I was a supporter of John McCain, but I have come to the conclusion that I am not voting for anyone who rings the phones with no regard for the voters they are calling.

It is hard for us to get to the phone and when it is an automatic message saying no more than we have heard daily on TV it is quite upsetting.

Have you any statistics on the number of voters who hang up after the first sentence?

The very legislators who passed the law that telemarketers can't impose on the public if they are not welcome, exempted themselves.

More signs our uncaring government.

I hope this gets to the people in charge and please, get me off the list.

Donna Staples

Jewell, IO

I was somewhat surprised by the "surprised" tone of Blumenthal's article. I remember very well back in 2000, when McCain was running against George W, a large part of the Arizona Republican establishment backed Bush against McCain, Senator Kyl as well as then governor Jane Dee Hull--no love lost between McCain and the governor. Also, Blumenthal fails to mention the legal entanglements and the forced resignation of Gov. Symington. Although his conviction was overturned and he he was pardoned by President Clinton, the whole story might have had an impact on the recent election in the Republican party.

That McCain, as one of the Keating Five--who still remembers the S&L scandal in the late 80s ?--would try to reactivate Gov. Symington, himself not without blemish in S&L matters, does not speak well for his political acumen.

McCain may have been the darling of independents and Democrats at a time he seemed to be distancing himself from the conservatives, but he always has carried and carries a lot of baggage.

It is sad that he is now (forced to?) pandering to the right, again. He might be outmaneuvered by another "moderate," Rudy Giuliani.

But I suspect that most of your readers would not vote for him, anyway.

Ernst August Knoke

Hamburg, Germany

It's too bad to see what has become of McCain. I think the article also provides an important expose of American politics and shortfalls of a two party system.

The candidates have to run for two elections; The first is all about securing the local base, which tends to be a slightly polarizing but involves avoiding positions or comments that would preclude your ability to be competitve in second general election.

I think McCain's candidacy is going to be a clasic example of having run too hard to his party's base (which according to this article in his home state is admonishing him) and as a result he has lost his former "electability" and charisma as the maverick politics.

It is nice to hear about people at the grassroots level taking an involved and active stance in national politics. Way to go AZ!

Geoff Cunningham

Oly, WA

You can follow much of the McCain Mutiny online at the local conservative blog.

We have several "insider" bloggers who have followed and posted on this political story for months.

Shane Wikfors
Sonoran Alliance

Mesa, AZ

McCain is a lying piece of human excrement.

It is one thing to betray your own beliefs. It is entirely another to betray the citizens of this country, to betray democracy, to put lives in danger by supporting the same types of lies and obfuscation/chicanery that put his own life in danger.

No, McCain has no base. He is base. He is evil. He should be made to pay along with his co-horts on BOTH sides of the aisle.

Craig R. Lane

Peoria, AZ

Max, it may be better to have McCain the 08 Republican candidate.

Remember he is a confessed war criminal for indiscriminate bombing of Vietnemese civilian and also violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice[UCMJ] while a POW.

Furthermore McCain complains about his treatment by the North Vietnemese AFTER THEY SAVE HIS LIFE AFTER BEING SHOT DOWN and there are photos to prove it.

His claim to fame is his being a POW. Using a Rovian tactic turn his "supposed" strength's into weaknesses. if you will.

Ken Lusk

Clayton, GA

What you are seeing in Arizona is an attempt by the grassroot Republicans to hold their leaders accountable for their actions when they deviate from the party platform.

The power flows up from the grassroots level and not down from the top. Unfortunately, many party officials and office holders have forgotten this.

By the way, Randy Pullen, the state GOP committee chair is not anti-immigrant. He is anti-illegal immigrant. There is a huge difference.

Tom Bass
Republican PC District 11

Phoenix, AZ