Free Republic

Arizona Republicans say GOP Sen. John McCain’s recent staff shake-up is an acknowledgment of the seriousness of his Aug. 24 primary challenge — a contest in which he remains a clear — but nervous — front-runner. While recent polls have shown McCain with a double-digit lead over former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, in an election year in which one Senate incumbent has already been taken down and several others are facing stiff primary opposition, the departure of two top campaign officials — campaign manager Shiree Verdone and deputy manager Mike Hellon — is being viewed as proof that McCain recognizes that...

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Sen. John McCain is holding town hall meetings in the West Valley this weekend. The first town hall will be at the Goodyear Justice Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The second will be at Sun City West at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

(snip) MCCAIN: Look, Arizona is under siege in many respects. We have broken borders. We have people flooding across. We have drug cartels inflicting incredible damage. We have — Phoenix, Arizona is the kidnapping capital of the world, second only to Mexico City. And the legislature and the governor acted out of frustration because the federal government will not fulfill its responsibilities. I have said for years we have to secure the borders. We have to get the National Guard down there. We have to build a fence which I've said for years. We have to use surveillance and we...

<p>The former six-term congressman stepped down Friday as host of his conservative talk radio program on a radio station in Phoenix.</p> <p>"We will formally announce at a later time, but we're moving forward to challenge John McCain," Hayworth told the Associated Press. "I think we all respect John. I think his place in history is secure. But after close to a quarter-century in Washington, it's time for him to come home."</p>