McCain, 78, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, has amassed a war chest of $3.6 million after raising $1.6 million in the first quarter of this year, according to numbers he plans to report this week. He’s feeling good about his position heading into 2016: His hawkish foreign policy profile plays to his favor, he believes, as international issues dominate the national landscape. And his reputation as a bare-knuckle campaigner has apparently made conservatives who dislike his history of deal-making think twice about mounting a challenge.
“That’s how we fight wars, by the way: You just crush the opponent, and then you don’t have to worry about as many opponents,” said former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, referring to McCain’s campaign tactics.
Two possible foes — conservative Reps. Matt Salmon and David Schweikert — said in interviews they would likely stay put in the House. “I’m happy where I’m at,” Salmon said.
Added Schweikert, “My wife has made it very clear that, at least at this moment in time, if I’d like to keep her, then I can’t run.”
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