AZ-SEN

Pawlenty Supports McCain For Re-Election To The Senate

Eric Kleefeld | February 25, 2010, 1:08PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential president candidate, has affirmed that he endorses Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for re-election in 2010.

Pawlenty was asked by reporters whether he supports McCain, who is being challenged from the right in the Republican primary by former Rep. J.D. Hayworth. Pawlenty simply replied: "I am."

Pawlenty was a strong and early supporter of McCain's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, and was widely reported to have been considered for the vice presidential nomination that ultimately went to Sarah Palin. McCain has also been endorsed for re-election by Palin and his chief rival for the nomination in 2008, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Birther

Orly Taitz Blasts McCain For Attacking Her In Anti-Birther Web Vid

Eric Kleefeld | February 25, 2010, 10:25AM

Orly Taitz and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Orly Taitz, the best-known national activist in the Birther movement, has posted a statement on her blog slamming Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), for posting a Web ad that attacked his opponent in the Republican primary, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, by tying Hayworth to Taitz and the Birthers.

In her statement, Taitz accuses McCain of improperly influencing various federal judges who are set to rule on her various motions and lawsuits against Obama's eligibility to be president.

Taitz also calls upon McCain to join her, as a plaintiff in her lawsuits: "He has the best standing to file Quo Warranto. Senator McCain could withstand torture by Vietnamese communists for years, he can withstand putting his signature on the pleadings. If I could withstand constant deaththreats, tampering with my car, convicted forgers submitting perjured testimony in different courts to undermine my law license, Obama'sbrown shirts in the media and government constantly insulting me, assaulting, harassing and subjecting to retaliations; I am sure he can withstand putting his signature on the pleadings." (All typos, spelling and grammatical errors in the original.)

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AZ-SEN

McCain Campaign Launches Anti-Birther Web Video Against Hayworth (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | February 24, 2010, 12:53PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has a new Web video attacking his right-wing primary challenger, former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, blasting Hayworth for being "consumed by conspiracies" about President Obama's birth certificate.

The video compares Hayworth's pro-Birther comments on both TV and radio to the infamous rantings of such leading Birthers as Orly Taitz and Philip Berg. "The only difference between these people" the narrator says. "Only one is running for the U.S. Senate."

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John McCain

Arpaio Writes Letter For Hayworth's Run Against McCain

Eric Kleefeld | February 9, 2010, 3:57PM

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio (R-AZ) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), who is challenging Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, is getting some help from one of the most prominent Republicans in the state, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Arpaio, a long-time opponent of illegal immigration -- and of McCain himself, having endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2008 GOP primaries instead of his home state's candidate -- has written a letter promoting Hayworth's candidacy, The Hotline reports. The letter was sent out to Arpaio's fundraising list. In the letter, Arpaio accuses McCain of having "moderate or even liberal positions." Arpaio also attacks McCain's political credibility as a conservative, seemingly ridiculing him for doing a bad job of campaigning against Barack Obama in 2008.

"Senator McCain has served this country admirably but it's time to replace his moderate or even liberal positions on taxes, the border, social causes and big bank bailouts with a consistent conservative like J.D.," Arpaio writes. "I just wish Senator McCain had run as hard against Barack Obama as he is against a conservative like J.D. That could have prevented the harmful, liberal agenda we are all now suffering through."

J.D. Hayworth

Hayworth Launching GOP Primary Challenge Against McCain On February 15

Eric Kleefeld | February 2, 2010, 6:47PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).

Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) will officially launch his Senate campaign, in which he is challenging 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain in the GOP primary, on February 15.

Hayworth was first elected to Congress in the big Republican year of 1994, and was ultimately defeated in the big Democratic year of 2006. Since then, he's spent time as a right-wing talk radio host in Arizona, and is ready to challenge McCain from the right.

"2010 is the Second Great American Revolution - or if you prefer - the Second American Restoration," Hayworth says on his Web site. "It's people like you who will make it actually happen!"