Arizona Republic:
TUCSON – U.S. Sen. John McCain, fresh off announcing he will run for re-election in 2016, drew promises of support at a meeting of southern Arizona defense hawks Friday, as he praised the state’s missile-defense industry and criticized the Obama administration’s emerging deal with Iran.
McCain was joined by U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, the Tucson freshman and retired A-10 pilot who was the first female airman to fly in combat.
The Republicans said companies such as Raytheon Missile Systems in southern Arizona protect Americans from threats abroad, including North Korea, Iran, Russia and non-state actors. They spoke to a meeting of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance in Tucson.
McCain said the end of the Cold War was hastened by America’s development of weapons capable of downing enemy missiles. The need for such defenses continues, he said.
“As we speak, it is clear to me — if not to the president of the United States — that the Iranians are bent on the development of nuclear weapons,” McCain said. “Missile defense is not a story of the past. It’s a story of the future…”
…McSally’s appearance with McCain, a fellow military officer, underscored the crucial support she has received from the senior senator. McSally, considered by some as a rising GOP star, will, like McCain, face re-election in 2016.
Among her potential challengers is the Democratic congressman she ousted last year, Ron Barber. Barber plans to announce Sunday whether he will run again. He has reached out to state Rep. Bruce Wheeler, a Democrat who has been exploring a bid for the 2nd Congressional District seat.
McCain praised McSally as they traded jokes.
“Unlike me, her number of landings matches her number of takeoffs,” McCain said to laughter. In 1967, McCain was shot down on a bombing mission in Vietnam and remained a prisoner of war until 1973.
McSally returned the favor: “Sen. McCain went to the Naval Academy because his grades weren’t high enough to get into the Air Force Academy,” she said.
Riki Ellison, chairman of the missile-defense advocacy group, thanked McCain for his leadership.
“We’re so excited you’re running for re-election,” said Ellison, a former NFL player, before turning to describe McSally. “She is, in a football term, a bad ass.”
