With Arizona Changing, McCain Focuses On Home - Arizona Now A "Battleground" State

NY Times (via MSNBC.com) ^ | 24 July 2008 | Jennifer Steinhauer

[zeestephen]

PHOENIX - As a general rule, Senator John McCain does not alert the news media when he eats breakfast in Arizona.

But on a Monday morning this month, Mr. McCain campaigned in a local diner, after a Sunday stop at his campaign office here, where he urged volunteers to “make sure we get our voters registered, to make sure we are organized.”

[zeestephen]

Arizona GOP disenchantment with McCain was obvious in the Super Tuesday Primary. Not only did he fail to reach a majority (just 47%) against a relatively weak field, but among registered white Republicans McCain beat Romney just 44% to 42%. Of course, the timing of this negative article by the New York Times is a little suspicious. Just days ago the NYT got hit with serious criticism for refusing to publish McCain's Op-Ed.

[Perdogg]

It must be a really slow news day at the Times.

[DoughtyOne]

I tend to agree with you on this. I still find it interesting that McCain could only eek out a 44 to 42% win over Romney in his home state. What that says about the general election is... well unknown. My guess is McCain will clean Obama’s clock in Arizona. If he didn’t that would sure be something.

[popdonnelly]

Bull.

[autumnraine]

“we must get our voters registered...”

Illegals! Get your fake ID’s together, quick!

[Vigilanteman]

Is this the same Juan McCain that the New York Times endorsed? Or, is he not the same McCain that they've known and promoted at least since the Keating 5 scandal?

[Gay State Conservative]

So what is it with AZ? Illegals....refugees from CA...or both?

[comebacknewt]

Bull.

Double bull.

[hsmomx3]

McCain is weak on illegal immigration and it is the Independents who love him the most. True Conservatives are not crazy about him, other than he says he is pro-life, and yes, even some Democrats will vote for him.

[goldstategop]

Arizona was once so Red a GOP presidential candidate never had to spend time in the Grand Canyon State. It says volumes that home son favorite John McCain has to tend to the home front. You don't see Obama having to spend time at all in Illinois.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[BARLF]

Go to any of the Sun Cities in Az. and try to find a native Arizonian.

Sun Cities is just one example of how retirees retiring in Az. has changed the politics of that state.

[Tanniker Smith]

Considering that Arizona was in the process of a recall election in 2001 until September 11, it’s not surprising that his home state isn’t thrilled with him.

[boogerbear]

It’s not bull. Remember before 9-11 there was a recall movement against McCain here in AZ. Lots of us are just plain sick of the old first amendment burning jerk. He’s been losing a lot of support down here, and doing so for a long time.

[dsrtsage]

All western states are under assault from California. Even Nevada is turning slowly blue. Californians seem unable to remember why it was they left California in the first place.

[TigersEye]

McCain Antics Weary Arizonans in G.O.P. FR June '01

[teletech]

If McCain can’t even carry his own state, we are indeed in trouble folks. Can you say president Obama? I can’t without getting ill.

[zeestephen]

Tanniker,

McCain was being recalled?

I had no idea.

[MARTIAL MONK]

McCain won reelection in 2004 with 74% of the vote. He will easily beat the Irishman by 15%.

[Cyber Liberty]

Neither did I.

[boogerbear]

Well yeah but he beat Stu Starky, a born loser who only wins when unopposed. If the Dems had actually put forth a candidate McCain might have actually had some troubles.