Politico Feature Profiles McSally: "The House GOP's Top Recruit"; "Shrugs Off" Wishy-Washy Criticism (YEAH, WE'RE LOOKING AT YOU, ARIZONA!)

Part two of Politico's featured articles on Arizona's CD2 race profiles likely Republican nominee Martha McSally - calling her the "Top Recruit" in the nation for the House GOP.

The profile centers on reporter Alex Isenstadt's Tucson visit in late April/early May, and follows last month's article that focused more on incumbent Rep. Ron Barber (D-CD2).

The article tackles the persistent criticisms that McSally's campaign tactic is to avoid addressing issues that might alienate either the GOP's conservative base or the moderates that cause this southern Arizona Congressional district to swing between the two major parties.  Both McSally and major contributor Jim Click gave Isenstadt interesting answers:

In an interview with POLITICO, McSally declined to say whether she would’ve voted for the deal to reopen the government (“I’m against shutting down the government,” she said) or whether she supported Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s much-criticized budget plan (“I have concerns about the Ryan budget,” she said).

McSally shrugs off the notion she’s wishy-washy.

“When I have a staff and I’m in Congress, I’m going to do everything I can to actually help form the issues in front of us instead of having to answer, ‘Are you going to run on this? Are you going to run on that?’” she said.

Still, even Republicans who see much promise in McSally acknowledge she has a tough fight ahead and that there are no guarantees.

“If she doesn’t win, it doesn’t make a bit of difference, does it?” said Jim Click, the Arizona automotive king who is one of the GOP’s most prolific donors. “First, let’s get her elected, and then we’ll see what happens.”

(OF RELATED INTEREST: Arizona's Politics April 18 "News Analysis: Martha McSally's Main Fundraiser: Did Republican Billionaire and Others Cloak Their Mega-Support For "Winning Women" Candidates? Marriage Equality Is Still Difficult Issue In GOP")


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