mccain_hayworth


Closing statement time.

Hayworth says he’s a “consistent conservative,” as opposed to McCain, a “convenient conservative.” He’s been in DC too long. He says he’s supported by Arpaio—and even one of McCain’s fellow POW’s. I don’t know if that’s new news or not.

Deakin says that “America is the greatest nation in the world.” But we “forgot about the U.S. Constitution.” “Our hope is in the document,” he says.

Even by Arizona GOP standards, he’s kind of out to lunch.

McCain: “Jim, you’ve done a good job tonight,” he says condescendingly to Deakin. McCain brags about his endorsement, like from Arizona Right to Life. He says again he’s going to lead, not just fight.

That’s it. it’s over.

The moderator says TV3 will rebroadcast the debate on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.


McCain tries to defend not extending unemployment benefits. Instead he wants to cut more corporate tax rates.

Deakin says that extending unemployment is a tax burden on business people.

Hayworth goes after McCain again for voting against the Bush tax cuts. We do need a safety net, he says, “but not a hammock.”

Tough crowd. Everyone’s concerned about businesses, not people.


Hayworth says that “terror has come to our very back door.” That’s a new one.


McCain tries to justify his support of the TARP bill. He says he opposed the stimulus package. This is a mistake; he shouldn’t be engaging Hayworth’s charges.


Hayworth lights into McCain with the strongest words yet. He disputes McCain’s memory of the Bush tax cuts, saying something about checking McCain’s shoes to make sure he’s not wearing flip-flops.


McCain tries to defend not letting the Bush taz cuts expire, in the face of a trillion-dollar deficit.

He loses his place a couple of times.

Deakin, the novice, thanks him, saying, “I think you did that to make me look good.”


Deakin says something no one can disagree with: “For six years, we had a Republican House, Senate and president and my opponents failed to get the border secured. They failed to protect Arizona.”

Politely, he doesn’t mention the party also got us into two mismanaged wars and destroyed the economy.


It’s a good debate. The candidates are all engaging.


Hayworth says McCain once said economics isn’t his, McCain’s, strong suit. Mathematics isn’t either. He says McCain voted for more earmarks in the TARP bill that he, Hayworth, did in his whole career.


Deakin goes after some of McCain votes… including the light rail!

Boy, Republicans don’t like anything.


Q. for Hayworth: You’ve been critical of McCain’s efforts to reach across the aisle. Will he just work with Republicans?

Hayworth says the key is “nonpartisanship,” where good ideas win the day. He says McCain just wants to be friends with the Georgetown chattering set and network anchors.

McCain is a conservative of convenience,“ he said.


Hayworth is going after McCain again. “It’s sad,” he says of MCCain’s career. “We appreciate your service.”

McCain keeps saying, “Facts are stubborn things.” Now he says “There he goes again.” It’s pretty tired.


Q. to McCain: Why should voters send you back when you’re part of the logjam that’s brought us to this point?

He says he can “lead” the fight for reform. The others, he said, will fight, but he’ll lead.


McCain is now bragging about his fight against what he calls Obamacare. He misspeaks, saying, “I’m proud to have lead the fight to try to dismantle and stop Medicare.”

He also says he’s going to work to repeal the Obama health care reform bill.


Deakin is asked about health care and Medicare. He says costs have gone up “exponentially.”

He wants to “take the middle man out.” Isn’t that an argument for a government takeover of the health care industry?

It seems like he wants no government involvement in it.


McCain tries to say that Hayworth voted for immigration reform himself in 2001, then goes into his litany of “securing the border.”

Hayworth remains on the attack. He says McCain voted for Medicare and Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants.

For my perspective, J.D. is on message and looks a lot less of a buffoon he generally does.

… but then he goes off on a rant about “birth tourists.”


Deakin notes that both of his opponents have voted on immigration issues in ways that are now politically anathema in the GOP.

Hayworth says he has a newspaper article authored by McCain in which he supports amnesty — in 2003!


McCain is asked about his change on immigration.

Amnesty means no penalty, he says. McCain acknowledges he’s changes his position after “the American people spoke.”


McCain keeps whaling on Hayworth for his lobbying and informercial hosting.


Deakin is asked about his candidacy “hurting the conservative cause.”

He says people getting involved is what makes America great.

He says he will “Stand by the Constitution.”

Well, part of the constitution: Earlier, Deakin said he wanted to repeal the 16th Amendment.


Hayworth has to answer a question about being called “J.D. Huckster.”

He says McCain should have two podiums because he changes his positions so often.

“You’re not a statesman anymore,” he says to McCain. “You’re a political shape-shifter.”


On Afghanistan, McCain is his usual hawkish self. Deakin says we shouldn’t even be there. Hayworth says Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing. His evidence: Tough rules of engagement currently in force.

Those aren’t Obama’s of course: They are the military’s, because it’s trying to minimize civilian casualties. You can disagree with this approach, but Hayworth’s position looks pretty dumb.


McCain ends his segment saying he’d never supported amnesty.

Jim Deakin, the third candidate, is laughing so hard he can barely answer his question: He says McCain did vote for amnesty, in 1986.


All of the candidates gang up on the Wall Street reform legislation passed today.

It’s always funny watching GOP debates. Since everyone gets their information from FOX News, their conversation touchstones are skewed.

In this universe, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac caused the financial meltdown, and everyone agrees they need to be stopped!

Hayworth pivots nicely, marking McCain for having voted for the Wall Street bailout… and notes there were a lot of earmarks involved, too.


McCain goes on the attack too, and says Armey was right, and brings up Hayworth’s dopey career as an informercial pitchman.


The debate begins with a cold shot at J.D.: A quote from Dick Armey that he was a mediocre congressman.

Hayworth handles it very well… he gives good account of his work, noting he’d worked on the Bush tax cuts, which, he says, McCain voted against.