"The Democrats will crossover in the primary to vote for McCain. Why would they do that? They can't beat McCain in the general, but would have a very good shot against a political newcomer with no legislative experience.
I think people assume that it's a foregone conclusion that Simcox would win the seat. The shouldn't. AZ voted for Janet Napalitano, twice - and voted her the second time by a two-to-one margin over her Republican challenger.
You can hate McCain all you like, but if he's unseated in the primary, the Arizona Republicans will be handing another Senate seat to the dems - that's in a Senate where the Dems already hold a comfortable majority. Not very politically savvy for Republicans. But, after the last four years, why would I expect anything else.
“Handing seats to Democrats” may be the only way to purge the RINOs and get them to quit draining Republican coffers only to go to Congress to vote like a Democrat. The RINOs need to start losing elections (preferably in landslides) so the Republican leadership is dissuaded from nominating RINOs to high office. For Conservatives to be effective, the first battle is to win the hearts and minds of the Republican Party. Until the Republican vote is secure to the Conservatives, Conservatives stand little chance in a general election. If knocking out a RINO costs a Republican seat, it is of little consequence in the current environment where the Democrats have a filibuster proof majority.