Randy Pullen takes on Judah Nativio and Tammie Pursley

Randy Pullen, current chair of the AZ Republican Party, may not have any significant skill at raising (the primary duty of any state chair of any party), but he sure can issue a mean press release.

Especially when it's in support of some of his fellow travellers on the nativist trail.

Courtesy an email from the Nativio campaign -

Democratic Party Candidates Judah Nativio and Tammie Pursley favor legislation that relies on the Federal Government to solve the problems we face in Arizona.

Their solutions are the same sort of rhetoric that have stalled immigration reform and maintained the status quo. We simply cannot wait for Washington to figure out a way to secure our borders and fix our immigration laws.

{snip}

Nativio and Pursely's 'do nothing' approach to illegal immigration is simply a delay tactic while people are allowed to continue with business as usual.

District 18 has three Republicans who are more qualified to deal with this problem head on. Their opponents favor a hands-off approach, which will only further this crisis we are facing.

Ignoring, for the moment anyway, the fact that the AZ GOP has to be seriously scared of Pursley and Nativio if they are putting out effort to buttress candidates in a supposedly "safe" GOP district, but is Pullen so stressed over the impending loss of his job (and possibly control of one or both chambers of the state lege) that he has forgotten that immigration control *is* a federal concern? I can understand (not necessarily agree with, but can at least understand) when frustration over the lack of federal control of America's borders leads to nativists' attempts to impose controls at the state level.

However, border control was and is a federal responsibility.

Reading Mr. Pullen's press release leaves the impression that he and the candidates he supports advocate the outright usurpation of federal authority. As near as I can figure from my (very!) limited knowledge of the law, this isn't treason.

Though given Russell Pearce's well-known affinity for neo-Nazis and white supremacists (groups that have been known to advocate the violent overthrow of the government), it's probably far closer to treason than any normal person would want to go.

For his part, Nativio called the presser with Pullen's comments part of a "smear" campaign.

Also from the email -

This is such a lie. I have stated multiple times that the employee sanctions bill passed with bipartisan support, I would like to see a funding source and I do not agree that the Sheriff can run raids on government buildings under this law without cooperating with local municipalities.

I have also called for our congressional delegation to move more money to Arizona to help pay the bills that are run up under the law so taxpayers are not the only ones paying for it. I also supported SB1022 last session, a bipartisan bill to assist business that cannot find legal labor.

Lastly, we need to demand that the federal government move more visa applications and approve permits to bring more people here for people who believe in the American dream and want to be part of these United States.

Lastly, besides the whole "ignore federal authority" aspect of Pullen's press release, I find it telling that Pullen couldn't bring himself to say that Pearce, Court, and Ash were the best candidates for all of LD18; instead, he appeals only to the nativists in the district.

Later!

Rally for Obama on Sunday at ASU

Info courtesy an email from the AZ Democratic Party...


Date: Sunday, October 26

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Place: In front of ASU's Hayden Library

Who and What: Women for Obama and the ASU Young Democrats present a rally and walk for Senator Barack Obama. Featured speakers include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, Arizona AFL-CIO Executive Director Rebekah Friend, Democratic Party Chair Don Bivens, Governor's Chief of Staff Jan Lesher and President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Diane Enos. After the rally, world-famous trumpeter Jesse McGuire will lead a unity procession of a thousand blue lights across the University Avenue bridge.

Parking: Fulton Center at University and College.

Contact: ADP at 602.298.4200

See you there!

P.S.: Bring a flashlight.

An "anti-American" part of America, in our midst...

Apparently, my precinct in Scottsdale, Grace, is one of the parts of the country that Sarah Palin, John McCain, and their surrogates (Michele Bachmann, that's you!) consider to be an anti-American part of the country.

In 2000, Al Gore won a plurality of votes over George W. Bush, 473 - 425.

In 2004, John Kerry beat Bush, 575 - 573.

In 2006, Democrat Harry Mitchell beat Republican JD Hayworth for the CD5 seat in Congress, 364 - 296.

In 2008, registered Democrats now outnumber registered Republicans 489 - 470.

There are working people, families, retirees, students, black people, white people, Asians, Hispanics (mostly, but not totally, of Mexican descent), Democrats, Republicans, Independents, non-voters, well-off people, financially struggling folks, Obama supporters (lots of them! :)) ), McCain supporters, taxpayers, charity supporters, baseball fans, football fans, soccer moms, baby boomers, Gen X'ers, Gen Y'ers, ASU alums, Big 10 fans (lots of Ohio State fans), religious folks, non-religious folks...

In other words, all sorts of folks live here, but because we haven't blindly supported the extremist ideology that the McCain/Palin campaign espouses, they call us an "anti-America" part of America.

Wonder what they'll call us if I tell them to kiss my Democratic tuchus?

The Arizona State Republican Party - putting the "fun" in dysfunctional...

It's been fun to watch the AZ GOP implode this cycle. The latest example of this was the AZ GOP's attempt to launder some illegal campaign contributions/expenditures through to the Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas races in Maricopa County. (Donna over at Democratic Diva has done a tremendous job covering this topic here, here, here and here.)

AZCentral.com's Political Insider has coverage here.

Other folks have written at length on this, but I haven't really seen an explanation of "why"? What was the motivation to cut corners here?

The AZ GOP is all but broke (or will be if they do as they've said they will and return the money) and unable to do much to help their legislative and statewide candidates, so why take this kind of heat and humiliation for a couple of well-funded incumbents?

I mean, according to their most recent campaign finance reports for the period ending September 22, Joe Arpaio has over $390K cash on hand and Andrew Thomas has nearly $200K (compared to $46K and $162K for Dan Saban and Tim Nelson, their respective challengers.)

Why is the state GOP throwing state candidates under the bus in favor of a couple of county-level candidates? Flush-with-funds county candidates who have large taxpayer-funded staffs to draw upon to work for their campaigns (i.e. - the contact for the shadow group behind the embarrassing contributions is Joel Fox, a captain with the MCSO for Arpaio)?

Something tells me that the AZ GOP's reorganizational meeting after the election will be a contentious one, especially if current state pooh-bah chair Randy Pullen stands for re-election.

His election to the state chair's position in 2007 was a close call, and many people were worried about the impact that an extremist state party leader would have in a state that's growing ever more moderate.

Looks like those worries were well-founded.

Later...

Bob Lord has the Shadegg campaign making rookie mistakes

As Election Day draws ever closer, the strong challenge that the Bob Lord for Congress campaign is mounting against incumbent John Shadegg is pushing Shadegg's campaign into making so incredibly dumb moves...

Let's see -

There was using a picture of a veteran in a campaign ad without his permission...and then insulting that veteran (and former POW) with a condescending faux "apology."

There was putting out another spot without the legally required "paid for by" statement, which could result in the Shadegg campaign paying thousands of dollars more than other candidates to air their ads.

Now there's the embarrassment of losing a campaign credit card.

In a Democratic Party office.

From an AZ Dem press release -

A credit card for John Shadegg's campaign was found this weekend under the front desk of a Democratic Party office.

The card is issued to a senior Shadegg campaign operative, lists Shadegg's re-election organization and was found near Democratic campaign materials.

The Democratic Party notified Shadegg's campaign office that the card has been found. The party has also filed a report with the Tempe Police Department and with the credit card company.

"It's extremely disturbing that a senior campaign operative for Republican John Shadegg would leave a credit card under a desk at one of our offices," said Maria Weeg, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party. "We let Congressman Shadegg know we found his credit card and requested Shadegg promptly explain what a member of his staff was doing in our office and how his campaign credit card arrived in our office."

According to PolitickerAZ, the Shadegg campaign has responded by saying that the credit card was brought to the Democratic office by one of his campaign volunteers in order to purchase an Obama bumper sticker.

Huh?????

So the question now is whether the intended purpose of the purchase of an Obama bumper sticker was to proclaim the Shadegg campaign's support for Barack Obama (something that I'm certain that Shadegg's good friend John McCain will want to discuss :) ) or if they were purchasing the bumper sticker to deface or misuse it in some way (just for harmless laughs, of course).

Something which may or may not be legal to do once they've taken ownership of a particular bumper sticker, but which, legal or not, is still utterly petty.

Why do I not believe that Shadegg's campaign wanted the bumper sticker because of its support of Obama?

Actually, I think they showed up at the Tempe office to spy or more, but that's only my opinion, not an actual accusation. Yet.

Anyway, given all of the dumb mistakes and the blatant disregard for campaign rules (written and unwritten), is it any surprise that the Shadegg campaign has retained the K Street law firm of Sidley Austin, or that one of the firm's partners is Thomas Green, one of the people who defended the Republican "plumbers" of Watergate break-in fame? According to campaign finance records, they spent nearly $12K with Sidley Austin in just the month and a half from August 14 to September 30. (page 100 and 101 of this .pdf from the FEC)

Sounds like the Shadegg campaign is doing one thing right - they're following the Boy Scout maxim of "be prepared."

Later!

What? There are voting problems in Florida? Must be an even numbered-year.

Early voting started in Florida today, and there were problems from the very moment the polling places opened.

From MiamiHerald.com -

Lines at Miami Beach City Hall Monday morning were the picture of unhappiness. News traveled fast among the 20 or so voters waiting at 7 a.m. that technical problems were slowing down voting. Some of the computers used to check in voters weren't working, though there were no problems with the optical scan machines used to count ballots.

''This is a typical Florida election,'' grumbled voter Mike Frank, wearing a black-and-white ''Barack is my homeboy'' T-shirt.

According to some reports on MSNBC, the problem was that some of the machines that read the magnetic strip on Florida drivers licenses (far and away the most common form of ID used in FL) didn't work. However, some did work, so all of the many voters who turned out had to go through one line, leading to long wait times, some in excess of 2 hours.

Problems with early voting will be something to keep an eye on, both in Florida and across the nation.

On the local front...according to Yvonne Reed of the Maricopa County Recorder's office, as yet no problems have been reported at the County's satellite voting locations.

As with the situation in Florida, this bears watching. If you are aware of any issues that impede or block voters from casting their ballots, contact either the Arizona Democratic Party at 602.298.4200 or your county party (Maricopa Dems - 602.498.0503). The election integrity folks at either place want to hear about any problems, whether with early voting or election day voting. They'll also be able to advise on an appropriate response.

Later...

In a fair world...

Due to the general hubbub of the myriad races on the ballot and the economic meltdown precipitated on Wall Street, and a change in my personal work schedule that limits my ability to research, comment, and post, I haven't focused much attention on one of the most important races in the Valley this year.


Specifically, the one where long-time Tempe (and Arizona!) icon Congressman Harry Mitchell is facing a challenge from former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert.


In a fair world, Mitchell would win the race in a walkover - he's spent over four decades serving his community as a teacher, mayor, and legislator.


As a Congressman, he's continued his service to his community and his constituents in a number of ways.


On the *big* issues, he has continued work to see that veterans receive all of the benefits that they've so richly earned, to ensure that Arizona's public safety agencies receive all of the available assistance that they need during this period of broken budgets at the local, county, and state levels and to ask the EPA hard questions when poison started flowing from the taps in parts of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Yet in all of his efforts on those "big" issues and others, he has never neglected his roots in Arizona, sitting down with and listening to his constituents, mentoring the next generation of community leaders and recognizing the efforts of community activists.


In a fair world, the lifetime of public service and the continued hard work for his community would be more than enough to merit returning Harry Mitchell to Congress.

However, a certain small wing (OK, a large and nearly all-emcompassing wing :) ) of the Republican Party feels that public service and hard work isn't part of an elected official's duties, hence the candidacy of David Schweikert and the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of support from purely ideological groups such as the NRA and The Feedom Project (the one dedicated to electing conservative Republicans, not the one dedicated turning released prisoners into forces for peace in their communities nor the one dedicated to freeing wrongfully convicted prisoners - neither of which serves Republican ideals). The reactionary anti-government group Club for Growth has funded a series of TV spots attacking Harry Mitchell and promoting Schweikert (mostly attacking Mitchell).

There is nothing about Schweikert, his campaign platform, or his ideological backers that indicates he is campaigning to represent the residents of CD5.

If he is elected, the "constituents" he serves will be the out-of-state ideologues and PACs that are bankrolling his campaign.

In a fair world, the keep doing his life's work, Harry Mitchell wouldn't need than our votes from us.


As we all know, though, the world isn't fair.


Harry Mitchell needs our help, both in terms of financial contributions and in terms of volunteers for his campaign. Beside the two web links in the last sentence, the campaign can be contacted at 480.755.3343. Also, the AZ Dems' coordinated campaign needs volunteers for the last two weeks of the election cycle and can be contacted at 480.820.2298.

Later...

LD17 Ad Watch - Update

Turns out a brief examination of the campaign finance records of Mark Thompson and Jesse Hernandez, Republican candidates for House and Senate in LD17 respectively, is *very* enlightening.


It seems that, in violation of CCEC rules barring the expenditure of primary funds for general election expenses, they may have used their primary money from CCEC to pay for a TV spot created to run *after* the September 2 primary.

And while the Reps and their mouthpieces are certain to protest this characterization, saying that the spot was intended for use in the primary election cycle, the spot is an attack ad targeting their *general* election opponents. Hmmmm...


From Thompson's post-primary finance report, covering the period from August 14 to September 22 -


August 22 - Received $12921 from Clean Elections.
August 24 - Spent $1350 with Q2 Productions for "production cost" on a TV ad.
August 26 - Spent $3045 with Gene, Ganssle for a TV air time buy.
August 29 - Spent $2300 with Gene Ganssle for a TV air time purchase.

That's $6695 of primary election funding spent on the TV spot less than a week and a half before an uncontested primary.




From Hernandez' post-primary finance report, covering the same period as Thompson's -


August 28 - Received $12921 from Clean Elections.
August 29 - Spent $1554 with Gene Ganssle for "TV".
August 31 - Spent $1350 with Gene Ganssle for "production cost".
September 1 - Spent $1000 with Connie Thompson (aka - "Mrs. Mark Thompson") for "consultant services" (not really relevant to this post, but interesting nonetheless).


That's $2904 of primary election funding spent on a TV spot, less than five days before an uncontested primary.


Now, CCEC rules allow for the use during the general election period of goods and services purchased with primary election funding, under certain circumstances.


From CCEC rules, section R2-20-106, paragraph G (aka page 37) (emphasis mine)-

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-953(A), a participating candidate shall return to the Fund all of his or her primary election funds not committed to expenditures (1) during the primary election period; and (2) for goods or services directed to the primary election. A candidate shall not be deemed to have violated A.R.S. § 16-953(A) or this subsection on account of failure to use all materials purchased with primary election funds prior to the primary election, provided such candidate exercises good faith and diligent efforts to comply with the requirement that goods and services purchased with primary election funds be directed to the primary election.

Ummm...given the short time between contracting for the production of the TV ad in very late August and the primary on September 2, it seems that their "diligence" was directed to toward *spending* their primary funding, not *using* the goods and services purchased during the primary.

Of course, that's assuming that they didn't contract for the production and airtime before receiving the primary election funding, which is an entirely different set of violations. :)


Either way, Thompson and Hernandez may have some explaining/spinning to do when the Clean Elections Commission comes around asking questions.






I wonder if either one will earn the nickname "Pinocchio" after that conversation. :)






















Today's lesson for candidates? Get your Clean Elections $5s in as early as possible, even when running unopposed in the primary. Candidates for lege trying to spend more than $12K in less than 10 days is just asking for a violation.

Later!

LD17 Ad Watch

Jesse Hernandez and Mark Thompson, two of the three Republican candidates for the legislature in LD17, have teamed up to air a campaign spot bashing State Senator Meg Burton-Cahill and State Representatives Ed Ableser and David Schapira.

"Bashing" is all that it is, too. It seems to be all that the Republicans have this year.

And this being an election year and all, that wouldn't normally rate a blog post. Attack ads aren't exactly unheard-of during even numbered years.

However, this spot is so cheesy and sloppily insulting that it is less campaign rhetoric and more schoolyard taunts.

The spot begins by showing three crudely drawn mouse figures with the faces of Burton-Cahill, Ableser and Schapira pasted on them while something resembling the song "Three Blind Mice" plays in the background.

The spot first captured my attention when I heard it playing on a cable news channel.

They absolutely massacred the pronounciation of Ed Ableser's last name, making it sound like it is spelled "Ablazzarrr."

I was going to poke a little fun at them for making such a bush-league mistake as not getting their opponent's name right, but after watching the entire ad, I'm not so sure it was a mistake.

Moments later the mouse bearing Senator Burton-Cahill's face is pictured losing her balance, and with her cane flailing, falling over the edge of whatever she is standing on (the artwork for the spot is *really* low-grade).

It seems to be a clear jab at her medical issues involving her ankle. She spent much of last year hobbled by that ankle and needed a cane for support.

Deliberately mispronouncing one opponent's name and making fun of another's medical problems? Are they adults running for public office or for punk kids running for recess bully?

Sheesh...

Anyway, another curious thing that I've noticed beyond this spot is the teaming up of Hernandez and Thompson on signage (as well as this spot) while their fellow Republican candidate Wes Waddle is all but frozen out. I'm not sure what is going on there, but I almost titled this post "Whither Wes Waddle?" if only for the alliterative effect. :)

However, the post isn't really about him, and the actual title, while incredibly boring, describes the content of the post far more accurately.

Later!

The Truth About Barack Obama (repost)

There are still a large number of smear/hate emails circulating about Barack Obama, and with the rising anti-Obama fervor stoked by the McCain/Palin campaign at their rallies, it means that it's time to repost some links to information that debunk many of the common smears about Senator Obama.

This was originally posted on March 14, 2008 -

Subject: The Real Truth About Barack Obama!

As enthusiastic volunteers in the Barack Obama campaign for the Presidency, we have put together a list of facts about Barack so that you will know the truth about him. Please follow the links we have included for documentation of these facts. If you value the truth as we do, please spread this information via email, blog, or any other means, to everyone you know.

Did you know that Barack Obama is a devout Christian? He has been a member of the same United Church of Christ congregation for 20 years, and was married there to his wife Michelle in 1992.

Did you know that Barack Obama often leads the US Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance?

Did you know that Barack Obama is a strong friend of Israel and has spoken out strongly against anti-Semitism?

Did you know his grandparents from Kansas were part of the "Greatest Generation?. His grandfather served with Patton's Army during World War II, and his grandmother, a real "Rosie the Riveter", worked in a bomber assembly plant back home.

Did you know that Barack Obama was opposed to the war in Iraq from day one, before we invaded, even while he was running for the Senate, and knowing his opposition might be politically unpopular?

"I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a U.S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world and strengthen the recruitment arm of al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars." --Barack Obama, 2002

Did you know Obama favors transparency over secrecy in our government? Did you know that Obama worked with Republican Senator Tom Coburn to pass one of the strongest government transparency bills since the freedom of information act? He's calling it Google for Government and you can see the results at www.usaspending.gov. Sen. Obama has also released his own tax returns for public review.

Did you know that after graduating with honors from Harvard Law School, Barack practiced civil rights law and also taught Constitutional Law for 10 years at the University of Chicago, one of the nation's best law schools, where he was consistentl y rated by his students as one of their best instructors? Did you also know that he was the first African-American elected pres ident of the prestigious Harvard Law Review?

Did you know that Barack Obama is an outspoken advocate for women's rights and has been a principled defender of the civil rights of women?

Did you know that despite the grueling schedule of running for President, Senator Obama remains a devoted family man, making time to do things like pick out a Christmas tree with his wife and two young daughters, or hurrying home to spend Valentine's Day with them? Did you know he hasn't missed a single parent-teacher conference while running for President?

Did you know that Barack Obama has a stellar environmental record, including having the highest rating from the League of Conservation Voters (96%) of any Presidential candidate, Democrat or Republican?

Did you know that Barack Obama has been an elected legislator longer than Senator Clinton?
Did you know that Barack is a member of all of these Senate Committees: Foreign Relations; Veteran's Affairs; Health, Education, Labor & Pensions; Homeland Security and Government Affairs?

Did you know that Senator Obama has sponsored or co-sponsored 15 bills that have become law, and has introduced amendments to 50 bills, of which 16 were adopted since he joined the Senate in 2005?

Did you know that Senator Obama sponsored legislation working together with Indiana Republican Senator Richard Lugar, to keep Americans safe by keeping dangerous weapons out of terrorist hands? The two senators also visited the former Soviet Union to inspect the decommissioning of nuclear weapons. Sen. Lugar said of Sen. Obama, "He does have a sense of idealism and principled leadership, a vision of the future."

Did you know that Barack Obama is the only candidate running for president who voted against using cluster bombs in Iraq and the only candidate who supports banning the use of landmines?

Did you know that, as an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama succeeded in passing legislation requiring the videotaping of police interrogations, gaining the respect and support not only of fellow legislators but that of the police, who had initially opposed the legislation?

Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, Ulysses S. Grant, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton were all younger when they took office than Barack Obama will be?

During election season many emails are circulated about the candidates. Some are true, some aren't. It's often difficult to determine the truth. We encourage you to visit the following non-partisan sites that do a good job of fact checking the candidates. http://www.snopes.com/http://www.factcheck.org/

Source: Daily Kos; thanks for the heads-up go out to The Richmond Democrat.

I didn't check all of the links to see if they are still good; if you find one that's broken, let me know in a comment, and I'll try to fix it.

Later!

Upon further review...

First the NFL did it, then MLB instituted their own version, now Random Musings has implemented a form of instant replay review...

:)


Last week, I filled out and returned by ballot for November's election.

I have come to reconsider my "Yes" vote on one of the ballot questions, Prop 202, aka "Stop Illegal Hiring." The business-backed measure makes some changes to Arizona's nativist-written (in the shape of Russell Pearce [R-National Alliance]) employer sanctions law, lightening the burden on businesses.

As I noted last week, I kind of wished that both sides on this one could lose this one.

I ended up voting "Yes" because I find Pearce and his ilk more objectionable (barely!) than the wage-suppressing (and worker-safety suppressing and human-rights suppressing) agriculture and construction businesses that tend to hire the most undocumented immigrants.

While my feelings regarding AZ's nativists haven't changed, I have changed my mind on what is the appropriate position regarding Prop 200.

One of the few "good" points of the original employer sanctions measure was that it was generated by the lege, hence it could be changed by a simple act of the legislature (well, changed upon the signature of the Governor, anyway. :) )

If Prop 202 is passed by the voters, none of the language of the measure can be changed by the lege (Article 4, Part 1, Section 1, of the AZ Constitution), no matter what unexpected consequences arise from Prop 202.

As such, while I cannot change my vote, people who haven't yet cast their ballots should consider voting "No" on Prop 202.

Arpaio Ad Watch

Many of you who live in the Phoenix area and have a TV hooked up to Cox Cable are certain to have seen Joe Arpaio's latest TV spot in his quest to fend of challenger Dan Saban.

The ad gives him a grade of "A" or "A+" in many areas; let's look a little more closely at those -

Crime Clearance - The ad states that the MCSO's clearance rate is 75%; it's actually almost 20 points lower.

Response Times - The ad states that the MCSO's response times are lower. That may or may not be true (I really don't know), but response times are still 40% higher than what they should be (7 minutes instead of 5 minutes, according to the same story linked above).

Jail Management - The ad states that the Maricopa County jails are a "model of excellence" but ignores the fact that those same jails have lost their accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care because of the inadequate health care provided to detainees. In a flip-flop that deserves an award of the stinkiest Crappie sort, Arpaio is now blaming Correctional Health Services for the revokation of the accreditation; in 2004, he wrote that " 'delivery of health care services" is "the constitutional mandate of the sheriff'."

Deporting Illegal Immigrants - The ad claims that he has "deported nearly 20,000 illegals." No word about the 70000 outstanding warrants that his office is ignoring in order to carry out his anti-immigrant jihad.

Saving Taxpayers Money - The ad generically claims that Arpaio "saves taxpayers millions." Imagine how well he'd do in this area if he wasn't the "most sued sheriff in America," costing County taxpayers more than $40 million (and counting). Or if he didn't spend MCSO funds on junkets to Honduras for some of his favorite deputies.

Staying Within His Budget - Only when he's forced to do so, and even then, he tries to sacrifice detainee rights on the altar of his nativism (like trying to limit attorney access to detainees in Maricopa County jail.)

Another interesting aspect to Arpaio's spot is that he didn't actually campaign against his opponent Dan Saban. Didn't even acknowledge his existence (sort of like John McCain's demeanor toward Barack Obama during their televised debates).

Instead, he campaigned against the EV Tribune and the AZ Republic, urging people to throw their editions of those papers into the trash.

Guess he's still ticked off over their being ticked off that he went after journalists (the New Times' arrests) whose only crime was to report stories that were critical of Arpaio and his saddle partner, Andy Thomas.

Later!

The ad can be found here, courtesy ABC15.com or here, courtesy YouTube.

Magazine covers?!? They're complaining about a magazine cover now??

The McCain/Palin campaign is crying "foul!" over the cover of the new issue of Newsweek. The issue features a story about Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin (hence the cover pic of her).

The photo is an unretouched close up of Alaska's governor that shows some of the "flaws" that anyone in their mid-40s has, and the handlers of the Rep candidates find that objectionable.

Apparently, they believe it's part of a scheme by Newsweek to influence the election. (It's all over Fox News, but I refuse to link to them. Use Google if you don't already have FoxNews.com bookmarked.)

Wonder what they'll have to say about Equire Magazine's endorsement of Barack Obama, the first time in its history that the magazine has endorsed a presidential candidate? And how, on the cover of the issue proclaiming this momentous announcement, instead of a pic of Obama, they have a pic of Halle Berry, the subject of the issue's cover story - "The Sexiest Woman Alive"?

Note: The current cover (right) is a tribute to a classic cover with Bill Clinton from December 2000 (left).

Note2: While I always like an opportunity to poke a little fun at the Reps, this post is mostly just an excuse to put up a pic of Halle Berry. :)

I am *so* going to miss Jack Harper

...after Robert Boehlke wins the LD4 Senate seat in November...


Being an active blogger, I'm on about half a zillion mailing lists. Yesterday, I received a press release from Solutions Through Higher Education, an organization created to educate people on the value of higher education to our economy and country.

They sent out a survey to each candidate for a seat in the legislature. 23 candidates responded, including State Senator Jack Harper (R-Surprise!).

The question asked in the survey was "As a member of the Arizona Legislature, just how would you address the higher education challenges facing both our state and nation?"

Most of the candidates talked about prioritizing, tuition costs and funding sources (for example, Sylvia Allen, Russell Pearce's friend from LD5, wants to dig up education $ by mining more copper).

The answers given tended to range from mind-numbingly generic campaign pap to deeply involved and well-thought out treatises on the subject. However, wherever particular answers fell within that range, they addressed the question.

Then I read Jack Harper's response.

Harper's response -

"Thank you for the opportunity to answer, but I completed every survey up to August 1st. Then I decided that I was finished. I hope to have your survey earlier next election.

He is *so* reliable.

He faced a strong primary challenge. He is facing a daunting general election challenge. And even if he does successfully retain his seat, he is facing the possibility of being in the minority party in the Lege.

Yet good ol' Jack can still find the time and energy to be unprofessional, arbitrary, and even simply snotty.

Since the rather "loquacious" JD Hayworth (meaning he never shut up :) ) was sent to the electoral showers in 2006 by Harry Mitchell, occasionally I had trouble coming up with material for this blog.

Jack was always there to bail me out. :))

Perhaps it was his habit as chair of the Senate Government Committee of berating witnesses who disagreed with his predetermined position on a bill.

Perhaps it was his days of criticizing U.S. Congressman Harry Mitchell for the conditions at the *state* veterans' home.

Maybe it was his violations of the Senate's written rules of procedure and written and unwritten rules of decorum to kill Democratic measures or railroad through Republican ones.

Perhaps it was even ideas such as his bill to open up all primaries to registered Republicans while limiting voters registered in other parties to their own party's primary.

Whatever form it took though, Jack could be depended on to sweep away any writer's block.

Robert Boehlke will be a rational, professional and dedicated legislator for LD4; unfortunately, he won't provide anywhere near as much as subject material.

My loss. LD4's gain.


Later!

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans rate members of Congress...AZ results

Heads up on this courtesy Ron Pies' AZCentral.com blog...

The grades of AZ's Congressional delegation, from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Action Fund -

Harry Mitchell (D-CD5) - A+ - comment: "13 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, plus 2 points for Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsorship"

Note: Mitchell has just been endorsed by the VFW Political Action Committee.

Gabrelle Giffords (D-CD8) - A+ - comment: "13 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, plus 2 points for Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsorship"

Ed Pastor (D-CD4) - A - comment: "11 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, plus 2 points for Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsorship"

Raul Grijalva (D-CD7) - A - comment: "12 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, plus 2 points for Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsorship"

Rick Renzi (R-CD1) - A - comment: "11 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, plus 2 points for Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsorship"

Trent Franks (R-CD2) - C - comment: "8 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, not a Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsor"

John Shadegg (R-CD3) - B - comment: "10 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, not a Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsor"

Jeff Flake (R-CD6) - C - comment: "7 out of 13 votes with IAVA Action, not a Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsor"

John McCain, U.S. Senator and Republican presidential nominee - D - comment: "3 out of 9 votes with IAVA Action, not a Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsor"

Jon Kyl, U.S. Senator - C - comment: "5 out of 9 votes with IAVA Action, not a Post-9/11 GI Bill cosponsor"


The average grade for the Democratic members of AZ's delegation? 4.25 (A = 4 points, B = 3, etc., with "+" = an additional .5)

The average grade for the Republican members of AZ's delegation? 2.33; without the soon-to-be gone Renzi inflating their grade? 2, barely a C.

OK, so it's not much of a surprise that AZ's Republicans did so poorly on veterans' issues when compared to AZ's Democrats - it's long been common knowledge that Republican 'support our veterans' rhetoric is just that, *rhetoric.*

Not substance.

However, who would have guessed that the biggest drag on the Reps' grade would be John McCain, the former naval aviator who touts his status as a former POW at every turn?

It seems that Rudy Giuliani's "noun, verb, 9-11" meaningless spiel has been replaced by John McCain's "noun, verb, "POW" standard stump speech as the biggest snow job in American politics.

The only veterans McCain is concerned about are himself and those that support him with money or Swift Boat-style ad appearances; the rest mean nothing to him.

Access the entire report card here.

Later!