Why The Political Deck In Arizona Might Be Stacked Against John McCain

[babylonsister]

Why The Political Deck In Arizona Might Be Stacked Against John McCain
Eric Kleefeld | January 5, 2010, 10:20AM


Fourteen months ago, John McCain was his party's nominee for president. But, now, as the 2010 midterms loom, the senior Senator from Arizona may find himself locked in a primary battle to hold on to his seat -- and he could be vulnerable.

Last week, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) signaled on his radio show that he's getting closer and closer to a run at McCain's seat. "We may have moved past due diligence into something that is more than a legal term of art ... something called 'testing the waters.' So stay tuned on that," Hayworth said.

Hayworth is popular with the conservative base because he was a leading right-wing voice in Congress on immigration, until he lost his seat in 2006. (Since then, Hayworth has hosted a talk radio show in Arizona.) McCain has traditionally struggled with this voting bloc, largely because of his past moderate positions on illegal immigration.

If McCain faces a primary challenge from Hayworth, McCain could be at a distinct disadvantage because of his state's election laws -- namely the closed primary, which allows only registered Republicans to choose the GOP's nominee.

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/why-the-political-deck-in-arizona-might-be-stacked-against-john-mccain.php?ref=fpa

[joeybee12]

1. That's probably why Mclame has become a raving right-wing lunatic...

...well, more than usual, since he's trying to capture the base and knows he's in trouble with a primary.

[BOSSHOG]

2. The evolution of the republican party

cleansing itself of mere almost lunatics and replacing them with the real thing. Ole J. D. Hayworth, limbaugh lookalike and loved by hannity and beck. Is there anything more to be said?

[blondeatlast]

3. I never, ever, ever thought I would want that slimy ex-bad-sportscaster to run again

for anything, but run, JD, run!

The slime will be so destructive to AZ's Republican Party. Run, JD, run!

[azmouse]

4. ewww.... it's like choosing the lesser of 2 extreme evils.

There is little hope of a Dem winning the Senate here right now. Maybe in a few years, when the Republicans have completely run the state into the ground, people will wake up and kick them out.

[blondeatlast]

5. kickety. nt