Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) implied that he would run for another Senate term in 2016 and is worried that he is the top target of conservatives and Tea partiers who have never trusted him.
“You have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” McCain told MSNBC on Wednesday when asked if he would run for reelection in 2016. “I definitely think that I would have to absolutely anticipate a tea party candidate or two or three… everybody tells me that I’m the number one target of the tea partiers.”
McCain told the left-wing outlet that he was “absolutely” leaning toward running again and said he talked with “finance people in the state,” in addition to “different groups and organizations ranging from the Arizona Chamber to the Southern Arizona Defense Alliance to build the coalitions we need to build” for reelection.
In 2010, McCain survived a primary with less-than-formidable challengers (J.D. Hayworth) in large part because former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin loyally endorsed him. McCain also cut a campaign commercial promising to build the “danged fence” along the border.
As soon as he was reelected, McCain turned his back on Tea Partiers who gave him one more chance. He not only called Tea Partiers “hobbits” and “wacko birds,” but he spearheaded the “Gang of Eight” comprehensive amnesty bill along with Senators like Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC).
McCain will be 80 years of age in 2016.