Last night I read a diary on how Speaker Ryan's offices in Washington, D.C. and Wisconsin had full mailboxes. Apparently Paul Ryan was receiving a lot of phone calls asking him about his withdrawal of support from Trump; and his plans to bolster the GOP downballot. So I decided to telephone Trump’s other Worst Enemy, John McCain's campaign office in Phoenix this morning and chat with them. This is what was said:
Staff: "Re-elect John McCain."
Me: "Hello. Could you tell me what Senator McCain is doing to save Arizona from the Democrats?"
Staff: "Just a minute."
(different voice -- a male voice)
Staff: "May I help you?"
Me: "Yes, I wanted to know what Senator McCain is doing to save Arizona from the Democrats."
Staff: "You're calling from California."
Me: "What difference does that make? I have a home in both states. (A lie). And now I'm telling everybody about Dick Morris' book. (A real whopper.) So that's what I'm doing, what's he doing?"
Staff: (pause) I’ll send you some literature. May I have your address, please?"
Me: "I'm on the mailing list. I just want to know one thing. Is Senator McCain working to replace Trump?"
(silence)
Me still: "Hello?"
Staff: "Yes -- no -- I don't know anything about that."
Me: "So Senator McCain is just sticking to his knitting, just trying to get re-elected and forget about Trump? Or anybody? Is that right?"
Staff: (pregnant pause) "Yes."
Me: "Alright, thank you, enjoy your day."
I doubt if they will enjoy much of the day over there at campaign headquarters because of this comment from a local businessman posted on the John McCain website, and it's not exactly atypical.
"I do not appreciate your campaign using my business to stage a meeting place for your supporters. Over the last two days they've obstructed my parking laying out banners and signs across my parking lot blocking a path for exit in my parking lot. This morning dozens of your supporters met in my parking lot and frightened as good amount of my guests. We do not support you and do not appreciate your supporters littering my business with pamphlets and McCain propaganda. I do not allow your opponents to stage rally's at my business, so please stop staging these impromptu campaign meetings at my place of business."
The man said, "littering my business with pamphlets and McCain propaganda." Oh, Sweet Jeebus, this is a hell of a long way from when the Straight Talk Express used to roll into town, with Big Name Republicans, straight from the Corridors of Power (straight from Hell, is more like it) and everybody used to genuflect! Oh, Arizona, Republican stronghold, bright red star in the firmament, where are you now?
McCain is going to have so much fun being a red senator from a blue state. Arizona is definitely turning purple and so, I would bet, is John McCain, just thinking about it.