Why did Lake tell McCain supporters to "get the hell out"?

[The Economy is Getting Worse]

Four days before the 2022 governor election, Lake told McCain supporters to "get the hell out".

However, right after McCain died, Lake called McCain a "maverick" and "war hero".

Why would Lake say something that's not true to her real position, if it also cost her votes? Did she not want the governorship, and instead want to grift off with election denialism rhetoric?

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

Cause that’s what republicans think

[The Economy is Getting Worse]

Cause that’s what republicans think

The same Republicans that probably voted McCain in 2016?

[cg41386]

Four days before the 2022 governor election, Lake told McCain supporters to "get the hell out".

However, right after McCain died, Lake called McCain a "maverick" and "war hero".

Why would Lake say something that's not true to her real position, if it also cost her votes? Did she not want the governorship, and instead want to grift off with election denialism rhetoric?

I don't think Lake even knows what her positions are. She was an Obama supporter when he was running.

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

Cause that’s what republicans think

The same Republicans that probably voted McCain in 2016?

Those are mostly democrats now

[RussFeingoldWasRobbed]

She is a complete joke and will likely cost republicans a race yet again in 2024. While Gallego would have a good shot regardless, I don’t buy that it wouldn’t be difficult to paint him as “extreme”. He can say whatever he wants but if voters perceive him as an extremist it doesn’t matter. It would take a quality republican opponent(unlikely) and an investment from the nrsc(possible but they don’t seem interested in this one)

[Senator Incitatus]

Lake is a very good speaker but not a very good political strategist. At the same time, "McCain supporters" are some of the most annoying people in the country, so I can understand her frustration.

[The Economy is Getting Worse]

Lake is a very good speaker but not a very good political strategist. At the same time, "McCain supporters" are some of the most annoying people in the country, so I can understand her frustration.

Why couldn't she just wait another 5 days until she said this about McCain supporters?

[Agafin]

Because she's dumb as hell. Telling McCain supporters to go to hell (and hence, not vote for her) was almost as stupid as Trump telling his voters to not vote by mail. I guess she learned from her idol.

[oldtimer]

She wanted to win the GOP primary, that it carried over into the general was unfortunate but predictable.

A majority of republicans hated John McCain in his last 10 years of his life, with an increasing passion and numbers.

Denouncing John McCain, even in Arizona, is a necesary thing for any republican. (less so as McCain is forgotten as years pass)

[President Johnson]

She threw red meat to the base. The belief is that firing up the own base is a key to win, not appeal to swing voters anymore, as that group shrunk over the last one or two decades.

[Senator Incitatus]

Lake is a very good speaker but not a very good political strategist. At the same time, "McCain supporters" are some of the most annoying people in the country, so I can understand her frustration.

Why couldn't she just wait another 5 days until she said this about McCain supporters?

See above. Not a clever person.

[Burke Bro]

There is a sickening spiral in American politics where both sides appealing to the extremes dissuades people in the center from participating in the electoral process, thereby increasing the incentive for politicians to appeal to the extremes.

[DaleCooper]

Because she's stupid and Republicans care much more about virtue signalling (in their weird world where to have no virtues is a virtue) than they do about accomplishing anything.

[Oregon Eagle Politics]

Because she's an idiot.

[Xing]

Because her grifting mask has basically become fused to her face.