McCain v. Hayworth

Arizona's political scene, always a three-ring circus, is abuzz over the prospects of John McCain finally having to defend his senate seat against a viable opponent. This challenge comes not from any particular Democrat in the general election, but from a far-right conservative in the primary, that being former Congressman (and current talk-radio host) J.D. Hayworth.

McCain probably doesn't feel vulnerable, but he sure looks it, fresh off a stinging national rebuke from voters of all stripes. A recent Rasmussen poll confirms this; even though Hayworth has yet to officially announce his candidacy, the two are in a statistical tie.

Hayworth was once a moving force in the Republican Party. Blustery and unapologetic, his approach to decorum accurately reflected the sensibilities of his constituents. After a few years, though, a sense of disenchantment settled in amongst the public.

Hayworth's uncontrolled rants about illegal immigration quickly alienated him from Hispanic voters and their patrons in the business community. His connections to the odious Jack Abramoff didn't help matters. The final dagger came from the Arizona Republic, whose editors portrayed Hayworth in a most unflattering light when they endorsed his opponent in 2006.

The funny thing is that Hayworth summarily lost to Democrat Harry Mitchell, who is politically not that far removed from positions that John McCain claims to hold dear. In a primary race, though, he wouldn't have to worry about those pesky Independents. He could play to the baser natures of red-meat-eating conservatives.

If this insurgent candidate ultimately claims the seat once held by Barry Goldwater, McCain will have nobody to blame but himself. The retired Navy man has shown an unsettling penchant for re-rigging his sails to suit the prevailing winds so much that nobody can be convinced of his positions - not even himself.

Not so long ago, McCain would tell you that climate change is a pressing problem. His position has since shifted closer to the beliefs of collegiate troglodytes like Oklahoma's James Inhofe (who doesn't believe climate change exists). Immigrants were vital to our economy when McCain was running as a Senator; they were slated to go to the back of the line when he was running for president.

Just last September, you may recall, McCain said that the fundamentals of our economy were strong. Hours later he "suspended" his campaign to go back to D.C. to help George W. Bush rescue that same economy. Then, to top it all off, he voted against the stimulus package. I'm not suggesting my senator is bi-polar. At this point, he truly appears to be tri-polar.

Now John McCain says he wants to remake the GOP in his own image - thoughtful, considerate, bipartisan. In other words, he wants his Party to be stocked with people who are not like Sarah Palin... You remember Sarah Palin, his 2oo8 running mate, whose track record indicates she would be far more likely to endorse someone like J.D. Hayworth.

It's almost salacious enough to get a guy - or gal - to register Republican just to oust McCain from a post that he has held for far too long. At least with Hayworth, you know what you're getting. Just don't get too close to him, or what you'll be getting is a series of precautionary rabies shots.

pH 11.29.o9