Conservatives Top 2016 Target: John McCain

While the primary politics of 2016 may not afford movement conservatives a great many opportunities to take on establishment Republicans in primaries, there si one notable exception. 

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be 80 years old, if or when he stands for re-election. On top of that, he’s the establishment Republican many conservatives lov3e to hate most and there are reasons to think he’s vulnerable. Issues-wise, he’s weak on immigration, the Bush tax cuts and cap and trade. There also appear to be viable challengers, should McCain opt to not retire, as many either wish, or believe he should.

Reps. Matt Salmon and David Schweikert are two high-profile potential recruits that conservatives have been eyeing for some time; back in April, Citizens United Political Victory Fund released a robopoll showing McCain trailing both congressmen–and behind Salmon by double-digits–in hypothetical matchups. Schweikert, for his part, has already said he would “weigh his options” over the holidays and look to polling numbers for guidance.

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