Town Hall – by Daniel DohertyWe thought John McCain might say that. And to be clear, he hasn’t officiallydeclared anything just yet. But can there be any doubt now that he’s not going away?
John McCain says he is “most likely” running for re-election in 2016, but is aware that he will be a top target for conservative groups gunning for establishment Republicans in primaries. In an interview with CNN, the Arizona senator stepped closer to pulling the trigger on a campaign for a sixth term and seems to be spoiling for the fight.
But he also said he’s not sure Republicans can hang on to the Senate in two years after grabbing it back from Democrats in the midterm elections.“I am approaching it, that decision, and it’s most likely that I will announce that I am [running] again,” said McCain, who will be 80 at the time of the 2016 election. McCain had previously said he was considering and “leaning towards” a campaign but would announce his intentions in early 2015.
Eighty? Somehow, he doesn’t have as many years in Washington under his belt as Teddy Kennedy, but he’s sure getting close. Apparently, however, 30 years in the upper chamber isn’t enough. He’s probably running again.
But can an 80-year-old barnacle like Sen. Maverick, a guy who enjoys trolling the Right and once referred to two darlings of the tea party as “wacko birds,” really defeat a younger, more conservative challenger?
At the very least, victory won’t come easily, if it comes at all.
“I will be at the top of the list, there is no doubt about that,” McCain told CNNlater in the interview. “I expect a vigorous campaign. For me to expect anything else would be foolish. And I’m not foolish.”
Indeed not. But he may end up looking foolish if conservatives field a better, more conservative candidate who can make a compelling case for why it’s finally time for him to retire. They certainly have their reasons.
Yes, and exposed his navy father while they were at it.
We can’t get rid of Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, no matter what we do. Arizonans are likely in the same disastrous situation.
Surely the voting is rigged in Arizona (and South Carlina too), as this hideous warmongering traitor to the USA is an absolute criminal psychopath working for Rothschild’s Israel
It is not too late to put him in jail – he proves only the good die young – he surely sold his soul to the devil a long time ago
He must be running against someone who’s universally hated (Hillary?) that the bankers want in office, so he’ll be used as the more disgusting option.