The Campaign Spectator: A Select Few
Killian, Linda
by Linda Killian A Select Few Who in Congress is backing John McCain? M oney and endorsements don't always guarantee success in politics-but they sure help. They didn't help Bob Dole win the...
...I don't think that's a conservative-liberal issue...
...It's a net positive for us...
...Tve been so frustrated since I've been in Washington with Republicans promising to do things differently and not doing that," declares Salmon...
...The list of McCain supporters is short...
...He's a much stronger candidate than Bush in a general election because he has crossover appeal," maintains Feingold...
...ican people like the fact'that he's not just a political prostitute...
...George W. Bush has virtually all of the GOP establishment lined up behind him...
...In the debates, Thompson adds, "It was like, 'Why do I have to be here, aren't you people reading the polls?'" "You just want his mother to tell him to sit up straight and pay attention," Graham says of Bush's slouching demeanor during some of the debates...
...Although "not all of his colleagues are good friends," admits Kyl...
...We don't need another one...
...And that's just fine with the Class of 94's most independent-minded members...
...I still don't know whether the money begat the polls or the polls begat the money," says Thompson...
...I think the Amer"He will be a great commander in chief," says Ohio Senator Mike DeWine...
...He's up against an unprecedented amount of money and institutional organizations," Hagel says of McCain...
...The bottom line is that having worked with him over the years, my view is he is prepared to be president," asserts Kyl...
...The institutional side of the Republican Party is really pushing Bush hard and it's hard to climb over that," Graham acknowledges...
...In Graham's view: "John McCain represents the Contract With America spirit of reform better than any other candidate on our side that's electable...
...He is the person to lead us into the next century...
...Largely because of his stand on campaign finance reform, McCain has become the Democrats' favorite Republican...
...and from McCain's home state of Arizona, Senator Jon Kyl and Representatives MaR Salmon, John Shadegg, Jim Kolbe, and J.D...
...I was skeptical we could come together," Feingold recalls, but in the spring of 1995 they started drafting McCain-Feingotd...
...But a campaign aide was quick to point out that in a98o, before the New Hampshire primary, Ronald Reagan also lacked the support of any governors and had the endorsement of just three senators and six members of the House of Representatives, even fewer than McCain...
...Like an errant child, the Republican Party needs to be gripped by the shoulders and shaken vigorously...
...Class of '94...
...my conservative brethren on that...
...The same can't be said about New Hampshire...
...McCain is not afraid to break a few eggs, if that's what's needed," says Salmon...
...I always relate to the underdog...
...But one member's pork is usually another's necessary and vital program for the folks back home, and McCain's efforts have not always been applauded by his fellow senators...
...As DeWine puts it: "I don't think John's any less a conservative because his answer to campaign finance reform is different from mine...
...South Carolina could actually be more important for McCain...
...I think he's the best candidate out there," says Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, who has known McCain for 20 years...
...It's like a fraternity boy who wants his dad to get him through college...
...Representatives Lindsey Graham and Mark Sanford of South Carolina...
...Sanford also admires McCain's military background and his efforts to cut pork-barrel spending...
...There is no other Republican candidate that is more prepared to be president," he adds in a not so subtle jab at Bush...
...I would respectfully take issue with (Westview...
...First came the gift ban, revolving door legislation, and several other issues, and then McCain suggested they try taking on campaign finance reform...
...His reactions are much more visceral and energetic...
...Like most of the Republicans who defend MeCain on campaign finance reform, Thompson is a member of the historic...
...Feingold admits that many Democrats are drawn to McCain, especially those who are independent and reform minded...
...How many times can we continue to double soft money in presidential election campaigns...
...He has to win at least one of them, or it's all over for him...
...Thompson insists it is "a LINDA KILLIAN, a Washington journalist, total red herring" to say it will hurt is author of The Freshmen: What Hap- Republicans if soft money is eliminatpened to the Republican Revolution...
...I love working with John," Feingold says...
...And as DeWine predicts, "If [McCain] does well in New Hampshire and South Carolina, you have a whole new ball game...
...They didn't help Bob Dole win the New Hampshire primary in a996 but they probably did determine that he would be the eventual GOP nominee...
...He's not afraid to lose...
...His high profile on one or two issues has kind of overshadowed his long history on pro-life, lower taxes, and a strong national defense," says Thompson...
...It's very hard to pigeonhole him in any one branch of the Republican Party...
...One whom McCain would undoubtedly count as a friend is his campaign finance reform partner, Democrat Russ Feingold...
...But underdogs have a history of doing well in New Hampshire, and they have a real shot in a retail politics state like South Carolina...
...Voters in such states like to be courted and they enjoy burnishing their reputation as independents by knocking offfront runners...
...You have to be willing to stand up to your power group and say no, I don't think so...
...But you can tell a lot about Arizona Senator John McCain, who has emerged as the only viable alternative to Bush, by the people who have chosen to buck the party elders and back him instead...
...John can be in your face on pork-barrel stuff," says Kyl, but adds: "As much as many of his colleagues grind their teeth sometimes, they do respect him...
...Thompson says he became a Republican because of Barry Goldwater, who, like McCain, understood the danger of more and more campaign cash fueling bigger govemment...
...He will be a great commander in ehief," says Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio, who was eleeted to the House with McCain in 198z and has served with him in the Senate for the past five years...
...The first things most supporters mention about McCain are his military record, war hero status, and knowledge of military and foreign affairs...
...John is a ball of energy," adds Thompson...
...Graham, who is the co-chairman of McCain's campaign there along with Sanford, points out that since 198o , every GOP candidate who has won South Carolina has gone on to become the Republican nominee...
...On defense, intelligence, and international issues, McCain "clearly stands out," according to Kyl...
...Sanford agrees...
...Like Goldwater, McCain talks offthe cuffand is willing to respond to questions quickly and with candor...
...he is more initiative and action oriented...
...50 February 2o o o _9 The American Spectator "What's more Republican than stopping that kind of nonsense7" asks Hagel...
...No governors have endorsed MeCain...
...We should not anoint candidates for president...
...There are those who say because of the tobacco tax and campaign finance reform he's not a true conservative, but I don't buy that," says Salmon, who supports McCain-Feingold but like Graham and Sanford parts company with McCain on the tobacco tax...
...I think there are an awful lot of people who have a lot invested in George W...
...He's not overly with it...
...I've talked to a lot of Democrats who are interested in McCain...
...He's fair to work with, he's got a great sense of honor...
...He is in sharp contrast with everybody else on both sides...
...Graham, who has been campaigning with McCain in both New Hampshire and South Carolina, says McCain's challenge is to be thought of as electable by GOP primary voters and to destroy Bush's aura of inevitability...
...That maverick spirit of independence, that's the heart and soul of why I decided to support him...
...Kyl is unreserved in his praise of McCain even though their views differ on campaign finance reform and a tobacco tax, issues that set MeCain apart from most Republicans...
...He's giving the Republican Party some choice...
...The American Spectator - Fc h r u a r y 2 o o o 51...
...I think our political system needs some dislocation...
...Whatever Bush's weaknesses, McCain's supporters acknowledge that it's going to be an uphill battle for their man...
...Hayworth are on the McCain team...
...John does share Goldwater's belief that too much government is bad," says Kyl, but adds, "John McCain is not a philosopher kind of Republican [as was Goldwater...
...There's not a depth there...
...It's a pretty awesome task for John, but he's doing this because he believes in some things...
...Thompson also notes that George W. Bush's entire campaign seems to exude the attitude that he's already won the nomination...
...B eing a straight shooter and a renegade may not win McCain the support of party stalwarts, but it has won him plenty of free media...
...As Feingold recalls, his partnership with McCain began a few days after the GOP takeover in 1994 when McCain called him and said, "I've noticed you have a good record on pork-busting...
...How would you like to work together on some things...
...Thompson and other McCain supporters say they see a number of similarities between Goldwater and McCain...
...You have to have someone in there who is bold...
...We have one of those in the White House...
...McCain's strategy is make or break in New Hampshire and South Carolina...
...In addition to Hagel and DeWine, there are Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee...
...Supporters also like to point to McCain's fiscal frugality as a sign of his true conservatism, noting that he's always at the top of the National Taxpayers Union's list for his stands on curing the size of government and unnecessary spending...
...The move was no doubt calculated to help McCain in New Hampshire, but Salmon says, "I think that's refreshing...
...Both have a strong interest in foreign affairs and defense issues, and both have a libertarian streak--believing most things are not the government's business...
...Sanford, one of the most vocal members of the Class of '94, likes to identify with McCain's "renegade spirit...
...Sanford and Salmon point to McCain's willingness to go to Iowa and talk about opposing the ethanol subsidy...
...Like Thompson, Lindsey Graham says "I couldfft disagree more" with the idea that the McCain-Feingold campaign finance proposal is anti-Republican...
...But even if he wins both, Bush could still come back...
...If Bush gets elected, I look for more of the same...
...Goldwater could be testy, and much has been made of McCain's quick temper...
Vol. 33 • February 2000 • No. 1
