I absolutely hate John McCain, but seeing I’m in Wisconsin, my opinion of him doesn’t count for much. I hate my 2 senators also, but that’s a thread for the Pit.
But what about the good folks of Arizona? I never hear anything on t.v. about his popularity rating in the state he alegedly represent. Does anyone have any info on this. Sites?
I adore John McCain, but then, I’m in Minnesota. I heard recently that there was a rally of hard-right Republicans who thought McCain was too “soft” and ought to be kicked out of the party, but I have no idea if that’s a widespread opinion or just a fringe element.
I vaguely recall reading a recent article about a recall effort by a few dozen staunch 'publicans who aren’t too pleased with the Senator. The same article also mentioned that the crusade was a bit quixotic, as he enjoys enormous popularity among his constituents.
Here’s and abstract of the article from the NYT. Couldn’t dig anything else up quick.
The press page of the Recall John McCain Committee:
From the 1999 World Almanac, results of the 1998 Senatorial race in Arizona:
John McCain ® (incumbent) 624,831 votes
Ed Ranger (D) 251,608 votes
I was in Phoenix, AZ for a week. I might not live there, but after getting a bad sun burn after being IN THE SUN FOR 10 FRIGGIN’ MINUTES, I feel I have the right to chime in.
His neck is just creepy.
PS: Any weatherman who cheerfully tells you that it will “cool off” to 100 degrees should be whipped with a greasy noodle.
Actually, I really liked PHX. The Mc D’s had bratwurst!
I couldn’t be happier with McCain as one of our representatives to the Senate. I truly felt he was the better candidate in the 2000 primaries and felt he came fairly close to upsetting the balance of Republican power. Of course, by rocking the boat he’s created a few enemies, but I find his moderate stance a nice change from the deep right and left fields most Senators seem to represent. I’m sorry to hear that he doesn’t have plans to run in 2004 as I think he has appeal to both Democrats and Republicans as the President. Unfortunately, even though he’s got a nice piece of land and home right in Phoenix, he’s rarely around town because of how busy his schedule is. I’d like to complain that he could be around more, but he’s getting the job done, and that’s all that matters.
As for the people trying to throw McCain out of his seat…the last I heard was that they weren’t even close to reaching their goal of signatures. He’ll be around for years to come.
Anyway, that’s a laypersons view of his Senator.
This site ( http://www.arizonarepublic.com/special39/articles/0705mccain-ON.html ) mentions that McCain has a 65 percent approval rating, although when I skimmed it it was unclear to me whether that was 65% approval in AZ or nationwide.
Yes, they are trying to recall McCain, but they have to get 349.269 signatures to get an election, and the media is saying that that is a real long shot. http://www.azcentral.com/news/0716recall16.html
Some information on McCain’s last Senate race: McCain did have quite a bit going for him in terms of money. He had almost $4 million compared to Ranger’s approximately $350,000 in funding. ( http://www.commoncause.org/publications/senate_app.html )
Just trying to recall political talk that I’ve heard in Arizona, it seems that Democrats like him, moderate Republicans like him, and people in between.
Is McCain considered moderate? I’ve always considered him to be way more conservative than, for example, either George Bush. He does have the courage of his convictions though, even when those flout the straight party line. That’s why he appeals to me, a bleeding-heart liberal if ever there was one.
He’s quite conservative on some issues, and more moderate on others. He appeals to liberals like me because he’s willing to defy the Republican leadership.
And no, I’m not from Arizona, but he did stop by and make an ad for California Senate candidate Tom Campbell last year. Campbell is the only Republican I’ve ever voted for.
I’m from AZ & have been for a long time. I’m also fairly liberal. I don’t really like McCain on a political level, but I don’t despise him either. He’s not a complete whore to his party, which is too true of most Arizona Republicans (and Democrats, but there aren’t as many of them), and although I disagree with many of the votes he has cast in the Senate, I respect him for that.
Most of my superconservative acquaintances are afraid of him. Some love him (weirdly enough, they tend to be Buchanan supporters too).
I think that he is reasonably popular amongst moderates and the milder variety of consevative – but I haven’t heard much about him, yea or nay, since the Prez. primaries. Seeing as we have so many W lovers, I would be surprised if it hasn’t affected his popularity here.
I’d take him in a second over W, Keating five notwithstanding.
Actually, the Keating Five scandal is why I admire him so much. (And if this post doesn’t send this thread into GD, nothing will.) I remember the MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour brought them all on the air for interviews. The other four Senators all had that deer-in-the-headlights, deny everything look. Keating himself was arrogant beyond belief, claiming he had done nothing illegal and the media had no right to question him. Only McCain had the guts to say you’re right, I blew it, I should have been paying closer attention, I didn’t, I’m sorry, I’ll do what I can to fix it. After the appalling (and all-too-predictable) responses of the others, his owning up came as a blast of fresh air.
Good evening friends,
The Florida Election Debacle had a negative effect on the 2000 presidency. I think that Mr. Bush will have a difficult time getting re elected. Mr. Gore would have had the same difficulties.
Mr McCain’s appeal to the moderates of both parties would give him an edge in the 2004 elections, provided he switch parties and run as a Democrat, or even as an Independent.
I think he could win.
I’ve lived in Phoenix my entire life, and I like McCain. He was one tough bastard for surviving being a Vietnam POW, but I lost some respect for him when he bowed out of the presidential race. He needs to stay out this stadium business, though.
I respect John McCain. I honestly dont think I’d be very upset if he had become president (although I was rooting for Gore, and Bush’s victory enrages me beyond words.) However, this respect is really only based on his veteran ordeal, and his campaign finance reform stance.
Can someone tell me McCain’s stancs on abortion, gun control, the death penalty and various other hot button issues? Where is he conservative and where is he liberal?