Eric Kleefeld April 28, 2010, 11:54 AM

A new survey of Arizona by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that Sen. John McCain’s approval rating has plummeted in his home state, a year and half since he won it in the 2008 presidential election. However, the GOP would still be much worse off if McCain lost his Republican primary against former Rep. J.D. Hayworth.

McCain’s approval rating is only 34%, with 55% disapproval. Back in September, when the last PPP numbers from Arizona were taken, McCain was in positive territory at 48%-42%.

McCain’s approval among Republicans is only 48%-39%, with a much lower 28%-58% among independents, and 21%-71% with Democrats.

The poll also finds that McCain has lost his independent, “maverick” image. Respondents were asked: “Would you describe John McCain more as an independent voice for Arizona or a partisan voice for national Republicans?” The result was independent voice 28%, partisan national Republican voice 55%.

In addition, 39% say his positions on the big issue of illegal immigration are too lenient, to only 22% who say his positions are too tough, and 29% say his views are about right.

However, McCain is still heavily favored to win a general election against Democratic Tucson councilman Rodney Glassman, with McCain leading the unknown Glassman by 49%-33%. But if Hayworth were to win the GOP primary, the unknown Dem suddenly takes a narrow lead of 42%-39%, within the ±3.4% margin of error.

“McCain is stuck between a rock and a hard place,” writes PPP president Dean Debnam. “On the one hand, he is seen as soft on immigration. On the other, he is seen as too partisan and too conservative.”

The TPM Poll Average currently gives McCain a lead in his Republican primary of 48.0%-40.8% over Hayworth. PPP will come out with their latest numbers on that race tomorrow.

2010 elections, AZ-SEN, Immigration, J.D. Hayworth, John McCain, Polls