Sources: Sen. McCain Spent 2014 Attacking Tea Party Behind The Scenes
“It’s very clear what’s going on..."
Avatar of B. Christopher Agee B. Christopher Agee — December 31, 2014
According to a recent Politico report, numerous sources familiar with the Arizona political scene confirm Sen. John McCain has been working diligently to marginalize and silence his many Tea Party-affiliated critics. A coalition of conservative Republicans began 2014 by censuring the longtime lawmaker, reportedly prompting him to strike back with a concerted attack on those he sees as a threat.
Politico described McCain’s plan, which allegedly relied on promoting his allies to the position of precinct committeemen who, in turn, stacked party offices with supporters of the senator’s platform.
The ostensible evidence of this effort is found in a comparison of precinct positions before and after last August’s election. Prior to the turnover, a small percentage of the state’s nearly 4,000 slots were held by individuals McCain considered friends. Afterward, however, about 40 percent of these positions were filled by allies.
Through the formation of a super PAC supported by several wealthy McCain backers, reports indicate funds were distributed to preferred candidates.
Timothy Schwartz, who was behind the aforementioned censure, was one of the precinct chairmen voted out. He has no qualms about placing the blame for his defeat squarely on McCain’s shoulders.
“It’s very clear what’s going on,” he explained. “Look, John McCain has prominence and money and influence; and because of that, he thinks he can ramrod us.”
Many of McCain’s supporters also confirm he was behind the push to replace critics with friends, though they generally see the effort as a positive political move.
“A lot of the party folks who were hostile to John McCain have been marginalized,” said McCain associate Gordon James, “and that’s a good thing.”
Mike Hellon, the 78-year-old’s former deputy campaign manager, said McCain was “very unhappy with the censure and wanted to make sure it never happened again.”
Read more at
http://www.westernjournalism.com/sources-sen-mccain-spent-2014-attacking-tea-party-behind-scenes/#7HO7RHaq07oyYKPe.99
