McCain Leans Right Ahead of Primary

John McCain is shimmying to the right and focusing on local Arizona issues ahead of what could be a tough primary challenge from former congressman JD Hayworth. A recent poll has McCain’s favorable rating at just 40%, the lowest since 1994 when he was embroiled in the Keating Five scandal. The senator kept mostly mum about the recent Supreme Court decision on campaign finance, a pet issue, and has taken immigration reform off his plate.

McCain also has taken a keen interest in the Arizona economy, particularly its battered copper industry. This normally wouldn't be a tough race, but “there is this latent anti-incumbent, anti-establishment sentiment,” Rep. John Shadegg tells the Hill. Hayworth is going after McCain as a "big spender" who's soft on immigration, the latter issue a huge one in the state. (More John McCain stories.)