By: Chuck Muth
Muth’s News and Views

AZ REPUBLICANS NOT WILD ABOUT MCCAIN

“John McCain may have been the Republican Party’s national standard bearer last year, but now it looks like he may have a hard time just hanging on to his Senate seat. A new Rasmussen Reports poll of likely 2010 GOP primary voters in Arizona finds the longtime incumbent in a virtual tie with potential challenger, J.D. Hayworth.

“.In late September, with McCain facing only nominal opposition, 75% of GOP voters in the state said they expected the Vietnam War hero and self-described maverick of the Senate to win his party’s nomination.

“But 61% in the September survey also said McCain has lost touch with those in his own party, which has been especially critical of McCain’s support for issues important to immigrants. Only 33% of the Republican faithful in the state believe McCain has done a good job representing GOP values, the September poll found. Since then, Hayworth’s name has started to generate some buzz.”

– New York Daily News, 11/20/09

MCCAIN COULD FACE SERIOUS PRIMARY CHALLENGE

“John McCain, barely a year after he was the Republican nominee for president, faces a potential threat from within his own party as he gears up for his Senate re-election bid next year. Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, a Phoenix talk radio show host, is running neck and neck with McCain in a hypothetical matchup in a recent Rasmussen poll, even though Hayworth has not decided yet whether he will challenge McCain. The incumbent senator still holds a slight edge, with the support of 45 percent of poll respondents, compared to 43 percent for Hayworth.”

– FOXNews.com

RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HAYWORTH

“John McCain may have been the GOP’s national standard-bearer just a year ago, but now he’s in electoral trouble at home. And this time no one can claim it’s because of Sarah Palin. A new Rasmussen poll shows the Arizona Senator in a dead heat with potential GOP primary challenger J.D. Hayworth.

“Mr. Hayworth served as a congressman from 1995 to 2006, when he lost in a squeaker to Democratic Tempe Mayor Harry Mitchell, who prevailed by hounding Mr. Hayworth over his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Mr. Hayworth now runs a popular Phoenix talk radio show. Though he hasn’t formally declared his candidacy, he has expressed interest.”

– Allysia Finley of Wall Street Journal

MCCAIN WINS..IF HAYWORTH DOESN’T RUN

“Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) are virtually tied in a Republican primary match-up for next year’s Senate race, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll of likely GOP voters conducted Nov. 18. McCain leads Hayworth 45 percent to 43 percent, with anti-illegal immigration activist Chris Simcox taking 4 percent. The margin of error was 4 percent.

“McCain was expected to coast to a 5th term next year, and he still could, if Hayworth doesn’t run. He doesn’t have a serious general election challenger and Simcox, the other declared Republican, has not shown the capacity to gain much traction among voters.”

– CQ Politics, 11/20/09

ALL IT TAKES IS MONEY

“On Friday, after Rasmussen released results of a poll showing Hayworth and McCain in a statistical tie, Hayworth told listeners of his radio show that he was having serious conversations with his family about running, explaining that he is in the “due diligence” stage. Hayworth said the primary obstacle to mounting a challenge against McCain would be fundraising.”

– Huffington Post, 11/24/09

HAYWORTH RAISING MONEY – PREPPING FOR RUN?

“Ex-Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R) will take advantage of rumors that he may challenge Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) by raising money to pay down old legal bills. Conservatives were thrilled when a poll appeared to show Hayworth within striking distance of McCain in a hypothetical GOP primary matchup. The IVR poll has led Hayworth to openly speculate about running against McCain next year during his daily radio show.”

– Hotline On Call, 11/25/09

ARPAIO HOSTING FUNDRAISER FOR JD

“Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will hold a fundraiser for former Congressman J.D. Hayworth to help pay off legal bills incurred during an investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The holiday party/fundraiser will be Dec. 5 at the Paradise Valley home of public relations executive Jason Rose and his wife attorney Jordan Rose. Tickets to the event run between $100 an $250 and will benefit the Freedom in Truth Trust organization, a legal fund for Hayworth.”

– Phoenix Business Journal

HOW DO YOU SAY ADIOS IN FRENCH?

“If J.D. Hayworth gets in the race, brush up on your French. At least manage enough fluency to bid John McCain ‘au revoir.'”

– SeeingRedAZ blog, 11/27/09

MUTH’S TRUTHS

I still can’t believe this is happening.

The Pentagon and Defense Department are going to court martial three Navy SEALS who captured one of the most violent and lethal terrorists in the world for allegedly giving the guy a bloody lip and a punch in the stomach? Has the U.S. military leadership gone completely insane? And why hasn’t the Commander in Chief publicly weighed in on this?

If this is how we’re going to wage this “war” against people who will, you know, walk into a room of unarmed military personnel on an American Army base at Ft. Hood and open fire, then the war is lost. Raise the white flag, surrender and bring our men and women home.

To be fair, this kind of “over-lawyering” of the war was going on throughout the Bush administration, as well. Our friend, Lt. Col. Allen West – now running for Congress in Florida – was similarly prosecuted a few years ago and run out of the Army for, essentially, scaring an Iraqi prisoner who had information about a planned ambush against West’s men.

The only good news in all of this is that the SEAL who is accused of actually punching Ahmed Hashim Abed, is being defended by the same lawyer who successfully defended Col. West….Neil Puckett. And the minute I hear where and when to send money to assist in the SEALs’ legal defense, I’ll let you all know.

SURVEY SAYS!

Should former Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth challenge incumbent Sen. John McCain in the GOP primary next year for the Arizona U.S. Senate seat?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Not sure

To cast your vote in today’s online survey, click here!

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

“The celebrity website TMZ.com reported that a Florida law enforcement official said (golfer Tiger) Woods was injured during ‘a domestic issue’ and was attempting to get away from his wife who struck the vehicle with a golf club. Local police say Woods’ wife smashed a window in the vehicle to help him escape.” – Norm! Vegas Confidential, 11/28/09