July 12, 2006
McCain Steps In Another Contested Southern Republican Primary
A special election to replace retiring LA sec/state Al Ater has attracted three well-funded Democrats and two Republicans with a serious shot.
Nervous Republicans have tried to broker a peace and convince one of their two candidates -- ex-party chair Mike Francis and State Sen. Jay Dardenne -- to drop out.
No deal.
Now, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) appears in a new ad for Francis that's airing in the Baton Rogue market.
McCain: "I'm John McCain. Like mnay of you in Louisiana, I also know about difficult times. But good people and strong leaders can make a difference. Good people like Mike Francis, who wants to be your next Secretary of State. Mike Francis is a succesful small businessman, a solid conservative and an independent-minded leader who fights for reform. I'm proud to support Mike Francis. Mike Francis stands for ran even better Lousiana."
That McCain endorses in competitive primaries is risky, but it's a sign of both his confidence as a frontrunner and his willingness to make the tough choices necessary to get real allies -- especially in the South -- in his corner.
The open primary is set for September 30.
A side note: McCain will be well represented at the Southern Governors Association conference in New Orleans this weekend. He remains in the good graces of SGA chair Haley Barbour, perhaps the deep south's most powerful governor since George W. Bush. [MARC AMBINDER]
Posted at 09:50 AM
Comments
Post a comment
The Watergate · 600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-739-8400 · fax 202-833-8069
NationalJournal.com is an Atlantic Media publication.
