McCain Challenger J.D. Hayworth Is No Conservative Hero

http://www.politicsdaily.com ^ | 01/27/10 | Matt Lewis

[Maelstorm]

Former Arizona congressman-turned-talk-radio-host J.D. Hayworth has resigned his gab-festing gig in order to challenge Sen. John McCain in the 2010 Republican primary. (Although he has not officially launched his campaign, Hayworth recently told the AP, "We will formally announce at a later time, but we're moving forward to challenge John McCain.")

In these strange political times, such an extraordinary event -- McCain was the GOP presidential nominee just 15 months ago -- seems normal to the point of predictability. So, too, were the unsurprising responses within the political firmament. Democrats were delighted, movement conservatives were energized -- and not always in secret. Already, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) has endorsed Hayworth, and numerous conservative blogs and Web sites are giddy about his candidacy. I'm not sure they should be. Get the new PD toolbar!

Hayworth has a chance to catch fire for one simple reason: Conservatives, the people most likely to vote in a GOP primary election, have long been suspicious -- and in many cases, even contemptuous -- of McCain. (I have long been critical myself of his quixotic attempts to limit free speech via McCain/Feingold.)

The issue most likely to hurt McCain in Arizona, however, is his 2007 advocacy for the unpopular Kennedy-McCain immigration legislation -- a bill many conservatives still view as offering nearly unlimited "amnesty" for illegal aliens without doing anything to secure America's borders. In fact, McCain's support of this legislation nearly cost him the GOP's presidential nomination. Few issues arouse as much emotion as this one, and while the controversial co-founder of the Minuteman movement, Chris Simcox, is also in the race, he lacks the gravitas to pose a legitimate challenge to McCain. But Hayworth, a former member of Congress, seems well positioned to exploit this issue -- and even parlay it into national exposure and fundraising success.

The real issue for me, however, is that while John McCain has many problems, there's no reason to believe Hayworth is the solution. As conservatives look to young leaders with fresh ideas, Hayworth is a step backward. For starters, he was heavily involved with former "super-lobbyist" Jack Abramoff. Although he later cooperated with federal investigators and was never found to have done anything illegal, Hayworth was the largest recipient of campaign money from the now-convicted Abramoff.

Even more disquieting from a conservative philosophical point of view, Hayworth was supportive of the Bush era's big spending -- much more so than the fiscally prudent McCain.

Two things tainted the Republican brand: Corruption and spending -- and Hayworth is tied to both of them.

Hayworth's support of Bush's big-government polices included voting for the No Child Left Behind Act; the paperwork- and red-tape-friendly (and business-unfriendly) Sarbanes-Oxley Act; the pork-laden 2005 highway bill that included the infamous "bridge to nowhere"; and, most expensive of all, a Medicare drug benefit that created more than $7 trillion in unfunded liabilities. What is more, his support for a monstrosity known as the 527 Reform Act, which was intended to close "loopholes" in McCain/Feingold, and which was arguably worse for conservatives than the original article.

So Hayworth opposed McCain/Feingold, but supported the 527 Reform Act. This is telling, because the Republican leadership supported the latter. Hayworth's backing of it, therefore, shows his willingness to bend to the will of his party's establishment. This is hardly the record of a bold and independent conservative.

My take: As conservatives seek to remake the GOP, and simultaneously oppose President Obama's liberal policies, they should worry more about getting ahead and less about getting even. The truth is, we live in a world of limited resources. As such, conservatives must shepherd their political capital. There are numerous conservatives who deserve -- and need -- the support of grassroots activists and conservative donors. But every dollar donated to a J.D. Hayworth equals one dollar that does not go to a Marco Rubio, for example.

And let's be honest: John McCain most likely won't be running for re-election six years from now. Hayworth, on the other hand, would likely be in the Senate for the next 20 years. In other words, call me when Arizona congressmen Jeff Flake or John Shadegg decide to run statewide. Until then, I can certainly live with John McCain.

[Maelstorm]

I don't think replacing one flawed candidate with another who lost his seat over his flaws is a way to reform government. Where are the supporters of Chris Simcox? Now he was a man against the machine. I could understand Tea Parties supporting him but to support a failed candidate who lost his seat over corruption charges, a man with ties to Abramhoff and call it reform? I don't think so. It is a waste of time and energy. It also opens up the seat to a stronger Democrat challenge at a time when we don't need it. It has the potential to screw up down ticket races due to inner party conflict. There are several House seats including Hayworth's old seat which will be up for grabs if the Arizona Republican party gets things together and remains united.

[Slump Tester]

And John McCain is no conservative ANYTHING!

(He's just a RINO loser who kisses rat ass.)

[SENTINEL]

Just as in the case of Scott Brown, it is much less important who the new candidate is than who the incumbent is.

John McCain needs to be fired. Fired, fired, fired !

Firing McCain is much more important than hiring Hayworth. A slight improvement is acceptable for now if he can pull it off.

[mnehring]

I still believe there are surprises in store and we may get a candidate that fits our mold better.

[frogjerk]

John McCain is one reason that Obama is president today. For that alone, he should be defeated.

[pissant]

You are pathetic.

[MBB1984]

Is that you posting, Juan McCain?

[Jim Robinson]

McCain-Feingold.
McCain-Kennedy.
McCain-Lieberman.
McCain-Gang of 14.
McCain-Bailout pimp.

McCain gets “F” grades in Constitution, Capitalism, Citizenship, Conservatism, Economics, Science, Law and Liberty.

[Sybeck1]

Keating 5

[MountainWoman]

Before you start spouting your BS, check out these links...

http://www.redstate.com/brianfaughnan/2009/10/12/did-mccain-torpedo-jd-hayworth/

http://www.espressopundit.com/2008/03/post-1.html

http://coaching.typepad.com/espresso_pundit/files/jd_hayworth_letter_08.jpg

Right now, JD is the one that has a chance to oust McLettuce. He’s not perfect but he’s a HELL of a lot better than our current reach across the isle “We’re all God’s children” senator.

[bamahead]

.

[Ol' Sparky]

J.D. Hayworth as a US Congressman from Arizona had a lifetime rating of 97.56% from the American Conservative Union after 12 years of service. McCain has a 82% rating after 27 years of service.

Sorry, it is silly to hold for 100% conservative when the opportunity exists to rid the Republican party of one its members doing the most to undermine a conservative agenda.

[frogjerk]

McCain-Feingold. McCain-Kennedy. McCain-Lieberman. McCain-Gang of 14. McCain-Bailout pimp.

McCain gets “F” grades in Constitution, Capitalism, Citizenship, Conservatism, Economics, Science, Law and Liberty.

GIVE 'EM HELL JIM!

[molybdenum]

do you live in Arizona??

[martin_fierro]

Web sites are giddy about his candidacy. I'm not sure they should be. Get the new PD toolbar!

[wizard1961]

The concerns are worth thinking about... but... McCain commands attention from the press & is the most likely person ever to sell out conservatism. Further, knocking him out would boost Tea Party influence. Heck, it would be good if Palin no longer needed to stick up for McCain.

The best is the enemy of the better.

[el_texicano]

It’s either Juan posting or one of his lackeys....

[fieldmarshaldj]

DUMP McCAIN !

GO HAYWORTH !

[dalereed]

Go to hell along with your liberal blogger trying to palm himself off as a news source!

[rob777]

"Even more disquieting from a conservative philosophical point of view, Hayworth was supportive of the Bush era's big spending -- much more so than the fiscally prudent McCain."

< br> This is a really big problem for me. I really do not see a viable choice in this race and agree that limited resources should be focused elsewhere.