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.

[PRND21]

You're the one posting photos from his site.

Which is fine by FR rules. Posting from APatrol is against the rules.
What's your point and do you support McCain?

[montag813]

Now if only he can get Steffi Graf to endorse him.

[montag813]

had failed to win the endorsement of Republican Jim Kolbe

Do Arizonans really care what this old fudgepacker thinks?

[NapkinUser]

"What's your point..."

It should be obvious.

"....and do you support McCain?"

No, I don't. And unlike most FReepers who will let Hillary or Kerry or whoever scare them into voting for John McCain, I will never vote for him. Or Giuliani, Rice or Hagel. Luckily I live in a safe state, so I can do that even more easily.

[PRND21]

It should be obvious.

It isn't. You jumped into a discussion without knowing what you were talking about.

McCain / Graf 2008

[reaganandme]

McCain is also Pro life and straight.

There are many categories within the Pro-life movement. For example, there are those who believe every Bush judicial nominee deserves a up-or-down vote, and there are those who don't. When McCain led the "Gang of 14" it was essentially a vote against several of Bush's nominees. That and McCain's vote against the Marriage Amendment, tells me that this guy doesn't understand judicial activism at all. Or maybe he does understand it, he's just not willing to fight against it.

[Registered]

Registered has always hated the minutemen. Who gives a damn what he says or thinks?

I've always hated the minutemen? That's news to me. Now scam artists, them I hate. Are you one?

[BLS]

"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."


Well if that is all he is doing (which I doubt) then for the first time in recent memory I must give him kudos.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

McCain is also Pro life and straight.

Excuse me?

McCain was asked how he could be anti-abortion and still vote to support fetal tissue research. He supports fetal-tissue research, McCain said, because it has helped make progress against Parkinson’s disease. McCain concluded that abortion rights and anti-abortion activists should cooperate on issues of foster care and adoption. He had made his decision on abortion, he said, “after a lot of study, consultation, and a lot of prayer.” He added, “I’d like to have less intensity on this issue.”

Source: Boston Globe, p. A11 Jan 22, 2000

As for being straight, your guess is as good as mine with any of them up there in D.C.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

That picture looks like it came from a Sunday NFL game. Wonder how many yards those lines represent?

[dirtboy]

Well, AZ Dems are squalling about McCain backing Graf, so their internals must show it is making an impact.

[PRND21]

That picture looks like it came from a Sunday NFL game. Wonder how many yards those lines represent?

It's one guys yard...and he gets a new cow fence.

[jmc813]

What's your point and do you support McCain?

An Arnold lackey accusing someone of being a McCainiac. What a looney world we live in.

[Registered]

Well, step up to the plate and back up your comments.

[PRND21]

An Arnold lackey...

Arnold over Phil everytime.
Your guy lost, remember? Get over it and help keep Phil out of office.