Here’s a conspiracy theory to consider:
Did Brewer and McShame put their heads together early on to help McShame? Did they say, “Hey where is John weakest?” The answer, “Why, immigration!!!” Jan then volunteers, or McShame suggests to her, “Hey, why not have a big whoop-de-doo in AZ about illega;s, and pass a law, and Jan will be the torch-bearer, and everyone will love her and her support will zoom into the stratosphere. Then, John will come along and get her endorsement, thus removing the stain of amnesty from his reputation.
That works.
I don’t think Brewer had much to do with initiating the Arizona law. There is a state senator who was the impetus for it and it just fell into Brewer’s lap at a very good time for her.
As far as McCain goes, there just seem to be a lot of Arizona voters who refuse to see him for what he is: a flip/flopping liar.