September 4, 2018

"Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl will be John McCain's successor in the U.S. Senate."

AZcentral reports.
Jon Kyl, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the U.S. Senate... will fly to Washington, D.C., following [Gov.] Ducey’s announcement. He retired in 2013 after rising to become the second-highest-ranking Republican senator.

Kyl has agreed to serve at least through the end of the year, a representative for Ducey said. If he opts to step down after the end of the session, the Republican governor would be required to appoint another replacement, the aide said.

71 comments:

Leland said...

Here, hold this.

rhhardin said...

Vicious, thin-skinned, tending to tell mean and inappropriate jokes. What was good about John McCain, according to Mark Steyn.

gspencer said...

Better than another McCain.

clint said...

Good choice.

M Jordan said...

I wonder if Cindy or Meghan McCain were in the running until the funeral, particularly the revelation about Sarah apalin being disinvited.

Browndog said...

Solid.

Big Mike said...

I don’t know much about Kyl. Can anyone from Arizona fill me in? On paper he seems like a good choice.

Etienne said...

The Governor should appoint a new Senator every month. Give everyone a chance to be a Senator for 3 weeks.

I mean, all you have to do is show up to vote, the rest of the time you are in a sports bar or motel.

Bay Area Guy said...

Even tempered, solid conservative. Good selection.

I still think he shoulda changed the spelling of his last name to "Kyle" which just looks more aesthetically pleasing in print.

John Kyle is cool.

John Kyl is less cool.

Virgil Hilts said...

I was surprised it was Kyl because I didn't think Kyl wanted it, but then I saw until "the end of the year" -- does that mean December 31? Probably makes sense, avoid a lot of disruption with 8 weeks left to go before the election. This is going to be one hell of an election year in Arizona.

readering said...

Cindy mcCain tweeted her approval.

Francisco D said...

This appointment seems fair.

Kyl is a placeholder (retired AZ Senator) until the 2002 election. The primary voters can decide their candidates and the electorate can decide who to vote for. No candidate gets a leg up by being appointed.

As a new Arizonan, it seems like tons of the people here are new to the state and have no idea who Jon Kyl is. The only reason I know is because I have been following politics for a long time.

Francisco D said...

Make that 2020 election.

eric said...

Kyl is a rare breed. He actually quit. Which is rare in the Senate.

Hopefully he is better than McCain.

Chuck said...

Bay Area Guy said...
Even tempered, solid conservative. Good selection.


LOL! Just imagine saying that, about Trump. "Even tempered, solid conservative..."

But it is true, regarding John Kyl. He is even-tempered, with solid conservative credentials. He was in the Senate Republican leadership (Minority/Majority Whip); and since retirement has been a lawyer and lobbyist with Covington & Burling. He was a lobbyist before he was ever a Senator, in fact.

You all realize, he was Brett Kavanaugh's "Sherpa" until today? Perhaps he still will be. Nothing formalistic about being a "Sherpa." Or perhaps they could re-enlist Kelly Ayotte. Kelly Ayotte, whom some of you with memory spans longer than 8 hours will remember from John McCain's memorial service, was Justice Gorsuch's Sherpa (she confirmed the "demoralizing" and "disheartening" conversation between Gorsuch and Blumenthal).

California Snow said...

Kyl is good and well respected in AZ. People know who Kyl is.

President-Mom-Jeans said...

Huge upgrade. Kyle is a better choice than John McBrainCancer ever was. Plus he actually will be in DC by mid week and in plenty of time for the Kavanaugh vote.

Smart move by the Governor, I'm glad he avoided what would have been a disasterous choice in either of the Death O Rama hosting McCain twats.

Arizona will finally have a vote. A good day.

Leland said...

Trump is an even tempered, solid conservative.

Unlike say John McCain, who would campaign as a conservative but legislate whatever his whim of the day, and whose vitriol extended beyond the grave to show contempt for his former running mate.

But to answer Eric, that Kyl quit shows how much better he is than McCain.

Nonapod said...

Meanwhile the Dems are behaving like jackasses during the Kavanaugh hearings.

Chuck said...

So Chemtrail Kelli Ward misses her third shot at an Arizona Senate seat.

Three strikes and you're out?

Trumpit said...

There are no good Republicans. They all must be defeated if the planet is to survive.

Yancey Ward said...

Ducey should have selected someone planning to run in 2020, but I understand his political calculation here- such a selection might not serve Ducey's interest this November. So, as a political maneuver, Kyl is the right choice for Ducey.

traditionalguy said...

Kyl is a winner at every level. I wish he was younger.

Henry said...

John Kyl is less cool.

I disagree. It's his first name that is too long.

He should call himself Jn Kyl

n.n said...

And thus ends the Soviet threat. RIP.

Wince said...

Wait until you see Kyl's funeral!

Sebastian said...

The difference between Trump and MCain is that McCain was less conservative in office than in his campaign(s), while Trump has been more conservative in office than in his campaign.

The other difference is that McCain was a mean-spirited thin-skinned SOB who took insults personally while Trump is a mean-spirited thick-skinned SOB who uses insults to his advantage.

Bay Area Guy said...

@Chuck,

Bay Area Guy said...
Even tempered, solid conservative. Good selection.



LOL! Just imagine saying that, about Trump. "Even tempered, solid conservative..."

Nah, I wouldn't describe Trump that way. I would describe Trump as "the wild, unpredictable Patriot this country needs to fight leftist, globalist, elitism."

Michael Fitzgerald said...

Senate Democrat party members behaving themselves in typical mob and thug manner. But all the cucks will tell you that it's Trump's fault, cause he causes the chaos.

mockturtle said...

Though I am currently an AZ resident, I was not when Kyl was in office. But I've not heard anything bad about him. That, in itself, might be bad. Maybe he's one of those 'statesmen' who just hold onto their seats without doing anything or making any waves but he's bound to be an improvement over McCain.

tim in vermont said...

Cindy mcCain tweeted her approval.

We are soooo relieved!

Mr. Groovington said...

Blogger rhhardin said...
Vicious, thin-skinned, tending to tell mean and inappropriate jokes. What was good about John McCain, according to Mark Steyn.

Went to his site and so I guess it wasn’t in a piece. Got a link elsewhere?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Does this mean the McCain funeral is officially over?

tim in vermont said...

particularly the revelation about Sarah apalin being disinvited.

The way he treated Palin makes you wonder about his status as a war hero loyal to his comrades who had gone through battle with him.

Chuck said...

Why won't John Kyl be more like Jeff Flake and Bob Corker, than Ted Cruz or Marsha Blackburn?

It's not Kyl's record for conservatism that I find striking; I always knew about that.

But Kyl will not be running for that seat in 2020. Kyl will not need to appeal to Trump/Tea Party primary voters. Kyl can work with his very good friends and former Republican leadership colleagues Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn and John Thune. Kyl doesn't have to placate Trumpists.

It would be different, if the person appointed to the remainder of the term was a younger person who wanted to run for the seat in the next general election. I expect that Kyl will not do that. That is what I like about this appointment. Gov. Ducey gave it to a Republican, and not a Trumpist.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Here is the joke allegedly told by McCain at a 1998 fundraiser:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?

Because her father is Janet Reno."

William said...

That seat is gold. Maybe the Governor can churn it a few more times.

readering said...

Kyl leaving at end of year means that a defeated republican this fall can be appointed.

DanTheMan said...

>>Because her father is Janet Reno

Nope. Webb Hubbell.

Yancey Ward said...

All I can say, Chuck, is this- at least Kyl won't have to work with Hillary Clinton.

Chuck said...

AJ Lynch said...
Here is the joke allegedly told by McCain at a 1998 fundraiser:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?

Because her father is Janet Reno."


I believe that the story is true to an extent that "allegedly" need not be applied. And moreover, that McCain himself regretted it. He regretted it, to the extent that he called it a stupid and cruel remark on his part. And he apologized to all of the Clintons personally and in writing.

cf. Trump, Donald J.

Yancey Ward said...

See, Readering, you can be better! That was an excellent point, and one I had not thought of until I saw you make it.

Chuck said...

Yancey Ward said...
All I can say, Chuck, is this- at least Kyl won't have to work with Hillary Clinton.


You can say that, and I'd agree that it is a good thing.

Eleanor said...

Kyl is a sure vote to confirm Kavanaugh. That's good enough for right now. When things settle down, the Governor can look for the candidate he'd like to be elected in 2020 and give that person a leg up. With Kyl on board there won't be any ramp up time needed during the confirmation hearings and the mid-terms. This is sound political planning.

Jupiter said...

Leland said...
"Trump is an even tempered, solid conservative."

I think not. He has a fairly even temper, managing to endure constant abuse without letting it bother him, but his conservatism is mostly just pragmatism. But what is desirable in a legislator is not what is needed in an executive office, which is why we generally prefer Governors to Senators as Presidents.

Francisco D said...

From the local AZ press: "After leaving the Senate, Kyl joined the high-powered Washington, D.C., law firm Covington & Burling. As senior adviser, he helps clients on issues ranging from tax, health care, defense, national security and intellectual property. In 2006, Time magazine named Kyl one of America's 10 best senators."

Something to think about - Chuckles and Time think highly of Jon Kyl.

He will be a loyal Republican, but is he loyal to the revolving door riches or to principle?

robother said...

Lindsay Graham proclaimed the epitaph that should be engraved on McCain's] tombstone:

He taught us how to lose.

Howard said...

Right choice

Kate said...

Kyl was a good Senator. Solid pick. I'm sure Trump knew about it before he endorsed Ducey in the primary.

Drago said...

"LOL! Just imagine saying that, about Trump. "Even tempered, solid conservative..."'

Try this one on: President Kyle.

Nope. Could never happen.

We got Trump, and the most conservative policy governance in a hundred years.
The best part is how sad that makes Chucks dem heroes.

#Winning

tim in vermont said...

It all just looks like one of those Forest Gump memes. “And just like that, McCain went from being the guy it was “fiercely urgent” to defeat to being a national hero.

tim in vermont said...

I have to say though, and I have to. give liberals credit on this one, up until that funeral, I didn’t really believe that George W. Bush was a drooling idiot.

rhhardin said...

Went to his site and so I guess it wasn’t in a piece. Got a link elsewhere?

Steyn said it on the air, hosting Rush, at the time the comment was posted.

Bruce Hayden said...

“Ducey should have selected someone planning to run in 2020, but I understand his political calculation here- such a selection might not serve Ducey's interest this November. So, as a political maneuver, Kyl is the right choice for Ducey.”

Agreed. Another McCain, while popular nationally, would have hurt Ducey’s chances of re-election this year. If Ducey loses, Kyle resigns before he leaves office, and Ducey can appoint someone else, or even himself. If he wins, then the pressure will be off, and he can take his time. If the Republicans expand their majority in the Senate, he could potentially appoint a McCain. Or maybe even Sarah Palin. We shall see.

McCain was always a maverick, for which AZ seemed to have a love/hate relationship. Two Flaky Senators though was too much. I would not be surprised if Ducey ran this by Trump first, who probably agreed to come to AZ to campaign for him and McSally. I expect that Trump was happy, very likely getting the most stable vote he could from those in contention for the seat.

Jim at said...

Gee. How quaint. The citizens of Arizona have a Republican senator representing them again.

Now was that so hard?

AustinRoth said...

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno."

While a funny joke, the likely truth is even funnier - her dad is Webb Hubbell: https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Donald/comments/6fyd6z/chelsea_clinton_compared_to_rebecca_hubbell_they/

Fernandinande said...

Nope. Webb Hubbell.

She had plastic surgery to make her look like Hubbell so people wouldn't realize that Janet Reno was her father.

Bill Clinton's real offspring look like Danney Williams-Clinton.

Fernandinande said...

He should call himself Jn Kyl

The high-powered Washington law-talking guy formerly known as Jonkyl.

Dave in Tucson said...

Not the worst pick, I suppose, but it seems odd to me that it seems like the Republicans were caught up short here.

McCain's health status wasn't exactly a secret, and the R's really should've been grooming somebody to run for the seat when McCain could no longer serve.

RobinGoodfellow said...

Hopefully he is better than McCain.

That’s a pretty low bar.

Ralph L said...

Ducey is probably waiting for a better offer.

Ralph L said...

If he loses reelection, he could appoint himself if Kyl quits.

Drago said...

Dave in Tucson: "Not the worst pick, I suppose, but it seems odd to me that it seems like the Republicans were caught up short here."

The repubs had 7 years to create their obamacare repeal and replace plan as well...and we see how that went.


Gospace said...

McCain was still senator when he died. Everyone else mentioned is an ex-senator.

U.S.Flag code refers to the flag at half staff for members of congress, not former members. For a former member of congress: . In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. So for Hillary the governor of NY could order the flag at half staff in NY. Even though she was only a senator from our state but never actually represented it.

Chuck said...

Drago said...
Dave in Tucson: "Not the worst pick, I suppose, but it seems odd to me that it seems like the Republicans were caught up short here."

The repubs had 7 years to create their obamacare repeal and replace plan as well...and we see how that went.


Doesn't matter. Trump is going to repeal and replace Obamacare. And we'll get great health care out of it. And because it's Trump that will be leading us, it will be easy. So easy!

JackWayne said...

So Ducey picked a guy that only want to serve 3.5 months? I think Ducey screwed the poochy in likely the most important decision he’s had as a governor. Until he proves otherwise, I consider him a dullard.

grackle said...

More palace intrigue bullshit from a notable anti-Trumper. That has already been debunked, by the way. Toddlers love candy and NeverTrumpers love their anti-Trump babble.

Below is a quote about the book from the article:

Woodward writes that his book is drawn from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand participants and witnesses that were conducted on “deep background,” meaning the information could be used but he would not reveal who provided it.

Readers, do you wonder as I do why these palace intrigue revelations are always concocted from mysterious unnamed sources?

Darrell said...

It's easy for Trump to get things done when he doesn't have to rely on Republicans like Chuck. Take the trade deals, for example.

Phil 314 said...

Good choice.

Drago said...

LLR Chuck, desperately flailing again to cover for his McCainiacs who never had any intention whatsoever of ever seriously opposing LLR Chuck's "magnificent" Obama's signature legislative achievement.

LOL

Absolutely no one is fooled any longer by LLR Chuck's "TruCons" game.

And that, dear readers, is a very very good thing.

Even better, LLR Chucks dem pals have been exposed even more!!

Which explains Chuck's increasing desperation!

Hey, the lefties are increasingly desperate as well......hmmmmmmmmmm.

Drago said...

Grackle: "Readers, do you wonder as I do why these palace intrigue revelations are always concocted from mysterious unnamed sources?"

Lefty writers have to generate more and more content to satisfy the insatiable thirst for republican/conservative destruction demanded by the insane left/LLR's.

Its not complicated.