The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Calling Out Mark Salter

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Brian Faughnan has an interesting post about the potential primary challenge to the mercurial John McCain by conservative former Rep. J.D. Hayworth. It seems that McCain alter ego Mark Salter was not above some truly nasty political hardball against Hayworth back in 2006. Well, I hereby "call out" Salter. Mr. Salter: You sir, are a low-life, pompous windbag. Actually, you don't merit the honorific "sir." Your email to Rep. Hayworth was beneath contempt. It is one thing to criticize the policy proposals of somebody else, as Rep. Hayworth did re the immigration policy. It is another thing to use a position of political power, a senator's office, to threaten to spread stories that make it look as if an elected official (of your own party and state, at that) is involved in a scandal and potential illegality. What you did comes very close to blackmail. You are vermin.

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The Shamwow Guy| 10.12.09 @ 6:12PM

McCain is a nasty piece of work! We gave money to his campaign after he brought Palin on board, but refused any more requests after we saw his butt boys were plotting against her. All of us (5 in two states) sat home on election day rather than give him any support, no matter how small. Stuff it, John - you will never be president (thank God).

Alan Brooks| 10.12.09 @ 7:39PM

Agreed, Shamwow.

Those who didn't appreciate Reagan before, do now.
Those who don't appreciate Reagan now, will later.

Interested Conservative| 10.12.09 @ 6:50PM

Mr. Hillyer - perhaps another tack is more appropriate than boldly throwing down the gauntlet.

Namely, why would Mr. Salter have sent this via email? I vividly recall giving and receiving directions, as counsel within a large fortune 500 corporation, to the effect that any email should be treated as if a copy was sent to the front page of the NY Times and another copy to your mother.

The losing either/or to Mr. Salter is either this was stupid to the point of incompetent, or incompetent far beyond the bounds or political diplomacy or horse-trading. Political hardball needs to be like real hardball - a brushback pitch cannot hit the opponent, unless you've got more serious targets and don't mind adding to them.

Will enough Arizona primary voters not be cheesed off enough to go for JD, and if so, will this impress enough general voters to re-elect Sen. Maverick, especially in 2010?

Seems like bad answers to both questions.

Unprofessional and ineffective. Not good.

Interested Conservative| 10.12.09 @ 6:50PM

Mr. Hillyer - perhaps another tack is more appropriate than boldly throwing down the gauntlet.

Will enough Arizona primary voters not be cheesed off enough to go for JD, and if so, will this impress enough general voters to re-elect Sen. Maverick, especially in 2010?

Seems like bad answers to both questions.

Unprofessional and ineffective. Not good.

Interested Conservative| 10.12.09 @ 6:51PM

Oops - sorry for leaning on the submit link.

Randy Walker| 10.12.09 @ 11:57PM

The email I read on the post Quin links to doesn't look like blackmail to me. And, politics not being bean bag, I really don't see any problem with Salter's "threat" to comment on the story. Presumably, the comment would be, "these are serious allegations". Which would be true. Readers of this website love to hate McCain, but I'm from Arizona, and J.D. is a total buffoon.

Yosemeti Sam| 10.13.09 @ 12:28AM

" ... the potential primary challenge to the mercurial John McCain by conservative former Rep. J.D. Hayworth...."

Right on - forced retirement for senator McGoo!

Oldefarte| 10.13.09 @ 10:59AM

That sort of 'tit-for-tat' politics is dispicable and represenceable; but the more importatn issue now is whether or not McCain is representative of IN WHAT DIRECTION THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE HEADED? I say, definately not! Nothing personal against him, since he's a war hero and a patriot, but his political ideas are just too moderate and/or liberal for my liking. This country needs to go in the direct opposite direction as Obama and his Democrats are now taking it; and McCain definately is to COMPORMISING with them for my money. I just say FORGET ABOUT SALTER'S EMAIL and concentrate in electing Hayworth [or any other valid conservative that runs against McCain]!!!!

Lil| 12.8.09 @ 8:51PM

The best thing I can say about JD Hayworth is that he blows alot of hot air. I seriously doubt Hayworth could beat McCain. Too partisan. While I have my differences with McCain, I also know that McCain puts country before party. JD will do whatever is politically expedient for JD.