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.
Great. Tell Daddy and daughter to hit the road.
Ten-fifteen million?? The republican party/McCain will spend that in the first week if necessary. Remember, Juan’s wife is a zillionaire! But it is also quite true that there is a great deal of anger, especially with the professional sell-out and betrayer of the American public, Juan McCain. It may well be that this is an interesting race to watch.
He will get donations from me. I will NEVER EVER again send money or support a RINO. NEVER !
I’m for anyone who can get McCain out of Washington and out of the media, if the latter is possible. Beating McCain would be all the more enjoyable if he would take his air-headed, pop queen daughter with him.
Sums it up well.
It has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with the voters in Arizona, most of whom pay no attention to current events or politics. I don’t think McCain has made any blunders, in their eyes, large enough to lose his Senate seat.
I do.
I cannot stand Juan McCain or his daughter. Vote him out.
Based onwho has been elected, how can you tell. :-)
I figger Juan McCain will run as a Dim.
might as well make it official, he acts like one most of the time anyway.
“Sounds like the RNC will start pumping in money to beat Simcox in the primary...”
Not if everybody stops sending money to the RNC. Send the cash directly to the candidate.
Maybe the dems will make him the same offer they made Arlen.
This is our chance. Lets not just talk a good game but open our wallet. That is what it will take to get rid of McCain. I just contributed and I challenge everyone here to do so as well. Go to simcoxforsenate to do it.
I always likes Mccaine but it is time to go ... fresh sweep
I agree...
The other thing to watch for,and unfortunately this is a double edged sword...
Look for the moderate pimps in the GOP leadership to swoon Sarah Palin for an early endorsement, or some political hack will elevate that particular issue to the breaking point where people to get so sick of her, that her chances in 2012 will be damaged beyond repair...
So then all they have left to destroy will be folks like Jindal, Santorum et.al.
Looks like the democrats may not have much to worry about in 2010-2012 because the Republicans may not be able to field many heavy hitters in the next few elections...
I believe Arizona voters pay more attention that you think. Every time a proposition comes up here that opposes illegal aliens, it passes overwhelmingly. Now we have a candidate that opposes illegal aliens, and can point out where McCain has supported them with his path to citizenship and his sarcastic offer to pay Americans to pick lettuce. He should have overwhelming support from Arizona voters.
I’ve met Chris at a rally and he seems to be a nice guy. But I wonder if he has some weird ideas that might alienate Republicans. He needs to show Conservative ideas across the board and not try to run as a single issue candidate.
Yes, and maybe this will “inspire” other true conservatives to step forward and run for Senate/Congress in other states.
Nay. Unlike 2008, McCain will actually fight this time.
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