Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) has a new TV ad in his challenge against Sen. John McCain in the Republican primary, reminding voters of McCain’s past work on immigration reform alongside the late liberal icon Ted Kennedy — and also tying McCain to President Obama.
The ad plays old video of McCain: “I helped author with Senator Kennedy comprehensive immigration reform and fought for it twice.” The ad then also shows old video of Obama: “I stood with Ted Kennedy and John McCain and took on this tough issue.”
McCain has tacked noticeably right on immigration, supporting Arizona’s new law cracking down on illegal immigration and running an ad in which he casts his fight on the issue as “a President versus a Senator.”. But Hayworth certainly isn’t leaving McCain’s previous push on this issue alone.
The TPM Poll Average gives McCain a lead of 52.3%-30.6%. The Republican primary will be held on August 24.