McCain facing 2010 primary (challenge by Minuteman founder)

[Hazcat]

Social conservatives tolerated John McCain as the party's nominee, but never trusted him, and he now appears to be facing a serious primary from the right in Arizona next year.

Chris Simcox, the founder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps and a prominent figure in the movement to clamp down on illegal immigration, will be announcing tomorrow at an event on the Mexican border that he's resigned from the group to run in the 2010 Senate primary.

From a forthcoming release:

"John McCain has failed miserably in his duty to secure this nation's borders and protect the people of Arizona from the escalating violence and lawlessness," Simcox said. "He has fought real efforts over the years at every turn, opting to hold our nation's border security hostage to his amnesty schemes. Coupled with his votes for reckless bailout spending and big government solutions to our nation's problems, John McCain is out of touch with everyday Arizonans. Enough is enough."
McCain was forced to abandon his own immigration reform legislation during last year's Republican Primary, a move that may have cost him substantial Hispanic support to which his record could have given him access.

So he's basically getting it from both sides on this one.

Simcox, with a national base and a high profile on the right, is well positioned to give McCain a serious local headache. He'll find some allies among the conservatives who recently took over the Arizona Republican Party from McCain's allies, and he has a national fundraising base.

UPDATE: Here's his campaign website (http://www.simcoxforsenate.com/), which includes a clear effort not to be a single-issue immigration candidate.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0409/McCain_facing_2010_primary.html?showall

[1776 Rebel]

Look, I voted for McCain in the last election. I did it because I was afraid of the alternative. I even sent him money. Not as much as I sent to Thompson and then Huckabee. But by then I'd gotten low on reserves and morale. I honor his service and personal sacrifice. I voted for him though with full realization that he represented little that I believe in. But if there is an alternative in a statewide bid for senate I say good. Good that someone is willing to step up and say to the complacent Republican party enough is enough. I am sorry but I don't get this whole Professional Political Class. I think if the founding fathers heard that there would be folks in Congress serving for 30, 40 even 50 years they would shake their heads. That wasn't their idea of representative government. Washington did two terms then went back to growing tomatoes. So if Simcox stays in and gains some of the big mo I just might dig deep and send him some money next year.

[Hazcat]

Look, I voted for McCain in the last election. I did it because I was afraid of the alternative. I even sent him money. Not as much as I sent to Thompson and then Huckabee. But by then I'd gotten low on reserves and morale. I honor his service and personal sacrifice. I voted for him though with full realization that he represented little that I believe in. But if there is an alternative in a statewide bid for senate I say good. Good that someone is willing to step up and say to the complacent Republican party enough is enough. I am sorry but I don't get this whole Professional Political Class. I think if the founding fathers heard that there would be folks in Congress serving for 30, 40 even 50 years they would shake their heads. That wasn't their idea of representative government. Washington did two terms then went back to growing tomatoes. So if Simcox stays in and gains some of the big mo I just might dig deep and send him some money next year.

10 ring

[Overload]

AZ is a Liberal state.  For years I've called McCain a RINO.  Simcox is too Conservative.  The system is slanted toward incumbents and toward whomever spends the most money.  There's no way he'll lose the primary to Simcox.

[fullautovalmet76]

AZ is a Liberal state.  For years I've called McCain a RINO.  Simcox is too Conservative.  The system is slanted toward incumbents and toward whomever spends the most money.  There's no way he'll lose the primary to Simcox.

Don't be so sure, Overload....I remember most of us thought Obama did not stand a chance against Hillary either and we know how that turned out. I'm thinking I might send the challenger a donation. We need a change and it's time to tell McCain to go to his ranch in AZ to live out his remaining days with the knowledge that through his poorly run campaign, except for Sarah's selection, he contributed to the election of the most socialist president since FDR.....

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Even if it ends up electing a 'D' the message will be started!

[Sgt Z Squad]

Mc- Who??!! Keyes/Palin 2012!

[Overload]

Don't be so sure, Overload....I remember most of us thought Obama did not stand a chance against Hillary either and we know how that turned out. I'm thinking I might send the challenger a donation. We need a change and it's time to tell McCain to go to his ranch in AZ to live out his remaining days with the knowledge that through his poorly run campaign, except for Sarah's selection, he contributed to the election of the most socialist president since FDR.....

You may be right.  After all, Sen. Joe Lieberman lost his primary.  Of course, he ended up winning the seat running as an independent.

[tombogan03884]

McCain POed a lot of people in AZ. If he survives the primary it will be the Mexican vote that does it.

[tt11758]

Mc- Who??!! Keyes/Palin 2012!

Doncha mean Nugent/Palin?