There's fresh evidence GOP Congressman David Schweikert is still mulling a primary against Sen. John McCain: a fundraising email Wednesday for Schweikert from the chair of the conservative FreedomWorks PAC.
The pitch: Schweikert is the next Ted Cruz. And he won't run unless he has conservative support. Here's the text from PAC chairman Adam Brandon:
Did you know that John McCain used his power in the Senate to fast-track Hillary Clinton's nomination as Secretary of State?Did you know he called Hillary "obviously qualified" and voted to confirm her? If Hillary wins the White House in 2016, how do you think John McCain is going to act? Do you think he'll fight his old Senate buddy or will he support a disturbing amount of Hillary's radical agenda?
I don't know about you, but FreedomWorks PAC doesn't want to take that risk. And that's why we're going to do everything we can to replace McCain with a principled conservative. We're trying to convince Arizona Congressman David Schweikert to primary McCain. But he won't run unless he knows he has the support of grassroots conservatives like you. And that's why I'm asking you to help us raise $20,000 to support Rep. Schweikert right now. The only way we'll meet that goal is if you chip in at least $5 right now.
Rep. David Schweikert is the next Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, or Rand Paul. He's got a 97% lifetime score with FreedomWorks, and he will work tirelessly to protect and defend the Constitution, as he has done throughout his career in the House of Representatives. And if you chip in just $5 right now, you can help fire McCain and draft David Schweikert.FreedomWorks also posted a blog Wednesday slamming McCain.
Schweikert is believed to be taking until February to make up his mind about a primary against McCain. Former GOP State Sen. Kelli Ward is his leading opponent in the August primary, but she has not rallied major conservative donors.
Schweikert told me late last year that he didn't believe McCain could beat Democratic Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick in the general election.
