Posted on 04/21/2009 11:51:46 AM PDT by rabscuttle385
Sen. John McCain will face a challenge from the right in next year's Republican primary, as one of the country's most prominent border hawks will announce his candidacy for Arizona's Senate seat on April 22.
Chris Simcox, who founded the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, will file campaign paperwork today to formalize his challenge of McCain, who has angered conservative Republicans for his stances on a variety of issues - most prominently, illegal immigration and border security.
Simcox will represent a stark contrast in Republican ideology compared to that of McCain, said Eric Johnson, a senior advisor to Simcox and former staffer for Don Goldwater's gubernatorial campaign in 2006.
"He is a true, conservative Republican. His platform is what it should be," Johnson said.
Some of McCain's clashes with conservatives in the Republican Party include his sponsoring 2006 effort in Congress to reform American immigration policies and allow a "pathway to citizenship" for millions of immigrants in the country illegally. He also spearheaded campaign finance reform in 2002 and has supported efforts to limit sales of firearms at gun shows.
Johnson said Simcox's proven ability to organize a grassroots campaign will give him an advantage over McCain. And Robert Kiley, a California political consultant who will manage the campaign, said Simcox's national profile will allow him to raise the $10 million to $15 million needed to take on the entrenched senator.
"We don't think there's going to be an issue raising money," Kiley said. "There's a lot of anger out there."
Although Kiley and Johnson touted Simcox's stances on other GOP issues, such as abortion and gun control, they said immigration will play a larger role in the campaign. Simcox will push to secure the border immediately by using the National Guard. But unlike in President Bush's 2006 Operation Jump Start, in which thousands of guardsmen were sent to the border to support the Border Patrol, Simcox wants the soldiers to take an active role in stopping illegal activity and detaining people who are trying to enter the country illegally.
Johnson said the campaign also will target voters who have left the Republican Party in recent years because of dissatisfaction with elected officials whom they believe abandoned the party's principles.
"There are a lot of people who left Republicans and became independent because of McCain," Johnson said.
How many times will McCain call the citizens of Arizona “my friends” this campaign?
He is in for a fight. I remember election night...Arizona was too close to call for 2 hours.
Ridiculous
Hopefully, he'll get out and let a more viable candidate take on McCain; someone who actually has a chance of winning.
Getting rid of McCain is too important to leave it in the hands of this rookie.
You shouldn't be so hard on McCainbots. They have been through enough as it is.
Simcox is just the same. Where is the fence, AS PROMISED?
I initially defended Simcox, asking that he be given time to provide an audit. He didn’t deliver the audit or the fence. He’s another low-grade grifter as far as I’m concerned now.
I don’t know much about AZ politics, but donated $10 against McCain. Hopefully if Simcox isn’t a viable candidate, someone more likely to win will be encouraged by anti-McCain donations Simcox receives.
Does anyone have a email address for ACORN? I understand that they can help me register in more than one state. I really really want to vote to vote in AZ just this one time. /sarc
Good strategy.
That is the name that came to me first. He has the name, the heft, and the issues. McCain is a dolt, but he has the flag wrapped so tightly around himself, I don't know if he can be beat. Being held prisoner and defending the country is a great bio, but it doesn't make you right. I was in the military with a bunch of people that shouldn't have even been allowed to have children, let alone run the country. Being a vet is great on the bio, but Murtha, Kerry and a bunch of others claim veteran status and they should be shining shoes.
Is this the good Minuteman leader or the fraud with the crazy wife and the sticks in the desert?
I think if JD Hayworth did run and he got a load of money and backing from us, talk radio and bloggers I think he has a great chance of beating McCain.
the problem here is that if Simcox looses then the left can say ,”see the people of AZ do not want your kind of immigration agenda and views, they were refused by the voters”
this is a big gamble and you can bet the left will be pouring money in now to defeat him along with pro illegal groups .
It is like bozo now, he thinks because he said change and he is on the white house that he has an agenda to totally change everything about this country when a lot of people voted they meant change as in stop the partisan politics etc.
if he looses then this will play right into the lefts hands
So your saying you’d keep McCain in play, and not support a rookie???
If I was able to vote in that race, the rookie is EXACTLY what Arizona and the rest of the country needs...
We have a guy who is running for the Senate seat that Kay Bailey Hutchison is going to have to vacate to run for Govenor against Rick Perry...
You can bet yer sweet bippy he is going (and even has an endorsement from me) to get my vote...
And he is not a rookie per say to politics...But to the Senate he is...And he is EXACTLY what Texas and the country needs right now...
So if there are similar situations in other states, I would give serious consideration to those ponying up to run against some of these incumbents...
Just my opinion...
Alright everyone, let's get behind a Simcox/Tancredo ticket for 2012 for POTUS.
Cool! It’s definitely about time!
The HELL YOU SAY. I say everyone should take out a second on the house and DONATE DONATE DONATE TO SIMCOX NOW.
Chris Simcox, who founded the Minuteman Civil Defense CorpsI don't think so.
Can’t wait to contribute to his campaign.
Leni
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