McCain backs Hayworth but gets grief for endorsing Minuteman Graf

McCain backs Hayworth but gets grief for endorsing Minuteman Graf


Sen. John McCain has endorsed Scottsdale Congressman J.D. Hayworth despite a strong disagreement between the two Republicans on illegal immigration. The endorsement will
help the conservative Hayworth with independents and
moderates in a key congressional contest.

The move comes after McCain endorsed Tucson conservative congressional candidate Randy Graf in another Arizona race.
The Graf endorsement is earning McCain criticism from
Democrats who say the senator is selling out to the
Republican Party's right-wing to gain favor for a 2008 presidential run. Democrats point out that Graf is
supported by some ultra-conservatives.

The GOP senator cited Hayworth's support for
business-backed tax cuts and national security
and work for Indian tribes in his endorsement.
He did not mention border security or immigration.

Hayworth favors a security-first approach and opposes
a guest worker program favored by McCain, President
Bush and business groups. McCain supports a more
moderate approach on immigration including a
legal path for some illegal immigrants already in
the U.S.

Hayworth faces a tough election challenge from
former Tempe Mayor and Democratic state Sen.
Harry Mitchell. Mitchell favors a federal guest worker plan.

Hayworth and Mitchell are seeking to represent
a U.S. House seat that includes Tempe,
Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and southeastern
portions of Phoenix. The Hayworth-Mitchell
contest is garnering national attention and
could determine which party controls Congress.

Graf, like Hayworth, opposes the guest worker plan
sponsored by McCain and Kolbe. Graf is also a
member of Minuteman Civil Defense Corps, a
conservative, volunteer group that patrols
the border and is very critical of McCain's
approach to illegal immigration.

Democrats are hoping former state Sen. Gabrielle
Giffords can win the open Kolbe seat. The Arizona
Democratic Party went after McCain for his
backing of Graf saying the GOP senator is looking
to appease the GOP's far right-wing.

"It's sad when John McCain, who has become an icon
on the strength of his convictions, throws those
ideals out the window in order to curry weight
with the extreme wing of his party," said Arizona
Democratic Party Chairman and Director David Waid.

McCain is expected to announce a second presidential
run after the November elections. He has been
reaching out to conservatives, but has had tense
relations with social conservatives and backers
of President Bush.


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