The annual gathering of the Arizona Republican Party Statutory Meeting received a rare visit today. In fact, the arrival of Arizona’s senior senator was so uncharacteristic, many long time state committeemen said they were unable to recall ever seeing him in attendance.
Although the McCain sighting was an unusual and aberrant move for him, it is not one he will soon forget. Throughout his speech, chants of “J.D.! J.D.!” referencing his nemesis and unannounced phantom challenger, could be clearly heard among catcalls and hisses aimed at McCain.
The popular former Congressman J.D. Hayworth, who enjoys a broad base of support, is being urged to enter the senate race to mount a Daschle-like challenge to McCain. Arizona’s grassroots Republicans are weary of the aisle-crossing “Maverick” and desire actual representation. In fact, a Rasmussen survey of Arizona Republicans reported a towering 61% indicated McCain was “out of touch with the party base.”
Several people in the crowd disapprovingly called out “What about amnesty?” during McCain’s speech and other committeemen held up signs that read “Boo” indicating their scorn.
The aging senator has had a disconnect with his own party base for so long that he didn’t even bother to attend the state presidential preference primary when his name was placed in nomination for the 2008 election, an overt display of scorn for the very people who brought him to that dance.
A year-end Rasmussen Reports poll showed the old, long-time senator in a dead heat with Hayworth, causing the fearful McCain to purchase provocative and negative ads during Hayworth’s drive time radio call-in show on KFYI radio. The tension reached a fever-pitch yesterday, when Hayworth signed off with his final program.
The most recent polling after the loathsome and blistering attacks from McCain indicated a downturn in support for Hayworth. That won’t last. McCain, who is adept at sticking his finger in the eye of his fellow Arizona Republicans, is showing fear, causing him to recruit newly elected Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown to make robo calls on his behalf and bringing in Sarah Palin to stump for him.
The stench of McFear is palpable.
Comparing JD to JM is like comparing Tillamook cheese to Velveeta. One is the real thing (Republican) and the other is horrible alternative (RINO)
This year we have the opportunity to elect a whole crop of Platform Republicans for federal and state offices. The differences are clear – JDvJM, ATvTH, TVvBL, SCvWG, DSvJW, etc. It should be a verrrry interesting year.
Simcox has committed to supporting JD!! He recognizes that getting rid of McCain is the most important thing and that JD has the best chance of meeting that goal.
It is time to stop talking and start walking if you want a change in our senator. It will take time, talent and treasure to gain the victory.
I fully support JD Hayworth in his inevitable race with McCain. JD would likely have the edge amongst Republican primary voters. I have a sneaky suspicion that if McCain loses the primary, he will not go quietly into that good night. He will likely mount a bid as an Independent…
First Virginia and New Jersey, then total victory last week at the MCRC, then victory in Massachusetts and the death of Obamacare, then the Supreme Court decision killing McCain Feingold and the return of the First Amendment, then the demise of Air America, now the ascension of JD Hayworth.
Sure has been a conservative “Meade thru Georgia” winter. Be very careful walking near tall buildings – we could have a lot of donkey and RINO jumpers
I would have given almost anything to have been in attendance at this meeting. But just reading about the reception McCain received warmed my heart!
BTW, my sincere thanks to Seeing Red AZ for this excellent coverage. I could feel the excitment while reading about the event.
JD held the meeting in the palm of his hand. Sen.Jon Kyl was also on the receiving end of catcalls on the subject of amnesty.
I was at the meeting, sitting near the rear. While I welcome JD into the race, McCain was met with enthusiastic applause and several standing ovations. This blog makes it sound like JD’s support was overwhelming and that is just not the case. There’s a lot of work to be done.
McCain is a progressive and I hope he is finished and Sara Palin and Scott Brown are smart enough to stay far away from him. He is a big time looser.
I was there as well. I felt shame as people chanted JD, JD. We must respect the office if nothing else. He is a sitting Senator, a war hero, the Presidential nominee from our own Arizona. Shouting for JD while JD is up at the podium is certainly expected, to shout while McCain was up there was wrong and redneck.
BenF has it right it will be very interesting indeed. I would caution against the “slate” approach as each geographic area is different. See 2008 Corporation Commissioner race as an example.
Yes, a sitting Senator who treasonously voted behind closed doors for amnesty for illegal criminals!
A war hero? Yes, eons ago, when he was still a human
being. This politicians has evolved into an ugly creature who nobody recognizes anymore. Out with Mctraitor. America needs Statesmen, not behind closed doors plotters. We were the recipients of his rudeness
and that of his minions when we called to ask for no
amnesty! We’ll remember in November. This arrogant employee of “US” tax payers is on his way out! With the same respect he has given us!
While I have as little to agree with John McCain any any other Arizonan I just want to point out that the US Senate would be far worse position as far as government health care legislation if McCain wasn’t in his current position.
That assume that the seat was not filled by someone who respects the Constitution more than JM. If you are referring to his authority within the Senate because of either his longevity or his loving relationship with the progressives, it really means nothing to them or the President. We need someone who is Arizona’s “First Line of Defense” not as McCains ad’s state “The Last Line of Defense”. The 17th Amendment changed how they came into the position but not the reason they were sent ther. McCain has ignored and forgotten this!
nightcrawler:
I, too, attended the meeting today. My view varies from yours. I’ve been a state committeeman for over two decades. McCain has never attended any meeting I have ever been at, save for today — when he is suddenly worried about retaining his job.
While I certainly respect the office, and McCain’s military service (which by the way, I believe he has milked at every opportunity), I well understand the chants and the mood of the assembled state committeemen. We are tired of his arrogance and being dismissive of us. We are tired of his “Mavericky” ways which actually mean nothing other than working hand-in-glove with numerous Democrats over numerous years. I am sick of him. I was happy to chant “J.D.!” and I’m nowhere near to being a redneck. I am not rude. I am reacting to the snow job we’ve been given and the fraudulent hand we’ve been dealt when he campaigns with an “R” after his name. My father was a life-long union member and Democrat and was no where near as liberal as McCain. I’ve had my fill of this phony and make no apologies.
Respect the office? Are you kidding me? This man is an absolute, unmitigated, certified, notarized disgrace! He should be booed and hissed out of existence. He has destroyed our party and country. He lies when his lips move. He did it today when he said terrorist should be tried in military courts. He said just two years ago that Gitmo should be closed and terrorists tried in US courts as if they had the rights of U.S. citizens. The man should be the star in a pink panther movie. He is just as idiotic.
A respectable man wouldn’t be attacking someone who hasn’t even declared his candidacy. He wouldn’t get someone fired from his job. He doesn’t deserve our respect anymore. He deserved what he got.
nightcrawler-I unfortunately was unable to attend the meeting. However, having read the report by “seeing red”, & then the comments here, I must concur with DeAnn, Kate, & Army of One. For me, the deal breaker was a “Yea” vote for Mr. Eric Holder. This guy’s the wagonmaster in getting murderous islamic TERRORISTS Constitutional Rights. Our very own senior senator opened THAT can of rattlesnakes 2 years ago…doesn’t that seen a little coincedental to you?
As to the Rassmussen poll giving McCain 51% since adding Sarah Palin to his roster…I think McCain’s lackeys have hidden the OTHER poll from her…showing that 61% of ARIZONA VOTERS
As a PC, I’m all for cheering your candidate. As Republicans, I’m not crazy about heckling, jeering, or loud outbursts. Don’t like the guy? Then cheer your candidate and emphasis to the positive.
The Arizona GOP conference today saw just about every politico trying to claim some love fest relationship with Tea Party, Conservatives and Mom & Apple Pie.
The place is full of politicos trying to recycle themselves from one office to another. Term limits are meaningless. The Guv, God bless her, says she has been in elected office 27 years. Dean Martin says 10 – so if you do the math he never really had a real job after college except being a politician. Thayer V. who wants to be State Treas. – got kicked as state senate pro tem and is attempting recycle as state bean counter. Business interests, who are the ones who can make the large private donations, only trust a few business friendly incumbenets and rarely gamble on a new face.
Many complain about “clean” elections, but then they use it to run. Go back to the business interests – they won’t give the money necessary except on their trusted few, so the “traditional” new candidate with a good agenda & message can’t make it without a “clean elections” – and the Fed court, thanks to Goldwater Institute, Dean Martin and others, has trashed the matching funds. Unlikely the Legislature will increase the base funding to candidates to make up for the loss of matching funds. And they still are not “clean” because the PAC money can enter the race on its own non-stop. So, McCain-Feingold may have had some good ideas, but not the U.S. Supreme Court has said the business groups and unions can spend like crazy against candidates.
Out of the Tea Party people, it is funny how some of their leaders are also running for the Legislature – who is using who in that deal?
J.D. needs to defends the Ambramov thing, too, so he has a past to live with….
Gone are the days of John Rhodes, John Conlan and a few others.
So, Sen. McCain and just about everyone standing up today in candidacy line was simply stating the popular line of the crowd.
The challenge is, though, were the 500 or so folks at the GOP conference today truly representative of Arizona Republican voters, or more representative of the party’s far right that has successfully made itself more vocal and noticeable.
JD was in the same position with Abramoff as McCain was in the Savings and Loan debacle. JD needs no explaning to divert attention from his Constitutional principles.
As a first-time attender, I’m glad to hear the long-time state committeeman’s report that this is a first for McCain.
What hasn’t been reported is that McCain isn’t just fearful; he had obviously issued a “General Quarters” alarm because “All hands were on deck” to fawn over McCain–the Guv, Kyl, Flakey, Shadegg and Trent Franks.
And in his arrogance, McCain didn’t even stick around to hear the speeches of the lowly congressmen–only his buddy Jon Kyl. After that, he left.
That he was irritated at the audacity of lowly delegates who made clear their disdain for him was obvious. He didn’t want to be there, and didn’t spend one more minute than was necessary.
While we laugh at senatorial retirees like Byron Dorgan and Chris Dudd, they at least know when it’s time for them to go. That’s more than McCain does.
When a four-term senator is so vulnerable that he’s challenged by 3 opponents in his own party, it’s time for him to go.
In the meantime, the Book of Proverbs best describes John McCain: “Pride goeth before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction.”
From the Book of Proverbs to God’s ear.
I am glad to hear that J.D. Hayworth has risen like a Phoenix, from the ashes.
Yes Virginia, there is political resurrection–just NOT for the likes of Juan McCain.
75% of Arizona passes anti-illegal immigration ballot measures every Election Day.
PC, Martin owned a business prior to serving in the legislature. And Abraham Lincoln was a “career politician.” Public servants don’t come any better than Dean Martin. Look him up on http://wwww.ProjectVoteSmart.org. That’s a track record every true conservative will champion.
Chris Simcox for AZ LD-7 Representative!
And Martin owned a business for how long before he made politics his profession? He’s 35, been in for 10 years – so after college that’s about 3 years. I think he lost his punching bag when Guv Janet left. But, as State Treasurer, he’s overseeing the career bureaucrats that really keep the state’s bank going. There’s not much magic to it except to be a good custodian of funds who has to write the checks he’s directed to by law. Martin opposed Randy Pullen for State Chair and opposes Clean Elections (he’s in the lawsuit), yet he’s using CE to pay for his campaign. I think he will do a good job of dividing the votes.
After reading the posts today in the blogs and some of the articles in the papers, I am saddened to see that the right is more interested in eating each other than agreeing to work (however little) together to defeat the left on the larger issues.
All of this name calling and finger pointing will only (once again) open the door for the Obama’s and Pelosis of the world to try and take control.
If we cannot even be civil with each other how the heck can we defeat the enemy? No one will agree 100% with anyone else on a subject so we must use what we do agree on as a tool to fix the bigger picture.
I doubt that will happen based on all the “rino” this and that and the “he’s not right enough” crowd..
This is a center-right country and in order to keep it that way we MUST learn to work together. Work the big issues and let the rest be debated amongst ourselves, but please stop the infighting as it will only hurt us. I already see Brown is being gone after!! What the F@%& for? Like, really? Less than a week and he’s a target for “real” conservatives or for those that are THE TEA PARTY.. Get over yourselves and realize wars are fought a battle at a time and we must work together as those of the right as a whole.
I am positive the Left will work together no matter what as they did and got a man with zero experience to the highest office in the land. You’ve been warned and I hope it does not fall on deaf ears. The fact is we will lose this momentum and the upper hand by attacking each other.
While John may mean well, he’s nearly as clueless as McCain & Company.
John preaches to the conservatives, but what was the response when he preached the same message to McCain & Company? Because he didn’t.
It’s only the conservatives who hear ad nauseum the tiresome song that “we have to work together despite out differences.” The truth is that the RINO/NeoCon/McCainiacs are worse enemies than the liberals.
John, who turned in JD Hayworth to the Justice Department for a phoney investigation on the Abramoff scandal–a RINO/McCainiac. Who filed the FCC complaint against JD–a RINO/McCainiac. Who (in the 2006 election) threw Randy Graf under the bus by cutting off promised MRCC campaign funds for the 8th District seat (promised based on the expectation that a RINO would win the primary)–the NeoCon White House.
Why did the RNC provide no campiagn money for 2008 state and local elections? Because the McCain campaign skimmed off all the money. The “Democrat takeover” is due as much to the “Straight Talk Express” taking all the money as to Democrats.
Whether or not John wants to admit it, the “Straight Talk Express” will be eating up other Republicans whether or not conservatives fight back.
The RINOs want control, but they also want the conservatives (without whom they will lose big-time) to shut up and be good little solderies who do what they’re told.
Remember the words of Senator Juan Kyl when Arizona republicans protested his betrayal of his 2006 campaign promise against amnesty? “The role of GOP rank=and-file is NOT making GOP policy, but to work to get Republicans elected.”
John, this “can’t we all get along?” BS is the last step before being a surrender monkey.
Look at McCain and Kyl and what they’ve voted for–not what they claim to have done, but how they voted. If that’s what you want for Arizona, continue your current path.
If it’s not, get off the fence and fight to take back the Republican Party.
If the Republican party is going to be taken seriously, we have to clean up our party too. It will take a lot of soap and water to clean up the mess McCain has made of our party.
John, the fact is that we conservatives loved Brown and Palin because we thought they acted like they stood for the conservative cause and truly represented us. We have been disappointed before by fallen conservatives who have misled us and sold us out to Mexico…..Kyl, Shadegg & Flake to name a few. Here we go again! Will it never end? Anyone who does not know about the lack of principles, honesty and character of John McCain loses much credibility in our eyes and should hear about it loud an clear. WE ARE FED UP AND ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!! This is not about personality, or party, or respect for the office. This is about the survival of the United States as a sovereign nation.
Charlie, what we can all take heart from in the Scott Brown matter is that McCain’s support was intentionally kept quiet until after the campaign was over.
The obvious reason: both Scott Brown and his people knew that, to the Tea Partiers who voted for Scott Brown, “support” or “endorsement” or whatever by McCain would be a political kiss of death to Scott Brown.
After learning of Scott Brown’s robo-calls last Wednesday, I e-mailed 5 Mass. people in my anti-illegal issue directory. All 5 said there was no mention whatever of McCain support during the campaign, and 2 said they wouldn’t have voted for him had the McCain connection been disclosed.
I’m sure McCain knows why his support was kept quiet, and it can’t give him good vibes at all.
In the future, we’ll know to confront any candidate with the pointed question, “Are you receiving any support from John McCain–$$$ or otherwise?”
The word will get around fast.
Wow, Right off the bat my thoughts are clueless. You spout the same drivel the left shouts at conservatives without ever listening to our position.
Have fun with trying to win the white house using a far right or an “we’re more right than you” attitude, the country doesn’t want to be tagged as anything but themselves no matter what party is saying it. The poster children of the movement Brown and Palin even see that it is a take some and give some game in the world of politics and I hope for the sake of the larger conservative issues we don’t bleed votes while calling each other out on our short comings. I am not a “cant we all get along guy” I am a do what has to be done in order to win kinda guy.
Have fun beating each other up, it doesn’t make sense to me.
It is not necessary to say we are more right than… all we need to do is to quote the Constitution and talk history of the era known as the Progressive Era, which has brought this country to its knees in 2010.
LD20er -
I think you are on to something. McCain has thrown Palin under the bus several times since the election and tell me one conservative candidate he has supported? Now she’s going to campaign for him. Just like you said about Brown had people known the connection between him and McCain, folks wouldn’t have voted for him.
So perhaps the the underlining reason he wants her to campaign for him is not to capture the conservative votes (because the likelihood of him getting those votes are slim to none) but to turn off conservatives from voting FOR her. Just a thought. In politics nothing is done by accident.
Palin is campaigning for him because she knows she will never be viable again as she is a lighting rod for hatred. She would rally the lefts base in such a way that anyone running with her would to be ruined.
I also think part of it may be paying him back for making her relevant on the big stage, while keeping herself in the political picture in regards to giving speeches and being a pundit.
Excellant Reporting guys,,, I posted your post on my blog site,http://www.thearizonasentinel.com – ref yours,..
McCain has got to go ,. He is one of the major reasons I am no longer a Republican.
http://www.bruceolsen4gov.com Conservative Libertarian Candidate for Arizona Governor.
Good Job,.. JD , JD, JD
John,
It’s time you actually listen and comprehend the message McCain is spouting!
In any negotiations, the object should be to start from the furthest point, from your opponents position. We all know McCain wants to start from the middle and go left! This is unacceptable.
As a disabled veteran, I can attest to the fact that McCain has done little to nothing to help those in real need. Look up the Jason Okon Case. McCain wouldn’t even acknowledge this war hero. Maybe because Jason’s medals were for actual combat, as apposed to McCain’s medals for being a POW. (He had less than 15 hours of combat time, from records I have seen.)
In addition, he ruined the lives of the people who ran the POW/MIA Project by publicly accusing them of embezzling funds. After a years long Congressional investigation, they were totally cleared of all charges! But did McShame ever apologize. Hell NO!
Stop buying into the war hero rhetoric and start looking at his voting record. He is a failure!
You have a good point about McCain playing the war hero record over and over. There has to be more than game playing. Obama did us all a favor – he woke up the regular citizens. We are not going to vote for John McCain and I don’t think JD is any great alternative.He’s just another “talking head”.
Someone made a comment about how we shouldn’t beat up on JM or JD because it will divide the Republican Party – if there was ever a time to debate the essence of what a Republican should be – it is NOW! Why are you folks so afraid of debating the facts. McCain is pro amnesty – he is pro open borders – he is much too comfortable playing footsie with left wing radical Progressive democrats. He is more comfortable with them than their own “blue dogs” are!! He also has a ton of “attitude” – but he directs it against his constituents who dare to ask questions (I personally was on the receiving end at the PC meeting in Pinal County)I said we Tea Party Patriots do not want to live in a Tent! That made him very angry at me – not at the opposition. The Democratic party is in a mortal battle with the Progressives for the survival of the Democratic Party as it existed. Why are we not going to fight that same battle within our ranks? The Progressives don’t really care which party – as long as they can destroy anyone in their path who is not a Progressive and who upholds the Constitution. I like Sarah Palin – but I think some of you are right when you say that she gets sucked into supporting McCain by flattery and nonsense instead of using her brain – he has neutralized this threat to the Progressives by undermining her being taken seriously as a future option for higher office. We need new brooms – and we need to religiously recruit a new type of Republican Candidate – one who is fearless – a warrior in all respects – and we need men and women with “street smarts” – that only comes from the business sector – not the University, Legal profession, or the low level political machine. Give us someone who had to make a payroll, who had to deal with burocracy, and who knows how to make a plan and get it done.
[...] years as an unparalleled drive-time radio host, Hayworth has built up a loyal following. They are ready and willing to take on the unpopular McCain at the grassroots [...]
I attended the Tea Party Patriots “Meet the Candidates” yesterday (1/30) as a Republican PC, and I think it is time that Republican candidates who have “termed out” in the State legislature just walk away. They are all running for anything that is open. So the wisdom behind term limitations is pointless if they just play musical chairs in the State Legislature as they find a way around it! They sat there for 8 years and allowed Arizona to dig itself into a gigantic financial hole while they spent money like water – stupidly believing that the building boom would last forever. Republicans did this! One of them actually bragged to me that AZ is ranked #25 in education – as though that were something to be proud of! Mediocrity is what they thrive on. Vote Them Out!I think that Tea Party activists should make known their disgust with this “we own the game” attitude. This includes people like J.D. who had their shot and blew it. McCain lost the Presidency because he is a Progressive just like Obama, and the choice between him and Obama was like having Equal or having Splenda in your coffee – who cares? – neither one tastes like sugar. There are some good fresh and energetic candidates available but I have been told over and over that McCain is buying this seat with his 22-28 million dollar war chest! Just that should cause everyone to disown him! I guess the Republican Party still doesn’t get the Tea Party message – we are sick of low life politics as usual. Recruit new Constitutional based candidates or get out of the way. We need to stop voting for incumbents who didn’t do their job. The argument that this is the only way to win – is wrong! If it is the only way to win over the Dems – than we are no better than they are and the political exercise is a waste of time to begin with. If McCain were a true patriot he would walk away after his failure – and it was HIS failure! Almost any thinking person could have beaten Obama – McCain didn’t have the desire to win. The Republicans knew a tsunami was coming in the economy – and they didn’t want to take the fall – so they let the Dems win it. The Dems put up their worst possible choice too – extreme Marxist ideology, virtually no experience and no track record and unable to speak without a script – for the same reasons – they didn’t want to be stuck with the rap for the financial collapse. The whole campaign was a joke on both sides. A joke on working Americans. When the Dems took control of the House and the Senate and the Presidency they were drunk with misplaced beliefs that the American People are stupid. Don’t waste our time promoting JD or McCain – MOVE ON. We are tired of RERUNS year after year, election after election. We need some strong young patriots to lead us out of this wilderness of corruption. Fellow republicans – we are better than this – we don’t need recycled politicians. We have young blood in our party – lift them up and encourage them and independents will take notice that we are not “same old, same old” tired old men who won’t give it up! And where are the young Republicans – men and WOMEN!!
Kenneth isn’t quite right about comparing JD to Abramoff as McCain to Charlie Keating of the S&L scandal.
JD didn’t keep the “donation” of about $2400. McCain kept the donation of nearly $100K because he insisted he did nothing wrong.
I consider that a significant difference
Bi