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.  

[cubreporter]

As much as I hate to say it. John McCain is pitiful. Also, he is so boring when he speaks and...to use the “There ya go again” Ronald Reagan line was just absolutely over the line.
We knew Ronald Reagan John and your no Ronald Reagan!!! How ‘bout THAT line?
McCain speaks and we fall asleep.
JD was powerful and confident...strong and direct.

[cubreporter]

Go JD!!!!

[Theodore R.]

People in AZ don’t have the intelligence to bring McPain back home. He probably wouldn’t stay anyway.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Another debate article from National Review. Maybe the attention will help JD. “

I started reading National Review cover to cover in 1968 at age 14.

They are for McCain.

NATIONAL REVIEW.

BORN Nov. 19, 1955

DIED Feb 2008.

RIP

[businessprofessor]

I am dumb founded about Republican support for McCain especially after JD ripped hin in this debate. For the good of the country and party, please resign from the race McCain. If McCain wins the election, he will revert to his olds ways, championing amnesty, cap and trade, and other leftist causes.

[Clintonfatigued]

If only he were to trounce McCain in the vote.

[Christian4Bush]

McCain is really pissing me off with his attack and smear ads against Hayworth. He never attacked Barack the Kenyan this way.

And JD called him out on that...said (paraphrasing) "John, if you had told the truth about Barack Obama like you're telling falsehoods about me, you might be president right now"

[Evil Slayer]

If JD wins, Palin needs to fade away and stay out of politics. If she flip flops and backs JD AFTER he beats McLame, she is a hypocrite and a disaster for the conservative cause even though she is pro-life, etc. etc. No matter. Either way, she will never be a trustworthy contender for any government position let alone President.

[greyfoxx39]

I thought they were for Romney! Any Rino in a storm, I guess...

DIED Feb 2008.

Now, does that date have anything to do with K-lo and Mitt?

[Borax Queen]

Machogirl, ping to post 34, lettuce, LOL!

[stephenjohnbanker]

” People in AZ don’t have the intelligence to bring McPain back home. He probably wouldn’t stay anyway.”

You know, Teddy, I’m getting sick and tired of you insulting my state.

Answer two questions for me.

If Sarah Palin had not come come to Arizona,campaigned for, and cut radio ads for McCain that have run 6-700 times would it have made a difference?

If Hayworth had had 10 million dollars to run daily ads on tv and radio exposing McCain, would that have made a difference?

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%.

[stephenjohnbanker]

That is when WFBuckley died.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

If JD wins, Palin needs to fade away and stay out of politics.

Balderdash. From your strikingly shallow 'analysis', one would strongly suggest that YOU are the one who should fade away and stay out of politics. American Idol might be more your speed.

If she flip flops and backs JD AFTER he beats McLame, she is a hypocrite and a disaster for the conservative cause even though she is pro-life, etc. etc.

Says who? You? The great political handicapper, philosopher, and newbie FReeper known as Evil Slayer? How will she ever survive such a black mark on her record? So goes Evil Slayer, so goes the country...can't win without Evil Slayer's endorsement.

Either way, she will never be a trustworthy contender for any government position let alone President.

You are funny.

[stephenjohnbanker]

You have a brain, and have been known to use it. Please read post 51. Hayworth has had no money to work with.

[yorkie]

BQ, I was literally PRAYING he would “LOSE” it totally. He has an uncontrollable temper - and if he had ‘lost’ it - it would have been played over and over and over by the Main Dem-stream Medi!

[stephenjohnbanker]

” BQ, I was literally PRAYING he would “LOSE” it totally. He has an uncontrollable temper -”

There is another debate tonight.

[Borax Queen]

fotflol, there’s another one tonight, isn’t there? Maybe we’ll get our chance then... He must be worn out and even more on edge after being put in his place (FOR ONCE) last night.

[Borax Queen]

LOL, jinx! Except the lightning is starting to hit around our house, hope we don’t lose power! We have a generator but that wouldn’t power the tv and computer.

[luvie]

Very good news! Hope he trounces McLame in November! That’s
the important thing!

[waus]

I think he picked Palin because he figured that would ensure that the communist coconut would win, but, when it seemed to backfire somewhat, his handlers panicked.