"Hey John, how ya' doin' big guy?

"We got this poll reflecting the strong local support you can expect to get from your fellow local Republican politicians back in Arizona.  You remember the place, right? I know we'll get our first campaign office opened up there before long and we can really get rocking.  Let's see what we got here to work with."

According to the poll, which was conducted by the Washington, D.C. firm Bennett, Petts & Normington, an explanation for McCain's slim district lead is the impact of the corruption scandal presently plaguing Republican Rep. John Shadegg,

"John, let me take that golf club from you.  Buck up, it could be worse.  Have a seat, close your eyes and think about little bunnies hopping merrily across a sunlit glade.  Isn't that nice?  That's right, put your head back and let me look into this.  Let's find the bright side.

"Hey!  At least it isn't an election scandal.  Whew!  Thank god, we'd hate to have all those local voters thinking about a corrupt local Republican fiddling with election finances or something as they go to the polls in November.  That would be awful!  This isn't as bad as it looks..."

who is accused of skirting election finance laws.

"D'oh!!

"OK, OK.  You're getting flushed, just lean back again.  No, I'll just hang onto this club for now.  This guy is probably just some newbie who won't draw a lot of attention to himself..."

Shadegg enjoys 75 percent name recognition, but only 31 percent of respondents said they will vote for Shadegg in the upcoming election.

"Wait!  Wait! This is Arizona!  None of this will matter in a state where Republicans hold the strong ground anyway.  Just calm down, John!  It's going to be O. K.!!

"Here, just breathe deeply into this paper bag and put this in the context of the historicaly strong position Republicans have in your state.  You're going to wipe the floor with this unknown Democratic upstart!  Not a thing to worry about. Not. A. Thing, Johnny boy!"

McCain only enjoys an 11-point lead over Obama in the most recent statewide poll. Obama, meantime, is gaining in popularity throughout the West, leading analysts to suggest Democrats will do very well there in state and congressional races, riding Obama's coattails in the fall.

"Gimme that bag."

Well, at least Senator McCain will have all that neat golf stuff left over after the general election.  He can take some time off, relax, knock some balls around the greens.

But I don't suggest Representative Shadegg join him on the links.  

Late Breaking: McCain Calls Arizona a Swing State!!

More from Dawn.

The McCain campaign's election strategy PowerPoint reveals that McCain and his advisers have lumped Arizona among what it is considering swing states!

-chris

Poll Is Arizona a Swing State Who am I to argue with John McCain? If McCain says so, it must be wrong If it's Red, it's a Swing State Votes: 15 Results : Vote Link : Polls