Steven Robinson

In this election year there exists numerous forces that converge to create the “Mother of all Political Tsunamis”!  From the TARP vote in 2008, the Stimulus vote that spawned the famous Rick Santelli Rant where he called for a New Boston-style Tea Party; Obama’s all out assault on the doctor-patient relationship, and his radical restructuring of the Health Care system; the attempted stranglehold of American industry with the “Cap and Trade” legislation; to the repeated exposes of Democrats’ scandals, and ultimately, the emergence of the Tea Party Movement; this election cycle unlike any other, including 1994 and 2006, will result in the most spectacular political change since the early 20th Century. A brief history lesson is in order.

Beginning in 1896, with William Jennings Bryan, the Progressive movement began the political transformation of our country, into the big government, high tax, statist party that produced Woodrow Wilson and both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt.  And this radical transformation occurred in one short generation when, by 1912, all three presidential candidates, Wilson, Taft and Roosevelt were Progressives.

Over the past 75 years, Progressivism/Neo-Marxism has propelled us to this place and time.  We face alternatives like never before: will we complete the “Fundamental Transformation” into the statist, socialist country Obama envisions?  Or, will we remember how our country achieved its unparalleled greatness, and ultimately return to those values that made our real progress possible?  This is the choice we face today, never have our options been more clear.

That brings us to the election that can define our movement, if we’re up to the task.  We have seen some profound Primary elections thus far, Sharron Angle in Nevada, Mike Lee in Utah, and Marco Rubio in Florida; which have placed the Tea Party’s powerful influence on full display. Yet, the one election that can best define the Tea Party influence occurs on August 24th, in Arizona.  The race that can stamp our movement, is the Republican Primary between Arizona’s powerful, Progressive Senator John McCain with all the power of his incumbency, and his challenger, the “Consistent Conservative” JD Hayworth, who in spite of his twelve year in congress, JD is really considered a “grassroots” or Tea Party candidate. 

Capitalizing on his popular afternoon drivetime show on KFYI 550-AM, Hayworth entered the race, after intense urging from his listeners, strong encouragement from conservative Republicans, and powerful allies like Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Senators Ron Gould and Russell Pearce.  Even before JD entered the race McCain, fearing his entry  and concerned with JD’s support, began running commercials attacking Hayworth, EVEN on KFYI!  So the stage was set. Now this race really can shape and propel the Movement for years to come; primarily because never has the choice been more clear. Another remarkable aspect of this race, is the veritable David and Goliath nature of the candidates.  In spite of his twelve years in the House, JD is the huge underdog, partly due the McCain inspired DOJ investigation after his loss in 2006; that ultimately proved to be devoid of any suspicion of wrongdoing .  Grossly underfunded, with none of the progressive media support, nor national endorsements like  his opponent, JD faces a daunting task.  McCain has everything going for him, money, endorsements, savvy campaign managers; indeed everything but the popular support by Arizonans, who are fed up with John’s constant selling Arizona down the river.

And the reasons for their disgust with McCain are clear.  Both candidates have more than rhetoric; they have legislative records, which very clearly illuminate their values and political philosophy.  McCain’s record is clear and obvious, no honest evaluation leads us to any other conclusion other than he is a Progressive.  McCain’s ratings and evaluations from independent conservative groups are abysmal.  Just look at his grades from the NRA, American Conservative Union and the National Journal.  With a C- from NRA, a pathetic 82% (73% for 1999-2008) lifetime rating from ACU and overall terrible rating showing him slightly more conservative than our Maine ladies Snow and Colling. For an allegedly staunch conservative, they are pathetic.  Perhaps that is why he attempted to obfuscate his record stating, “I never considered myself much of a Maverick.” Clearly the John McCain’s record disappoints everyone who supports a more conservative agenda: principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility and national sovereignty.  Perhaps that agenda is best exemplified in the phrase: “Restore our Constitutional Republic.”

The list of people that are very disenchanted with McCain, and certainly oppose his re-election is a “Who’s Who of conservative talk show hosts and political analysts.  Such luminaries include the king of Conservative talk, Rush Limbaugh, who recently stated, “The era of John McCain is over!”; the hottest cable show’s Mark Levin, author of “Liberty and Tyranny” the wildly popular Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham, and Ann Coulter. All of them have roundly condemned and parodies the 2008 GOP candidate for president.

By contrast, JD Hayworth has tremendous support among conservatives and Tea Party leaders throughout the nation.  Additionally local officials, including ‘America’s’ Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the Maricopa County GOP Chair, Rob Haney and Executive Director Tom Husband have also endorsed Hayworth.  There exists overwhelming support for JD among conservatives.

Yet, it’s not enough just to desire McCain’s departure from the US Senate.  The Tea Party movement should support a true conservative in Congress.  JD’s record should meet our expectations.

When you examine him with the same standards, JD outshines the four-term incumbent.  With an ‘A’ rating from NRA, a 98% lifetime ACU rating and a very positive National Journal scorecard, it’s obvious that JD Hayworth is the Tea Party candidate with the record to prove it.

JD, through his afternoon drive-time radio show on KFYI has clearly established his support for, and solidarity with the Tea Party movement.  He promoted the original Tea Parties in Arizona, interviewing the organizers, talking about the hot topics, and keeping his large audience aware of events over the last year.  Now he often speaks to Tea Party groups throughout the state, as he campaigns.  He’s quite at ease, meeting with Tea Partiers in often small group settings, though  crowds are as large as 300 or more. The Arizona Tea Party movement has called JD a friend .

Lastly, the critical issue that catapulted Arizona to the forefront of American politics this spring is Illegal Immigration and Border Security after the Arizona Legislature’s passed SB1070.  Hayworth has been at the forefront of this huge battle, even writing a book on the subject.  By contrast, McCain is a “Johnny-come-lately” to protecting the border, IF you believe him, that is. If you do, I have ocean-front property in Sierra Vista or Yuma for sale!

If Tea Party Nation and other groups make this race their highest priority, and the Arizona voters elect JD Hayworth as the Republican nominee for US Senator, and ultimately the Senate, the strength of the movement will be unquestionably established; the nation, no the world will stand up and take notice.