John McCain Could Lose Senate Primary To Tea Party Supporter

PHOENIX, AZ -- Rasmussen announced a new poll on Friday showing Senator John McCain may be in trouble at home where a polarized electorate has him facing constant criticism from both the left and the right.

The poll shows McCain tied with former Congressman and current talk radio host J.D. Hayworth in a hypothetical Republican primary. Hayworth, who has become an outspoken local hero among immigration-control activists, lost his House seat to Rep. Harry Mitchell (D) in 2006. Since then, Hayworth has promoted the Tea Parties on his radio show and has spoken at Tea Party events, including the April 15 rally in Phoenix. Hayworth has expressed interest in running but has been tight-lipped on whether or not he intends to actually file as a candidate against McCain.

Rasmussen has McCain at 45% and Hayworth at 43% (4% margin of error). Although McCain's loudest opponents from the right usually cite immigration as the key issue, Minutmen founder Chris Simcox only reached 4% in the poll. According to the poll, Hayworth is more popular overall among the GOP, especially among the younger GOP sect. McCain fares better with females and moderate Republicans.

Rodney Glassman, the only Democrat who has filed to run against McCain, was not included in the poll. Glassman is a young Tucson city councilman who has the support of the local and state Democratic Party structure and is considered an up-and-comer in Arizona politics.

McCain has not faced a serious challenge to his senate seat since 1986.

UPDATE: On his radio show Friday, Hayworth discussed the results of the Rasmussen poll at length. Hayworth said discussions with his immediate family are "more than a topic of casual conversation." He indicated a desire to run, saying that he is in the "due diligence" phase and that the primary roadblock would be fundraising, specifically to pay off some debt. It should be noted that Hayworth is currently raising money recently to pay off debt left over from his days in the House; his debt is a result of fighting an investigation into his ties to Jack Abramoff.

 

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Comments

[Geoffrey Dunn - Huffpost Blogger]

It's why Senator McCain refuses to criticize Sarah Palin. The Thrilla from Wasilla could blow through Arizona and tip the scales in Hayworth's favor. He's got a tight-rope to walk here.

[cripes]

Switch parties,he will win...

[Decipherer]

I cannot believe I am about to say that in contrast to this loudmouth pantload J.D. Hayworth, I would prefer McCain. Overall, though, I get down on my knees and praise the Lord that I do not live in Arizona.

Love that reference in the article, by the way, to that "GOP sect," which pretty much sums up what they are all about in that misbegotten state.

[pflickner]

I do live in Arizona. Most of us would prefer McCain to Hayworth any day. Of course, I'm not sure J.D. is finished asking God whether or not he should run. He was so devastated by losing the last time to a DEMOCRAT that he felt that God wanted him to just spread his poison over the local airwaves and be a Rush-wannabe. The good news is that Dems might have a better chance if J.D. ends up the winner. Then he may ask God if he should get into politics and run again, and I suppose that this time he'll run for President, because of course God really wants him running the country -- he just chose the wrong things before.

[ArtsyJane]

Personally, I think that if the guy is a senator since 1987, he needs to go. No matter how good he is.
You can't keep complaining and keep electing the same person over and over again.Surely, there's at least a few other arizonians capable of holding the senatorial office for the state. If you keep electing the same person for over 20 years, it means you're perfectly happy with his work. So, stop complaining. I guess the problem is, like often with electorates, that only a few people actually make the connection between the person and his policies. They keep electing some guy because they like him and then they wonder why things keep going downhill, but they never connect the two events.

[platanoman]

He needs to retire anyway.

[MarianneEvans11]

I believe John McCain will retire and all thanks for Palin his running mate...He made a HUGE MISTAKE selecting her and now he can't own up to it...shame on you John McCain. Now you are going to leave the country in the mess you created. Just think IF McCain/Palin had won .... OMG ! ! ! It would have been the end of the world and I wouldn't even be here anymore....Russia would have taken over the USA....thanks to Palin,,,,

[Political Conservative]

You need to understand that the Republican Party isn't moving right, it's purging the RINOs that are siding with the Democrats. There is no such thing as a moderate Republican as McCain claims to be. There are only Democrats that make believe they are Republicans just so they can be elected. Remember a recent Gallop poll shows that 40% of American's say they are Conservative, while only 20% are liberals. Conservatism is more centrist than the fringe left liberals and Independents are leaning that way. You'll see in 2010 and 2012.

[Tony581]

Hayworth is more conservative than McCain and will not compromise on any issue. The situation in Arizona reflects the national trend: the GOP is moving hard to the right. Humorous in some ways, scary in others, especially if the GOP regains power. The seeds are being sown for a new Iranian revolution - except that it will be in the USA. Ayatollah Rush and Ayatollah Glenn will be the spiritual leaders of the government after the deluge.

[adamNsteve]

Hope he does loose the Repub nomination. Would serve him right.

I never thought the American people would vote him into the office of the Presidency when he has a constant, never ending smug condescension in the manner of his speech. I know politicians are egomaniacs, but his guy takes the cake.

[Horus45]

After the way he treated the mother of a POW at a hearing about POWs and MIAs, I lost any respect I had for the man.

[ArkayMI]

Could you provide a link? Not doubting this but just curious.

[Decipherer]

"Loose?' What do you mean by "loose?"

[GTFOOH]

Bad as John McCain is, JD Hayworth would be much worse! Those advocating his win, either don't know or don't remember what he was like as a congressman!

[glesslib]

This is like watching Frankenstein duke it out with Dracula. It's hard to find anyone to root for. My heart tells me that John McCain deserves anything that comes his way after Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber and the total dumbing down of all things in politics. He's responsible for a lot of this. However, the thought of some opportunist who gets in bed with the teabaggers actually going to Congress gives me the chills. Like I said Dracula and Frankenstein.

[BabblingBrooks]

This is one situation where I hope for change. May it work out better than last time.

[annieR]

J.D. Hayworth was (I wince) my congressman before Democrat Harry Mitchell unseated him. J.D. is intellectually challenged. When Bush invaded Iraq, J.D. said that the war wouldn't cost us anything because the troops were already trained and equipment was paid for. He also said that the answer to terrorism was harsher penalties, as if a suicide bomber would be detered by the death penalty. However, the people of Arizona are capable of electing him. Consider our present Republicans in Washington, never mind Sheriff Joe Arpaio who now is reported by the New Times to be an informant of Arizona neo-Nazis. Congressman Shaddeg waves a 7-month baby in the air on the House floor, Jeff Flake spends a week isolated on an island (maybe to get away from wife and 5 kids), Renzi is in ethics trouble, and Jon Kyl is a complete stranger to the truth (e.g., the Employee Free Choice Act would do away with the secret ballot--complete lie). And don't get me started on guns in bars and in church, along with a pastor who prays every day for the President's death. For women, at least, J.D. wouldn't be any worse than Kyl and McCain.

[Querent]

When I lived in Phoenix, JD Hayworth was a blabbering sportscaster on one of the local channels. We used to call him Magilla Gorilla. Magilla Gorilla was a cartoon ape who looked exactly like JD, except he was smarter.

Hayworth may not be any worse politically than McCain (though I think he is) but his extremely low IQ and the fact that he is younger than McCain mean that it would be worse for him to get the nomination than for McSame to get it.

I don't know what is wrong with so many Arizonans that makes them Republicans. I can only hope Mr. Glassman will win the general election.

[JoeBridgeman]

wow, wow, wow ... wouldn't it be sweet to see a dem ending up winning this race!!!

[Kenji]

Yes. How do we contribute to Hayworth's campaign?

[Querent]

Read much?

[bratcat]

Dr. Frankenstein now has to confront his monster head on. On one hand, if Palin helps McCain win he would become somewhat beholden to, and further tied to her. On the other hand, if she supports him and he loses because of her support he has no one to blame for her influence but himself. And a 3rd scenario, but less likely, would be that she supports his opponent in an act of betrayal. Either way, McCain is about get a big old mouthful of karma.

[IanC]

There are very few people in this country whose head is meatier than JD Hayworth.