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CO-Sen: McCain Does it Again |
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Today, an article from the Rocky Mountain News presented the similarities between Mark Udall, Colorado’s Democratic candidate for Senate, and John “hundred year war” McCain.
Among the ties that bind is Udall’s father, the former Democratic congressman from Arizona Mo Udall. Apparently, Mo and McCain were tight, and so, when asked for his opinion of Mark, the “maverick” said “I love him. He’s a fine young man.” (Note: Udall turns 58 this year, which qualifies him as a “young man” to McCain)
The two also share stances on critical issues, most notably immigration reform, stem cell research, and a federal marriage amendment.
But the symmetry is not absolute. The two differ on what, for many, is the most critical issue of all: the war in Iraq. Udall is against it, McCain is for prolonging it indefinitely.
In light of that last bit, we can see that the link between the two is more familial than ideological. The story is not that Udall is like McCain, or even that McCain is like Udall. The story is that, sometimes, John McCain votes like a Democrat.
In reaction to the article, a conservative Colorado blog made a concerted effort to distance the two. They don’t want a Democratic candidate for the Senate associated with the Republican presidential candidate because, out in Colorado, that could do Udall’s campaign a tremendous service. On the other side of the aisle, most progressive voters would cringe at having their candidate associated with McCain and his lobbyist-infested bid for the presidency.
So, there you have it. In yet another, albeit awkward, example of McCain’s ability to transcend party politics, he has bridged the gap between conservatives and progressives on this issue; neither side wants a Democratic candidate associated with him.
What do you think about Obama vis-a-vis Colorado? Do you think he would boost Udall’s chances?
honestly, I think a perceived endorsement from McCain (cause the maverick hasn’t explicitly endorsed udall and won’t) is worth much more than anything Obama could offer. It seems to me, and I could be wrong, that any one who would be swayed by Obama’s support is already voting for Udall. Those who could swing either way are more likely to give McCain’s view more weight.