More Pain For McCain? [in 2010] [hopefully!]

The New Republic ^ | 2009-02-23

[rabscuttle385]

Gaming his 2010 reelection prospects.

BY SEYWARD DARBY

Since losing to Obama in November, Senator John McCain has conspicuously focused attention on his home state of Arizona, where he plans to run for his fifth term in 2010. The Arizona Republic recently reported that, in the few months since the presidential election, McCain has taken renewed interest in meeting with elected officials and getting up to speed on local issues. And, when he's been in D.C., McCain has squashed any hope that he would revisit his "maverick" phase, circa 2001, by becoming a Republican friend to the White House. Instead, McCain has emerged as a vehement opponent of Obama's stimulus package. He proposed his own plan, which leaned heavily on tax cuts, and refused to join the small cadre of moderate Republicans that eventually acquiesced to the Democrats' version. McCain has also made several scrappy appearances on the morning news shows, blanching at the president's claims of working across the aisle.

Which got us to wondering: Is McCain doing all of this because he's worried about his reelection prospects in two years? Does he face significant challenges from either the left or the right?

[rabscuttle385]

"[Conservatives] have warmed up to him and will stay warmed up to him," [Patrick] Kenney [of Arizona State University] explains, adding that, with Senate Democrats edging close to a filibuster-proof 60 seats, Republicans are "going to send their best candidate out." Brett Mecum, executive director of the Arizona Republican Party, insists that "no credible candidate will step forward to make a run against Senator McCain. There may be some minor opposition ... [but] he'll have pretty smooth sailing."

JUST SAY NO! TO JUAN MCCAIN!

[rabscuttle385]

The Juan McCain Truth File. "I have great respect for Al Gore." —John McCain, October 2, 2008 FR Keywords: mccaintruthfile, mcqueeg, mcbama Please tag all relevant threads with the aforementioned keywords. This can be a very high-volume ping list at times. To join the ping list: FReepmail rabscuttle385 with the subject line add  mccaintruthfile. (Stop getting pings by sending the subject line drop mccaintruthfile.) Republican Commissar’s Warning: By joining this ping list, you may be subjected to the delusional rants and ramblings of McCainiacs, of "moderate" Republicans, of pragmatic conservatives resigned to voting for the lesser of two Democrats, and of countless GOP shills who simply want to meet a new overlord.

[Islaminaction]

I have seen enough of this passionless liberal. He was great during the war, but know he did not even have the guts to stand up to Obama or defend Palin.

[rabscuttle385]

[but] he'll have pretty smooth sailing."

Before or after he cuts the towline...again?

[VictoryGal]

Is there anybody in the primary opposing him yet?

[LegendHasIt]

Well, God Bless him—— With a very peaceful and pleasant -—— earlier than anticipated ——— retirement.

[hattend]

Which GOP candidate in AZ is ready to run against him? Anybody with name recognition?

Get rid of McLame in the primaries

[ONEBYEONE]

How about J.D. Heyworth?

[sinanju]

Just imagine, if he had found the kidney to resist the first bailout during the campaign he might be prez rather than worrying about his re-election.

[hattend]

Has he indicated a desire to run against McLame?

[Jedidah]

I don’t care about McCain.

I care about vulnerable Democrats, those who will vote the Obama line on spending, on judicial appointments, on defense.

We must take Congress back in 2010.

And as long as Republicans and conservatives keep trying to eat their own, as evidenced by this thread, it will not happen.

Please quit grinding axes and start thinking.

[rabscuttle385]

I don’t care about McCain...We must take Congress back in 2010...And as long as Republicans and conservatives keep trying to eat their own, as evidenced by this thread, it will not happen...Please quit grinding axes and start thinking.

Fine. Then I suppose you have no problem with RINOs...I'm sorry, conservative Republicans...like Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and others and others running amok, causing damage to the conservative movement.

If you are unwilling to punish bad behavior, then don't be surprised when that's all you get from "conservative" Republicans like McCain.

[TigersEye]

McCain is responsible for the most unConstitutional legislation in the history of this country becoming law. That’s not grinding an axe.

[freeplancer]

I will root against him just because he laid down for Obama.

[brandon craig]

I think it is unfair to put Lindsey Graham in this group. He’s far from perfect, but doesn’t belong with Specter, Snow, Collins etc. He has a 90% ACU conservative voting record where someone like Specter is at 44%.

[OrangeHoof]

McCain is responsible for the most unConstitutional legislation in the history of this country becoming law.

A record Obama is likely to break sometime in tne next four years.

[TigersEye]

Possibly. What’s your point?

[bill1952]

My tag alone states my feelings on the matter.

[bill1952]

And as long as Republicans and conservatives keep trying to eat their own

Please. McCain is not one of our own.

Anyone that would attach his name to that of such liberal trash as Kennedy, as in McCain/Kennedy is not worthy of our support ipso facto - no matter what letter is before his name.

[rawcatslyentist]

>"And as long as Republicans and conservatives keep trying to eat their own, as evidenced by this thread, it will not happen."

As long as Republicans are Democrats why should we?