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McCain-Feingold: Competitive Races

June 24, 2010    Content provided by DDC Advocacy

The bi-partisan Senate duo of John McCain (R-AZ) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) who together changed the federal campaign finance world with legislation best known by their combined names, now find themselves in competitive re-election battles. McCain faces a significant primary challenge in a state experiencing political upheaval over government spending and immigration. Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth is attempting to marshal Arizona conservatives behind him and force McCain into retirement. All polls show the Senator leading, but several project only a single-digit difference. Feingold, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey of 500 Wisconsin likely voters (6/21) has a mere 46-45% edge over GOP plastics manufacturer Ron Johnson, the likely Republican nominee. This poll is no fluke. For several months other data has shown Feingold well below 50% and within just a few points of several little known potential GOP opponents.

McCain, running for a fifth six-year term, probably wouldn't be vulnerable in the primary under normal circumstances, but Arizona appears to be a political powder keg where the Tea Party movement has a strong foothold. Looking at trends in other primaries so far around the country, it appears that anything can happen this year, especially with a highly frustrated electorate demanding action. It appears possible the McCain-Feingold names could yet again be joined in the next few months, but for very different reasons.