Arizona Governor Ducey Wants to Appease Trump With McCain Successor

ducey appoint mccain

The death of Senator John McCain over the weekend has begotten a whirlwind of rumor over who will be his replacement. Under current law, Governor Doug Ducey has the power to appoint a successor.

Yesterday, the big scuttlebutt was that Cindy McCain, widow of the deceased senator, was high in the running to replace McCain. Though Mrs. McCain has never served in elected office, there is a tradition in American politics were spouses are sometimes appointed to the seats of their deceased loves. (RELATED: Cindy McCain May Be Appointed to Fill John McCain’s Seat.)

An article from Politico this morning is painting a different picture over whom Gov. Ducey will appoint to succeed McCain. It would appear that Ducey is leaning against Cindy McCain, and is more willing to pick someone whom Trump will be pleased with. From the report:

Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision to replace the late John McCain is as much about his own political future as it is about filling the seat of the six-term senator and decorated war hero.

Republicans with knowledge of the governor’s thinking say he’ll have to remain deferential to Trump and the White House while also taking care not to alienate a statewide electorate ahead of a tough reelection fight in November.

It makes sense for Ducey to want to please President Trump with his pick. As the report states, the President and the Governor have become close recently, and have “come to view each other as, if not friends, then allies.” President Trump has also endorsed Ducey in his bid to keep the Republican nomination:

Now, if I had to take a wild guess, I’d say that Trump isn’t too keen on the idea of Cindy McCain taking her husband’s seat. Trump and the later Senator had a contentious relationship, to say the least. (RELATED: Report: Trump Refuses To Praise McCain As ‘Hero’ In The Wake Of His Death, Rejecting Official Statement.)

Trump is also a president who is well attuned to the demands of his base. Though not scientific, the reader response we received on our Cindy McCain story was overwhelmingly negative. The Political Insider audience largely consists of the President’s supporters. Just a cursory glance around the internet at other right-of-center sites reveals a lot of dissent to the idea of Cindy McCain getting the appointment.

So, time for a little syllogism. First, Trump and his base don’t want another McCain to represent Arizona. Second, Governor Ducey wants to maintain Trump’s approval. Therefore, he won’t appoint Cindy McCain.

Other names floating around for the nomination include Maj. Gen. Michael McGuire, former Sen. Jon Kyl, and former Representative Matt Salmon.

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We’ll just have to wait and see whom Ducey chooses.

49 thoughts on “Arizona Governor Ducey Wants to Appease Trump With McCain Successor”

  1. Dear Governor Ducey,
    As a guy who voted for you day before yesterday, I don’t want you to try to appease anyone. Your job is to select someone who will follow the constitution regardless of who likes or dislikes the selected person. If it turns out that Trump likes the person fine. But that person’s job isn’t to please Trump. It’s to help run the country in a constitutional manner.

  2. WHy not pick the person who wins the GOP Primary? They would then be able to run as an incumbent in November, and incumbents almost always get re-elected.

  3. WHy not pick the person who wins the GOP Primary? They would then be able to run as an incumbent in November, and incumbents almost always get re-elected.

  4. So I’m lying on the operating table when I’m told my neurosurgeon has died. “Don’t worry. His wife will be doing your operation. She’s not a surgeon, but she’s lived with one.” Ah! Now I feel better!

  5. So I’m lying on the operating table when I’m told my neurosurgeon has died. “Don’t worry. His wife will be doing your operation. She’s not a surgeon, but she’s lived with one.” Ah! Now I feel better!

  6. Cindy McCain is just another RINO who would stonewall Trump at every turn. Arizona needs a better rep in the Senate, who will at lease adhere to conservative principles.

  7. Barbara Barrett, probably one of the smartest woman in the private sector. Barbara Barrett (born December 26, 1950)[1] is an American businesswoman and diplomat.[2] Barrett is chair of the Aerospace Corporation and a member of the boards of California Institute of Technology,[3] Jet Propulsion Laboratory, RAND Corporation, Smithsonian Institution, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, and Lasker Foundation. Barrett earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees at Arizona State University. Honorary doctorates have been conferred by ASU, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Thunderbird, University of South Carolina, Pepperdine University and Finlandia University. Barrett was founding chair of Valley Bank of Arizona, partner in a large Phoenix law firm and, before she was 30, an executive of two global Fortune 500 companies. In her community, Barrett was chair of the Arizona District Export Council, World Affairs Council, and Economic Club of Phoenix. She also served on the boards of Space Foundation, Milton Hershey School, and Hershey Trust Company, Mayo Clinic, Exponent Corporation, Raytheon, and Piper Aircraft. An instrument-rated pilot, Barrett was the first civilian woman to land an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier.

  8. Barbara Barrett, probably one of the smartest woman in the private sector. Barbara Barrett (born December 26, 1950)[1] is an American businesswoman and diplomat.[2] Barrett is chair of the Aerospace Corporation and a member of the boards of California Institute of Technology,[3] Jet Propulsion Laboratory, RAND Corporation, Smithsonian Institution, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, and Lasker Foundation. Barrett earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees at Arizona State University. Honorary doctorates have been conferred by ASU, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Thunderbird, University of South Carolina, Pepperdine University and Finlandia University. Barrett was founding chair of Valley Bank of Arizona, partner in a large Phoenix law firm and, before she was 30, an executive of two global Fortune 500 companies. In her community, Barrett was chair of the Arizona District Export Council, World Affairs Council, and Economic Club of Phoenix. She also served on the boards of Space Foundation, Milton Hershey School, and Hershey Trust Company, Mayo Clinic, Exponent Corporation, Raytheon, and Piper Aircraft. An instrument-rated pilot, Barrett was the first civilian woman to land an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier.

  9. Thank you PI for not crying about McCain’s death in office. I will always have one question why would McCain stay in office knowing his brain was literally being eaten alive? What were the perks? Did he really wish his wife to take over like she is the Queen of England? Besides resenting the hell out of President Trump for getting elected when he was a bad pick to begin with and a predictable big loser, my second part of the same question is how did McCain’s voters get hoodwinked into voting him into ding in office, does it save them the state tax of burying him?
    Term Limits. Why? McCain. Who needs more proof we need TERM LIMITS?

  10. There is a simple solution to this. McCain’s term runs until 2022! So pick the second place finisher of the current Republican primary. My pick would be Sheriff “JOE!” if for no other reason (which there are many) then to “PISS THE LEFT OFF!!!” ():-)

  11. I think you’re right and I’m surprised I didn’t think of it myself. Joe has the right attitude. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I heard about his prison policies.

  12. I think you’re right and I’m surprised I didn’t think of it myself. Joe has the right attitude. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I heard about his prison policies.

  13. Before anything else, I’d like to know why anyone thought that Cindy deserved the seat, but that’s just a minor issue. I think if the governor wants to keep his job, he had better not appoint anyone who isn’t a true republican. We don’t need any more RINOs in the senate. I was a little surprised that Barbara – the first woman who ran for governor in AZ – wasn’t on the short list. I don’t know if she would be good or not – not until she was actually seated and voting; the same goes for any of the candidates. However, what I do know is that I don’t remember seeing any strong women in the republican party thinking about the presidency after Trump’s 8 years. The democrats have lots of nutcases waiting for the chance. I think we need to have at least one to run against them so they can’t use gender against our base. They always claim we have a “boys only” club. I’m not sure who I’m voting for today yet, but we shall see how it goes.

  14. Certainly hope the Governor of AZ will NOT appoint Cindy McCain! A tradition in America, my a–, that is the most stupid thing to do. We need people that are in step with the current President. Why would a family member be appointed is beyond me! That is total BS!!

  15. I really hope that Gov Ducey will appoint somebody good for the republican party, loyal, and have interest in AZ and US. Somebody who will not be a RINO and corrupt.

  16. Dear Governor Ducey,
    As a guy who voted for you day before yesterday, I don’t want you to try to appease anyone. Your job is to select someone who will follow the constitution regardless of who likes or dislikes the selected person. If it turns out that Trump likes the person fine. But that person’s job isn’t to please Trump. It’s to help run the country in a constitutional manner.

  17. So I’m lying on the operating table when I’m told my neurosurgeon has died. “Don’t worry. His wife will be doing your operation. She’s not a surgeon, but she’s lived with one.” Ah! Now I feel better!

  18. Barbara Barrett, probably one of the smartest woman in the private sector. Barbara Barrett (born December 26, 1950)[1] is an American businesswoman and diplomat.[2] Barrett is chair of the Aerospace Corporation and a member of the boards of California Institute of Technology,[3] Jet Propulsion Laboratory, RAND Corporation, Smithsonian Institution, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, and Lasker Foundation. Barrett earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and law degrees at Arizona State University. Honorary doctorates have been conferred by ASU, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Thunderbird, University of South Carolina, Pepperdine University and Finlandia University. Barrett was founding chair of Valley Bank of Arizona, partner in a large Phoenix law firm and, before she was 30, an executive of two global Fortune 500 companies. In her community, Barrett was chair of the Arizona District Export Council, World Affairs Council, and Economic Club of Phoenix. She also served on the boards of Space Foundation, Milton Hershey School, and Hershey Trust Company, Mayo Clinic, Exponent Corporation, Raytheon, and Piper Aircraft. An instrument-rated pilot, Barrett was the first civilian woman to land an F/A-18 Hornet on an aircraft carrier.

  19. Thank you PI for not crying about McCain’s death in office. I will always have one question why would McCain stay in office knowing his brain was literally being eaten alive? What were the perks? Did he really wish his wife to take over like she is the Queen of England? Besides resenting the hell out of President Trump for getting elected when he was a bad pick to begin with and a predictable big loser, my second part of the same question is how did McCain’s voters get hoodwinked into voting him into ding in office, does it save them the state tax of burying him?
    Term Limits. Why? McCain. Who needs more proof we need TERM LIMITS?

  20. There is a simple solution to this. McCain’s term runs until 2022! So pick the second place finisher of the current Republican primary. My pick would be Sheriff “JOE!” if for no other reason (which there are many) then to “PISS THE LEFT OFF!!!” ():-)

  21. Ducey knows that if he doesn’t pick a pro Trump candidate his career is over , he would be voted out for sure next time he’s up for re election.

  22. Before anything else, I’d like to know why anyone thought that Cindy deserved the seat, but that’s just a minor issue. I think if the governor wants to keep his job, he had better not appoint anyone who isn’t a true republican. We don’t need any more RINOs in the senate. I was a little surprised that Barbara – the first woman who ran for governor in AZ – wasn’t on the short list. I don’t know if she would be good or not – not until she was actually seated and voting; the same goes for any of the candidates. However, what I do know is that I don’t remember seeing any strong women in the republican party thinking about the presidency after Trump’s 8 years. The democrats have lots of nutcases waiting for the chance. I think we need to have at least one to run against them so they can’t use gender against our base. They always claim we have a “boys only” club. I’m not sure who I’m voting for today yet, but we shall see how it goes.

  23. Certainly hope the Governor of AZ will NOT appoint Cindy McCain! A tradition in America, my a–, that is the most stupid thing to do. We need people that are in step with the current President. Why would a family member be appointed is beyond me! That is total BS!!

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