Saturday, January 19, 2008

AZ Congressman John Shadegg condemns attacks on Senator John McCain



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 18 2008
Contact: Sean Noble


"John McCain deserves the Republican nomination because he has courage."

Phoenix -- Conservative U.S. Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ), today condemned the negative, scurrilous and unjustified criticism by conservative commentators and others of Senator John McCain.

"I witnessed this style of outrageous attack on John McCain, his record, his family and his wife eight years ago and was outraged. It was a disservice to America, the Conservative Cause and the Republican Party then and it is again.

"I have fought for the Conservative cause all my life from the Goldwater campaign which my father helped manage to the Revolutionary Freshman class of '94 to the recent formation of Regan 21 with Senators Jim DeMint and Tom Coburn. No one in the conservative movement can match my record.

"During my tenure in Congress I have been among the most conservative Members of the House. I have often been one of just a few "no" votes, voting against the compromise that ended the government shutdown in early 1996, voting against the most recent Transportation Reauthorization bill and voting against prescription drug coverage for Medicare.

"I have also had some of the most conservative rankings by various groups. I am one of only three Members of the House to have a lifetime 100% ranking by the Club for Growth and my lifetime rankings by National Taxpayers Union, American Conservative Union, Citizens against Government Waste and Americans for Tax Reform are in the top 1% of House Members.

"I know John McCain and he is a solid conservative. Maybe not perfect, but on the most critical issue facing our nation, radical Islam, he is without equal in either party, period.

"Beyond the attacks by conservatives who judge him not
good enough or who can't get beyond him not jumping when they want, the personal
attacks on his character, war record and family are completely unfounded, and a
disservice to the nation. I trust the people of South Carolina and the nation
will regard such attacks and the people making them as they deserve.

"John McCain deserves the Republican nomination because he has courage. Anyone who has spent more than a few days in Washington DC knows that the single characteristic lacking in our nation's political leaders is courage. John McCain has it. And, we need it desperately in our next President.

"He is also the only Republican who can win
in November. If the disgusting attacks now emerging in South Carolina once again
result in the Republican Party not nominating Senator McCain, it will be a deep
disservice to the nation."

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