McCain may face '04 GOP challenge

The Arizona Republic ^ | 2/26/03 | Billy House

[Gothmog]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said Tuesday that he is considering running against Sen. John McCain in a Republican primary next year, his first public confirmation that he is weighing such a challenge.

"At least in a Republican (Senate) primary, ideas would be debated," said Flake, 40, a second-term congressman. "More debate than you would get from a Democratic candidate. That's a party bereft of ideas." Flake said he will decide this summer.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Good news. At the very least this should keep McCain on his toes.

[Catspaw]

Interesting--McCain and Specter are both getting primary challenges.

[jocko12]

RUN FLAKE RUN FOR THE GOOD OF THE PARTY!!!!

[JohnGalt]

Moore, I believe, is being pressured by the White House behind the scenes to back off support for a primary challenger to McCain. In exchange, I think McCain will be friendlier to Bush policy.

If you see McCain warm to Bush proposals, particularly the tax cut package, it will be a good sign that a deal has been cut. If McCain remains opposed to the Bush tax cut, and Moore backs a primary challenger with his full muscle, Moore will score huge points with me.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for the information.

I've noticed that McCain has been supportive when it comes to Iraq. Now if he would just keep his yap shut on taxes, the environment, campaign finance reform, etc.!

[fieldmarshaldj]

*BUMP* to DUMP the Manchurian Candidate, McInsane.

[JohnGalt]

McCain is a mad bomber on the Hawk side which gives him good press with the Bill Kristol contingent of the GOP. So when you say he is supportive of Iraq policy, keep in mind, he also supported "Kosovo" just like most of the Ds.

[ken5050]

McCain still may have health issues relative to the skin cancer. I hope not, for his sake, but he doesn't look that well on TV. Wouldn't surprise me if he retires due to health reasons....Flake may just be trying to raise his visability in case that happens....

[The Vast Right Wing]

RUN FLAKE RUN FOR THE GOOD OF THE PARTY!!!!

Run for the good of the country!

[Gothmog]

Yeah, I'd rather see Toomey in the Senate rather than Specter, but I doubt it's going to happen unless Specter retires. A friend of mine from PA told me that although they are ideologically different, Santorum will support Specter.

It seems after Santorum won his primary (in 1994?) Specter (although they disagreed on issues) immediately supported Santorum and provided him with a lot of political and $$$ from the Philly area, where Santorum was weak. At least Specter respected the party GOP and supported their decision, unlike Sen. Warner (VA) who did his best to beat Ollie North.

So anyway, with Santorum and Bush on Specter's side I doubt we'll see much outward ($$$) support for Toomey from conservative Republicans.

[Gothmog]

Maybe it will take a Flake to beat a flake, ha ha ha.

[AmishDude]

We are, of course, assuming McCain wants to run again. With his poor health and a strong challenge from Flake, he may decide it's time to hang it up.

Too bad he went on destruction mode after the 2000 primaries, he could have had a cushy administration job.

[gulfcoast6]

Two bubbleheads in the same pod.

[Spiff]

Ping the list - it's time to get in gear. We've got to get the groundswell moving to push Flake into candidacy and then into McCain's senatorial seat.

I was recently elected President of the conservative South East Arizona Republican Club in Sierra Vista. I will be inviting Rep. Flake to come and speak as many times as he will come down and will work with my club and other connected clubs to get this groundswell started down here.

But we're just Sierra Vista. We've got to get Tucson and especially Phoenix fired up NOW. We can't start too early. It is imperative that we unseat RINO whackjob McCain - for the good of the Party and the nation itself.

[Catspaw]

I just wonder if Flake and Toomey can get the support and funding they need to run against McCain and Specter.

[dittomom]

PINGING ARIZONA!!!

Here ya' go Spiff.

[HiJinx]

Thanks for the ping, dittomom.

Spiff, you get Jeff down here and I'll be front row center...

[Spiff]

Spiff, you get Jeff down here and I'll be front row center...

Well, I expect you to be front row center anyway at our March 20th meeting because our featured speaker is Chris Simcox of Civil Homeland Defense. No one will ever accurately accuse the SEAR Club of being moderates. No way.

[madfly]

Arizona ping