One week on...

A few observations and ruminations after a week of digesting the mid-terms...

...Jim Pederson's candidacy for the U.S. Senate proved two things -

1. Jon Kyl is vulnerable.

2. Money alone isn't going to get the job done.

After a slow start, Jim Pederson developed into a solid campaigner, both on stage and on TV. However, most of that development occurred after the primary in September.

Jim, and the AZDems, would have been better served if he had faced a viable challenger in the primary. That would have forced him to grow as a candidate before he directly faced the seasoned campaigner Kyl. It also would have given him the opportunity to frame the talking points of the campaign (Iraq, Iraq, minimum wage, Iraq!) instead of giving Kyl a headstart.

Note to AZDems: Think about this the next time you run an inexperienced candidate, especially against an experienced one.

...When I was looking back at all of my posts this season, the one that I was proudest of was my post on the Central Arizona Water Conservation District race. Of all of my posts, it received the most positive feedback and thanks.

For a brief moment, I suffered from the delusion that I might of had a bit of influence.

That moment lasted until the results for the race came in.

With one exception (Lisa Atkins), every one of the candidates that I thought was most qualified for the board lost. As for every candidate that I thought was unqualified?

They won.

Ugh.

When that many political apparatchiks go for an office with no pay, no power (from the perspective of the general public, anyway) and no visibility, I have to wonder why.

I'll be keeping an eye on things like contract awards from CAP, as well as the effects of the board's actions on the values of land parcels owned by board members and their friends/families/political associates.

...Even more disappointing was the election of Dean Martin as state treasurer. He was 'creative' in the handling of contributions to his campaigns; I fully expect him to be 'creative' in his handling of Arizona's money and investments.

I'd be cheered by the fact that the State Treasurer doesn't supervise Arizona's Auditor General, except that the legislature does supervise the Auditor, and I would be very surprised if they ever allow the Auditor to investigate a Republican treasurer. Especially one that was one of them for a while.

This is another one to keep an eye on.

...Has anybody noticed the fact that Harry Mitchell is ahead of some guy for the CD5 seat?

Just asking. :)

...Oh, and has anybody noticed the fact that Laura Knaperek is soon to be unemployed? At least until some lobbying firm hires her, anyway.

...I hope that everyone who is pressuring JD Hayworth to concede the race stops doing so. Every vote *should* be counted. Period.

We insist on it; in fact, it's a major campaign plank for many campaigns. It's also something that the Republicans oppose almost reflexively.

Let's enjoy the Republicans' squirming now that the shoe is on the other foot.

...On the other hand, as noted by former Congressman, fellow blogger, and head of Harry Mitchell's transition team (YES!!!) Sam Coppersmith, JD is being something of a hypocrite about this. Apparently, in his 1996 race against challenger Steve Owens, JD was ahead by less than 600 votes after the polls closed, and DEMANDED that Owens immediately concede.

I guess that JD doesn't believe that complete vote counts are for Democrats, just embattled, and desperate, Republican incumbents.

...In 2008 news, Sen. Russ Feingold (D - WI) opted out of the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination.

...In related news, Sen. John McCain (R - AZ) and former mayor of New York City Rudy Guiliani are starting exploratory committees for the Republican nomination. And (courtesy the AZ Rep's Plugged In) Mitt Romney was in town during his unofficial pre-Presidential tour.

Yes, folks, it's already started. :)

Later!