges (and you're crazy if you think that altering it for judges would actually stay just for judges) would be stupid.

Tooey| 4.1.10 @ 10:31PM

You're swimming upstream and you're up a river without a paddle.

ELECT JD HAYWORTH!!

Chet| 4.4.10 @ 11:40PM

TOTAL BULL EXHAUST --
"His Gang of 14 also kept Democrats from getting rid of the filibuster..."
Having that Filibuster rule STILL in effect REALLY HELPED US with ObamaCare, didn't it ???

MoveOnAZ| 4.1.10 @ 1:05AM

I respect John McCain's military service very much. However, I do not respect McCain's political service and very much wanted him to lose the Republican Party nomination in 2008 and McCain proved me right. During 2004 and prior years I made several attempts to contact McCain as my Senator and learned first hand that McCain could not be trusted or counted on to represent me or mine philosophically, economically or politically. You just can't believe McCain or trust him to do the conservative thing. As a staunch conservative I made a 2004 protest vote against McCain for Senate. In 2010 I will support Hayworth because I can't stomach McCain or his family's pompous progressivism again.

MoveOnAZ
Phoenix, AZ

Radical American Patriot| 4.3.10 @ 3:47AM

Happy(Looney)inaz, Monday, in Lake Havasu City McCainiac (NOT a term of endearment!) stated that JD's not a 'serious candidate'. IN THE SAME week that JD completed a fundraising month of $1,000,000!!! You ARE NOT FIT to tell others what to do!! You are the pompous, blatantly dishonest name calling fool who is definitely NOT honorable (no 'e' after the n, fool!) McCain, as his ditzy blonde daughter so aptly stated, is a Progressive. That means he is for more government control, and elimination of our national identity. He IS a hawk in one area, that is getting wealthier by using his power to enrich himself and friends and bully people here in Arizona; pretty much as you are trying to do!

Dj| 4.3.10 @ 11:21AM

Arizona did not "run off" JD Hayworth. The Arizona Republic falsely smeared him - as he was cleared of any wrongdoing later (although they buried the report on that) - and he was beaten by a conservative-sounding democrat (who - as we all know now is really still a Democrat/socialist).

Alan Brooks| 3.31.10 @ 5:10PM

McCain, like Dole, thought because he was tortured in 'Nam (he wouldn't shut up about his military background) he deserved to be POTUS. Dole , the same thinking.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:13PM

Glad you brought that up, Alan Brooks. And if Teddy Kennedy had not had two brothers gunned down by loonies (and a brother killed in WWII), there is no way his marxist agenda for America could have succeeded to the extent it has.

The tacit rule guiding public opinion is that you can't criticize or question the motives of someone who has had to face so much suffering. The dems have used this rule quite successfully to BAMBOOZLE the uncritical masses, who also happen to be egged on by the Leftist media.

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 8:58PM

And just what have YOU done for your country?
Sounds like you're one of those ASU beer guzzling twits!
Never fear--the man was tortured. The Cong had some of the most depicable methods known to man. Even the Japanese, who are experts, were repulsed.

serfer62| 3.31.10 @ 9:49PM

McCain was a hero and then proceeded to burn those achievements.
Benedict Arnold too was a hero, saved the fleging US twice (Secour Island & Saratoga) before he switched sides. What good has Reach-Across-the-Isle done?

Nobama| 3.31.10 @ 9:56PM

McCain is an American patriot, no doubt--but that doesn't mean he should be a senator for life!

It's time for the old boy to retire.
GO JD Hayworth!

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 10:32PM

I'm a woman raising children, you twit.

And your response epitomizes exactly the attitude I wrote about. Thank you for confirming my thesis.

Mike| 4.1.10 @ 5:48PM

McCain was held by the North Vietnamese, not the VC.

Regardless of torture, he is unfit and a stain on the party.

I served 4 years in the USMC, MOS 0341. That doesn't mean I have to knee jerk support every veteran that comes along.

L. Ross| 4.1.10 @ 5:56PM

Well, Lee, since you asked, I've been serving in uniform since 1981. As a military pilot, I haven't crashed a single jet, which is a hell of a lot more than John McCain can say. Additionally, suffering grevious torture does not grant the torture receipient wisdom or leadership or sound judgement. He has delayed the purchase of new tanker aircraft by the Air Force by a decade for no benefit in cost or capability, he is a semi-reliable vote for the democrats on many policies, he was nightmarishly bad as a presidential candidate, and he has shown terrible judgement on immigration policy.

So while I do acknowledge his terrible suffering 40 odd years ago, that suffering does not merit anything more than my appreciation and the military medals he was awarded. It certainly doesn't merit a Senate seat, especially for a man of questionable judgement and a piss poor pilot to boot.

Chet| 4.4.10 @ 11:49PM

His being tortured in Vietnam doesn't qualify him to HELP the Fed government torture me on the 1st & 15th...
McCain-Feingold.... corrupt self-serving suppression of citizen rights...
McCain-Kennedy... sucking up to a DRUNK, but powerful "colleague"
McCain-Graham ... giving away my country to Illegal Aliens ( and 29% of the prison cells too )
SO:
1) Send money to Hayworth
2) Smear McCain whenever / wherever
3) Flame ME for suggesting that we use the WINNING TACTICS of scum-democrats to get WHAT WE KNOW IS NEEDED...
The EXPULSION of Socialists / Marxists / Fascists ( pick one, because he/they ARE ONE OR THE OTHER ...)

maverick muse| 3.31.10 @ 7:02AM

McCain came to Arizona simply in order to become a senator. His own career means everything to him. The disdain he holds against his constituents is reprehensible.

McCain will vote for illegal alien amnesty. That entire issue is being touted in Washington as the only way to "fix" what's broken, though all it could do is make things much worse.

The immigration point is this: laws are not enforced, and the federal socialist government authoritarians have chosen to only enforce laws unconstitutionally against citizens, towns, cities and states that are attempting to maintain rule of law.

Where is the border fence? Where is McCain's work to get it funded and built?

Rob Krentz blood is on McCain's hands.

John McCain| 3.31.10 @ 1:38PM

Listen, pal. I spent 22 years in the Navy. My grandfather was in the Navy. We in the military service tend to move a lot. We have to live in all parts of the country, all parts of the world. I wish I could have had the luxury, like you, of growing up and living and spending my entire life in a nice place like the first district of Arizona, but I was doing other things. As a matter of fact, when I think about it now, the place I lived longest in my life was Hanoi.

Harry| 3.31.10 @ 3:34PM

You're welcome to return to Hanoi.
Just, please don't go back to Washington, DC, or the US Senate.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:17PM

Amen, Harry. Or, JM, you could take up residence in one of your many homes and take up painting, for example -- anything to occupy your time and attention away from the pursuit of re-shaping America into a form unrecognizable from our Founders' vision.

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 9:02PM

I'm not happy with McCain's emigration to Arizona, either, but he came, sensibly married an Arizona girl, and if he decided to run for office, Ok. At the time he first ran, it seemed as though only trolls were running. I cannot recall the name of the man he defeated, but it was a good race! Far too many of you are not Arizonans. You have NO concept of the true Arizona. You are from the disgusting east coast, L.A., or Florida--but, at least Florida has a lot of farmers--better than the office types in Phoenix and Tucson!

Nobama| 3.31.10 @ 10:00PM

California has a lot of farms and farmers, too, clown--and they beat the hell out of yours in Arizona. Why are you defending a RINO? You're part of the problem, too

McCain's a RINO--VOTE HIM OUT!

John Thacker| 4.1.10 @ 2:19PM

Hayworth is a Medicare Part D supporting RINO.

Mary Ann| 4.1.10 @ 10:32PM

So? McCain cost us the election in 2008.
He should retire.

Chet| 4.4.10 @ 11:55PM

Agreed ... but, we DON'T need a fence...
ALL we need are Sheriffs, Police Chiefs, state Attorneys General, et cetera who will DEPORT those Illegal Aliens who VIOLATE ANY LAW...
That will eliminate MILLIONS ....
I suggest they be deported to the MOST SOUTHERN BORDER of Mexico... Maybe by the time they make their way back up thru that ****-hole, they will be too weary to do it again.
Call me cruel, call me ANYTHING you want...
Racist ? Bigot ?
Forget it... it ain't workin' anymore, democrat-scum...

Scales| 3.31.10 @ 7:11AM

A change of senator is needed me thinks, people are disillusioned with McCain. But cannot that be said about most politicians in the US? i think if people were asked how happy are you with the government on a state level there would be a big split.

Jim Garrow PhD| 3.31.10 @ 7:20AM

I find it interesting that the conservatives in the GOP fear that they will be caught funding JD's campaign. Why are they so afraid of McCain? Isn't it more important that the march of Obama's leftist policies is stopped? McCain has shown himself to be a capitulator not someone who stands up to the left. His run for the Presidency was a joke. He never laid a glove on Obama and look at the mess we are now in. This should be laid at the feet of McCain, the loser. Whatever method is needed for Arizonans to fund JD , they need to find the way and get over their fear of McCain, his wife, her family and any other roadblock to a right wing victory over Obama and his leftist elite.

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 9:05PM

Those who are afraid to fund J. D.'s campaign are most likely outsiders, they don't belong in Arizona because the REAL Arizonan aren't afraid of anything--least of all a politician! John has been a good senator, but, like all things, his run must end. He should go out like a Gentleman and an Officer, not like a vindictive curmudgeon.

Ret. Marine| 3.31.10 @ 7:38AM

Yes indeed, thank Mclame for his service and send him packing. I'd say that would be a good start. All of a sudden mr.kid-gloves and the press's favorite son reaching across the isle for more socialist lust filled obumbler "my friend" is in trouble, boo-fricken-hoo. Spineless weeble. Serves him right. I'm sending Mr. Hayworth a check today, any takers? Who says money can't buy happiness?

Chalkdust| 3.31.10 @ 12:08PM

Thank you Mr. McCain for your milatary service to our country, job well done. Now it's time to thank your country for putting up with your political service (or lack of service) and go take your seat at the Brookings instuitute or the Public Broadcasting System.
Mr. JD Hayworth, the check is in the mail, good luck to us all.

Melvin| 3.31.10 @ 7:51AM

True to all the above. Sen. McCain is exactly the reason I left the Republican Party a number of years ago.
The good citizens of AZ need to take a real long hard look at Mr. John. Reelecting him for six long years in the long run would only breed hate and discontent.
Oh sure, if reelected the media will fawn over him as, "John McCain finds his mojo again, he once again is the Maverick."
Predictably he will be voting with the Democrats again and taking photo ops with them for his sincere bravery for crossing party lines.
Predictably Conservatives will start the gnashing of the teeth against the gums for, "How could we and AZ been so stupid for reelecting Sen. McCain we knew better."
That right AZ Republcians and Conservatives you do know better and just because Mr. John has swung right again for the sake of his campaign, all because Mr. J.D. is what I like to term, "Squirting Conservative lighter fluid all over Sen. McCain's butt and the Conservatives are holding the matches."
That is the only reason that Johnny boy conveniently has found his Conservative roots again, because he doesn't want his butt to go down in flames.
Arizona do you really need another Senator tooling around the halls of the Senate in his Hoveround with adjoining oxygen tank, unable to make decisions and let the staffers do it.?
Remember six years is a long time in dog years.

Alert1201| 3.31.10 @ 8:28AM

"is the only reason that Johnny boy conveniently has found his Conservative roots again, because he doesn't want his butt to go down in flames."

Exactly! If it was not for this primary McCain would be beating his best friend Graham to the microphones for bipartisan efforts like closing gitmo, amnisty and cap and trade. Hayward is pulling him to the right but its only for so long.

It must be killing McCain to be sitting on the side lines while Graham gets all the media adoration for reaching out to the dems.

Brian| 3.31.10 @ 7:55AM

Please Arizona, Please Retire McCain! We are counting on you.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:24PM

This Arizonan is doing her part. Last week, Thursday night, JD was in Tucson. And I attended the get-together and heard him speak.

I will be talking to my neighbors, too, and sharing with them the differences between the two candidates, primarily that McCain's greatest sense of pride comes in his eagerness to walk across the aisle and do business with people who intend our nation's "transformation." Believe me, this message does not go down well here.

Julie Burton| 3.31.10 @ 8:08AM

What, no discussion of Hayworth's corruption? Frankly, I don't trust him to do anything to safeguard the borders -- I think he'd be more inclined to take money from the coyotes. Sen. McCain has done well by Arizona for many years, and he definitely has my vote.

Ryan| 3.31.10 @ 8:23AM

What legislation has McCain supported that actively safeguards the borders? How is he better than Hayworth in that regard?

Tom| 3.31.10 @ 9:45AM

Julie,
What corruption? I honestly am pleading ignorance here. However, if you know something that is not mentioned in the article well pleace cite it. Throwing something like that out without any backup does not make a case for McCain.

Rob Baker| 3.31.10 @ 10:17AM

You're right Julie. Hayworth is a true lightweight. And, yes, the corruption is troubling, as is J.D.'s bad anchorman hair ... Ok, that's not really troubling.

McCain is conservatives' favorite whipping boy, but he's still a pretty effective Senator. And, Palin doesn't hurt either. This race will cause a whole bunch of people to get very excited, but McCain will win.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:34PM

Oh yeah. Corruption.

One hears the radio commercials, approved by J. McCain, about the Abramoff/Hayworth connection. It's as if JM doesn't have his own questionable dealings as one of the Keating 5. Make sure your house is squeaky clean before you start throwing mud at someone else, JM.

Effective Senator. Hmmmm. Like for amnesty? like for McCain/Feingold? Like for his recent attempt, now withdrawn, to heavily regulate the natural supplement industry? There's more, but you get the picture.

PR151| 3.31.10 @ 11:51AM

JD was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Abramoff scandal. Please don't try to pass your opinion as fact.

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 12:50PM

Not having enough evidence to prove it is not the same thing as "being cleared of any wrongdoing."

And it's not even disputed that he started a PAC that paid 30% of the money it raised TO HIS WIFE to "run" the PAC.

The guy is a fraud.

James| 3.31.10 @ 9:35PM

Cleared of going to jail yes...cleared of wrongdoing, NO! JD was using Abramoff's skyboxes at sporting events, JD was dining onAbramoff at his restauarant Signatures in NY, Abramoff passed over a good amt of money to JD. To this day JD still has a large legal debt that is over his head because of this scandal. Not only does JD have debt but he will not produce the names of the donors to that trust...can you say CORRUPTION, an honest, innocent man does not cover up for something!

Missy| 3.31.10 @ 10:02PM

I can see the McCainiacs are out in force.

Ole Sarge| 3.31.10 @ 8:11AM

I find the fear of mccain by the powers that be interesting. For those that assume they are Conservative, well, if they fear mccain they are certainly not Conservative.

We have our weak kneed sorts in Texas, cornyn and hutchison, both RINO's.

If someone has to assure me they are Conservative, well, usually means they aren't.

Tom| 3.31.10 @ 9:52AM

Hutchison is hardly a RINO. With a lifetime ACU rating of nearly 90% she is pretty reliable on conservative issues. Cornyn is an even more reliable vote with a lifetime rating of 93%.

loulou| 3.31.10 @ 11:13AM

Kay Bailey is a go along to get along Republican. I call that a RINO.

Cornyn had the bad judgement to endorse Crist over Rubio. Which is why I give nothing to the RNC and RSCC. I give to Rubio, JD Hayworth, and Allen West. In other words, true conservatives, not Arlen Specters.

Chalkdust| 3.31.10 @ 12:28PM

Thanks LouLou, that's the same thing I told the RNC representative when call my home asking for money. Remember NY23, I asked? Yes he replied. That's why I donate my money directly to candidates of my choice. But...but how can we beat the democrats without money? Good question I replied....try going out and scare up some Conservatives or Tea Party members to run for office...kiss their ass if required.

Tom| 3.31.10 @ 1:02PM

If someone who has a 90% rating from the ACU is too liberal then we might as well pack up and go home. There is simpy no way to achieve a majority if we insist on perfect adherence to conservative causes.

Lets see what Rubio is after he goes to Washington.

Nobama| 3.31.10 @ 10:05PM

Yeah, we can all see how well the RINO did in 2008.
Who votes for democrat-lite when you can vote for the real thing?

John Thacker| 4.1.10 @ 2:21PM

"Cornyn is an even more reliable vote with a lifetime rating of 93%. "

But Cornyn says we shouldn't even try to repeal Obamacare, whereas McCain is talking about repealing it and defunding it if repeal doesn't work.

Mary Ann| 4.1.10 @ 10:35PM

McCain's talking tough because he might lose the primary--he'll just become the Left's lovable "Maverick" again if he wins. And you know it, RINO.

Christopher G. Phillips| 3.31.10 @ 8:16AM

J.D. should saturate the airwaves with the video of McCain at one of his "Town Meetings" where he tells his supporters, "You don't need to be scared of an Obama presidency."

Right, John. How's that working out for us?

Donna| 3.31.10 @ 10:37AM

I agree....that video should be run over and over again......when I saw that during the campaign, I was screaming and throwing things at the TV...I still cannot believe McCain said such a stupid thing....You can't fix stupid, but you can vote it out!!

Jeremiah| 3.31.10 @ 10:06PM

ELECT JD HAYWORTH!!

Doris Blount| 3.31.10 @ 8:25AM

In Texas, we are worried for our friends in Arizona, whom we believe are in danger because of John McCain's border policies or lack thereof. Isn't it ironic that a man who once fought for American taxpayers now appears to be fighting against American taxpayers. Please Arizonians, vote for Hayworth! Texans are counting on you!

Chet in Texas| 4.5.10 @ 12:05AM

I'm with Doris...
If you can vote in Arizona, vote for Hayworth...
If you can't ( and I can't !! ) then send $$ to JD...
I am ... I swear on the Lone Star...

R Martin| 3.31.10 @ 8:28AM

Arizona voters would do well to consider the conservative prattle which Arlen Specter spewed every six years in his re-election efforts. In the end, of course, Specter showed his spots. McCain is not much different and should not be trusted for another six years.

Tim| 3.31.10 @ 8:31AM

McCain is a serial traitor to conservatism.McCain-Kennedy ,McCain-Lieberman,McCain-Feingold ,Gang of 14 , Opposing The Bush 2001 & 2003 Tax Cuts.

Shove Off Johnny !

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

The Tea Party Rallies ,Tax Day April 15th !

John Thacker| 4.1.10 @ 2:22PM

Opposing the Bush Spending, opposing the Bush Farm Bill, opposing the Bush Highway Bill, opposing the Bush Medicare Part D.

Whereas Hayworth voted for all of that in Congress. GWB was a RINO, and Hayworth was just a loudmouth party man.

Lisa| 4.1.10 @ 10:36PM

McCain whore!

Chet in Texas| 4.5.10 @ 12:09AM

You ain't got it yet, John...
WE DON'T CARE about that...
Call us hypocrites...
Call us stupid...
Call us whatever...
We're gonna' do all we can to GET McCAIN "dis- elected"...
If JD is SCUM, then we'll dis-elect him too...
McCain-Feingold...
McCain-Kennedy...
McCain-Graham...
LUNACY... UNACCEPTABLE...

The Bishop| 3.31.10 @ 8:35AM

There should be one overriding guiding principle in all future elections (regardless of the "R" or "D" designation): Vote the bums out!

Here in Indiana, thankfully, Evan Bayh saw the handwriting on the wall and headed for the exit. And I'm sure Richard Lugar is a decent guy, but why should he be a U.S. Senator for 33 years (so far)? It's time to put an end to our version of the House of Lords. Every incumbent should be sent packing.

JHE| 3.31.10 @ 9:01AM

Good grief. You would think McCain was the anti-Christ. I know he went against the GOP in matters like the biggest expasion of government healthcare since 1964 (MMA Act of 2003), so I guess that makes him a RINO. Yay to more socialized health care when the GOP supports it!

Derek Leaberry| 3.31.10 @ 10:05AM

McCain supports McCain-Kennedy-Bush-Graham amnesty on immigration which would lead to demographic revolution and a permanent left-wing hold on the national government. That in itself is reason for destroying McCain.

JHE| 3.31.10 @ 12:28PM

Like everyone, McCain has done good things (like oppose MMA) and bad things (amnesty for illegals). You seem to ignore all of the good. BTW, the McCain-Kennedy-Bush-Graham amnesty bill follows in the footsteps of the original Simpson-Mazzoli-Reagan amnesty bill.

Should I now hate Reagan? You people need to get a grip and see the full picture.

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 12:53PM

Amen, it amazes me how out of balance people see everything McCain does.

You know what he doesn't do? He doesn't kiss anybody's a$$. I think people are use to having politicians kiss their ass and don't like it when they don't. You'd THINK that the tea party folks would recognize the difference between Hayworth's empty rhetoric and actual substantive policy.

To quote that bleeding heart liberal Tom Coburn: “Most politicians possess, in abundance, the skill of making promises that will appeal to a majority of voters. Very few politicians, however, ever demonstrate the kind of political courage Sen. McCain [has] demonstrated.”

Jeremiah| 3.31.10 @ 10:09PM

Like hell McCain doesn't kiss anyone's ass--he kisses democrats' asses every damn day; stupid ass 'Maverick'!

Time for McCain to retire.
Elect JD!

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:38PM

1986. Reagan was duped and lied to. Get your history straight.

Lisa| 3.31.10 @ 11:12PM

Reagan was also kept out of the loop during Iran-Contra. Makes you wonder what Obutthead's thugs and teleprompter are keeping from him!

Cliff| 4.1.10 @ 12:24AM

Oh good grief. Reagan was so brilliant he was the best President of the 1900's and yet he was "duped" when he signed the bill?

Bullshit.

You don't get to say that just because you want to like Reagan and denounce someone else for the same action.

Julie| 4.1.10 @ 12:24PM

Cliff, give it up, can't you see the handwriting on the wall?

McCain needs to go.

ELECT JD HAYWORTH!!

Chet in Texas| 4.5.10 @ 12:17AM

Laser-like correctness, Derek...
20 million or so NEW voters with a reason to vote for someone who will CONTINUE to give YOUR & MY tax dollars to social-security scammers which constitute 29% of the jail / prison population...
That equals LEFT-WING dominance FOREVER, and I am NOT exaggerating.... FOREVER, folks...
NO MORE local elections where your guy ( or the other guy ) wins by 62 votes or 91 votes or some other paltry but ACCURATELY REPRESENTATIVE of the voting citizenry.
ANYONE who thinks that illegals ( some of whom can't speak English ) will vote AGAINST their own interests ( expanded social programs paid for by OTHER PEOPLE - Social security inclusion, paid for by natural-born citizens, and other benefits ) are dillusional...
Really...

Derek Leaberry| 3.31.10 @ 9:04AM

The McCain-Hayworth matchup has also further exposed Sarah Palin as an untrustworthy intellectual lightweight with her support for McCain and McCain's immigration policy. She will never get my vote.

Heatpacker| 3.31.10 @ 10:27AM

What was she supposed to do? Stab him in the back? Her support is essentially obligatory. I believe that it is unenthusiastic.

Derek Leaberry| 3.31.10 @ 10:59AM

Sarah Palin ENDORSED McCain's immigration policies, not just McCain. Perhaps living in Alaska she is ignorant of the severe problems caused by 20 million illegal aliens, but at 46 years of age she must be willfully ignorant. Or perhaps she truly does agree with McCain and amnesty and is then an enemy to conservatives.

Heatpacker| 3.31.10 @ 11:26AM

This is her only slip that I can see. Since she has been solidly behind some up-and-coming true Conservatives, and this endorsement looks anamalous, you must admit that her motivation does not appear to be political, but rather personal.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:42PM

Derek: I tend to agree with you. I, however, will give her one more chance to distance herself, now that she's paid her debt -- which I'm cynical enough to believe was a demand -- to JM. If she comes out now, swinging hard against amnesty and for enforcement of our laws, then I will take a second look at her.

Otherwise, adios Sarah. I give her two weeks to do it.

Mamie| 3.31.10 @ 10:11PM

Well, Sarah better chop chop then! Hope she knows you've got a stopwatch on her.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 10:42PM

One's true position on an issue shouldn't have to be hidden.

If she's not a JM stand-in, she needs to let us know, ASAP.

If she wants my endorsement, that is. It is an endorsement that has the influence of more than just this one voter. I'll let you ruminate on that.

Mamie| 3.31.10 @ 11:17PM

I understand personal loyalty and character, and I think personal loyalty motivated Sarah to back McCain. She's no RINO.

Hope you send McCain packing! I've always liked JD--that man has lost a boatload of weight.
He looks great!

Chet in Texas| 4.5.10 @ 12:20AM

Sadly, I must concur...
She looked promising, but clinging to McCain has turned me away from her...
She either is too intimidated to denounce McCain's leftism ( is that a word ? ) , or doesn't realize that the old fighter pilot is in a flat spin ??

feed up in ohio| 3.31.10 @ 9:32AM

to ret marine i could not agree more.time to take back our country.if they are scared to back JD then its time kick them too the curb.GOD BLEES us all!

Steve| 3.31.10 @ 9:57AM

I have watched Sen McLame since his first congressional campaign and believe me, at the moment he is very pissed. At Obama? Hell, no. At those who dare to question his authority. He'll talk the talk to get thru the primary; shift to the middle in the election (God forbid he wins the primary); and shift hard LEFT if he is re-elected. He's got scores to settle now with you conservatives and rest assured he will. He's campaigning at the moment on his tiresome meme of *character*. Yeah, I think we've all seen his media-kissing character over the last decades. Retire the man.

Old Joe| 3.31.10 @ 6:12PM

McCain showed his “character” when he returned from Hanoi, found his beautiful wife had been disfigured in an accident, dumped her for a rich, hot, young honey who could fund his political career. Some character.

Sorenson| 3.31.10 @ 10:14PM

They are great friends now--I think it's really anal of you to condemn McCain for a personal matter 35 years old. You sound like a barrel of monkeys lot of fun.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 10:50PM

If only THAT circumstance were the totality of what is so off-putting about McCain! Even it, regardless of the present situation, speaks volumes against his character. He dumped the wounded wife.

He was wounded yet expects us to cleave to him.
Not any more than he cleaved to her.

You draw your own conclusions, Sorenson, and we'll draw ours.

Sorenson| 3.31.10 @ 11:28PM

McCain had just spent 5 terrible years being tortured in a North Vietnamese prison camp--only a silly ass would condemn him forever for his behavior at that time.

His back-stabbing RINO antics as a Republican senator are quite another matter--at least to me.

Lisa| 3.31.10 @ 11:26PM

For the record, McCain didn't take up with Cindy until 6 years after he returned from Vietnam; it wasn't like he dumped Carol the second he got back home. At least he's admitted to being a douche, unlike John Edwards, and the MSA Carol her lifelong financial support for her ongoing medical treatments.

darcy| 4.1.10 @ 12:16AM

Lisa: "it wasn't like he dumped Carol . . . At least he's admitted to being a douche. . . "

Something here does not compute: he didn't dump her, but he's at least admitted to being a d*^&^#.

This is your ringing endorsement? And what hardship is involved in these ongoing medical treatments you cite? You speak as if it's some kind of heroic effort on his part.

Perhaps you should wander on over to Wikipedia where you will find a different story as relates to the events between the period of time of wife #1 and wife #2.

Julie| 4.1.10 @ 12:20PM

McCain's disrespect for the folks in Arizona is more important than something he did 35 years ago. RINOs are destroying our party.

Concentrate on McCain's betrayal of Arizona Conservatives--that's what should get him kicked out of office.

Chet in Texas| 4.5.10 @ 12:23AM

Yeah... forget all that "...in sickness & in health..." krap, right ??
There is nothing "anal" about Old Joe...
The only thing "anal" in this matter is the "anal vent" who is an incumbent, left-wing Senator from Arizona...

roger| 3.31.10 @ 10:05AM

ObamaCare making you sick? This podcast will make you feel better! www.cashbeechcroft.podomatic.com

From a rising star in the REAL conservative movement.

j.h.| 3.31.10 @ 4:05PM

Roger, I have seen this comment in several places today. You must be covering all bases. No harm intended, I assure you. Think I saw it on Michelle Malkin's page too. I think it's in these comments twice. Maybe time for a break and a bowl of soup and sandwich, huh?

Son Of Sam| 3.31.10 @ 10:18AM

I love McCain and admire his valor as a soldier and his honor as an American patriot. I voted for him for President,and I think that we would have been much better off as a nation had he won. I don't even mind his oft-time "ornery old man" schtick, as I believe in the truism that "the tyrant who smiles is STILL a tyrant".

That much being said,he has taken too many positions that I just CANNOT agree with. Whether its muzzling free speech with campaign finance "reform", coddling job-stealing, prison-crowding illegal aliens or playing by Marquis of Queensbury rules when confronting the traitors and tax cheats who now occupy the White House, he is just not my guy.

I'll chip in for his gold watch.

stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com/

David | 3.31.10 @ 10:23AM

I saw Juan "McAmnesty" McCain on the tube this morning calling for the Obama administration to put the National Guard on the border with Mexico. After he tried to cram amnesty for illegals down our throats a few years ago (very similare to what the dems just did with the healthcare bill) I hope the Arizona voters are as disgusted by that as Iam and hand a landslide victory to Hayworth in the primary.

If this recent self-serving, opportunistic charade is not enough to upset you, just think back over the last 10 years and the many times that he has trashed conservatives and the Christian right, which made him the darling of big media. That is all one needs to know to throw him out on his as_!

Tom Davis| 3.31.10 @ 10:26AM

I'm having a very hard time following the emotions of those who post on this website. There is a real "high school girl crush" thing going on here. As I recall, many of the people who post to this website had quite a crush on Scott Brown. You do remember that Senator Brown got the support of John McCain early in his campaign, and is now returning that support in AZ. They look to be cut from the same mold. Oh yes, and what about Sarah Palin? Her career was launched by the traitor, RINO, etc. John McCain. Is the thrill gone now with Brown? Did he talk to another girl in high school? Are you going to dump Palin too? A little less emotion, and a little more reason would be nice.

dkdanck| 3.31.10 @ 10:46AM

Yes McCain supported Scott Brown. You would have to be blind not to see Brown was a promising candidate. Regarding Sarah Palin, she was also a rising star before McCain got behind her. She still is despite her support for McCain. The MSM would have called her all sorts of nasty names if she hadn't supported McCain. Come to think of it, they will anyway. They have to try to destroy any good conservative candidate.

joyce raymer| 3.31.10 @ 12:56PM

I DONATED TO SCOTT BROWN WITH AMEX CARD. I DISPUTED THE CHARGE BASED ON BETRAYAL OF TRUST AND DISSATISFACTION WITH SERVICE DUE TO HIS SUPPORT OF DEFICIT INCREASING-- PORK- LADEN JOBS BILL. HAPPY TO SAY MY $100 WAS REFUNDED

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 8:46PM

Whoa, joyce raymer, that's incredible. You go, girl!

Tim| 3.31.10 @ 10:28AM

He may be "scared straight" but that's only temporary. Time for McCain to retire.

Mamie| 3.31.10 @ 10:16PM

Time for this one to go home. Pronto!

Matt Morehouse| 3.31.10 @ 10:31AM

I would like McCain a lot less if he were running against someone I liked a lot more.

David| 3.31.10 @ 10:34AM

For those of you who are throwing around the words Hayworth and corruption in the same sentence, will you please be specific about what he did (NOT WHAT THE MSM CLAIMED HE PROBABLY DID), when he did it, was he investigated for it, what was the result of the investigation, was he ever arrested, indicted, charged with a crime, or did he have to pay a fine or serve a jail term? Remember, a few years ago the corruption mantra is what the dems and the MSM ran against every republican on. All were said to be corrupt.

That said, did you folks who are throwing stones at Hayworth forget about McCain and the Keating Five?

loulou| 3.31.10 @ 11:17AM

Ahhh, the Keating Five.
That's been scrubbed from our collective memory.

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 12:56PM

The difference is, unlike Hayworth, McCain actually WAS cleared of any wrongdoing, by a Democratic lawyer who said the only reason McCain was included in the first place was because Democrats needed cover so it wasn't a "Democratic" scandal.

And it is undisputed that Hayworth established a PAC that paid his wife 30% of the money it raised. Which is absolutely outrageous and corrupt, even if it was within the letter of the law.

John Navratil| 3.31.10 @ 3:09PM

I'm no McCain fan but neither do I believe that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I do not know J.D. Hayworth.

You state that Hayworth established a PAC that paid his wife 30%. This sounds bad, but might not be. If the PAC raised $100K and paid $30K to an administrator this would be more of an admission that the PAC was a failure. OTOH if the PAC raised $10M and paid his wife $3M this would look like something on which charges could be brought.

Could you provide more details?

I'm not taking side, but I suspect the readers here would like a lot more educating. Are these peccadilloes or real sins.

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 5:14PM

His PAC raised about $500K over 5 years and paid over $100K to his wife.

It's either legal corruption or incompetence.

Old Joe| 3.31.10 @ 6:19PM

So his wife earned $20K per year over five years running the PAC. Rather low pay. If my wife only earned $20K per year, I would suggest she look for other work. Come on Cliff, what is your real issue with JD.

Jenna| 3.31.10 @ 10:19PM

McCain is responsible for a lot of the damage republicans have sustained over the last few years and he ran a TERRIBLE campaign against Obama.
I will never forgive him for his weakness.

VOTE MCCAIN OUT!

Cliff| 4.1.10 @ 12:26AM

My real issue with him is that he's an ineffective, corrupt loudmouth.

And his wife didn't ONLY make $20K a year, she only made$20K a year DOING THAT. She essentially did nothing and just made $20K a year through donations from his political buddies.

If you don't have a problem with this, why do you like Hayworth so much?

Jeremiah| 4.1.10 @ 12:11PM

McCain's a traitor to the people who elected him and he's had his own problems with corruption.

It's past time for McCain to retire--NO ONE should serve in the same senate seat that long; it leads to arrogance. McCain's arrogant!

It's not McCain's seat--it's the PEOPLES' seat!

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 9:22PM

Hold it! Yes, McCain was a good friend of Mr. Keating, and, yes, everything really went south on that stupidity with Lincoln Thrift. Personally, I think most of the blame should be laid at the feet of the out-of-state retirees. For years, when the thrift outfits first opened, the retirees would choose one based on the interest rate. If another opened, even across the street, with a higher rate, the retirees would dash into their thrift, close their account and go to the new one. The business of musical thrifts was booming for a while. When Lincoln Thrift opened, they promised the sun, moon and stars--literally, on the stars part as I recall--all sorts of celebrities. All was well for a time, but a few retirees got unhappy because they weren't getting increased returns on their interest. The first I heard of trouble in Lincoln was a depositor called out the manager of the branch, and then called him everything but a red-headed-stepchild! After that, the trouble within the company began escalating, then resulted in the end we all know of. No, I will say McCain and Keating pulled some pretty dumb tricks in that thing, but it wasn't all their fault!

Jeremiah| 3.31.10 @ 10:22PM

It's past time for McCain to go. I'm sick and tired of him and his stupid 'Maverick' image.
We could never count on him to represent our interests.

Heatpacker| 3.31.10 @ 10:44AM

I supported McCain in 2008, but his mercurial, frequently egotistical, behavior in the Senate has always infuriated me. "Oooo, look at me, I'm a maverick!"
He fights deferentially - with one hand tied behind his back - when opposing Democrats, and then pulls out a knife when fighting Republicans. I just don't understand this mentality.
J. D. Hayworth will be a consistent and reliable Conservative, a man who knows the difference between friends and enemies, and who treats them accordingly.

Missy| 3.31.10 @ 10:23PM

I agree! I felt like WE were his enemies at times.
Ridiculous. McCain should retire.

Jennifer Johnston| 3.31.10 @ 10:53AM

Please send Mr. McCain into retirement. How many years - decades - has he been a Senator? The Senate should not be a lifetime job.

Mr. McCain is only conservative when it suits him every 6 years. We need a real conservative, not someone who plays one on TV.

hunter| 3.31.10 @ 10:55AM

McCain must go. Like the tree that bears no fruit he must be removed to make way for those that do. He couldn't even defeat someone like Oboma. He let Oboma walk all over him, and not just in photo ops, but in the meat of the debate lacked substance and direction the majority of voters desired. He is deaf, and marches to the beat of his own distorted drummer. Time for change.

David| 3.31.10 @ 11:24AM

Kay Bailey Hutchison may not be a RINO as in Specter, McCain, Graham, but she is certainly no conservative. She is pro-legal abortion and is lax on border security. She may have a lifetime ACU rating of 90%, and have a rating of over 90% for 2009, but like McCain and other pols, she was running in a repub primary for governor of Texas against a conservative repub incumbent. Also, it was not hard for most repubs to appear conservative in 2009, because it was not hard to vote against Bam Bam's and the dems' policy proposals in 2009.

Her RECENT conservative voting proves that she is a pol through and through because in 2008, her ACU rating was 76. Hmmm. Whattaya say about that?

Tom| 3.31.10 @ 1:23PM

Running against a popular incumbent is short sighted, selfish, and arrogant. It is not grounds for calling her a RINO.
Her LIFETIME rating is 89%. I did not mention this year’s rating because election year voting is always suspect. Wanna pick a year out of the hat? In 1995 her rating was 96%? Whatcha say about that? The problem with selecting any single year is that the voting choice made on one or two bills can sway the overall rating tremendously.
While Hutchison is pro-choice her voting record is hardly one the abortion lobby applauds. Look up her lifetime ratings on the matter. She consistently votes against NARAL’s position on bills. Yes, I would prefer if she was pro-life but she is hardly a reflex voter on abortion.

John Navratil| 3.31.10 @ 3:13PM

Hutchison supports the Law of the Treaty. The terms of this treaty seek to create a trans-national taxing authority to tax commercial production of resources outside national limits. It is a funding mechanism for the U.N. to reduce its dependence on national contributions.

She will NEVER get my vote.

Dean| 3.31.10 @ 12:01PM

I say to McCain and other career politicians what Oliver Cromwell said to the Long Parliament: You have sat too long here for any good that you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us be done with you. In the name of God, GO!

jw| 3.31.10 @ 3:43PM

Amen!

Think-First| 3.31.10 @ 12:02PM

Look I live in AZ and know well the problems hinted at by many here. Hayworth had long term rating of 89% while he was in congress. McCain -76%.

Yes there are numerous scandals surrounding McCain that have never been pursued because of his connections.

Hayworth has not been a perfect conservative because he has leaned toward legislation that favored companies he supported or contributed to him. Hayworth also was involved in the Abramoff scandal in some form but was never directly tied to it.

The reason so many fear opposing McCain is because he has so many connections that run VERY DEEP that can effectively ruin people. He is a very spiteful, holier than thou uppity man he attempts to hide but we know all too well here.

The street talk is McCain is out no matter what McCain says because people are just sick and tired of his treason on every level. Hayworth is far from perfect but the best to come along in awhile.

McCain latest rant is to regulate vitamins and supplements which puts them directly under the control of drug companies and Dr.s prescriptions which once again puts us under the thumb of UN rules.

In other words for all his "talk" of denouncing health care, behind the scenes he is doing all he can to place it firmly in the hands of his buddies.

You see to John McCain, all of us regular folks are just too stupid to know what's good for us.

Got it?

AZ Cowboy| 3.31.10 @ 12:25PM

McCain was facing an active recall movement, petitions were circulating, in 2001. The effort ended with 911 and the war. Now our voters have an opportunity to directly refute his brand of Republicanism.

The AZ GOP has always had a strong Conservative element. Remember Barry? Like the GOP though there is always an internal fight over moderation or pragmatism and Conservatism.

Read Craig Shirley's excellent "Rendezvous with Destiny" and remember how the GOP opposed Reagan for the nomination. Bush 41 was most vociferous. The fight must go on. The future depends on Conservative success.

What Hayworth needs in money. McCain said at a Tea Party town Hall a week or so ago that he had $4MM for the campaign. Like we helped oust Scozafava in NY-21 with dollars and helped elect Brown in Mass. with dollars, we can help Hayworth. I'm not on the staff, but money talks. He could use all our help.

Northern Rebel| 3.31.10 @ 2:10PM

Happinaz:

Who the fuck do you think you are?

Just because I don't live in Arizona, doesn't mean I have no right to comment on the piece of dried out cow dung, that is Senator McCain.

This fool has done his best to stick it up America's (a country he purports to love) ass, ever since W kicked his butt in 2002.

McCain-Feingold
anti-tax cut
pro-amnesty
pro cap and tax
These are not local issues Happyass. These issues affect me, 2500 miles away from your dried up desert oasis.

Just because fools like you choose to support someone who spent the vast majority of the Presidential campaign licking his opponent's boots, doesn't mean we have to sit by and congratulate your idiocy.

If he had spent half as much time attacking socialist democrats, as he did his own party, maybe the Anti-Christ wouldn't be running your country.

So Happyass, I will continue to speak my mind as long as the present madministration, and your free speech stifling candidate allows me to do so.

I suppose that means putting up with your intellectually vapid point of view also.

Such is the price we pay in America.

Too bad that doddering old fool you like so much doesn't agree.

jaytoo| 3.31.10 @ 2:44PM

"McCain is not perfect...but he's a deficit hawk and honerable." I'm not from AZ but no to both of the above. McCain honorable went out with his Incumbent protection plan ie(McCain/Fiengold) which is/was the biggest affront to our first ammendments rights ever! and His about face on amnesty means he has no core values... The deficit Hawk b.s. is just that.. He voted for the stimulus plan, he is not a Hawk, heck, he's not even a robin.

JHE| 3.31.10 @ 3:08PM

He didn't vote for Obama's stimulus plan. In fact, the way he called that POS out on it was pretty good. Too bad he didn't show the same fire in his belly during the campaign.

David | 3.31.10 @ 2:51PM

Tom, the reason Hutchison has such a high lifetime rating is because she was conservative early on, and has become less so over the years.

I don't know how the ACU establishes its grades. Do they treat every issue with the same importance. For example, do national security, abortion, and border control count the same as expanding the SCHIP program, voting for more federal funding of education, etc.

Abortion and border control happen to count as big issues for me. She is simply not as tough on those issues as she should be. In my opinion, any politician who supports legal abortion is disqualified for public office. That does not mean that anyone who is against legal abortion IS qualified, it just means that anyone who gets it wrong on that basic moral matter is not fit to be making decisions for the entire country on so many issues.

I believe she voted to confirm Kathleen Sebelius for Sec of Health & Human Services. Sebelius is a rabid, venemous, pro-abortionist. I wrote Hutchison in the weeks before the vote to confirm to encourage her to vote against the pro-abort, and received a response that said she would have to learn more about her and look at all sides. At that point everyone already knew how radical Sebelius was.

Mamie| 3.31.10 @ 10:26PM

Beltway fever! Lots of 'conservatives' get sick with it when they go to DC.

DTCOFAZ| 3.31.10 @ 3:17PM

I live here in AZ, get so frustrated with McCain for being such a ding-dong on the Obami's playground.. Have not contributed anything for him after the failure of his presidential campaign.
Yet, I am not sure that I know about Hayworth's strong points so much either.
It's time for me to choose my own poison - I'll cast my vote to Hayworth and contribute to his campaign.
May God bless our Arizona.

Lee Wacker| 3.31.10 @ 9:24PM

Oh, yes, indeed! GOD'S COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!

David| 3.31.10 @ 3:19PM

McCain-Kennedy authored the comprehensive immigration reform that they tried to cram down our throats under Bush. Hayworth opposed amnesty for illegals.

McCain led the repubs on the cap and trade issue (a wrecking ball for the economy) with the McCain-Leiberman bill. Hayworth opposed it.

McCain-Feingold limits political speech at election time. Hayworth opposed it.

McCain fought and voted against Bush's tax cuts and called them tax breaks for the rich. Hayworth supported them.

McCain wants to close Gitmo. Hayworth wants to keep it.

McCain opposes enhanced interrogation for terrorists. Hayworth supports it.

McCain supports closing Gitmo. Hayworth does not.

McCain compromised with the gang of 14 concerning judicial appointments. Hayworth would not have.

There were many more instances in which McCain trashed conservatives and the religious right for their views and beliefs. Remember his dust-up and then eventual kiss-up with Falwell once he decided to run for prez?

So with all of the above, and his clear disdain for conservatives and the Christian right over the years, how can any conservative vote for the guy?

Dustoff| 3.31.10 @ 3:27PM

Like many of you. I want McCain gone. What worries me is Hayworth may goof again and be replaed by a dem a few years later.

Something to think about.

I wish we had someone else to pick.

Dustoff| 3.31.10 @ 3:27PM

Like many of you. I want McCain gone. What worries me is Hayworth may goof again and be replaed by a dem a few years later.

Something to think about.

I wish we had someone else to pick.

Cliff| 3.31.10 @ 5:15PM

"a few years later"?

How bout "a few months later"? The D's have a self-funding, non-corrupt D to run already.

Hayworth won't win his own district if he wins the nomination. We'll be throwing away the seat.

PR151| 3.31.10 @ 7:33PM

I live in AZ and I haven't heard of any Democrat in the race.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 9:05PM

Her name, PR151, is Nan Stockholm Walden, and she is FICO vice president (FICO owns the pecan orchards that stretch from Green Valley to Sahuarita, AZ). See the story here:
http://www.gvnews.com/articles.....en0324.txt

She is reported to be considering entering the senate race as a democrat.

This is not going to be a good year for democrats. So why would she bother??? Because she sees the trouble McCain is in with the challenger, JD.

This is actually very good news for Hayworth supporters.

Cliff| 4.1.10 @ 12:28AM

There's another one actually too, A Tuscan City Councilman with a lot of inherited dough.

It's horrible news for Hayworth supporters. The D's know they can only win if a loser nutjob like Hayworth wins the primary, but they think he might, frankly, because of some of the thoughtless, emotionally driven bullshit that's being demonstrated around places like here, frankly.

Nick| 4.1.10 @ 10:21AM

Cliff,

How do you type so well with your lips affixed to McShamnesty's backside?

NO MORE RINOS| 4.1.10 @ 12:06PM

Cliff is a RINO ass--reminds of Romneybots who pollute Palin threads.

JD can win this election--I know it!

Bunny| 4.1.10 @ 7:57PM

Cliff: "The D's have a self-funding, non-corrupt D to run already. "

GOOD! If Hayworth loses to McCain, I will still have someone to support who isn't owned by Soros.

DTOFAZ| 3.31.10 @ 3:45PM

Thank you David and Dustoff for the input.

Jeamar| 3.31.10 @ 4:03PM

I tried to contribute to Hayworth's campaign but can't find his compaign website anywhere. I had already decided not to vote for McCain again even before he left the Senate to run his lackluster campaign for president. I would vote for almost any Republican or Independent rather than McCain. Being the war hero he is, does not mean he has a lifetime lock on being Arizona Senator.

patriot077| 3.31.10 @ 4:48PM

I guess time is of the essence as this is the end of the reporting period required by the Fed Elections Commission. I'm sending a few bucks too. :)
http://www.jdforsenate.com/issues

DTOFAZ| 3.31.10 @ 4:24PM

Jeamar,

Here is the link to his facebook if you would like to contribute to his campaign:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....2423051210

Jeamar| 3.31.10 @ 4:31PM

Fond it. Don't log on to tell me how dumb I am.

Kevin Riley O'Keeffe| 3.31.10 @ 4:40PM

McCain is a broken down, miserable old fuck. And so's any Republican or independent who doesn't vote for Hayworth in the primary, as far as I'm concerned. If McCain were to win the primary, then I'd vote for his Democratic opponent.

Jonas Parker| 3.31.10 @ 5:07PM

Go JD... Help us in Arizona to dump McCain !! Send a few bucks to JD

http://www.jdforsenate.com/

Hawkhealer| 3.31.10 @ 5:19PM

Forget all the other issues McCain is just too damned old! The US Senate makes retirement communities look like like homes for kids.

Michael L. Hauschild| 3.31.10 @ 5:33PM

The Perot/Bush/Clinton scenario is bantered about by the various proponents of the
RINO enablers, the indentured pundits of the RNC, and the “big tent” buffoons that brought us the ”non-partisan fairness” of the open primary. In reality all you traded in 1992 in exchange for maintaining the freedom of more than duality of choice was a squishy democrat in place of a similar “no new taxes” republican. The time for nuance has passed. If any of you think that maintaining the Grahams or the McCains is translatable to the inability to field effective candidates against the Snows and her ilk are ignorant to history. Those RINOs have more responsibility in advancing the progressive agenda of the current administration than the MSM, Chicago strong arm politics, or majorities in the legislature. Gramnesty, McCain this/that, Newt on a park bench with Pelosi, and the various cap and traitors: what part of this picture are you not seeing? We need to retain representatives with a Constitutional spine and nominate uncompromising candidates. Nothing else will do; you do not compromise with those who actively seek to destroy your country or with those that cower or enable while liberty, justice and freedom are at stake.

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 10:56PM

Go get 'em, Michael. Get on the mountaintops and shout far and wide; you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Trapped in NYC| 3.31.10 @ 6:22PM

@ Loulou, Excellent point about the Keating 5, but you left out Greenspan who 6 months before Keating's savings banks bit the dirt, proclaimed the banks were rock solid safe.

McCain has to go.

Butch Walker| 3.31.10 @ 6:29PM

John McCain just needs to continue doing what he's been doing. JD is making a very formidable push but the bottom line is still the same, John McCain is the better candidate, he opposes big gov, he understands that solving difficult problems involves more than just human emotions.

Quartermaster| 3.31.10 @ 7:34PM

LOL! Butch, you really need to get more and do a little critical thinking. McCain has done as much to advance BigGov as the Dimocrats have. He's more emotional than my 11 year old Granddaughter. He's emotionally volatile and thinks nothing of trying to destroy a conservative if he's crossed. The. Man. Is. A. RINO.

PR151| 3.31.10 @ 7:34PM

What "difficult problems" has McCain ever solved?

NoMcCain-YesHayworth| 3.31.10 @ 7:41PM

Joe the Plumber says John McCain 'really screwed my life up,' 'I don't owe him s---'

"I don’t owe him s—. He really screwed my life up, is how I look at it," Joe -- aka Samuel Wurzelbacher -- said of John McCain in an interview with Pennsylvania public radio correspondent Scott Detrow.

"McCain was trying to use me. I happened to be the face of middle Americans. It was a ploy."

------------------------------------

McCain responded by saying immigrants were taking jobs nobody else wanted. He offered anybody in the crowd $50 an hour to pick lettuce in Arizona.

Shouts of protest rose from the crowd, with some accepting McCain’s job offer.

“I’ll take it!” one man shouted.

McCain insisted none of them would do such menial labor for a complete season. “You can’t do it, my friends.”

Some in the crowd said they didn’t appreciate McCain questioning their work ethic.

----------------------------------------------------------

Juan Mexicain? What a joke. G@@gle "Make-Believe Maverick".

Keating 5

Napolitano to 'reign-in' Joe Arpaio

Dumping loyal wife who was disfigured in accident for shiny new beer heiress

Fellow POW’s calling McCain a Coward and a Traitor

Crashing several planes in training, but luckily had a father who was an Admiral

Didn't want to be associated with a "party of a**holes

A well-known hothead that screams obscenities and yells at the public and fellow colleagues

not wanting to be bothered with families of 9/11 victims

Juan Mexicain supports importing poverty: a budget-busting, mother of all pork-barrel projects amnesty scheme

Lee Wacker | 3.31.10 @ 9:31PM

LAY OFF JOE ARPAIO!!!!!!!!

What do you want? Another lawn-mower fixer? Believe me, Arpaio has done more for Arizona than that thing Napolitano! I wish she would die of a horrible death! She has sold Arizona out time and again, has actually allowed illegals to walk after they committed murder, rape, burglary and a plethora of other crimes! She is in cahoots with them, and won't lift a finger to help the Americans! Arpaio is the ONLY thing standing between the U.S. and the Mexicans! Get rid of him, and you will be enabling the cartels and illegals to take over Arizona! Is that what you want?

darcy| 3.31.10 @ 9:44PM

Tom Tancredo relates that he was verbally assaulted by JM in an elevator:

One day, he [Tom Tancredo] went over to the Senate and bumped into McCain in the elevator. “I had never met him. So I shake his hand to thank him for doing the fundraiser.” The senator then asked if he could count on Tancredo’s support for McCain-Feingold (a bipartisan campaign reform act McCain had drafted with Democratic senator Russell Feingold). Tancredo opposed this proposed regulation of political campaign financing, and he told McCain. “So I go: ‘I am voting no, I don’t like it. I actually think it’s terrible’.”

“It was like a bomb went off in his head. He exploded! He was screaming at me! It was, ‘When I come across the fucking street, you are…’ And, ‘You don’t know what the fuck you are talking about!’ And I said, ‘What?!’ I was just so taken aback. But then I went after him: ‘Hey, nobody told me you are coming to help me for a quid pro quo for a shit bill!’ It just got worse. It was really bad, I remember us getting out of the elevator and people stepped back way up because they couldn’t handle the screaming.”

JM is no gentleman. This is not the kind of man I want representing me. His policies stink and so does his modus operandi.

bluecollarbytes| 3.31.10 @ 7:46PM

It's a good thing to remember "McCain's "kid gloves" treatment of Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign."

I did wonder how McCain got away with supporting amnesty, being from a border state. Arrogance.

philfl63| 3.31.10 @ 9:17PM

McCain sold his honor long ago. Smoke him.

Lori| 3.31.10 @ 11:20PM

McCain has sold no such thing as his honor. McCain has been fighting for us his entire life. McCain will win this election to JD for so many reasons but most important is his courage and character to fight this administration and stand up for the people of our state and Nation.

NO MORE RINOS!| 3.31.10 @ 11:41PM

You're wrong, Lori; McCain has NOT acquitted himself with honor as a Republican senator.
He left us a long time ago, now it's past time to return the favor.

This is the year for McCain to retire and JD Hayworth is the man to retire him!

MissouriPatriot| 4.1.10 @ 3:21PM

McCain is the Republican's John Kerry. Marry for money and then go for it while leaving your first wife. I don't live in AZ but have property there. We have given our money to Hayworth to protect AZ and the border which McCain does not seem to care about. We are trying to get others in the tea parties all over the US to give to Hayworth. It worked for Scott Brown it should work for JD.

NORINO| 4.2.10 @ 12:47AM

"I have witnessed incidents where he has used profanity at colleagues and exploded at colleagues," former Sen. Bob Smith told me for the article. A New Hampshire Republican, Smith served with McCain on the Senate Armed Services Committee, on a select committee on POWs missing in action, and on Republican policy committees.

"He would disagree about something and then explode," Smith said. "[There were] incidents of irrational behavior. We've all had incidents where we have gotten angry, but I've never seen anyone act like that."
[...]
"His volatility borders in the area of being unstable," Johnson has said. ""Before I let this guy put his finger on the button, I would have to give considerable pause."

In 1992, Robin Silver and Bob Witzeman, both medical doctors, met with McCain at his Phoenix office to discuss the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel. At the mention of the issue, McCain erupted.

"He slammed his fists on his desk, scattering papers across the room," Silver said. "He jumped up and down, screaming obscenities at us for at least 10 minutes. He shook his fists as if he was going to slug us."

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Kirly| 4.3.10 @ 4:24PM

Donate to JD Hayworth here: www.JDforsenate.com

I have met the man. he is not a self promoting loud mouth. in fact, i was at a dinner with him. he barely said anything that anyone could hear if they were more than a few feet away. not a loudmouth. a very polite man really.

it boils down to this: he's the more conservative candidate in the race. period. that ends my decision.

I have McCain on video here (7 minutes 40 seconds in) http://kirls.blogspot.com/2009.....nhall.html
saying that Gitmo should be closed because of what a (LYING) terrorist murderer (his words!) told him:

"First of all, Guantanomo Bay is a symbol throughout the world of mistreatment of prisoners ... my friends, it is . Let me just tell you a story real quick and you all have a right to disagree. I was in a camp, a prison camp in Iraq with Senator Lindsey Graham who was an Air Force lawyer where we arranged to be met with a former high ranking member of al qaeda. a terrorist, a murderer, and a killer. And in the course of our conversation, I said to him, i said “how did you succeed so well after the initial American invasion?” ah, … he said two things.

he said one, after the initial invasion it there was total chaos. Murder, rape, robbery, everything was rampant because you didn’t have control of Iraq. He said the second thing, he said that allowed me to recruit thousands of young men was abu ghraib because the pictures of the mistreatment of prisoners… people you Americans held prisoner in abu ghraib...

so, my view, we have to have a policy, hopefully return these detainees to either to the country they came from or to put them on trial and keep them in prison for as long as is necessary. "

Kirly| 4.3.10 @ 4:26PM

by the way, in that video you can hear the crowd of hundreds disagreeing with him on many topics.

Berna Mac| 4.4.10 @ 12:19PM

McCain needs to leave office. He has become a very liberal man in thinking and he should do the same go over and be with his friend Libermann since he those two wanted to rule the USA.

Take Sarah Pailin also with you.. She is another weakling...coming out to help McCain when he did not have the backbone to respect her as a woman, mother.
Sarah, please stay home and become a mother and a husband supporter...do some speachers around the country but, do not run for office. Nope we won't support you here in Texas.

dsfsdf| 4.13.10 @ 10:43AM

Come on, people, self promotion is as human as egotism (something we all share to some degree), and, in the case of name recognition, as important as eating. Can any of you name a single politician, writer, sports figure, actor or actress, media darling, and the like, chi straightener buy now who DIDN'T indulge in a bit of self-promotion?

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