AZ:Hayworth ready to run for governor

The Arizona Republic ^ | April 16, 2003 | Chip Scutari

[dittomom]

U.S. Rep. J.D. Hayworth is quietly gearing up for a run for governor.

Republican pundits believe that if Gov. Janet Napolitano doesn't run for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2006, Hayworth would provide a tough, intriguing matchup for her. The theory is that Hayworth, a congenial conservative, would pose problems for the incumbent governor on several fronts.

[dittomom]

GOVERNOR JD HAYWORTH!!!

Sounds good to me - and good for Arizona!!!

[republicanwizard]

Wonderful. I wish he had run in 2002 instead of that idiot Salmon. Losing Arizona in a GOP year is a sign of true incompetence. It would have been an easy win for the popular Republican Congressman.

[dittomom]

Looks like he didn't run in 2002 because he had his sights set on a House leadership position...

And Hayworth's chances for a leadership spot in Congress were doused last year when he lost a tough battle for the House Republican Conference chairmanship, the leadership position that's supposed to drive the GOP's message on television.

[dittomom]

Pinging Arizona...

[fieldmarshaldj]

I wouldn't get too excited. While Hayworth has done well in his balliwick against some truly dreadful 'Rat cretins (Karan English and Steve Owens), I'm not sure he's quite the fit for Arizona as a whole. I'd urge Congressman Flake to run, but we need him to bump off Kook McCain.

[ConservativeDude]

I like Hayworth; I sure did like Largent and David Macintosh.

When will talented, conservative US House members learn that they are not going to become Governor?

This jump almost never works. Sorry to see it.

[fieldmarshaldj]

The circumstantial evidence would prove that to be true, although under the right conditions, it can happen. McIntosh took a kamikaze run at a popular Governor in Indiana (well, he was still popular in 2000); Largent was more of a mixed bag (nevermind the fact that he started to go bad when he voiced his opinion on Elian Gonzalez, seriously calling into question his good judgment) and he got way too overconfident in his campaign (some that weren't thrilled with him went to the 3rd party independent in the race) and failed to realize he was trailing; Matt Salmon in Arizona also similarly didn't campaign as vigorously as needed outside of Phoenix (especially in the Tucson area), even as we swept practically all other statewide offices (save Attorney-General). In my state, Van Hilleary had to suffer through a brutal primary and was seriously undermined by Gov. Sundquist, RINO supremo, and then couldn't match the funds of Pharoah Phil Bredesen who was allowed to spend obscene amounts of money (via loaning himself money to his own campaign) in direct violation of state law (the 'Rat hack Atty Gen refused to enforce the law).

In any event, we're forgetting three success stories this cycle, that of Mark Sanford in SC, Bob Riley in AL and Bob Ehrlich in MD, and that's nothing to sneeze at. With Ernie Fletcher in KY this year, hopefully we'll get another GOP Conservative into a Governor's Mansion.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[DownWithGreenspan]

Both Largent and Matt Salmon were torpedoed by 3rd party candidates who ran for the express reason of taking votes away from the Republican candidate.

In the case of Dave McIntosh, Indiana is generally thought of as being a Republican state (only because it votes that way for President), but the voters are easily fooled by slimy liberal types (Bayh Jr,. Bayh Sr., O'Bannon, etc.) who fake to the right at election time and govern to the left. A real conservative who doesn't pull his punches makes the brain-dead soccer mommies and other idiot voters uncomfortable.

DWG

[Spiff]

I think it is great the Hayworth plans to run for governor. However, I was hoping he would want to run against McCain for Senator. Go J.D.!!!

Dittomom, I thought for sure I would have heard from you by now on this thread. Have you been on vacation or something?

[taxed2death]

What is this guy's position regarding the lack of border security?

[linn37]

I love J.D. Hayworth.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Other possible gubernatorial candidates in '06 include Congressman Jeff Flake

You don't want a flake for governor...we've had flakes for governors in Washington for 20 years. It does your state's economy no good at all.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"You don't want a flake for governor...we've had flakes for governors in Washington for 20 years. It does your state's economy no good at all."

Har har har. So who's looking good to succeed Gary Loon, er, Locke ?

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Salmon wasn't an idiot. He ran a good campaign, but he wasn't as well known as Janet, he was severely undercut by the actions of Sheriff Arpaio (a republican) and Janet got to suckle off of the public teat - which Salmon refused to do. As an aside, a week before the election, Janet was up by 12 points. She won by less than 2.

Personally, I'd like to see a rematch, because I think that if Salmon went with abolishing the income tax (very popular here in AZ with everyone but the politicians and bureaucrats) and held Janet's feet to the fire on some of the perks of her office, he could win rather easily.

[Greek]

...Salmon lost because he failed to convert Tucson. What Salmon needed was a grass roots campaign in Tucson.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

It'll be another scumbag RAT (all that they will elect in this sorry excuse for a "state"). Probably Christine Gregoire (the Attorney General), she's a wacko leftist of the Pelosi bent and as corrupt as Clinton/McAuliffe/Reno et.al.

In other words she's a perfect candidate for this rotten state.

[ConservativeDude]

all these points are well taken; certainly some congressmen become governor. Thank God for Riley, that's for sure.

However, I believe that my apprehension is borne out historically. It is harder, much harder, for a congressman to become Governor than a state attorney general. Conversely it is easier for a congressman to become a Senator than an AG.

There is also the guy from Nebraska a few years ago, Jon Christensen, who also ran and fell short. Wes Watkins in Oklahoma also ran numerous times, as a D and as an I. He never made it, eventually returning to the US House as an R.


With the US House so close, I think we should try to keep as many of the good guys in the House rather than encouraging them to dream of being Governor. I think the issue is structural and the difference b/w state and federal politics. I just think that congresman to governor is an awkward leap.

Glad to know that some of you follow elections like I do....fun stuff.

[dittomom]

Have you been on vacation or something?

...or something. Ditto household has been very busy. Did attend a Support the Troops Rally here in Phoenix on Saturday, but I haven't had time to post the pics yet. We did not encounter any anti-war nitwits at our rally. Glad you were able to put up a fight against the clowns in Sierra Vista. You guys have been doing a great job down there.

[McGavin999]

JD's great but I would really rather he run for senator. I'm not all that sure that McCain will run again, at least I'm hoping he won't. JD would be perfect there in the senate.

I like Jeff Flake, but I think he really needs a little more experience in that stinkhole called DC before he moves to the senate. I'll certainly back him, but he's not well enough known throughout the state.