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Hayworth tells Arizona GOP he’ll take on McCain
• Arizona Capitol TimesHayworth has spent the past month hinting about a possible
candidacy, but he’s now made it clear that he will indeed take on the
former Republican nominee for president. He has yet to file the
paperwork.
“Soon, I will announce formally my candidacy for the United States
Senate,” he said at the annual Arizona Republican Party meeting on Jan.
23.
The day before, he announced he was leaving Clear Channel’s KFYI, where he had hosted a talk show for several years.
When he took the stage, he was greeted with chants of “J.D.! J.D.!” from a segment of the party’s grassroots volunteers.
McCain addressed the crowd earlier in the day and was greeted with a
standing ovation, although a smattering of boos could be heard.
Hayworth is supported by Republicans who disagree with McCain’s
moderate views on illegal immigration and other issues. They view
Hayworth as the more conservative candidate.
Battle lines between McCain and Hayworth already have formed.
Jane Lynch, a party volunteer from McCain’s Phoenix legislative
district, showed up at the meeting wearing a John McCain campaign
button and said she was disappointed Hayworth is entering the race.
“I think he’s hurting the state of Arizona by what he’s doing,” she
said. Republicans have a tendency to bloody each other up in primary
elections, even if that hurts their ultimate chances against Democrats,
she said.
Plus, Hayworth is too “right wing” in his views.
“That’s not who wins the general election in Arizona,” Lynch said.
Others welcomed Hayworth’s announcement.
“I think it’s way overdue,” Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. “He’d make a great U.S. senator.”
Hayworth frequently lauded Arpaio on his radio show for the sheriff’s willingness to enforce state and federal illegal immigration laws.
Hayworth frequently lauded Arpaio on his radio show for the sheriff’s willingness to enforce state and federal illegal immigration laws.
Arpaio has a history of clashing with McCain. In 2008, Arpaio
endorsed GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney instead of his senator.
In 2000, he backed George W. Bush over McCain. In December, Arpaio
hosted a fundraiser to benefit Hayworth’s legal defense fund.
State Sen. Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican and outspoken critic of
McCain’s stance on illegal immigration, called Hayworth a
“good-spirited patriot” and applauded his decision to enter the race.
McCain, Pearce said, has “strayed from the basic principles (Republicans) believe in.”
But the campaign will be about more than just illegal immigration, McCain supporters said.
“Amnesty isn’t the only issue,” said Paula Bouthillier, a Peoria Republican.
Many Arizona Republicans who hold elected office said they would
avoid endorsing either candidate, for fear that taking sides could lead
to problems in their 2010 campaigns.
“I don’t want McCain and Hayworth to get in the weeds in District
30, so I’m not going to get involved in their (race),” said state Rep.
Frank Antenori, whose district includes part of Tucson and southeastern
Arizona.
State Rep. Rick Murphy, a Glendale Republican, agreed.
“I want to let it play out a little bit. I want to see what kind of campaigns they run before I take a stance,” he said.
Two months ago, a Rasmussen poll showed McCain and Hayworth running
about even. But a poll released Jan. 22 by the same firm shows McCain
was leading Hayworth in public opinion 53-31. Republican Chris Simcox
trailed with four percentage points. The rest of the respondents were
undecided.
Rasmussen attributes the huge swing in polling results to news that
Sarah Palin will campaign for McCain this year. “Bringing in Palin is
significant for a candidate who has always had a troubled relationship
with the Republican base,” the firm reported.
McCain has not lost an election since first being elected to Congress in 1982 and later to the Senate in 1986.
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3 Comments in Response to Hayworth tells Arizona GOP he’ll take on McCain
John McCain has been Arizona senator for most of my adult life. At the same time our country has been taken over by international bankers and the wealth of our nation squandered on bailouts and war. Both of which John Mc Cain is quite agreeable with and supportive of. "There is no fool like an old fool" If this man could of made a difference in Washington he would of already acoumplished it. ITS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!! VOTE NO ON MCCAIN!!!! I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE REASONS, THOUGH THEY ARE MANY. "Its simply time for change"
Go JD! I sure hope we can get rid of RINO McLame. He is not even honest enough to declare his true party, the Social Fascist Progressives, AKA, Democrat.
JD JD JD!!!!
SamFox
I feel so sorry for Arizona...they have NOTHING to offer other than Sunshine...Wait!! It`s snowing there now....Sorry!
The West has so much to offer..they have "McCain,aka (songbird).They have "Reid"..a man with Americas best at heart.The Texas Governor..also one of Americas best..I am so jealous of the West.Oh!! we can`t forget the wide open doors that the Invaders are using to Dilute the "True American Spirit",and,you can thank McCain,aka (songbird) for holding that door open,and!! taking care of the "Navajo" so well.If you see McCain please tell him that the 1967/68 KGB types are starting to worry about their salvation..and their talking...telling the truth in order to be on the good side of God when he takes them...McCain!!! You can`t shut them up...I love it..What goes around comes around...Salvation..what are you doing McCain..have you been lying to the Lord like you did as a POW? God knows what you said McCain...he will not forget you..think about it McCain...he knows the Prayers you made..and he can`t be bought.If I were you...I would worry allot.