maica, you are the first person who has asked the question I am myself wondering about. It seems to me that his involvement with Abramhoff and the questions about his wife being paid by his PAC would be fodder for a democrat opponent.
During his last election (which he lost) the Arizona Republic withdrew its endorsement and several GOP people supported his opponent.
I dislike McCain as much as anyone, but I don't think Hayworth can win a state-wide election. Of course, I am not an expert in Arizona politics but I wonder if Palin (whose main thrust has always been getting rid of corruption) is supporting McCain because of some of Hayworth's questionable dealings.
At any rate, I would rather have McCain in that seat than a democrat. Right now, every vote in the Senate is needed.
I'd rather have you in that seat, and McCain in a retirement home in New Zealand.
In November 2009 Rasmussen ran a state wide AZ poll showing McCain at 45% and J.D. at 43%, a virtual tie. People had been urging him to run, but he had not publicly agreed to do so at the time of that poll and he still came out in a tie with McCain.
After Sarah Palin said she'd be campaigning for McCain, J.D. dropped to 22 points down. It wasn't just Sarah; it was also because J.D. did NOT announce and people were getting testy about being “led on”...
Remember that up until Friday he had a radio show and could NOT announce and keep the job. Also someone on here commented that he may be holding off until he has formally paid off all his legal debts. About Sheriff Joe, he held a fund raiser for J.D. for the purpose of paying off those debts.
The debts were incurred when the Rats pushed until J.D. was included in the Abramoff investigation. I don't know exactly how deep his connection was to Abramoff or if it even went beyond just getting a campaign donation from him or what.
As Rat inspired attacks often evolve, there was much heat and loud noise that generated suspicion and distrust, but, when push came to shove, J.D. was notified that there was no longer any investigation of him going on and that he was not indicted. That was somehow never made very public.
Nevertheless, while he was under the djinned up threat, he had to get legal defense to prepare for the expected indictment however false that indictment might be. He ran up large totals.
WRT his honesty, the fact that he is not wealthy enough to self finance a campaign or to easily pay off the legal debts he incurred tells me that he did not use government power to enrich himself as most seem to do in DC.
I think that also played a part in his having to keep a paying job as long as possible before announcing. He's apparently not one of our “sparkling clean public servants” who enter the House with assets of a couple hundred thou and leave with many millions.
I think much will depend on just HOW Sarah campaigns for McCain... Personally I was hoping that Cornyn gave her a proper out this AM when he said that Republicans HAVE paid attention to the teapartyers and one result is that there will be competitive primaries where we the people get to pick our candidates.
She could say that she intends to fully support John McCain AFTER he wins the primary and then just stay out of it till the primary is over. Sadly, so far she hasn't called me for advice...