Fierce struggle for McCain to retain Arizona seat

[babylonsister]

Fierce struggle for McCain to retain Arizona seat

By LIZ SIDOTI
AP National Political Writer


LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (AP) -- A serious re-election fight wasn't what Republican John McCain expected when he returned to the Senate after losing the presidency. Yet that's just what he's got. The four-term senator is battling for his political life in a race that embodies the volatility of an unpredictable election year. He's facing former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a fellow Republican pushing him farther to the right as GOP voters demand conservative purity in their candidates and punish anyone with ties to Washington establishment.

Two longtime Senate incumbents have fallen - Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and Arlen Specter, D-Pa. A third - Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. - could see her hopes dashed this Tuesday in a runoff amid voter inclination to reward political neophytes who adhere to party principles over experience.

McCain's popularity fell in Arizona as he spent years campaigning outside of it, twice for the White House. Hayworth, a radio talk show host who had been in Congress for a dozen years but lost to a Democrat in 2006, saw a chance for a political comeback.

The behemoth in the race, McCain has a decades-old political organization, millions in the bank and six campaign offices. He's counting on his deep ties to Arizona and legions of longtime backers to carry him through. In contrast, Hayworth has never run statewide, is struggling to raise money and has just two offices. But he's being fueled by disaffected McCain backers and voters hungry for new leadership.

"He's been there too long. And he hasn't done anything for Arizona," Ally Miller says of McCain, 73. "It's time for someone new."

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MCCAINS_LAST_STAND?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[county worker]

1. He can thank his running mate in 2008, you betcha.

[JonLP24]

3. Actually Hayworth supporters in the area

attended a rally for McCain which featured Palin not too far from me. They were there to hear Sarah speak so what I'm saying is J.D. Hayworth(the candidate giving him a hard time) supporters love Palin but not McCain so I don't think that has anything to do with that in this Republican Primary.

[county worker]

13. I'm saying that Palin created the supporters for Hayworth by her 2008 campaign.

[JonLP24]

17. My mistake

I thought you meant McCain was in trouble because his opponent's supporters thought McCain made a bad decision in choosing Palin.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. But J.D. is an male version of Sarah Palin

Dumb as a post and proud of it. I can't imagine that anyone who turned on McCain because Palin is an idiot would actually vote for Hayworth, the undisputed king of idiots.

[JonLP24]

7. Exactly

Hayworth supporters (or at least the ones I saw in the media) are big fans of Sarah.

[Arkana]

2. Hahahahahahaha.

Fuck McCain and the blight he unleashed on the lower 48.

[Major Hogwash]

4. The NRA endorsed Johnny Mac last week, even though he cosponsored the AWB in '93

The KKK will endorse him this week.

[L. Coyote]

6. Hayworth is such a scary wingnut, he could easily lose the general election.

[UTUSN]

8. K&R #2 Can the Dem (there IS one,isn't there?!1) trounce HAWORTH? n/t

[goclark]

9. That's the question ~ can the Democrat beat the Thug?

That would be a Happy Day! :bounce:

Just saw this article on the front page of the yahoo site .

[babylonsister]

15. If there is one, I don't know who it is. nt

[DesertRat]

18. No one I know has even heard of the Dem. candidate

:(

[saltpoint]

10. If there was ever a great year for Democrats to wind up winning the

U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races in Arizona, this is it.

Go, blue.

Recommended.

[AnArmyVeteran]

11. I hope McCain loses. I am tired of listening to his insane rants & flip flopping.

And I know his crazy, racist opponent, J D Hayworth, has a greater chance of losing in the general election.

[Angry Dragon]

12. One would think that with that much time in office

and his name recognition and he is having so much trouble he would take the hint that the people do not want him.

[notesdev]

14. He's gotten the hint

but like any power-hungry oligarch, he really doesn't give a damn about anything but that which furthers his ego.

[JonLP24]

19. I actually think McCain would do better in general election

With this latest tea party movement or whatever you're seeing far right conservatives giving established ones hard times in primaries. I actually kinda want Hayworth to win because I believe a Democrat would have an easier time than with trying to defeat McCain. However if I'm going to be stuck with a puke one way or the other I'd rather have McCain so I'm not so sure who to root for but I'm leaning Hayword just because I think he'd be an easier opponent for Dems in the General.

[jillan]

16. What really pisses me off about this article is that they don't even mention Glassman.

JD Hayworth is insane - WORSE than McCain. But at the same time, if Hayworth wins the primary, YES, Glassman has a chance to win....
without name recognition and obviously without media attention.

[lpbk2713]

20. He should only suffer a humiliating defeat.

After all, this is the asshole that gave us the Wasilla Quitta.

[K8-EEE]

21. My AZ friend says this asshole Hayworth scarier than McLame and

He would win because of all the teabaggers & other racist nuts in AZ.

She sez: we should all be PRAYING that old man McCain wins because at least he's ineffective.

[patrice]

22. HUGE 4X4 with McCain/Palin sticker at stop light, window down: I asked "What do you think of Drill

Baby Drill" now?

The young man behind the wheel lifted his eyebrows, smiled ruefully, and shook his head just a little.

True story from THE HEART of Red Country.

[shanti]

23. good grief

why why why do all these pushing 80 dinosaurs still feel the need to hold public office and shove their agendas down our throats??? i'm also referring to cheney, pete wilson, etc., etc. how much money and power do they need?!