Posted on 04/21/2009 11:51:46 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
Sen. John McCain will face a challenge from the right in next year's Republican primary, as one of the country's most prominent border hawks will announce his candidacy for Arizona's Senate seat on April 22.
Chris Simcox, who founded the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, will file campaign paperwork today to formalize his challenge of McCain, who has angered conservative Republicans for his stances on a variety of issues - most prominently, illegal immigration and border security.
Simcox will represent a stark contrast in Republican ideology compared to that of McCain, said Eric Johnson, a senior advisor to Simcox and former staffer for Don Goldwater's gubernatorial campaign in 2006.
"He is a true, conservative Republican. His platform is what it should be," Johnson said.
Some of McCain's clashes with conservatives in the Republican Party include his sponsoring 2006 effort in Congress to reform American immigration policies and allow a "pathway to citizenship" for millions of immigrants in the country illegally. He also spearheaded campaign finance reform in 2002 and has supported efforts to limit sales of firearms at gun shows.
Johnson said Simcox's proven ability to organize a grassroots campaign will give him an advantage over McCain. And Robert Kiley, a California political consultant who will manage the campaign, said Simcox's national profile will allow him to raise the $10 million to $15 million needed to take on the entrenched senator.
"We don't think there's going to be an issue raising money," Kiley said. "There's a lot of anger out there."
Although Kiley and Johnson touted Simcox's stances on other GOP issues, such as abortion and gun control, they said immigration will play a larger role in the campaign. Simcox will push to secure the border immediately by using the National Guard. But unlike in President Bush's 2006 Operation Jump Start, in which thousands of guardsmen were sent to the border to support the Border Patrol, Simcox wants the soldiers to take an active role in stopping illegal activity and detaining people who are trying to enter the country illegally.
Johnson said the campaign also will target voters who have left the Republican Party in recent years because of dissatisfaction with elected officials whom they believe abandoned the party's principles.
"There are a lot of people who left Republicans and became independent because of McCain," Johnson said.
Ping!
Just Darn... Now I’m going to feel obliged to make a campaign contribution to this guy, and I don’t even live in AZ.
WTF?
Attention Texans- Cornyn is now endorsing RINO Spector of PA- Drop him a note and tell him how bad he's screwed the pooch.
MF
Done.
If only it were that simple. Most of the open primary systems are codified. State committees can influence the legislature and they can make procedural decisions but they can't declare a primary open or closed. It gets tricky when you have either branch of the legislature or the Governor of a state Democratic. They are unlikely to do anything to help Republicans unless it benefits them also.
Open primaries are not always bad. For a minority party, they are a way to build membership by poaching voters from other parties. In 1980 Reagan looked like he might be on the ropes in New Hampshire but he made some good solid moves and won. That was an open primary. It then moved to South Carolina which was having its first open primary. The results there pretty much cinched it for Reagan.
I'm not completely convinced that crossover for strategic purposes is as big or influencial as others believe it to be. We are working to revamp the system front to back and closing some primaries is a priority simply as a precaution.
Arizona has a closed primary.
Read the Constitution.
Thanks!
Hopefully, he'll get out and let a more viable candidate take on McCain; someone who actually has a chance of winning.
Getting rid of McCain is too important to leave it in the hands of this rookie.
Unfortunately we aren't apt to get a more viable candidate. Well known experienced politicians in Arizona don't run against McCain, and I don't see that changing, he has raised money for all of them. For some reason which I don't understand they all tread lightly around him.
I respect Chris Simcox. He did not roll over like Gilchrist and endorse Huckabee. I was proud to vote for McCain and Palin but if Chris can prove he can do a better job then I think it is time for John McCain to move on, he has served his country well more than not. It pains me to say it because he could have been a great President but it seemed just when he showed a glimmer of that strong conservative he could have been be he retreated. He rode to Washington and then rubber stamped the Bush Bailout. He let his own team eat him and Palin alive with leaks to the press. The real down side I see is if Chris loses which is highly likely it will be played as a setback for the border enforcement issue. The big question is not whether Chris can win against McCain, it is if he can win against his Democrat opponent. Also I think between now and the run off we will see the immigration debate start again. Let us see if the change of heart John McCain presented on the campaign trail towards illegal immigration has been taken to heart or if he plans to make nice with Obama. I think John McCain learned a lesson, he saw what happens to GOP darlings of the media and liberal establishment and if he doesn’t feel a bit betrayed then he is not the man I voted for.
Outstanding. I will contribute.
I sure as hell hope it is the end of captain Queeg.
Longshot hell. I have several friends in Phoenix and have heard what is going on there. McShame is popular in DC because he is a RINO. He is not popular in AZ. Especially on the border issue. Phoenix is the #1 kidnapping city in the US and McCain talks anmesty. The residents of Arizona are fed up with this garbage and this is a very hot button issue for them. This is Simcox’s race to lose.
Que?
He will crush Simcox like a bug. Don't let that stop you from sending your money to Simcox. Send lots.
I fixed it a couple posts down.... We gotta support the guys we dont want TO LOSE. Sorry!!
Just funnin’ with you.
I sensed your meaning immediately.
I often hit “Post” before I proofread and often regret it.
Wow, sounds like he has met his match. Makes me want to move to AZ and help..
Best news I heard (so far) today.
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