FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Brian Rogers
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
(602) 604-2010
STATEMENT BY MCCAIN 2010 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ON HAYWORTH’S LATEST DESPERATE STUNT
PHOENIX, AZ — U.S. Senator John McCain’s re-election campaign today issued the following statement by campaign Communications Director Brian Rogers on Congressman Hayworth’s latest desperate “debate over debates” stunt, and repeating what this campaign has said for nearly two months -- that Senator McCain will obviously debate all certified candidates after they qualify for the ballot:
“Congressman Hayworth’s latest stunt is ‘a symbol of desperation’ -- which is exactly what Hayworth himself called similar ‘debate over debates’ tactics used by his 1996 opponent. While we understand that Congressman Hayworth loves seeing his own face on television, this latest stunt is nothing more than a transparent distraction from the recently unearthed Hayworth campaign web video highlighting his apparent obsession with man-on-horse marriage and his belief in Count Dracula — which is now nearing 200,000 views.
“To repeat:
As we said nearly two months ago when Congressman Hayworth held a press conference in our campaign parking lot, Senator McCain is of course willing to debate all certified candidates after they qualify for the ballot. Congressman Hayworth’s recent ill-fated attempt to steal fellow Senate candidate Jim Deakin’s ballot petition signatures suggests that Hayworth might not even make it on the August ballot.
“Rather than launch desperate, flailing attacks on Senator McCain, Congressman Hayworth should focus on fulfilling his public promise that tomorrow, Thursday, April 15th, he will reveal who’s funding his Secret Abramoff Trust Fund – the trust he set up to have others pay his legal bills stemming from his involvement with convicted
felon lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
If Congressman Hayworth fails to meet his self-imposed deadline for releasing this information tomorrow, it will only raise more questions about who is paying the Congressman’s legal bills, who has benefited financially from the trust, and whether his word can be trusted by the people of Arizona.” -- McCain 2010 Communications Director Brian Rogers
FLASHBACK: Hayworth Called 1996 Opponent’s Debate Challenge “A Symbol Of Desperation”
FLASHBACK: In 1996, Congressman Hayworth called challenger Steve Owens’ debate challenges “a symbol of desperation.” “The candidates in Arizona Rep. Hayworth's 6th District won't debate at least until Labor Day. Owens, the potential Democratic challenger, is trying to use that timetable as ammunition against the incumbent. Owens issued a press release last month under the heading,
‘The Hayworth Debate Controversy Continues to Boil: Congressman Continues to Duck Immediate Debates,’ saying the incumbent's decision to debate only after the September primary ‘should tell voters a lot about Hayworth.’
Hayworth has agreed to multiple debates ‘if and when’ Owens is elected the Democratic nominee.
But he sees Owens' eagerness to begin debates as early as last month as an attempt to gain badly needed exposure, exposure Hayworth insists he himself, a former television journalist, doesn't need. ‘It's a symbol of desperation,’ said the freshman congressman. The state's deadline to qualify for the ballot is not until June 27.” (Erika Niedowski, “Debate Or Not To Debate? That Is The Question,” The Hill, 6/19/96)
FACT CHECK: Hayworth Campaign Asking People To Remove Their Names From McCain And Deakin Nominating Petitions And Instead Sign Hayworth’s
Hayworth’s paid “new media” consultant Rachel Alexander asked people remove their names from McCain and Deakin petitions.
“Since JD Hayworth didn’t enter the race until mid-February, and only began speculating that he might run in January, many folks unwittingly signed McCain’s Senate petitions prior to that. Fortunately it’s not too late to remove your signature. This also applies if you need to remove your signature from Jim Deakin’s petition.” (Rachel Alexander, IC Arizona Blog Post, 4/7/10)
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