http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=126235If WND readers were to have their way, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain's 28-year career in Congress would come to an end this year.
An unscientific WND online poll showed GOP primary challenger J.D. Hayworth with nearly 3,000 votes compared to just 22 for McCain.
While McCain has not faced a serious challenge in his four elections to the Senate, he has angered many Republicans with his "maverick" contrarian stances on issues such as immigration.
As a talk-radio host, Hayworth criticized McCain for voting for the 2006 bill to give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
"It is about time you represent we the people of the United States of America and your Arizona constituents, instead of illegal invaders and criminal trespassers," Hayworth said, according to National Public Radio.
Hayworth has characterized his campaign as "McCain and the Washington establishment on one side, and 'we the people' on the other."
NPR noted Hayworth was encouraged to run when a poll last fall showed nearly two-thirds of Arizona Republicans thought McCain was out of touch with his party's base and another showed Hayworth even with McCain.
WND reported this week a new political campaign ad for McCain assails Hayworth for raising the issue of President Obama's eligibility.
"It smacks of desperation," Hayworth told WND. "I think John's a good man who is getting some very bad advice. I think this will provide a backlash that sadly, but accurately, portrays the level of panic in the McCain campaign. It's most unfortunate."
A recent Tax Day Tea Party poll indicated an overwhelming majority in the tea-party movement support Hayworth over McCain.
Hayworth received support from 79 percent of respondents, or 2,738 votes. An additional 8 percent said they would rather support someone else against McCain, and 3 percent said they would rather stick with a third-party candidate. A mere 9 percent said McCain "should be left alone."
"Much to our surprise, there appears to be an overwhelming amount of support for Hayworth within the movement," writes Eric Odom. "A lot of activists are looking to oppose John McCain in some way, shape or form."
One the campaign trail, Hayworth has linked McCain to Democratic Party liberals.
"Just like the liberals, John opposes waterboarding captured terrorists like the Christmas bomber," Hayworth told a recent rally, according to NPR. "Just like the liberals, John wants the prison at Gitmo shut down. And just like the liberals, John wrote the campaign finance law just struck down by the Supreme Court that denied free speech rights to groups like the National Rifle Association."
McCain has fought back emphasizing his reputation as a man of character and hitting Hayworth for his association as a congressman with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. The relationship was regarded as a factor in Hayworth's defeat in 2006 after 12 years in the House.
"Mr. Hayworth was one of the big pork barrelers and earmarkers," McCain told NPR. "Got tied up with this character Abramoff that's now in jail. I fought against earmarks and pork barrel spending. My record is very clear."
McCain has enjoyed the endorsement of tea party favorite Sarah Palin, his running mate in 2008, along former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and fellow Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl.
Among Hayworth's endorsers is the Gun Owners of America, which blames McCain for popularizing the phrase "gun show loophole" among gun-control supporters.
Arizona's Republican primary is Aug. 24.
Topic: McCain blasted in online poll (Read 1139 times)