In an increasingly bitter Republican primary fight, Sen. John McCain is pressuring rival J.D. Hayworth to release the names of the benefactors who are helping Hayworth settle legal bills accumulated while preparing for a possible Justice Department investigation in connection with corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
In response, Hayworth's campaign brought up political scandal in McCain's own past, further evidence that the race promises to be a fierce, all-out slugfest.
Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, a McCain ally, said the McCain campaign is not alleging any wrongdoing with regard to the Freedom in Truth Trust set up to pay off $142,500 that Hayworth owed the law firm of Foley & Lardner.
But he said Hayworth has an urgent obligation to let voters know exactly who gave cash to retire his debt.
"It's all absolutely legal, but you're now a candidate for the United States Senate, and who contributes money to you is something that the public has an absolute right to know," Romley said.
A hard-hitting McCain campaign Web video released Wednesday calls on Hayworth to "come clean on your secret Abramoff trust fund."
Hayworth's campaign in turn is accusing McCain, R-Ariz., and his allies of trying to smear the former six-term congressman by highlighting his links to Abramoff under the ruse of calling for transparency.
Hayworth indicated late last year that he intended to release the donor names if he eventually got into the Senate race.
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