Staff Reports
In a shocking twist that could only be found in the political circus of Arizona, a group of Republicans has decided to jump aboard the Kamala Harris train, hoping that channeling the late John McCain’s spirit will help them win elections. John Giles, the mayor of Mesa and self-proclaimed “McCain Republican,” is leading this bizarre initiative, which includes former GOP state representative Robin Shaw. It’s a head-scratcher for sure, as it raises the question: have these folks lost their political marbles?
The Arizona Republican Party has taken a backseat, allowing Giles and his merry band of McCain wannabes to jab at Donald Trump while pushing for their new task force. This committee aims to reach out to disenchanted Republicans who feel like they’ve been tossed overboard by the MAGA movement. Apparently, these Republicans believe that abandoning the party’s core principles is the way to go if they want to win elections. The irony isn’t lost on anyone who remembers Trump’s public disagreements with McCain, particularly those famous remarks about the senator’s war hero status.
Washington Examiner: Republicans for Harris lean on memory of John McCain in battleground Arizona https://t.co/MpbwenMZPY
— Ian’s Newsfeed 🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@IanHNewsFeed) August 8, 2024
Giles, ever the optimist, thinks that the party should learn from its past mistakes and embrace a new, squishy brand of leadership. He’s hoping for a mass exodus of current GOP leaders in favor of a kinder, gentler approach to governance. According to him, the Republican Party continues to wallow in its ineptitude. One can only assume this flawed logic is based on the belief that voters favor Democratic policies if bundled with nostalgia for McCain’s centrist persona.
As if this wasn’t absurd enough, the number of Republicans supporting Harris continues to grow, with over 80 signing on to this campaign for Harris in Arizona. Apparently, the Harris campaign has enlisted the support of various mayors and McCain aides. One would think they’re placing all their bets on a candidate who can’t seem to secure the support of her base, hoping she’ll suddenly charm Republican voters who likely hold differing values. Peggy Neely, a former vice mayor, even claims that women are suffering from an unprecedented loss of rights thanks to Trump. The alarm bells of overreach seem to be ringing loudly, but they are apparently lost in their ears.
Despite Trump losing Arizona by a razor-thin margin in 2020, these self-styled bastions of political moderation are convinced that they can resurrect the McCain feeling among an electorate that, quite frankly, has moved on. Meanwhile, other GOP figures, such as Kari Lake, are pushing back against this trend, highlighting that the party should focus on strong conservative values. Lake even claimed to have “driven a stake through the heart of the McCain machine” during her campaign, putting her brand of American First politics front and center.
To top it all off, Giles plans to attend the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, a move that is sure to ruffle feathers within the conservative circles. While he receives a mix of negativity and unexpected support, one has to wonder whether these Republicans actually believe running to the left is the path to victory. If their strategy is successful, it could set in motion a political precedent that turns the GOP into a party that resembles a lukewarm bowl of oatmeal—nourishing for no one and appealing to even fewer.
