Can a Democrat Win Sen. McCain's Seat in Arizona?
Hispanic Business, News Report , Rob Kuznia Posted: May 04, 2010
The Arizona Senate seat occupied by John McCain has been a fixture of the Republican Party for more than 40 years, with both holders -- McCain and Barry Goldwater before him -- winning the GOP nomination for president.
Can a Democrat move that mountain?
In a normal election year, the answer would be an unequivocal "no way." But this isn't your typical election year.
In passing the nation's toughest immigration bill, the state of Arizona last week ushered in a tidal wave of nationwide scrutiny. Within the Grand Canyon State, the move has intensified the already unpredictable political winds.
While the nationwide firestorm is sure to cool down in the coming weeks, Arizona's internal political drama will only grow hotter until the primary elections on Sept. 2.
On that day, John McCain, holder of the seat for almost a quarter-century, will face far-right challenger JD Hayworth for the Republican ticket. Vying for the Democratic nomination will be moderate Rodney Glassman and left-wing candidate Randy Parraz (assuming Parraz collects the necessary signatures).
At first blush it seems to be a lopsided primary.
McCain, for one thing, is a household name. And Hayworth, too, is well known in Arizona: he's not only a former Congressman, but until recently was a popular conservative radio talk-show host in Phoenix.
In comparison, Glassman and especially Parraz are relative unknowns. Glassman, 31, recently resigned his post on the Tucson City Council to take the plunge. Parraz, 42, is a political organizer perhaps best known for getting arrested at a rally protesting Arizona's infamous sheriff, Joe Arpaio. (He was cleared of all charges.)
How can the Democrats possibly compete?
In short, by pinning their hopes on Hayworth.
If Hayworth, 51, succeeds in convincing the conservative base that 73-year-old McCain is too liberal, the state will have a far-right candidate on the ticket at a time when Arizona's immigration law has made it the butt of jokes on late-night television.
So far, Hayworth has come out as a surprise threat to McCain. Polls put him between just 5 and 10 points behind McCain, whom Hayworth has characterized as a flip-flopper -- particularly on the topic of immigration.
Meanwhile, Glassman has proven himself a quiet contender.
Polls this week put Glassman ahead of Hayworth by three points.
Should they face off, Hayworth is sure to take Glassman seriously. Hayworth's career in Congress, after all, was cut short by a Democrat in 2006, when Harry Mitchell unseated him after four two-year terms.
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User Comments
Possum Dearie on May 11, 2010 at 07:39:33 said:
If people were serious about getting McCain out, they would have found a viable candidate long before. Hayworth is a sleazebag and an embarrassment when Republicans don't need the word "corruption" coming up in conversation.
Rodolfo Plata on May 10, 2010 at 05:49:20 said:
El gobierno y los empresarios mexicanos deben seguir el ejemplo del lobby judío. Invirtiendo en el cabildeo y las campañas electorales de los políticos chicanos, a fin de promover las leyes y gobiernos que nos beneficien; lo cual ha permitido a esa minoría privilegiada saquear y someter a Norteamérica desde los años treinta, sin que nadie se oponga.
Sean on May 04, 2010 at 23:05:23 said:
NO WAY! Not only can a democrat not win the seat, but Republican JD cannot win the seat either. Living in AZ, I know without a shadow of a doubt, we will re-elect McCain. The people of arizona want a Senator who is going to maintain...and JD already proved to us (several times) that he cannot maintain. JD is far too unethical, far too corrupt, far too immoral to return to Washington. Mccain is and always has been our best choice!
theother on May 04, 2010 at 23:02:53 said:
Wow you people must not know allot about Arizona there is no way a democrat sneaks in here. Of course there is a chance but only if JD holds the seat before.
kellysnofool on May 04, 2010 at 22:52:13 said:
Cramer I couldn't agree with you more except I would find more ways to call JD a loser. VOTE McCain!
roylala9 on May 04, 2010 at 22:40:24 said:
Arizona will never let a democrat come in an take this seat. We already have a strong senator and his name is John McCain.
robinsnobird on May 04, 2010 at 22:36:04 said:
I don't know what Arizona you live in ron but the Maricopa county support John McCain from what I can see. He's our best man for the job.
Cramer Smith on May 04, 2010 at 13:29:40 said:
Make NO mistake. Here in Arizona, the MAJORITY of us want to keep McCain in office. This Nation knows the danger of more democrats in office, so Glassman is out. As for JD, he is no hero, actually a loser, a loser in Congress, a loser on radio, a loser on spending, a loser on boozes, a loozer on morals and ethics!
Ingemar on May 04, 2010 at 11:38:21 said:
The health of the leading Republican candidate will be the defining issue here.
Ron Buss on May 04, 2010 at 06:42:06 said:
Here in Arizona we're tired of John McCain and his dirty politics and lies. We consider the McCain & Hayworth primary battle. As two bad guys in a professional wrestling match, and we're counting on a hero coming in at the end and defeating these two villains.
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