McCain using his stimulus opposition to fund his fifth campaign Senate term

McCain to run for fifth Senate term, hits Obama stimulus in fundraising effortPhoenix Business Journal
2/11/09

View Larger U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Tuesday he is definitely running for reelection in 2010 and has begun using criticism of the $838 billion federal economic stimulus plan as a platform to raise money.

McCain, 72, had given indications of a run for fifth term, but publicly told supporters in a fundraising e-mail Tuesday he is definitely seeking reelection. He also used the opportunity to criticize Democrats over the spending package.

“The economic challenges currently confronting our nation are immense and unfortunately, the Democrats in Congress propose addressing these challenges through increased spending that wastes billions of taxpayers dollars and saddles our children and grandchildren with a staggering debt. Their proposals will not stimulate economic growth or create jobs,” McCain said in the e-mail.

McCain lost the 2008 presidential race to Barack Obama and there was speculation during and after the race that he might step down from his long-held Senate seat. McCain could face a challenge from former Arizona governor and current U.S. Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, a Democrat, in the 2010 race.