CA: McCain lends clout to (Mary) Bono campaign

Riverside Press-Enterprise ^ | 10/12/06 | Michele DeArmond

[NormsRevenge]

RANCHO MIRAGE - Sen. John McCain, a prominent Republican who's pondering a presidential bid in 2008, lent his fundraising prowess Wednesday to fellow Republican Rep. Mary Bono's re-election effort in the Coachella Valley.

Amanda Lucidon / The Press-Enterprise Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., addresses the media during a news conference with Rep. Mary Bono, R-Palm Springs, by his side at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage.

McCain, R-Ariz., is traveling the country helping his colleagues as the GOP works to maintain control of both the House and Senate in the run-up to next month's election. Bono, R-Palm Springs, is challenged by Democrat David Roth, who is trying to tap into voters' growing concern about the war in Iraq and scandals within the Republican Party.

"This is a tough year for the Republican Party," McCain said at a news conference before a cocktail reception for Bono at the Rancho Las Palmas Hotel in Rancho Mirage.

There's more money flowing into Democratic campaigns than he has seen since taking office, McCain said, and incumbent Republicans face an uphill battle in many areas around the country. Nonetheless, McCain said, Bono is well-liked in her predominantly Republican district.

Bono's opponent, who was at a fundraiser for his own campaign in Los Angeles on Wednesday, released a written statement about Bono's event. Roth repeated themes he has sounded throughout his campaign, attacking Bono as being in lockstep with Bush and out of step with her constituents.

"Mary Bono's voting record reveals that she has repeatedly followed President Bush, unlike John McCain, who has a reputation for speaking out against the president," Roth's campaign said. "We need representatives who have the courage to present a true check on the president's power."

Allan Hoffenblum, co-editor of The Target Book, said, however, Bono is not a "screaming right winger." Having McCain campaign for her "reinforces the type of Republican she is," namely someone who's moderate on some social issues, said Hoffenblum, whose nonpartisan publication analyzes state and federal races.

McCain, who ran an unsuccessful presidential campaign against President Bush in 2000, launched himself into the national spotlight this week for speaking out in defense of Bush, not against him.

During a campaign stop for another Republican in Michigan before the Bono event, McCain commented on the growing nuclear threat from North Korea, saying former President Bill Clinton should have done more to halt it in the 1990s.

McCain said Wednesday his remarks were simply a response to Democrats' complaints that Bush hasn't paid enough attention to North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities. McCain singled out Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in his remarks in Michigan, saying her husband's handling of North Korea was a failure.

McCain could face Sen. Clinton in 2008 if both run for president. McCain acknowledged Wednesday that he is considering a bid for president, saying he hasn't yet decided if he'll seek the office again.

Bono, who hoped to raise $25,000 at her fundraiser with McCain, praised McCain as someone who has been a "great role model" for her in Washington, D.C., but she did not comment on his potential presidential bid.

[My2Cents]

Do The Rules apply to Mary Bono?

[Froufrou]

Isn't she Sonny's widow, who was allowed to take over when he perished in a skiing accident? What are her credentials, and why is McCain picking on her? His endorsement can't be of much help.

[My2Cents]

She is indeed Sonny's widow. She was elected in a special election to fill the remainder of Sonny's term, and has been subsequently elected since. She won in '04 with something like 67% of the vote. Her's is a predominantly Republican district, so I can't believe she is in jeopardy. McCain's appearance appears to be a waste of time.

[GreenLanternCorps]

Better looking than Cher...

[newzjunkey]

Mary Bono's been a member of congress since 1998 and voted for impeachment because Clinton lied and even urged him to resign if he truly thought impeachment would do irreparable harm to the country. Perhaps prescient, she felt his behavior may have harmed national security.

Wikipedia says the Christian Coalition gives her an 84% rating, she votes with Bush 79% of the time and with Republicans 89% of the time. She is, however, pro-choice and a supporter of gay marriage.

[My2Cents]

That was my thought too. Sonny wised-up in his later years.

[My2Cents]

Christian Coalition gives her an 84% rating, she votes with Bush 79% of the time and with Republicans 89% of the time. She is, however, pro-choice and a supporter of gay marriage.

That's probably about as good as we can expect from a California Republican.