All the analysts have this seat, which was held for years by the retiring Republican Jim Kolbe, as leaning or likely Democratic takeover. Republican nominee Randy Graf is viewed as a polarizing figure in a moderately conservative district, due mainly to his immigration views, and it is thought that the moderate Republicans and independents will reject him in favor of the Democrats' lackluster nominee, State Sen. Gabby Gifford.

McCain's endorsement is a big help overcoming the divide, as Daniel Scarpinato of the Arizona Daily Star reports:

Republican congressional candidate Randy Graf has won the endorsement of political superstar John McCain -- a significant step, the campaign says, toward unifying moderates and conservatives.

"Randy Graf's record as a state representative has demonstrated his commitment to the values important to the people of Arizona," McCain said in a written statement provided to the Arizona Daily Star.

"His voting record on issues such as supporting our military, reducing taxes and reining in election and welfare fraud bodes well for his future in the U.S. Congress," McCain wrote. "I urge the voters of the 8th district to support him on November 7th. It would be a pleasure to work with him in Washington."

Read the whole article at link above. Kolbe still hasn't endorsed Graf, which is payback for a previous campaign which Graf lost and refused to endorse Kolbe. Even that may not be as harmful as previously thought, now that Kolbe is drawn into the web of the Foley affair, as another Scarpinato article suggests:

While national discussion has been focused on how the Foley incident will hurt Republicans, the situation may play differently in Southern Arizona, said Carol Zimmerman, a pollster and Democratic strategist.

Graf, who has already condemned Foley's actions, has run as the anti-Kolbe, anti-establishment candidate, with national Republicans snubbing him at times. In contrast, most Republicans elsewhere are running as incumbents, carrying with them the baggage of being tied to Washington.

What was once viewed as a liability could now work to Graf's benefit, Zimmerman said.
"If I were Graf, knowing I'm behind, I'd distance myself from the Republican fray," she said. "I might capitalize on it. Do the moral outrage -- throw all those rascals out and bring morality in."

Read the whole article - which concentrates on the Kolbe aspect of the Foley case - at the link preceding.

Hat-tip to Greg Pollowitz of NRO's Sixers for pointing to these stories.