Hulburd is the Democratic nominee in the Third Congression District, squaring off against Ben "Brock Landers" Quayle in the contest to replace the retiring John Shadegg.
Later...
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rebecca Schneider on KNXV-TV
Schneider is the Democratic nominee in the Sixth Congressional District, challenging Jeff Flake.
Almost done.
Almost done.
Penny Kotterman on KNXV-TV (Phoenix channel 15)
KNXV-TV has offered candidates up to 5 minutes of airtime to speak to voters.
Here is the spot of Penny Kotterman, Democratic nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
More later...
Here is the spot of Penny Kotterman, Democratic nominee for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
More later...
New Favorite Website - Iamacrook.com
An ode to Doug Ducey, Republican candidate for state treasurer and renowned former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery...renowned for screwing over Cold Stone's franchisees.
From the fine folks (and sharp wits) at the Arizona Democratic Party, Iamacrook.com.
It covers things like...
A Ducey-led Stone Cold Creamery accepted federal bailout money and won't pay it back...
Ducey regularly didn't pay his taxes, paying the arrears on his Paradise Valley mansion and compound after he opened his campaign for state treasurer...
Ducey's opposition to solar tax credits and other efforts to create jobs in Arizona...
Ducey's opposition to Arizona's employer sanctions law, the law that targets those who encourage illegal immigration by hiring undocumented immigrants...
Stephen Lemons of the Phoenix New Times has more on Ducey here.
The Democratic nominee is for state treasurer is Andrei Cherny. His campaign's TV spot on Ducey's record at Cold Stone -
Later...
From the fine folks (and sharp wits) at the Arizona Democratic Party, Iamacrook.com.
It covers things like...
A Ducey-led Stone Cold Creamery accepted federal bailout money and won't pay it back...
Ducey regularly didn't pay his taxes, paying the arrears on his Paradise Valley mansion and compound after he opened his campaign for state treasurer...
Ducey's opposition to solar tax credits and other efforts to create jobs in Arizona...
Ducey's opposition to Arizona's employer sanctions law, the law that targets those who encourage illegal immigration by hiring undocumented immigrants...
Stephen Lemons of the Phoenix New Times has more on Ducey here.
The Democratic nominee is for state treasurer is Andrei Cherny. His campaign's TV spot on Ducey's record at Cold Stone -
Later...
The gloves coming off in Scottsdale...again
Things in Scottsdale got ugly in 2008, and it looks to be getting the same way in 2010.
In case anyone is thinking the nastiness of the state's and country's political discourse this year hasn't trickled down to local races, think again.
From the Arizona Republic -
Mason is a Scottsdale-based real estate agent and a contributor to Mayor Jim Lane's campaign committee.
Fernandez is a long-time activist in Scottsdale politics, acting as chair or treasurer of a number of committees that are "against" something or other. He has also contributed to the coarsening of Scottsdale's political discourse, utilizing the City Council agenda's "public comment" section to launch personal attacks against certain members of the council and their families, including current target Wayne Ecton.
In the ad in question, they criticize each of three candidates, Linda Milhaven, Ned O'Hearn, and (of course) Wayne Ecton for different votes (Ecton is a current member of the City Council and O'Hearn is a former member of the Council) or activities (Milhaven is a former chair of the Scottsdale Cultural Council).
The best (in a "they really should do their homework" sort of way) was the criticism of Ecton's vote for a retirement-incentive program that encouraged senior City employees to retire early.
The program came in for criticism from some who thought the program was too generous to exiting City employees (one week's pay for each year of service). The program was used to rationalize firing John Little, the former Scottsdale City Manager.
The ENTIRE council voted for the program, not just Ecton.
Yet, Mason, Fernandez, et. al. have targeted their criticisms for only one of the current members running for reelection. Bob Littlefield, one of the clique favored by Lane, Fernandez, Mason, Lamar Whitmer, et. al., is getting a free pass. Late council member Tony Nelssen would have been up for reelection, but his untimely passing ended his campaign. As he was part of the same bloc as Littlefield, I have no doubt he would have received the same free pass.
It will be interesting to see what the Mason/Fernandez group discloses in its campaign filings. I expect their list of contributors to be a short one.
Later...
In case anyone is thinking the nastiness of the state's and country's political discourse this year hasn't trickled down to local races, think again.
From the Arizona Republic -
Two candidates running for Scottsdale City Council have fired back against a recent political advertisement that accused them of raising taxes and increasing spending.The group, Keep Scottsdale's Future Bright, is chaired by Tom Mason and its treasurer is Mike Fernandez.
The ad in Thursday's Scottsdale Republic targets candidates Ned O'Hearn, Linda Milhaven and Councilman Wayne Ecton. Ecton did not immediately respond. Paid for by the Keep Scottsdale's Future Bright committee, it is plastered with the headline "Warning!" and discourages readers from voting for the three, which the ad describes as "the tax and spend trio."
Mason is a Scottsdale-based real estate agent and a contributor to Mayor Jim Lane's campaign committee.
Fernandez is a long-time activist in Scottsdale politics, acting as chair or treasurer of a number of committees that are "against" something or other. He has also contributed to the coarsening of Scottsdale's political discourse, utilizing the City Council agenda's "public comment" section to launch personal attacks against certain members of the council and their families, including current target Wayne Ecton.
In the ad in question, they criticize each of three candidates, Linda Milhaven, Ned O'Hearn, and (of course) Wayne Ecton for different votes (Ecton is a current member of the City Council and O'Hearn is a former member of the Council) or activities (Milhaven is a former chair of the Scottsdale Cultural Council).
The best (in a "they really should do their homework" sort of way) was the criticism of Ecton's vote for a retirement-incentive program that encouraged senior City employees to retire early.
The program came in for criticism from some who thought the program was too generous to exiting City employees (one week's pay for each year of service). The program was used to rationalize firing John Little, the former Scottsdale City Manager.
The ENTIRE council voted for the program, not just Ecton.
Yet, Mason, Fernandez, et. al. have targeted their criticisms for only one of the current members running for reelection. Bob Littlefield, one of the clique favored by Lane, Fernandez, Mason, Lamar Whitmer, et. al., is getting a free pass. Late council member Tony Nelssen would have been up for reelection, but his untimely passing ended his campaign. As he was part of the same bloc as Littlefield, I have no doubt he would have received the same free pass.
It will be interesting to see what the Mason/Fernandez group discloses in its campaign filings. I expect their list of contributors to be a short one.
Later...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
More fun with campaign signs...
An indicator of the status of the Schweikert campaign, this sign has been in upside down for weeks. In fact, it was the sign that I was going to snap a pic of when I sprained my ankle over a week ago.
The best part is that the Schweikert campaign had the time to put up one of their juvenile insult signs (damaged by last week's storms), next to a Mitchell sign at the same location but they didn't have the time to correct one of their own while they were there..
The best part is that the Schweikert campaign had the time to put up one of their juvenile insult signs (damaged by last week's storms), next to a Mitchell sign at the same location but they didn't have the time to correct one of their own while they were there..
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Is Brewer too ill too serve a full term?
I wasn't going to cover this, because it is just a rumor (at this point), and also because I figure her health is her business.
However, her campaign as gone beyond the pale and trotted out a quarter-century-old rumor about Terry Goddard being gay (and only Republicans would counter questions about their candidate's fitness for the job with a rumor about their opponent's sexual orientation).
From John Dougherty, via Blog for Arizona -
Anything that could motivate some "likely voters" to stay home or motivate some of those who had previously planned to sit this one out to jump in would spell disaster for Brewer (and the lobbyists advising her whose clients benefit from her policies).
While the rumors about her health are just that at this point, rumors, a candidate's ability to serve in the job that they are running for is a legitimate concern. By responding to that concern with a slur (I'm pretty sure they didn't mean "Terry Goddard is gay" as a compliment), they run the risk of alienating "swing" or Independent voters, and also of pushing some of the Obama voters from 2008 who were staying home this year into the fray.
The worst part (for the Brewer camp, anyway) is that particular slur will only appeal to voters who weren't going to vote for Goddard anyway.
So to all that I say...
Thank you, Chuck Coughlin.
BTW - Wouldn't Coughlin's time have been better spent figuring out how to spin Arizona's status as the third-worst run state in the country into something positive for his boss? Just sayin'...
However, her campaign as gone beyond the pale and trotted out a quarter-century-old rumor about Terry Goddard being gay (and only Republicans would counter questions about their candidate's fitness for the job with a rumor about their opponent's sexual orientation).
From John Dougherty, via Blog for Arizona -
There are persistent reports from reliable sources that Gov. Jan Brewer is seriously ill and may not be capable of finishing a four-year term. The public has a right to know about her physical fitness now, not after Nov. 2.I realize that some may chalk all this up to "just politics" but it illustrates the desperation of the Brewer camp - the election can't come soon enough for them. They've realized that she has maxed out her support among the electorate and can only go down. The latest poll shows that while she has a solid lead among likely voters, she and Goddard are in a statistical tie among all voters.
Anything that could motivate some "likely voters" to stay home or motivate some of those who had previously planned to sit this one out to jump in would spell disaster for Brewer (and the lobbyists advising her whose clients benefit from her policies).
While the rumors about her health are just that at this point, rumors, a candidate's ability to serve in the job that they are running for is a legitimate concern. By responding to that concern with a slur (I'm pretty sure they didn't mean "Terry Goddard is gay" as a compliment), they run the risk of alienating "swing" or Independent voters, and also of pushing some of the Obama voters from 2008 who were staying home this year into the fray.
The worst part (for the Brewer camp, anyway) is that particular slur will only appeal to voters who weren't going to vote for Goddard anyway.
So to all that I say...
Thank you, Chuck Coughlin.
BTW - Wouldn't Coughlin's time have been better spent figuring out how to spin Arizona's status as the third-worst run state in the country into something positive for his boss? Just sayin'...
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mitchell lead widening in CD5
From the DCCC (link added) -
Volunteer to help Arizona. Volunteer to help elect Democrats.
Mitchell Leads Schweikert by 7 in New AZ-05 Poll
A new Benenson Strategy Group poll shows Representative Harry Mitchell leading Republican challenger David Schweikert by 7 percent. Mitchell leads Schweikert 46 percent to 39 percent. Conducted October 5-7, the poll surveyed 400 likely voters and has a 4.9 percent margin of error.This news, on top of the news that Terry Goddard has closed to within 3 percentage points (among all voters) of Jan Brewer in a recent poll, drives home the point that while Democrats in AZ have made strides, getting out the vote will be vital for the next 3 weeks.
Volunteer to help Arizona. Volunteer to help elect Democrats.
Just a reminder - important dates during this election season
Courtesy the Maricopa County Recorder's Office -
October 4, 2010 - Deadline to register to vote for the November election. Already passed.
October 7, 2010 - Early voting begins. Early voting locations and hours listed here. Depending on the location, the deadline to drop ballots off at one of those locations is either the Thursday (10/28) or Friday (10/29) before the election. Already filled out and mailed back my ballot.
October 22, 2010 - Deadline to request an early ballot.
November 2, 2010 - Election Day. All early ballots must be turned into County Elections or a polling place by 7 p.m.
November 3, 2010 - The 2012 campaign season kicks off. (OK, this last one is my personal addition to the list. It'll start slow, but really kick into high gear when redistricting is complete in 2011. :) )
Later...
October 4, 2010 - Deadline to register to vote for the November election. Already passed.
October 7, 2010 - Early voting begins. Early voting locations and hours listed here. Depending on the location, the deadline to drop ballots off at one of those locations is either the Thursday (10/28) or Friday (10/29) before the election. Already filled out and mailed back my ballot.
October 22, 2010 - Deadline to request an early ballot.
November 2, 2010 - Election Day. All early ballots must be turned into County Elections or a polling place by 7 p.m.
November 3, 2010 - The 2012 campaign season kicks off. (OK, this last one is my personal addition to the list. It'll start slow, but really kick into high gear when redistricting is complete in 2011. :) )
Later...
Schweikert: nothing else is working, so it's time to lie
In his never-ending quest to gain a seat in Congress, Republican David Schweikert has gotten desperate -
He's loaned his campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money (much of it from his neighborhood-destroying vulture investing) to his own campaign...
He's gone juvenile, spending money on "counter" signs to be posted next to Harry Mitchell's signs, and then crying foul when the Mitchell signs are moved after he put up the insults.
All of this has put him close to or ahead of Mitchell in various polls (some of questionable provenance, but even the credible polls put him close to Mitchell), but none of his games or the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of outside group (RNCC or corporate) spending has put him over the top.
So now he is resorting to outright lies.
In the video, Schweikert claims that Mitchell has voted for Obama-era budget bills repealing the Bush-era tax cuts on capital gains that Schweikert supports.
Yet, Mitchell hasn't. In fact, he is cited in this Chicago Tribune article from March 2009 as one of the Ds standing in the way of the Obama budget, standing in the way because of the rollback of specific tax cuts.
Mitchell has also voted against Obama-era (2009 or later) budget and appropriation bills here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
When he's voted against budget/appropriations bills, he has consistently cited concerns over D.C. spending, and just as consistently, he has voted against tax increases, even ones that were just a rollback of Bush-era tax cuts targeted at the wealthy.
That's just the truth, something that David Schweikert has little use for, apparently.
Thanks to Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion for the heads-up on this, and the history lesson.
He's loaned his campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money (much of it from his neighborhood-destroying vulture investing) to his own campaign...
He's gone juvenile, spending money on "counter" signs to be posted next to Harry Mitchell's signs, and then crying foul when the Mitchell signs are moved after he put up the insults.
All of this has put him close to or ahead of Mitchell in various polls (some of questionable provenance, but even the credible polls put him close to Mitchell), but none of his games or the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of outside group (RNCC or corporate) spending has put him over the top.
So now he is resorting to outright lies.
In the video, Schweikert claims that Mitchell has voted for Obama-era budget bills repealing the Bush-era tax cuts on capital gains that Schweikert supports.
Yet, Mitchell hasn't. In fact, he is cited in this Chicago Tribune article from March 2009 as one of the Ds standing in the way of the Obama budget, standing in the way because of the rollback of specific tax cuts.
Mitchell has also voted against Obama-era (2009 or later) budget and appropriation bills here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
When he's voted against budget/appropriations bills, he has consistently cited concerns over D.C. spending, and just as consistently, he has voted against tax increases, even ones that were just a rollback of Bush-era tax cuts targeted at the wealthy.
That's just the truth, something that David Schweikert has little use for, apparently.
Thanks to Tedski at Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion for the heads-up on this, and the history lesson.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sen. Sylvia Allen: Block Buster
*Writer's* Block Buster, that is...
Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) has moved into that pantheon of Republican greats - the ones like Russell Pearce, JD Hayworth, and Jack Harper.
The ones any snarky writer can turn to in times of an empty creative jar.
The ones who can be counted on to provide ample subject material, no matter how dry a spell one is going through.
The ones who can be counted on to open mouth and insert foot, and if they realize what they've done, ask for some mustard to zest things up.
From the Payson Roundup (h/t to a couple of Facebook friends for the link; the Roundup is *not* in the regular rotation of personal reading):
Ahhhhh....Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia - Thank You!
Let's see. She's...
...brought national ridicule on to Arizona by pronouncing (during a televised senate committee hearing!) that the Earth is 6000 years old and is doing fine, so we should strip mine us some uranium, environmental concerns be damned.
...determined that trees are the reason that Arizona doesn't have enough water (6/15/09 Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructures and Public Debt)
...exhorted her colleagues during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee (7/30/2009) "We have to think 'What are *we* doing for the wealthy?' "
Now she's added a two-fer to her resume of "strange but real" quotes for writers all over the state to ridicule.
Regarding the notion that manufacturing in China is growing because of fewer regulations - China is a Communist country, and is one of the most heavily regulated economies in the world. They deliberately stifle competition there. What they don't have much of is environmental regulations, which is why they have one of the most polluted environments in the world to go along with the heavily regulated economy.
And then for a person who claims to support the ideal of "less government" to praise a hated symbol of a tyrannical regime because of its "success at keeping people where the government wanted them"? [quoting the article's paraphrase of Allen]
Good God.
What's next? Praise for Saudi Arabia for imposition of Sharia law and its emphasis on "traditional" roles for women?
Elaine Bohlmeyer, the Democratic candidate for Senate in LD5, has a campaign slogan of "Bringing Logic To Arizona Government."
I wonder if Allen views that slogan as a direct rebuke?
Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) has moved into that pantheon of Republican greats - the ones like Russell Pearce, JD Hayworth, and Jack Harper.
The ones any snarky writer can turn to in times of an empty creative jar.
The ones who can be counted on to provide ample subject material, no matter how dry a spell one is going through.
The ones who can be counted on to open mouth and insert foot, and if they realize what they've done, ask for some mustard to zest things up.
From the Payson Roundup (h/t to a couple of Facebook friends for the link; the Roundup is *not* in the regular rotation of personal reading):
State senate candidates Elaine Bohlmeyer and incumbent Sen. Sylvia Allen faced off during Tuesday’s Clean Elections debate, expressing opposing views on everything from reinvigorating the economy to the state’s role in the immigration and health care debates.
{snip}
Allen, however, twice referenced communist Germany and China as having possible solutions to some of Arizona’s most daunting problems.
{snip}
To increase jobs, Allen said the nation should increase manufacturing. “America is in a lot of trouble,” she said. “The government grew this decade faster than the private sector.” Allen said jobs could grow by decreasing government regulation.
She gave the example of China, which she said has a $2 trillion surplus, compared to America, which has a debt of $13.5 trillion, and attributed the difference to less government regulation in China.
{snip}
When asked about immigration reform, Allen praised the Berlin Wall — although she quickly said, “I hated it,” — for its success at keeping people where the government wanted them.
Ahhhhh....Sylvia, Sylvia, Sylvia - Thank You!
Let's see. She's...
...brought national ridicule on to Arizona by pronouncing (during a televised senate committee hearing!) that the Earth is 6000 years old and is doing fine, so we should strip mine us some uranium, environmental concerns be damned.
...determined that trees are the reason that Arizona doesn't have enough water (6/15/09 Senate Natural Resources, Infrastructures and Public Debt)
...exhorted her colleagues during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee (7/30/2009) "We have to think 'What are *we* doing for the wealthy?' "
Now she's added a two-fer to her resume of "strange but real" quotes for writers all over the state to ridicule.
Regarding the notion that manufacturing in China is growing because of fewer regulations - China is a Communist country, and is one of the most heavily regulated economies in the world. They deliberately stifle competition there. What they don't have much of is environmental regulations, which is why they have one of the most polluted environments in the world to go along with the heavily regulated economy.
And then for a person who claims to support the ideal of "less government" to praise a hated symbol of a tyrannical regime because of its "success at keeping people where the government wanted them"? [quoting the article's paraphrase of Allen]
Good God.
What's next? Praise for Saudi Arabia for imposition of Sharia law and its emphasis on "traditional" roles for women?
Elaine Bohlmeyer, the Democratic candidate for Senate in LD5, has a campaign slogan of "Bringing Logic To Arizona Government."
I wonder if Allen views that slogan as a direct rebuke?
Time to open the mailbag...
I don't often get *fan* mail sent to me directly on stuff that I've written, or on this blog generally, but it happens once in a while. Today was just such a "once in a while."
Here is the email, with the name of the writer edited out so that he doesn't think that I'm mocking him -
Later...
Here is the email, with the name of the writer edited out so that he doesn't think that I'm mocking him -
Craig,My response -
My name is XYZ,
I have lived here for over 50 years and prefer a Conservative form of government. You say that want more MA people to move out here to change the Lege to Dem.
I say to you, as I say to the Illegals that come to America and want to change our form of government--- Go back home and enjoy
Your form of government that you had there, and leave us to our form of government that works quite well.
Respectfully
XYZ
XYZ,I took it easy too, to avoid looking like I was mocking him - I could have pointed out that not only can't we see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that the "conservative" government that he reveres so ardently has probably sold off the tunnel the same way that it sold off state properties like the buildings of the legislature.
Arizona has one of the worst education systems in the country.
Arizona has a crumbling infrastructure.
Arizona has one of the weakest economies in the country.
Arizona has the highest (or nearly the highest) per capita budget deficit in the country.
There is no light at the end of the tunnel for Arizona.
With all due respect, what is working "so well" with Arizona's conservative government?
Regards,
Craig McDermott
Later...
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Dana Saar for Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board
The District 2 (most of Mesa, Scottsdale, and Fountain Hills) seat on the MCCCD Governing Board currently held by Jerry Walker (R-embarrassment) in on this year's ballot. It's not my district (I live in SD-1), so I haven't commented on it much before now.
There is a challenger for the job, Dana Saar. He is a long-time school board member in Fountain Hills and has been a teacher and technical trainer. He has the intelligence, education, and temperment to be an outstanding member of the MCCCD Governing Board. Given the recent tribulations of the Board, he may be exactly what it (and the faculty, staff, and over 100K students of the District) need.
Of course, even if Saar was a moss-covered tree stump, he would be an improvement over the current officeholder, Walker.
Laurie Roberts of the Arizona Republic has a great summary of some of Mr. Walker's more "colorful" activities here.
From the column -
Roberts describes Walker's behavior as that of a "boob." While the rest of her column was dead on (it was actually a discussion of how supporting the First Amendment and free speech can be inconvenient sometimes, when folks like Walker misuse that right so egregiously), she used the wrong body part to describe Walker and his behavior.
He's an ass.
And it is time to kick the resident ass of the MCCCD Governing Board to the electoral curb.
Vote for Dana Saar.
There is a challenger for the job, Dana Saar. He is a long-time school board member in Fountain Hills and has been a teacher and technical trainer. He has the intelligence, education, and temperment to be an outstanding member of the MCCCD Governing Board. Given the recent tribulations of the Board, he may be exactly what it (and the faculty, staff, and over 100K students of the District) need.
Of course, even if Saar was a moss-covered tree stump, he would be an improvement over the current officeholder, Walker.
Laurie Roberts of the Arizona Republic has a great summary of some of Mr. Walker's more "colorful" activities here.
From the column -
While Walker may not have violated any policies, the investigations paint a picture of a public official who demonstrates an astonishing lack of restraint in the things he says and a willingness – maybe even an eagerness -- to throw his weight around, all while standing on the broad shoulders of the First Amendment.Note: An AZRep article on the "investigation" mentioned by Roberts is here. Saar's endorsement by the Arizona Republic (predating both the investigation article and the Roberts column) here.
A few examples:
In 2006, he forwarded an e-mail to an aide, mocking the accent and intelligence of Mexicans. When Chancellor Rufus Glasper mentioned that the aide worried she might be targeted for dismissal because she complained, Walker's reported response was to say that she should feel that her job is threatened, as should Glasper, for bringing it up. He then told staffers that Glasper was going to be fired.
In 2009, he was expounding on his views about Democrats to a contract security guard when a second guard asked him to stop, calling his remarks offensive. Walker then turned on that 21-year-old guard, saying she was just like other Democrats, “ignorant and dumb.” The next day, he asked that she be fired.
That same year, he accompanied students to Washington, where they lobbied Congress on education issues. As one student spoke about the DREAM Act, Walker repeatedly interrupted her and later berated her as she walked down a hallway. “He saw fit to belittle and demean the student in a most public, inappropriate and embarrassing manner,” the investigator wrote.
Walker contends he did nothing wrong.
Roberts describes Walker's behavior as that of a "boob." While the rest of her column was dead on (it was actually a discussion of how supporting the First Amendment and free speech can be inconvenient sometimes, when folks like Walker misuse that right so egregiously), she used the wrong body part to describe Walker and his behavior.
He's an ass.
And it is time to kick the resident ass of the MCCCD Governing Board to the electoral curb.
Vote for Dana Saar.
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