McCain Supports Graf for House (Kyl too)

The Arizona (Red) Star ^ | 8 October 2006 | Daniel Scarpinato

[axes_of_weezles]

McCain supports Graf for House seat

By Daniel Scarpinato

arizona daily star

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.08.2006

Republican congressional candidate Randy Graf has won the endorsement of political superstar John McCain — a significant step, the campaign says, toward unifying moderates and conservatives.

"Randy Graf's record as a state representative has demonstrated his commitment to the values important to the people of Arizona," McCain said in a written statement provided to the Arizona Daily Star.

"His voting record on issues such as supporting our military, reducing taxes and reining in election and welfare fraud bodes well for his future in the U.S. Congress," McCain wrote. "I urge the voters of the 8th district to support him on November 7th. It would be a pleasure to work with him in Washington."

Graf, who is running against Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, had failed to win the endorsement of Republican Jim Kolbe, the congressman who is retiring from the seat after 22 years.

Graf described McCain's support as a turning point in the campaign for Congressional District 8 and "a great honor."

"John McCain has served this nation with amazing courage and great dignity," Graf said in the statement. "He is a shining example of public service."

"The tide is clearly turning our way," he said.

The campaign hopes the endorsement by McCain, who is popular among some Democrats and independents, is the boost Graf needs to keep the high-profile race competitive.

The two agree on a number of issues — both oppose abortion rights, oppose same-sex marriage, advocate small government, support the war in Iraq and have been openly critical of President Bush at times. The Graf campaign described McCain's "unwavering support of U.S. military troops" as one of the election's key issues.

But they have a clear ideological difference on illegal immigration. Graf disagrees with McCain's position that illegal immigrants should be allowed a path to citizenship.

Despite that, McCain — largely seen as positioning himself for a 2008 presidential bid — made the decision to publicly throw his support behind Graf last week, said spokesman Paul Hickman, adding that they disagree on "the approach to the immigration problem."

"He likes Randy," Hickman said. "He agrees with him on most issues that Republicans hold dear."

For Graf, the race has been a roller coaster since he won the party nomination in September. National Republicans seemed enthusiastic, then pulled out television-ad buys. And Kolbe congratulated Graf on his win, but refused to endorse.

In an interview by phone from Washington Saturday, Kolbe said he didn't think the McCain endorsement was very significant but said "it's certainly got to help" Graf in appealing to moderates.

"I'm certainly not surprised," he said. "Supporting the party ticket is pretty normal."

Graf campaign manager R.T. Gregg downplayed the significance of McCain and Graf's differences on immigration, saying that all politicians have varying differences on issues.

"I'd rather focus on what they agree on," Gregg said. "There are Republicans that we need to attract to our campaign, and I think that John McCain has a pretty good reputation with those Republicans we need to attract."

Republicans have long worried that some voters might either sit the election out or cross party lines due to low approval ratings for President Bush and Congress.

The fallout from the resignation of Florida Rep. Mark Foley following revelations of Internet sexual messages to teenage boys has renewed those worries.

McCain's endorsement has proven influential before. In the Republican primary race for Arizona governor, party activist Don Goldwater led in the polling but on Election Day Phoenix lobbyist Len Munsil won by a comfortable margin, credited, in part, to a late endorsement from McCain.

In polling, Giffords leads Graf by anywhere from 8 to nearly 20 points. Republicans are the dominant party in District 8.

Graf has also been endorsed by Arizona's other senator, Republican Jon Kyl.

● Contact reporter Daniel Scarpinato at 807-7789 or dscarpinato@azstarnet.com.

[axes_of_weezles]

Good News for Graf. Kyl+MCCain added to endorsees list.

Graf polling shows him within 3 points of Giffords, per the Special Sauce, Zogby. The Red Star cant print that, though.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Time to pray.

[PRND21]

Paleo heads exploding everywhere.

[Westbrook]

I know it means something to people who don't pay alot of attention to the antics of the delusional and unstable McCain, but his endorsement means nothing to me.

.

[axes_of_weezles]

Remember, Parkie, Graf is a Minuteman.

You ought to check them out. They started the fence this weekend.

Time for a few apologies from you.

[Uriah_lost]

I suppose, in AZ, this might be a good thing for the candidates.....I'll keep telling myself that.

[BLS]

"Republican congressional candidate Randy Graf has won the endorsement of political superstar John McCain"


Proof positive. McCain is running.

[axes_of_weezles]

This is an Arizona RINO thing. The RINO's, including the perv Kolbe were saying Graf is an extremist who wont work with the Republican party, while influencing the party not to fund/support Graf.

If you read the article MCCain does not always agree with Graf.

This is the "moderate" support Graf was never supposed to get.

You dont have to agree with Mccain.

[PRND21]

They started the fence this weekend.

Go McCain Go, huh?

[dirtboy]

Do us a favor and save it until after the November elections? Graf is the GOP nominee and if you cannot get behind him, please just say nothing until later.

[dirtboy]

I don't like McCain, but at least he is adhering to the notion of the party pulling together after the primaries. Something a few freepers would be well-served to emulate.

[dirtboy]

In an interview by phone from Washington Saturday, Kolbe said he didn't think the McCain endorsement was very significant but said "it's certainly got to help" Graf in appealing to moderates. "I'm certainly not surprised," he said. "Supporting the party ticket is pretty normal."

Then why aren't you doing such, Kolbe? Do you now reject standing with the party since you don't need their backing any longer?

[axes_of_weezles]

Yep looks like no fence to me. Bwahaha! Looks like you owe a few apologies.

[PRND21]

Graf has my support. I'm just pointing out the politics/bedfellows/strange angle.

[BLS]

"I don't like McCain, but at least he is adhering to the notion of the party pulling together after the primaries. Something a few freepers would be well-served to emulate."


I think he knows that he is going to need every conservative vote he can get and at this point in time he doesn't have enough. So he needs to "up his credibility" in order to make a run for POTUS in '08. Frankly anyone that is considered hawkish on illegal immigration is probably not voting for him and is also now wondering what is wrong with their guy Graf, that an OBL such as McCain would support him.

[axes_of_weezles]

Yep, you and Kolbe are the strangest.

[tennmountainman]

"Graf is the GOP nominee and if you cannot get behind him, please just say nothing until later."

It's ironic the GOP leader who defunded Graff in now 15% points behind in his own re-election. Tom "Foley" Reynolds. The man who failed to show up on his "This Week" interview due to "Flu-Like" Symptoms.

[PRND21]

Looks like you owe a few apologies.

No, but the people that donated money deserve accountability.
They are still waiting, as is the I.R.S.

Why would you rather talk about the fence than McCain? Stay on topic, please.

[dirtboy]

Frankly anyone that is considered hawkish on illegal immigration is probably not voting for him and is also now wondering what is wrong with their guy Graf, that an OBL such as McCain would support him.

I sincerely doubt that McCain's endorsement will erode Graf's conservative support. McCain is doing what Kolbe should have done when Graf won the primary - back the GOP nominee.

[PRND21]

Yep, you and Kolbe are the strangest.

You're about as funny as McCainiac.