JD Hayworth trounces John McCain in first of two Senate primary debates

Intellectual Conservative ^ | July 17, 2010 | Rachel Alexander

[az4vlad]

It was apparent last night why McCain has only agreed to participate in two Senate debates with JD Hayworth, because of the awkwardness attempting to explain his flip-flopping back to the right now that it is an election year. Both debates between the two candidates are taking place well into the primary, after McCain has had months to spend $6 million in smear attack ads against JD. $5 million of that was leftover from prior campaigning, including $1.1 million from convicted Ponzi scheme criminal Scott Rothstein - the top contributor to two of his 2008 presidential campaign funds. Unlike other politicians who received money from Rothstein, McCain refuses to return the money to the victims, and is instead using it for more attack ads on JD.

The quote highlighted by major news media organizations as the top line of the debate went to JD Hayworth: 

"It's really sad to see John McCain, who should be revered as a statesman, basically reduced to a political shape-shifter," JD said, then turned to his opponent. "John, you've changed positions so much in this campaign maybe we'll have to set up an extra podium for you depending on which John McCain is going to answer which question." JD told McCain that he has perfected the "six-year switch" on everything from tax cuts to amnesty. McCain flip-flopped and declared, "I have never supported amnesty." JD pointed out that he co-sponsored an amnesty bill with Ted Kennedy. JD co-sponsored an Enforcement First bill.

JD began his opening statement contrasting himself as the "consistent conservative" against McCain as the "convenient conservative." For example, McCain co-sponsored a cap and trade bill with Joe Lieberman. JD said, "McCain's idea of bipartisanship is conservatives caving in to Democrats." 

McCain's primary attack on JD was that he appeared in an infomercial for free government grants. McCain failed to mention that not only was he instrumental in getting bills passed setting up those government grants, but he advertises for them on his own website. McCain has referred to JD as a "huckster" for appearing in those ads. JD retorted that McCain is a huckster for flip-flopping on amnesty.

McCain declared he would protect our military bases. Oh really? So he will continue earmarking defense jobs for Arizona? McCain has been running attack ads against JD nonstop accusing him of being a big earmarker, but has yet to name a single bill that JD attached earmarks to - only bills where other members of Congress had attached earmarks. JD pointed out that McCain voted for several of the billion dollar pork TARP bailouts, including the $700 billion bailout that included $150 billion in earmarks. McCain isn't telling you about those in his attack ads, but they're the reason why his rating from the American Conservative Union dropped to an all-time low of 63% in 2008 (JD's lifetime rating over 12 years in Congress is a 98%- the same as the most conservative Senator, Jim DeMint). McCain criticized the bailouts during the debate - but he voted for them! JD reminded him of that and saying he'd voted for them since he was "confused." JD questioned how a 26-year Washington insider can get confused? "McCain was for the bailouts before he was against them."

McCain touted a few of his endorsements in his opening statement and again in his closing statement. Both times he mentioned his endorsement from Arizona Right to Life PAC. This showed a little desperation, considering everyone knows that was a completely cooked endorsement. The vast majority of AZ Right to Life leadership opposed endorsing McCain, as well as prior PAC chairs and leadership. I resigned from the PAC over the strong-arming, which was done by three renegade members of the PAC who were in the tank for McCain. McCain has a lifetime rating of only 77% from Right to Life, whereas JD has a 100% lifetime rating. McCain supports taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research, which goes contrary to everything AZRTL stands for.

JD listed off some of his endorsements, which include Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the National Border Patrol Association, and Vietnam POW Larry Chesley. 

JD contrasted the difference between himself and McCain on healthcare: JD worked to implement market-based medicare reform; McCain's plan grants medicare to illegal immigrants with amnesty.  

Fox News played a clip of the debate today where JD pointed out that McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and then again in 2003 - the tax cuts that JD helped draft. McCain's flip-flop response? He said "this time around" we need the tax cuts. Little known third candidate Jim Deakin appeared out of his league with JD and McCain, with odd positions like declaring the U.S. should not be in Afghanistan and asserting that JD supports amnesty (I'm not joking). Although Deakin has tried to portray himself as the Tea Party candidate, the Tea Parties are overwhelmingly endorsing JD Hayworth. The Arizona Tea Party just ran a poll on the race, which only polled existing members of the site, to prevent repeat voting, and JD won handily, with 73% to Deakin's 18% and McCain's 7%. When McCain was asked about the Tea Parties (which he has strenuously avoided), he dodged the question, arrogantly bringing the topic back to himself, "I have led the fight...I have the proven history." 

For his closing statement, JD told Arizonans that he would be their first line of advocacy, not their "last line of defense" [as McCain says in his television ads]. 

It is reported that after the debate, McCain stormed out furious. A poll on Phoenix local channel 3 which carried the debate appeared immediately after the debate, and the station announced early this morning that JD scored 60%, McCain 6% and Deakin 20%.  

Cardboard statute greeting everyone coming to the JD Hayworth debate watching party at Alice Cooperstown in Phoenix.

The flip-flops we threw in the air everytime McCain flip-flopped during the debate.

Packed house at the debate watching party at Alice Cooperstown.

Watch the debate in four parts:

 http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/Republican-debate-Pt-1-Border-Security-98648819.html  

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/Republican-debate-Pt-2-Border-Security-98649884.html  

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/Republican-debate-Pt-1-Border-Security-98648914.html  

http://www.azfamily.com/news/politics/Republican-debate-Pt-4-Unresolved-Arizona-issues-98648999.html

Rachel Alexander is the Director of Social Media for the JD Hayworth 2010 campaign. Check out the Real John McCain website here.  

[onyx]

It is reported that after the debate, McCain stormed out furious.

I'll wager those reports are accurate!

He got whacked and all but one column and media report I've read "says" the same thing.

I have the new thread ready to post, but it's a little too early, isn't it? Debate starts at 7:00PM your time. I've tried to remember to ping everyone from last night for round two. Well, almost everyone. I omitted two or three posters for MC and I might have missed a couple of others, but NOT on purpose.

[Joe Boucher]

Yep,
Gots to wonder about that one huh?

[Evil Slayer]

Thank you for your colorful response. I didn’t know posting ones viewpoints could get such a reaction. I guess I’d better stay off the board since you seem to be in charge of what I should say. When do I reach your time frame and not be a newbie anymore?

[freemike]

ping

[Irish Eyes]

I want to see JD trounce McCain tonight also. Maybe this time we will see McCain loose his temper ON screen this time.

[SharpRightTurn]

Great report.

Thanks.

[Borax Queen]

I've tried to remember to ping everyone from last night for round two.

Yipppeeeeee!! Can't wait. TIA, Onyx!

[stephenjohnbanker]

A poll on Phoenix local channel 3 which carried the debate appeared immediately after the debate, and the station announced early this morning that JD scored 60%, McCain 6% and Deakin 20%.

It ain’t over yet!!!!

[chuckee]

McCain votes like a Democrat for the first 5 years of his term and a Republican for the last year of his term. He has sponsored so many bills will the late Ted Kennedy that you would think Kennedy’s first name was McCain

[luvie]

I would PAY to see that! He has a short fuse and it’ll come
back to bite him some day. (maybe it WILL be tonight! LOL)

[A_Former_Democrat]

He was a pandering fool. Anyone to lose to such a weak candidate as Obama with so many vulnerabilities.

[luvie]

But...but...Obama’s BLACK! He HAD to win, doncha know!

[Outlaw Woman]

Perhaps Palin will take Tancredo’s example and switch. I wish that she would. Tom Tancredo was neck deep in KS politics and found out the candidate he endorsed (I apologize for not having the name) was all for amnesty so Tancredo made a public announcement last week that he is withdrawing his endorsement and going with that candidate's contender (who by the way is against amnesty).

It would be great if Palin would shift her support. (Maybe we should Freep her about that)

[Beloved Levinite]

Gawd, how I HATE McLame’s smug fake laugh & endlessly blinking eyeballs. I hope JD can finally lead this old fart out to pasture.

[LonghornFreeper]

Evil Slayer, you have angered Palinbot 002837. Palinbots don't like to hear about Sarah's repeated poor endorsement choices. She certainly has many good qualities, but if endorsing Fiorina and McCain wasn't enough to cause serious concerns about her judgment, it isn't really clear what it would take.

Also, I guess by his standards, I could call perfect_rovian_storm a "newbie" since I've been around longer than he has. I've been a member with this name since 2002, and I went to my congressman's office in person to protest the endless recounts during the 2000 election with fellow FReepers back then, although I only lurked at that point.

Sarah Palin is a decent woman, and I agree with the vast majority of her views, although not her repeated poor judgment in endorsements. The Messiah-like personality cult around her, however, is simply disturbing, and in fact reminds me of the behavior of those who worship that other supposed "messiah", who is currently embarrassing our nation in the White House.

[Borax Queen]

That poll’s so amazing, I would be doing jumping jacks out of joy if JD can make the comeback.

[IceAge]

Also this question for McCain:
You are so proud that you don’t ask for any pork for AZ.
Why do you vote for bills that have pork for all the other states.
Why leave your home state out of the $$? AZ needs more roadwork, more bridges (between Bullhead City and Laughlin, Nv, for one)
This state could use some of our tax dollars returning to us in this state. Other senators ask and receive for their states, why not us????

[Borax Queen]

It’s sickening.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Also this question for McCain:
You are so proud that you don’t ask for any pork for AZ.
Why do you vote for bills that have pork for all the other states.”

Great question!

[stephenjohnbanker]

” That poll’s so amazing, I would be doing jumping jacks out of joy if JD can make the comeback. “

Yeah, and with no money!