Poll: McCain topping primary opponents by wide margin
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/14/art.mccain0330g.gi.jpg caption ="A new poll shows Sen. John McCain has a strong lead in the Arizona Republican primary race."]
(CNN) - Sen. John McCain is widely ahead of his two primary challengers, according to a new poll.
A Behavior Research Center survey released Thursday indicates that 64 percent of likely Arizona Republican primary voters support McCain, with19 percent backing former Rep. J.D. Hayworth, five percent supporting Jim Deakin, a Tea Party activist, and 12 percent undecided. The primary is scheduled for August 24.
McCain, the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee, is bidding for a fifth term in the Senate.
Hayworth's 'free money grant' infomercial surfaces
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/21/art.hayworthgi.jpg caption="J.D. Hayworth appeared in a 2007 infomercial that promised billions of dollars in free government grants."]Washington (CNN) – Former congressman J.D. Hayworth has used several ads as part of his bid to oust Sen. John McCain in Arizona's Republican primary. But in 2007, Hayworth was appearing in a different kind of ad: an infomercial that promised billions of dollars in free government grants.
The television ad promises free information about "hundreds of billions of dollars in government funding" to individuals who attend a conference on the topic.
The company behind the meetings – National Grants Conferences – has been criticized by the attorneys general of multiple states for deceptive marketing. A simple internet search brings back legions of complaints about the company.
Hayworth appears in the infomercial as part of a panel discussion on the availability of government grants that don't require repayment. Also on the panel are Mike and Irene Milin, the company's co-founders.
After introducing Hayworth as a former congressman, the infomercial's host says, "Forgive me if I sound like a skeptic, because that is a lot of money. It sounds too good to be true." The host then asks of Hayworth, "Congressman, is it for real?"
"It is for real," Hayworth responds. "Now look, I understand the skepticism in part because President Reagan used to say, 'The greatest contradiction ever uttered is, I'm from the government, and I'm here to help,'" Hayworth added.
McCain, Snooki talk tanning on Twitter
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/10/art.snooki.gi.jpg caption ="'McCain would never put a 10 percent tax on tanning.' Snooki said in a preview of Jersey Shore Season 2."]
Washington (CNN) – Jersey Shore sensation Snooki got tanning tips from an unlikely source Wednesday - Arizona Sen. John McCain.
During a sneak peak of Jersey Shore Season 2 at the MTV Movie Awards Sunday, Snooki was seen at her house in Poughkeepsie, New York packing to head back to the beach.
"I don't go tanning anymore because Obama put a 10 percent tax on tanning and I feel he did that intentionally for us," Snooki said in the preview. "McCain would never put a 10 percent tax on tanning."
McCain responded on Twitter Wednesday: "@Sn00ki u r right, I would never tax your tanning bed! Pres Obama's tax/spend policy is quite The Situation. but I do rec wearing sunscreen!"
Snooki then wrote: "Haha Yes!!"
A spokeswoman for the Arizona senator said McCain thought Twitter would be an "amusing way to respond to her comments."
"Twitter is a good medium for that kind of conversation," McCain communications director Brooke Buchanan told CNN.
McCain is one of the most popular politicians on Twitter with over 1.7 million followers.
An MTV spokeswoman told CNN Snooki is a fan of McCain, but could not confirm if she voted for the 2008 presidential candidate when reached at 12:00 pm ET.
Snooki was still sleeping.
Former rivals now teaming up
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/04/art.mccain.romney.jpg caption="John McCain and Mitt Romney are teaming up Friday in Arizona."](CNN) - They were once bitter rivals. But that's so 2007 and early 2008, when John McCain and Mitt Romney were battling for the Republican presidential nomination.
Friday they team up in Arizona, as the former Massachusetts governor helps campaign for Sen. McCain, who's battling for a fifth term in office.
Romney, who may make another bid for the White House, is scheduled to be a special guest at a McCain town hall meeting in Mesa, according to the senator's campaign. McCain is facing a tough primary challenge from the right launched by former seven-term Rep. JD Hayworth, who most recently was a popular conservative radio talk show host. The two will face off in Arizona's August 24 primary.
After dropping out of the hunt for the presidency in early 2008, Romney quickly backed McCain and campaigned for the GOP nominee in the general election. He has endorsed McCain's Senate re-election bid and campaigned for the senator in Arizona in March, when Romney was in Phoenix for a book signing.
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
McCain: Hayworth an 'Avid Earmarker'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/27/art.mccain.star.jpg caption="John McCain has released new ads that call J.D. Hayworth an 'avid earmarker.'"]Washington (CNN) - Sen. John McCain has released more tough ads against his Republican primary opponent, now saying that J.D. Hayworth is an "Avid Earmarker."
That is the title of the television and radio spots that the McCain campaign released statewide on Thursday. Sen. McCain is locked in a battle with the former congressman to win the GOP senate nomination in Arizona.
Both the radio and television ads cite Hayworth being "described as an 'avid earmarker.'" In a corresponding e-mail to reporters, the McCain campaign listed media reports to bolster their claim.
In the TV ad, McCain is cast as a staunch opponent "against pork barrel spending." "He fights to save us money," an announcer also says.
Then, over video of Hayworth, on-screen graphics list items that the ad says Hayworth supported while he was in Congress, including: "$220,000 to renovate Maine Blueberry farm," "$250,000 to control Maui seaweed," "$5.8 million for Vermont snowmobile trail," "$300,000 to map the genes of Michigan chickens" and "$223 million for 'Bridge to Nowhere'."
McCain camp: Hayworth among the 'dumbest'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/25/art.mccain.6.16.jpg caption="A McCain campaign Web video refers to his primary opponent J.D. Hayworth one of the 'dumbest' people previously in Congress."]Washington (CNN) - Sen. John McCain's campaign is out with a scathing new ad against the senator's Republican primary opponent, calling J.D. Hayworth among the "dumbest" people previously in Congress. Now Hayworth's campaign is firing back, suggesting the ad is shameless. Hayworth's campaign also claims that McCain – a celebrated war veteran – is using America's World War II heroes "as a political tool."
The Web ad from the McCain campaign, titled "Hayworth History Lesson," was released Tuesday and is presented in a style reminiscent of an old, black-and-white newsreel.
It opens with a clip – dated May 20 - of Hayworth saying: "The war that Dwight Eisenhower led in Europe against the Third Reich was never declared by the United States Congress. Germany declared war on us two days later. We never formally declared war on Hitler's Germany."
As the ad continues, a man's voice is heard apparently trying to correct Hayworth. "I think we did," the voice says.
Hayworth then is heard saying, "Yeah, I think we should check it."
McCain says he's no 'maverick'
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/05/art.mccain.mav.gi.jpg caption ="In an interview with Newsweek, John McCain said he doesn't consider himself a maverick."](CNN) - Play word association with the name "John McCain" and "maverick" is certain to pop up.
After all, McCain's presidential campaign repeatedly dubbed the Arizona Republican "the original maverick" and late last month McCain's former running mate, Sarah Palin, urged a crowd in Tucson to "send the maverick back to the Senate!"
But there's only one problem: McCain, who faces a difficult primary challenge from the right, says he's no maverick.
"I never considered myself a maverick," the senator told Newsweek this week. "I consider myself a person who serves the people of Arizona to the best of his abilities."
Activist 'Granny D' dead at 100
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/10/art.haddock.file.gi.jpg caption="Activist Doris Haddock died Tuesday night in New Hampshire."](CNN) - Political activist Doris "Granny D" Haddock, best known for walking across the country at the age of 89 in support of overhauling the nation's campaign finance system, died Tuesday night from a chronic respiratory illness at her son's home in Dublin, New Hampshire, according to a family spokeswoman. Haddock had celebrated her 100th birthday on January 24.
Haddock made headlines in 1999 when she embarked on a 3,200-mile trek from Los Angeles, California, to the U.S. Capitol in Washington to advocate on behalf of reducing the role of money in political campaigns.
"Campaign reform is the beginning of everything else," said Haddock in a July 2000 interview with CNN. "There are so many problems in this country that need to be solved, but they need money in order to solve them. And when campaign finance reform has been enacted, that will release a great deal of money."
She was an active supporter of campaign finance legislation authored by Sens. John McCain, R-Arizona, and Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, which was signed into law in 2002.
"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Granny D," said McCain. "Her inspirational efforts and hard work will never be forgotten."
In a separate statement, Feingold called Haddock "one of the most determined and dedicated advocates I have ever known."
McCain enlists Kyl for latest radio ad
Washington (CNN) - President Obama tersely reminded Sen. John McCain Thursday during the White House health care summit that, "We're not campaigning anymore. The election is over."
The president was referring to the 2008 presidential race, but McCain still has a Senate campaign to deal with back in Arizona. And on Friday, his re-election campaign released yet another radio spot, this time enlisting his fellow Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl to promote McCain's "conservative principles."
Kyl narrates the 30-second ad and tell listeners: "Arizona could have no stronger advocate than John. He's with me every step of the way in fighting for conservative principles in Washington."
McCain is facing a challenge on his right flank from former Rep. J.D. Hayworth in the Republican primary.
McCain, Obama face off
(CNN) - Things got a little testy Thursday between President Obama and Sen John McCain, the two former campaign rivals.
McCain slamed the special deals inserted in the Senate health care bill, saying those should be removed so that the American people will know "that geography does not dictate what kind of health care they will receive."
Obama shot back, "Let me just make this point, John, because we're not campaigning anymore. The election is over."
"I'm reminded of that every day," McCain quickly interjected.
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