McCain deserves to be tested and challenged. He has spit in the eyes of conservatives way too long for there to be no blow back. The most unforgivable aspect of the man was the lame campaign that he ran against the tyrant who now sits in the White House. McCain’s grilling of Obama officials about holding trials of terrorists on the mainland USA is laughable when Maverick was one of the loudest voices seeking to close Guantanamo down. Also his allowing his aides (great job you did in 2008 guys!) to sabotage Palin was disgraceful. However if Maverick does win the primary – we need to support him in the general election because we need to send Harry Reid on his way. Hopefully though Hayward will be the next Republican Senator from Arizona.
by Michael M. Phillips
Arizona Sen. John McCain, the Republicans’ standard-bearer in 2008, is facing a surprisingly strong primary challenge from the right, evidence that even party leaders aren’t safe from the swell of conservative activism heading into the 2010 midterm elections.
Mr. McCain hasn’t faced a serious challenge since joining the U.S. Senate in 1987. But seven months ahead of the primary, he is using tough-guy tactics and calling in conservative chits to fend off J.D. Hayworth, an ex-congressman and radio host. Mr. Hayworth, who lost his House seat in 2006 and who is best known in Arizona for his opposition to illegal immigration, has seized the Tea Party mantel of low taxes and small government.
With the senator’s approval, McCain allies filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Communications Commission essentially alleging that Mr. Hayworth’s radio show—during which he regularly attacked Mr. McCain—was a form of campaign advertising. In January, Mr. Hayworth and the station agreed to drop his program. Smokey Rivers, Phoenix director of programming and operations for KFYI’s owner, San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications Inc., said Mr. McCain wasn’t a factor.
Jason Rose, a Hayworth aide, described the move as a “political mugging.” Mr. McCain isn’t shy about admitting his role in knocking Mr. Hayworth off the air. “I certainly didn’t discourage it,” he said. “I’m not saying he couldn’t say anything he wanted to, but it’s clear that was a political campaign he was running on the radio station.”
The 73-year-old Mr. McCain is also bringing to Arizona his 2008 running mate, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, to campaign on his behalf in March, a bid to secure his right flank. He can also count in his corner Republican Scott Brown, who shook up the national political scene last month by winning the Massachusetts Senate seat long held by the late Edward Kennedy, a Democrat.
—————————— To bolster his claim that Mr. McCain is insufficiently conservative—a complaint that has dogged him throughout his career—Mr. Hayworth is highlighting the senator’s 2008 vote for the $700 billion bank rescue, and his opposition to President George W. Bush’s tax cuts.
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