is there no chance McCain would resign the Senate? like Dole, '96? it'd give him a good talking point against Clinton or Obama about how they aren't doing their job since they are always on the campaign trail.
Arizona law requires that the appointee be of the same party as the current senator, and that the special election be held at the time of the next general election. It appears that it is intended to be a primary - in the case of a special election for representative there is a special primary as well, even when the special election is not held at the time of the general election.
The primary this year is September 2nd. So McCain could resign around July "so the people of Arizona can choose their next Senator" and "so that I may fully engage in the issues facing our country". Napolitono then appoints a Republican to fill the remainder of the term. Meanwhile Napolitono has to figure out whether to switch less than a year into her term as governor.
New York and Illinois also require the special election be held at the next general election date. In New York the vacancy has to occur before early July, otherwise it would be held over until 2010. I'm not sure for Illinois since they have already held their primaries.
