by Todd Brendan Fahey

March 31, 2006

With the impending retirement of "moderate" Republican Congressman Jim Kolbe--a member of the world-government oriented Council on Foreign Relations and the only avowed GOP homosexual in Congress; another tilt at the Presidency by Senator John McCain (also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations), which, should he lose in 2008 will likely be his political swan song; and with Don Goldwater, a nephew of the state's favorite son, battling unpopular Democrat Governor Janet Napolitano, the state of Arizona stands as a microcosm of the general condition of the Republican party.

The strongest opponent to replace Kolbe is Randy Graf--who forged an impressive run in the 2004 GOP primary and lost in single-digits (43%) to Kolbe.  Graf, a former club golf professional and member of the PGA, has been active at the local level of Arizona politics since his election to the Continental School District Governing Board in 1994 and as Board President in 1998.  His endorsements for the 2006 Congressional bid include immigration foe Rep. Trent Franks (and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo), 19 sitting state representatives and six current state senators.  The district leaned 53% for Bush in 2004, giving Graf a clear lead in his 2006 GOP bid.

The immigration-friendly GOP establishment has introduced Mike Hellon--a tax consultant and former Vietnam veteran--as its primary candidate.  Hellon is unlikely to win the primary, but might be enticed into running as a 3rd-party "independent" spoiler to derail Graf in the general elections.  Among his supporters are over a dozen "moderate" GOP state legislators.  Said to have the backing of John McCain, Hellon states on his election page: "And, like Senator John McCain, I will fight to end Washington pork, by working to end abusive Congressional earmarks."

McCain, himself, has newly earned himself vocal criticism at the popular FreeRepublic.com discussion site.  Founder/owner Jim Robinson came out on March 22 with a shot over the bow, declaring: John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts....

Robinson's screed attacked McCain largely on the issue of Campaign Finance Reform, which is feared by members of FreeRepublic.com to serve as a stifling effect on it, and similar politically-active, sites prior to primary and general elections.

When asked of President Bush's signage of "CFR," Robinson called the act, "indefensible."

McCain will be 75 years old upon another run at U.S. Senate.  With the effects of illegal immigration depleting state coffers and entangling the state's health and medical services, the climate of the Arizona Republican party is changing rapidly.  Congressmen Trent Franks and J.D. Hayworth attended and endorsed the civilian Minuteman Project, co-founded by Tombstone, Arizona publisher Chris Simcox.  Jim Kolbe, a longtime immigration dove, may well be replaced with a genuine Old Right voice in Randy Graf.

All eyes should be on Arizona over the next two years.  Its political makeup will serve as barometer of America's patience.