The district lines haven't even been finalized yet, but I received my first polling call of the election season.
Six potential candidates were mentioned, but only three were the focus of the call.
Mentioned only:
Harry Mitchell, the former teacher, mayor, city council member, state senator and current husband, father, grandfather, icon and mentor (geez, is it too obvious that I really wish Harry would reconsider his decision not to run next year? :) )
Neil Giuliano, the former Republican mayor of Tempe and current Democrat
David Schapira, the current state senator from LD17 and Senate Democratic leader
Focused on:
Kyrsten Sinema, current LD15 state senator and author (and many other things). Easily the most liberal member of this field
Andrei Cherny, current chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and former staffer in the Clinton White House
Jon Hulburd, a lawyer, businessman, and 2010 candidate for Congress in the current CD3. Easily the most conservative member of this field
The call was pretty standard with questions about if I thought the country/state/my area was headed in the right direction, rating the importance of certain issues in next year's election and general impressions some potential candidates (the six named above), voting habits, and so on.
Then the call moved into thoughts on potential matchups between specific candidates.
The potential matchups named were Sinema-Hulburd, Hulburd-Cherny, Harry-Cherny (I think. My notes went kind of fuzzy here. Turns out I have trouble taking good notes while keeping one eye on the baseball game, posting my status on Facebook, holding my cell phone to one ear and typing one-handed. Who knew? LOL), and Sinema-Cherny-Hulburd.
Then it moved into a sorta-push poll/testing possible negative messages section, reciting a list of negative statements about Sinema and Hulburd and asking me if the statements impacted my opinions of the pair.
Obviously, I can't state definitively who put the poll in the field, but given that the surveyor focused on three candidates, and only tested negative messages about two of them...well, I'm an Occam's Razor kind of guy (not necessarily a perfect approach in assessing political developments, but it'll do this far out from the election)...
What I can state definitively to the folks behind this poll, and to anyone else considering entering the race is that my support and vote won't go to the candidate with the strongest progressive bonafides or who runs as the most Republican-lite or has the most polished professional resume.
The candidate who I think will work hardest for the district and the state will get my support and vote. I certainly had my disagreements with some of Harry Mitchell's votes and positions on individual issues, but his votes and positions were what he thought was right for the best interests of his constituents.
He may have chosen to forego another campaign, but I expect no less from any candidate that wants my support.
I know, that attitude may be a little naively idealistic, perhaps surprisingly so for someone as cynical as me, but that's the way it is.
Let the infighting begin...
Edit on 10/24 to add:
Last night I received a phone call from someone who is in a position to know about these things (aka - someone who is more of a campaign insider than me), and they informed me that Occam's Razor is a little dull. They informed me that the campaign that I hinted may have been behind the poll in fact wasn't, and that it was one of the other two candidates.
Since paying for polls is generally listed as a campaign expense (though it is an expense that is frequently is not listed directly but is buried in "consulting fees"), I did a little research on the FEC's website and found that only one of the three, Jon Hulburd, has an active campaign committee. In fact, that candidate's committee just filed a Statement of Organization on September 9, 2011.
FWIW, while this news doesn't raise or lower my opinion of any of the candidates, it is research I should have done before posting. I promise to do a better job in future coverage.
End edit...
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A little politics, a little wine: Just another Thursday night in Scottsdale
Thursday evening, Zocalo Public Square, along with ASU, put on a panel about how Arizona has moved to the forefront of America's political discussion.
The panel was led by Marc Lacey, Phoenix bureau chief for the New York Times, and included Jennifer Steen, a political science professor at ASU, Art Hamilton, a long-time figure on the Arizona political scene (including more than a quarter-century in the Arizona House of Representatives), and Tom Zoellner, an author, former journalist, and fifth-generation Arizonan.
(left to right - Lacey, Steen, Hamilton, and Zoellner)
The event took place at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).
Zocalo Public Square has its report on the event here, and some brief offerings on the topic from a group of observers of the Arizona scene here.
ZPS's write-up is decent (if a little too "cheerleader" for my taste), but it did leave out a few important things...like my impressions. :)
Lacey
...Lacey and the panelists, as expected, knew their stuff, but they made a couple of factual errors, the most glaring of which was Lacey's statement that the US Supreme Court has overturned Arizona's Clean Elections system. If fact, as bad as their decision was, they only set aside the matching provisions section of the law.
However, the few errors were very minor. My biggest quibble with the session was that it was so short.
While the discussion was nearly 90 minutes long, the topic can barely be skimmed in that time. They tried, but most of the more in-depth talk was during the after-event wine social. I didn't stay for more than a few minutes of that, so I can't really write about that part of the evening. Maybe if it had involved beer... :)
The topics covered in the main discussion included the immigration debate, the state's gun culture, the decline of civility in in politics and other civic matters, electoral demographics and more.
Of course, my guess is that both the organizers of the event and the panelists understand that an in-depth analysis was impossible to achieve at such a short event, but also realize that the discussion needs to start somewhere.
Hamilton
...Hamilton delivered the best observations, and the best one-liners, of the evening, illustrating both his long experience with Arizona's politics and his quick wit.
- "The ultimate affront was when a friend of mine, the just-past speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, told me he was glad we were in the news because it made him feel better about Mississippi." (from Zocalo's report on the event; I noted the quote, but my notes sucked :) )
- SB1070 was an "E-ticket ride" to a full term as governor for Jan Brewer
- "If you think the cost of education is high, consider the cost of ignorance."
- When Lacey asked Hamilton to "psychanalyze" the legislature and other leaders of Arizona's politics, Hamilton responded with "I would suggest 'psycho' without the 'analyzing.' "
- One subject area where Hamilton was far more tactful than most other observers (including this one) would be was on the topic of the influence of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, on public policy proposals in Arizona. He said that ALEC may have a conservative bent, but it is a legitimate organization.
I would have said that ALEC exists mostly to put corporate interests with deep pockets together with legislators with shallow morals.
Steen
...Steen, the ASU professor, brought an outsider's perspective (formerly on the faculties of Boston College and Yale) and has some experience in partisan activity (former PC, delegate to a national convention and member of the Electoral College). However, it was easy to see her academic background - while she made some dead-on observations, she loves statistics and wants to see some hard numbers of the effect of SB1070 on the number of Hispanic residents in Arizona.
Zoellner
...Zoellner, an author and former journalist, has worked for Gabrielle Giffords and is a fifth-generation Arizonan.
- I don't know Zoellner, but he won my respect early on when he mentioned (and gave credit to) Jon Talton's term about the Arizona economy, the "Real Estate Industrial Complex."
- He noted that in 2010 when he returned to help with the Giffords campaign, he almost didn't recognize his hometown (Tucson) because the political environment there and statewide has become so toxic and "nasty."
- He also noted that much of the contentiousness/increase in nativism in AZ may be due to the generational shift of the state's demographics. A majority of the state's older (>65 years old) is white/Anglo, while a majority of its younger (<18) residents are Latino/other ethnic or racial group), and the older folks are *not* happy about that reality.
Overall, while it wasn't an occasion where most experienced observers of Arizona politics would learn something new or gain some heretofore unknown insight, it was nice to just sit and talk about politics without the shouting of tea party/Republican types. It was a serious discussion for serious people with a serious interest in public policy, and more of this is needed.
There were a few members of the audience that I knew - Steve Muratore of The Arizona Eagletarian was there, asking the question about ALEC that brought forth the tactful response from Art Hamilton. I'd have taken a picture of him asking the question, but it would have been a pic of the back of his head.
Probably not a pic that would add to the story. :))
Also at the discussion was Jerry Gettinger, a friend and occasional contributor to this blog.
Jerry asking a question
The audience. Note the TV cameras. The event was recorded for a November broadcast on C-SPAN.
Later...
The panel was led by Marc Lacey, Phoenix bureau chief for the New York Times, and included Jennifer Steen, a political science professor at ASU, Art Hamilton, a long-time figure on the Arizona political scene (including more than a quarter-century in the Arizona House of Representatives), and Tom Zoellner, an author, former journalist, and fifth-generation Arizonan.
(left to right - Lacey, Steen, Hamilton, and Zoellner)
The event took place at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA).
Zocalo Public Square has its report on the event here, and some brief offerings on the topic from a group of observers of the Arizona scene here.
ZPS's write-up is decent (if a little too "cheerleader" for my taste), but it did leave out a few important things...like my impressions. :)
Lacey
...Lacey and the panelists, as expected, knew their stuff, but they made a couple of factual errors, the most glaring of which was Lacey's statement that the US Supreme Court has overturned Arizona's Clean Elections system. If fact, as bad as their decision was, they only set aside the matching provisions section of the law.
However, the few errors were very minor. My biggest quibble with the session was that it was so short.
While the discussion was nearly 90 minutes long, the topic can barely be skimmed in that time. They tried, but most of the more in-depth talk was during the after-event wine social. I didn't stay for more than a few minutes of that, so I can't really write about that part of the evening. Maybe if it had involved beer... :)
The topics covered in the main discussion included the immigration debate, the state's gun culture, the decline of civility in in politics and other civic matters, electoral demographics and more.
Of course, my guess is that both the organizers of the event and the panelists understand that an in-depth analysis was impossible to achieve at such a short event, but also realize that the discussion needs to start somewhere.
Hamilton
...Hamilton delivered the best observations, and the best one-liners, of the evening, illustrating both his long experience with Arizona's politics and his quick wit.
- "The ultimate affront was when a friend of mine, the just-past speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, told me he was glad we were in the news because it made him feel better about Mississippi." (from Zocalo's report on the event; I noted the quote, but my notes sucked :) )
- SB1070 was an "E-ticket ride" to a full term as governor for Jan Brewer
- "If you think the cost of education is high, consider the cost of ignorance."
- When Lacey asked Hamilton to "psychanalyze" the legislature and other leaders of Arizona's politics, Hamilton responded with "I would suggest 'psycho' without the 'analyzing.' "
- One subject area where Hamilton was far more tactful than most other observers (including this one) would be was on the topic of the influence of ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, on public policy proposals in Arizona. He said that ALEC may have a conservative bent, but it is a legitimate organization.
I would have said that ALEC exists mostly to put corporate interests with deep pockets together with legislators with shallow morals.
Steen
...Steen, the ASU professor, brought an outsider's perspective (formerly on the faculties of Boston College and Yale) and has some experience in partisan activity (former PC, delegate to a national convention and member of the Electoral College). However, it was easy to see her academic background - while she made some dead-on observations, she loves statistics and wants to see some hard numbers of the effect of SB1070 on the number of Hispanic residents in Arizona.
Zoellner
...Zoellner, an author and former journalist, has worked for Gabrielle Giffords and is a fifth-generation Arizonan.
- I don't know Zoellner, but he won my respect early on when he mentioned (and gave credit to) Jon Talton's term about the Arizona economy, the "Real Estate Industrial Complex."
- He noted that in 2010 when he returned to help with the Giffords campaign, he almost didn't recognize his hometown (Tucson) because the political environment there and statewide has become so toxic and "nasty."
- He also noted that much of the contentiousness/increase in nativism in AZ may be due to the generational shift of the state's demographics. A majority of the state's older (>65 years old) is white/Anglo, while a majority of its younger (<18) residents are Latino/other ethnic or racial group), and the older folks are *not* happy about that reality.
Overall, while it wasn't an occasion where most experienced observers of Arizona politics would learn something new or gain some heretofore unknown insight, it was nice to just sit and talk about politics without the shouting of tea party/Republican types. It was a serious discussion for serious people with a serious interest in public policy, and more of this is needed.
There were a few members of the audience that I knew - Steve Muratore of The Arizona Eagletarian was there, asking the question about ALEC that brought forth the tactful response from Art Hamilton. I'd have taken a picture of him asking the question, but it would have been a pic of the back of his head.
Probably not a pic that would add to the story. :))
Also at the discussion was Jerry Gettinger, a friend and occasional contributor to this blog.
Jerry asking a question
The audience. Note the TV cameras. The event was recorded for a November broadcast on C-SPAN.
Later...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Republican-led legislature going after Independent Redistricting Commission
...Once again, "the law is the law" types in the legislature show their true colors - the "law is the law" - except for them.
At least the members of this committee haven't assaulted a woman by the side of the freeway or aimed a pistol at a reporter.
Yet.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -
The meeting notice isn't posted on the lege's website as yet.
On November 7, 2000, the voters passed an amendment to the Arizona Constitution removing the legislature's ability to create its own districts and instead creating an *independent* redistricting commission.
Since November 8, 2000, the members of the legislature have been working to undermine the will of the voters and the independence of the redistricting commission. This is just the latest gambit in a long line of schemes.
They were successful in subverting the process and the commission a decade ago. One of the ways to stop them this time around is to keep the bright glare of sunshine on them. As soon as I know the time of the meeting, I'll post it here.
At least the members of this committee haven't assaulted a woman by the side of the freeway or aimed a pistol at a reporter.
Yet.
From the Arizona Republic, written by Mary Jo Pitzl -
Legislative leaders want to take a good, hard look at the draft redistricting maps. They've scheduled a Friday meeting for the newly formed Joint Legislative Committee on Redistricting.AZBlueMeanie at Blog For Arizona has a post here, with a few more details from an article in the Arizona Capitol Times.
The committee will be chaired by Rep. Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, and Senate Majority Leader Steve Pierce, R-Prescott. Six others also will serve on the panel. No meeting time has been set.
The meeting notice isn't posted on the lege's website as yet.
On November 7, 2000, the voters passed an amendment to the Arizona Constitution removing the legislature's ability to create its own districts and instead creating an *independent* redistricting commission.
Since November 8, 2000, the members of the legislature have been working to undermine the will of the voters and the independence of the redistricting commission. This is just the latest gambit in a long line of schemes.
They were successful in subverting the process and the commission a decade ago. One of the ways to stop them this time around is to keep the bright glare of sunshine on them. As soon as I know the time of the meeting, I'll post it here.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Arpaio Testifies At Thomas' Ethics Hearing
Most of the time, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio likes to portray himself as "America's Toughest Sheriff" or something similarly grandiose and self-serving.
However, when he testified before the panel investigating former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, he portrayed himself as something else.
I'm just trying to figure who or what he was playing.
From the Arizona Republic, written by JJ Hensley -
Was it -
Ronald Reagan? The former president may have been best known for evading questions about his involvement in the Iran/Contra scandal with "I don't recall". However, while Reagan's politics were almost as abominable as Arpaio's (in a different way, however), I can say one positive thing about the man -
He could deliver a punch line.
And Arpaio doesn't have a funny bone in his body.
pic courtesy IMDB
Alberto Gonzales? The former US Attorney General is famous for his use of "I don't recall" to protect himself (and others) from an investigation into the firing of US attorneys who refused to trump up cases against prominent Democrats and other critics of his former bosses, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove.
Hmmm...probably not. Even though Gonzales was a fan of torture and an enemy of civil rights, I can't see Arpaio ever acting like someone named "Gonzales."
pic courtesy OnePennySheet.com
However, when he testified before the panel investigating former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas, he portrayed himself as something else.
I'm just trying to figure who or what he was playing.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio does not recall many of the details related to the investigations that have threatened the careers of former County Attorney Andrew Thomas and one of his top prosecutors.Upon reading the srory and watching the video (embedded in the Republic story), I had to sit back and figure out what role Arpaio was playing on Tuesday.
{snip}
"I don't recall" was Arpaio's most common answer when attorneys pressed him for details.
Was it -
Ronald Reagan? The former president may have been best known for evading questions about his involvement in the Iran/Contra scandal with "I don't recall". However, while Reagan's politics were almost as abominable as Arpaio's (in a different way, however), I can say one positive thing about the man -And Arpaio doesn't have a funny bone in his body.
pic courtesy IMDB
Alberto Gonzales? The former US Attorney General is famous for his use of "I don't recall" to protect himself (and others) from an investigation into the firing of US attorneys who refused to trump up cases against prominent Democrats and other critics of his former bosses, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove.
Hmmm...probably not. Even though Gonzales was a fan of torture and an enemy of civil rights, I can't see Arpaio ever acting like someone named "Gonzales."
pic courtesy OnePennySheet.com
So, if Arpaio wasn't doing his best Reagan imitation and he wasn't doing a Gonzales imitation either, who could it be?
Hmmmm...........I've got it!
pic courtesy KickingTheCanDownTheRoad.com
Monday, October 17, 2011
Herman Cain and Michelle Bachmann could be showing off their physical flexibility by Wednesday...
...because they could go from kissing Joe Arpaio's butt Monday to kicking themselves Wednesday...
Republican Presidential candidates Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain spent time in Arizona Monday, kissing up to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other local nativist bigwigs in separate smoochfests.
On Tuesday, Arpaio is scheduled to testify before the ethics hearing looking into the conduct of Arpaio's long-time ally, former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Given the not-insignificant possibility of perjury or Arpaio invoking his right against self-incrimination, the people who spent Monday trying to get closer to Arpaio than the other R candidates could ending spending Wednesday trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and him.
Since after February (maybe sooner!) neither one is likely to have much to do, Bachmann and Cain should plan to put out a new workout DVD - "Kissin' and Kickin'!"
Cain and Bachmann could lead their followers in an elegantly simple five-step routine -
1. Bend over and pucker up.
2. Stand up quickly and administer a palmsmack to their foreheads.
3. Jump up, whirl in the air, kicking their own butts in mid-whirl (and mid-air).
4. Upon landing, run a full speed away from the spot where they puckered up. One possible variation: if there is a full moon out, howl at it while running.
5. Repeat until exhausted or the soft-spoken folks in white coats come to take them away, ha haaa!
Republican Presidential candidates Michelle Bachmann and Herman Cain spent time in Arizona Monday, kissing up to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other local nativist bigwigs in separate smoochfests.
On Tuesday, Arpaio is scheduled to testify before the ethics hearing looking into the conduct of Arpaio's long-time ally, former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas.
Given the not-insignificant possibility of perjury or Arpaio invoking his right against self-incrimination, the people who spent Monday trying to get closer to Arpaio than the other R candidates could ending spending Wednesday trying to put as much distance as possible between themselves and him.
Since after February (maybe sooner!) neither one is likely to have much to do, Bachmann and Cain should plan to put out a new workout DVD - "Kissin' and Kickin'!"
Cain and Bachmann could lead their followers in an elegantly simple five-step routine -
1. Bend over and pucker up.
2. Stand up quickly and administer a palmsmack to their foreheads.
3. Jump up, whirl in the air, kicking their own butts in mid-whirl (and mid-air).
4. Upon landing, run a full speed away from the spot where they puckered up. One possible variation: if there is a full moon out, howl at it while running.
5. Repeat until exhausted or the soft-spoken folks in white coats come to take them away, ha haaa!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The NRA, Fast and Furious, and Wide Receiver: What a difference a few years makes
By now, most people have heard of the "Fast and Furious" scandal, stemming from an operation conducted out of the Phoenix office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). During that sting, a number of guns were allowed to "walk" across the border to Mexico in order to allow BATFE to track an organization of "straw" gun buyers.
The operation became a scandal when some of the guns started turning up at Mexican crime scenes, and even were involved in the killing of a Border Patrol agent in southern Arizona.
The operation has come in for criticisms from many quarters and is the subject of Congressional investigations.
While some of the criticisms are certainly justified, the loudest critics seem to have selective memories.
Just a few years ago, during the previous presidential administration, another very similar BATFE effort called Operation Wide Receiver did much the same thing - allowed weapons to cross the border with Mexico, ostensibly to use the weapons to track criminal organizations there.
It failed, not as spectacularly as Fast and Furious, but it still failed miserably.
At the time in 2006, it pretty much escaped notice. Certainly, many of the critics of Fast and Furious now ignored Wide Receiver then.
The NRA is a good example of this.
They started criticizing BATFE and the Department of Justice over this in February, following up in February again, February (yet again!), March, March (again), April, May, June, June (again), June (yet again!), July, July (again), July (yet again!), July (one more time for good measure), August, and September.
That list is just the NRA's press releases that directly reference the operation. It doesn't include the anti-Mexico/Central America propaganda spouted by the NRA's communications shop. They spent the spring trying to deflect attention from the inconvenient fact that most of the crime guns in Mexico come from the United States.
In addition to the press releases, Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president and the primary voice and face of the NRA has been ranting into any microphone that somebody puts in front of him ("Biggest cover up since Watergate" is my personal favorite).
By comparison, the NRA's press releases on Operation Wide Receiver -
[crickets chirping]
Now, I'm not accusing the NRA of engaging in anything illegal here. However, if they ever want to regain some credibility in civil society, they need to become more than a partisan press release generator/marketing agency for gun manufacturers and retailers.
Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has a more in-depth column on Fast and Furious here.
This post is written as part of the Media Matters Gun Facts fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship is to further Media Matters' mission to comprehensively monitor, analyze, and correct conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Some of the worst misinformation occurs around the issue of guns, gun violence, and extremism, the fellowship program is designed to fight this misinformation with facts.
The operation became a scandal when some of the guns started turning up at Mexican crime scenes, and even were involved in the killing of a Border Patrol agent in southern Arizona.
The operation has come in for criticisms from many quarters and is the subject of Congressional investigations.
While some of the criticisms are certainly justified, the loudest critics seem to have selective memories.
Just a few years ago, during the previous presidential administration, another very similar BATFE effort called Operation Wide Receiver did much the same thing - allowed weapons to cross the border with Mexico, ostensibly to use the weapons to track criminal organizations there.
It failed, not as spectacularly as Fast and Furious, but it still failed miserably.
At the time in 2006, it pretty much escaped notice. Certainly, many of the critics of Fast and Furious now ignored Wide Receiver then.
The NRA is a good example of this.
They started criticizing BATFE and the Department of Justice over this in February, following up in February again, February (yet again!), March, March (again), April, May, June, June (again), June (yet again!), July, July (again), July (yet again!), July (one more time for good measure), August, and September.
That list is just the NRA's press releases that directly reference the operation. It doesn't include the anti-Mexico/Central America propaganda spouted by the NRA's communications shop. They spent the spring trying to deflect attention from the inconvenient fact that most of the crime guns in Mexico come from the United States.
In addition to the press releases, Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president and the primary voice and face of the NRA has been ranting into any microphone that somebody puts in front of him ("Biggest cover up since Watergate" is my personal favorite).
By comparison, the NRA's press releases on Operation Wide Receiver -
[crickets chirping]
Now, I'm not accusing the NRA of engaging in anything illegal here. However, if they ever want to regain some credibility in civil society, they need to become more than a partisan press release generator/marketing agency for gun manufacturers and retailers.
Jay Bookman of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has a more in-depth column on Fast and Furious here.
This post is written as part of the Media Matters Gun Facts fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship is to further Media Matters' mission to comprehensively monitor, analyze, and correct conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Some of the worst misinformation occurs around the issue of guns, gun violence, and extremism, the fellowship program is designed to fight this misinformation with facts.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Campaign committees update...
...and some sad news in the "he's not running" department..
First up, the sad news - Harry Mitchell, the long-time Tempe (and Arizona) icon announced that he will NOT seek election to Congress next year.
From his Facebook page -
THANK YOU HARRY!
I respect his decision, but fervently wish it was otherwise.
There will be more (lots more!) written about this at a later time. Right now, on to the rest of the post.
Note: Where a legislative or Congressional district is specified, that number is likely to change once the redistricting process is complete.
In U.S. Congress campaign news, Tucson lawyer Christopher Scileppi has formed a committee to run for CD7 as a GOPer.
Seriously, where the FEC's form asks for partisan affiliation, he entered "GOP".
...Warren Petersen of Gilbert has formed a committee for a run at the Republican nomination for Arizona House of Representatives in LD22. I think he's a real estate agent (his name doesn't make for the best search terms).
...Chris Schaffner of north Scottsdale has formed a committee for a run at Scottsdale City Council. The forms on Scottsdale's election website aren't linkable, but he lists his occupation as "account manager" at Milliken.
...In Tempe, Derek Deutsch and Joseph Pospicil Jr. (exploratory) have formed $500 Threshold exemption committees for runs at Tempe City Council. Deutsch ran as a Libertarian for the Kyrene Justice of the Peace job last year (he never made it on to the ballot). Couldn't find out much about Pospicil, though I *think* he's a Libertarian, too, but I'm not absolutely sure about it.
Later...
First up, the sad news - Harry Mitchell, the long-time Tempe (and Arizona) icon announced that he will NOT seek election to Congress next year.
From his Facebook page -
"While having the confidence, energy and strong support for a successful campaign in a new Tempe-centered district, I’ve decided against pursuing it. While my life in public service has taught me that positive change – no matter how difficult – is possible, I’d rather spend my energy here at home than be steeped in the partisan infighting, gridlock and subsequent dysfunction that has overtaken Washington. I, like many others, simply do not have the patience for that anymore."While the selfish part of me hopes that he reconsiders his decision, the part of me that is in awe of his more than four decades of public service (teacher, councilman, mayor, state senator, U.S. Congressman) only says -
THANK YOU HARRY!
I respect his decision, but fervently wish it was otherwise.
There will be more (lots more!) written about this at a later time. Right now, on to the rest of the post.
Note: Where a legislative or Congressional district is specified, that number is likely to change once the redistricting process is complete.
In U.S. Congress campaign news, Tucson lawyer Christopher Scileppi has formed a committee to run for CD7 as a GOPer.
Seriously, where the FEC's form asks for partisan affiliation, he entered "GOP".
...Warren Petersen of Gilbert has formed a committee for a run at the Republican nomination for Arizona House of Representatives in LD22. I think he's a real estate agent (his name doesn't make for the best search terms).
...Chris Schaffner of north Scottsdale has formed a committee for a run at Scottsdale City Council. The forms on Scottsdale's election website aren't linkable, but he lists his occupation as "account manager" at Milliken.
...In Tempe, Derek Deutsch and Joseph Pospicil Jr. (exploratory) have formed $500 Threshold exemption committees for runs at Tempe City Council. Deutsch ran as a Libertarian for the Kyrene Justice of the Peace job last year (he never made it on to the ballot). Couldn't find out much about Pospicil, though I *think* he's a Libertarian, too, but I'm not absolutely sure about it.
Later...
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Light posting for the next few days...
Due to the fact that there aren't 48 hours in a day (meaning that I've had a busy schedule for the last few days and will be busy tomorrow night), posting will be light to nonexistent until Friday night or maybe even Saturday. :((
Until then, here's a little light reading -
...The Republicans in AZ's Congressional delegation are looking to use the Grand Canyon, one of the country's national treasures (and Arizona's crown jewel) to help mining companies socialize costs and risks while privatizing profits and benefits by opening up the Grand Canyon area to uranium mining. The Cronkite News Service has the story here.
...The New York Times published an editorial exposing the Republicans myth of "voter fraud." Definitely worth a read.
...Stephen Lemons of the Phoenix New Times lends some insight into the shenanigans of some of Russell Pearce's supporters/paid consultants here.
...In non-political news, Theo Epstein, GM of the Boston Red Sox, is taking a position with the Chicago Cubs. He worked miracles in Boston (first World Series championship in 86 years!!!) but if he can right the ship at Wrigley, he should be named Secretary of the Treasury.
It's getting to the point where only a miracle worker of the first class will be able to fix the mess that is the American economy.
Later...
Until then, here's a little light reading -
...The Republicans in AZ's Congressional delegation are looking to use the Grand Canyon, one of the country's national treasures (and Arizona's crown jewel) to help mining companies socialize costs and risks while privatizing profits and benefits by opening up the Grand Canyon area to uranium mining. The Cronkite News Service has the story here.
...The New York Times published an editorial exposing the Republicans myth of "voter fraud." Definitely worth a read.
...Stephen Lemons of the Phoenix New Times lends some insight into the shenanigans of some of Russell Pearce's supporters/paid consultants here.
...In non-political news, Theo Epstein, GM of the Boston Red Sox, is taking a position with the Chicago Cubs. He worked miracles in Boston (first World Series championship in 86 years!!!) but if he can right the ship at Wrigley, he should be named Secretary of the Treasury.
It's getting to the point where only a miracle worker of the first class will be able to fix the mess that is the American economy.
Later...
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Stalking state laws: the NRA and its lobbyists work slowly but inexorably
The NRA is proving that when it comes to lobbying state legislatures, persistence is almost as important as money, as is the patience to take small bites. (Not that lots of money hurts. :) )
Perhaps it's the old saw about repeating a lie often enough that it becomes fact (Goebbels?) or maybe it's just familiarity breeding...familiarity, but persistence and patience have worked very well indeed for them.
When they try to grab a big bunch of policy ground in one chunk, that is when they experience most of their setbacks, as happened in Arizona this year where a governor who is a strong supporter of the NRA vetoed a "firearms omnibus" bill that contained all sorts of NRA wish-list items (like allowing guns in schools).
Many of its recent legislative successes, such as the raft of "guns in bars" bills that have passed state legislatures in recent years, are rooted in efforts that began years ago.
Here in Arizona, the first "guns in bars" bill (that I can find, anyway) first appeared in 2003.
Then in 2004.
And in 2005.
And, after a couple of years to catch their breath, in 2008.
And again in 2009.
Finally, later in 2009, the measure was passed and signed into law.
Of course, that doesn't compare to efforts to weaken local control of firearms. In many states, the ability of local municipalities to pass gun control measures to bolster public safety has been curtailed or even eliminated.
Those efforts have been relentless, starting in the mid-1990s.
Despite the fact that municipal governments are the "retail" level of government and know best what works for their cities.
Here in Arizona, the legislature passed or considered measures affecting local firearms control in...
...1999. The measure was vetoed, but would have barred political subdivisions (aka - counties and municipalities) from enacting ordinances affecting or participating in lawsuits against firearms manufacturers
...2000. Decreased the ability of political subdivisions from enacting ordinances affecting firearms. Enacted into law.
...2001. Failed in the Arizona House, but would have completely removed the ability of political subdivisions to enact or enforce *any* rule or ordinance relating to firearms.
...2002. In a switch, the NRA lobbied against a bill. They killed a measure that would have required the establishment of a task force of local, county, state and federal agencies to trace crime guns.
...2003. Barred local regulation of gun sales in their jurisdiction. Enacted into law.
...2006. Barred political subdivisions and state agencies from enacting ordinances and rules relating to the storage of firearms. Enacted into law.
...2007. Barred a political subdivision from prohibiting a peace officer from carrying a firearm, except under very specific conditions. Enacted into law.
...2009. Barred employers, both public and private, from enacting or enforcing policies prohibiting their employees from storing weapons in the cars. Known as the "guns in cars" bill. Enacted into law.
...2010. Further diminished the ability of municipalities to enact any ordinances or rules relating to firearms. Enacted into law.
...2011. Barred political subdivisions from restricting hunting within city limits. Enacted into law.
That pattern of diminution of local control was also evident in the firearms omnibus bill mentioned earlier. It featured a clause barring universities and other schools from adopting and/or enforcing policies restricting the possession of weapons on their campuses.
The NRA, through its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), regularly rallies its members to swamp state legislators with phone calls and emails in support of (or opposition to) legislative proposals.
They also aren't shy about directly lobbying legislators.
From the Arizona Legislature's events calendar -
And that wasn't an isolated day - the NRA, its proxies (like the Arizona Citizens Defense League above), or both, lobby the legislature on a nearly daily basis.
Above, Dave Kopp of the Arizona Citizen Defense League, testifies February 14, 2011 before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a "guns in schools" bill. A short while later, a lobbyist directly employed by the NRA spoke in favor of the same bill.
Kopp is so friendly with the people running the Senate that when he walks into the Senate building, its almost like he entering his own office.
Seriously. I've seen it many times.
He walks behind the reception counter, puts his briefcase on top the counter, and starts going through papers and agendas and other things back there like he owns the place.
And given how successful the NRA and its proxies have been at the Arizona Legislature and in many legislatures across the country, maybe they do.
Perhaps it's the old saw about repeating a lie often enough that it becomes fact (Goebbels?) or maybe it's just familiarity breeding...familiarity, but persistence and patience have worked very well indeed for them.
When they try to grab a big bunch of policy ground in one chunk, that is when they experience most of their setbacks, as happened in Arizona this year where a governor who is a strong supporter of the NRA vetoed a "firearms omnibus" bill that contained all sorts of NRA wish-list items (like allowing guns in schools).
Many of its recent legislative successes, such as the raft of "guns in bars" bills that have passed state legislatures in recent years, are rooted in efforts that began years ago.
Here in Arizona, the first "guns in bars" bill (that I can find, anyway) first appeared in 2003.
Then in 2004.
And in 2005.
And, after a couple of years to catch their breath, in 2008.
And again in 2009.
Finally, later in 2009, the measure was passed and signed into law.
Of course, that doesn't compare to efforts to weaken local control of firearms. In many states, the ability of local municipalities to pass gun control measures to bolster public safety has been curtailed or even eliminated.
Those efforts have been relentless, starting in the mid-1990s.
Despite the fact that municipal governments are the "retail" level of government and know best what works for their cities.
Here in Arizona, the legislature passed or considered measures affecting local firearms control in...
...1999. The measure was vetoed, but would have barred political subdivisions (aka - counties and municipalities) from enacting ordinances affecting or participating in lawsuits against firearms manufacturers
...2000. Decreased the ability of political subdivisions from enacting ordinances affecting firearms. Enacted into law.
...2001. Failed in the Arizona House, but would have completely removed the ability of political subdivisions to enact or enforce *any* rule or ordinance relating to firearms.
...2002. In a switch, the NRA lobbied against a bill. They killed a measure that would have required the establishment of a task force of local, county, state and federal agencies to trace crime guns.
...2003. Barred local regulation of gun sales in their jurisdiction. Enacted into law.
...2006. Barred political subdivisions and state agencies from enacting ordinances and rules relating to the storage of firearms. Enacted into law.
...2007. Barred a political subdivision from prohibiting a peace officer from carrying a firearm, except under very specific conditions. Enacted into law.
...2009. Barred employers, both public and private, from enacting or enforcing policies prohibiting their employees from storing weapons in the cars. Known as the "guns in cars" bill. Enacted into law.
...2010. Further diminished the ability of municipalities to enact any ordinances or rules relating to firearms. Enacted into law.
...2011. Barred political subdivisions from restricting hunting within city limits. Enacted into law.
That pattern of diminution of local control was also evident in the firearms omnibus bill mentioned earlier. It featured a clause barring universities and other schools from adopting and/or enforcing policies restricting the possession of weapons on their campuses.
The NRA, through its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), regularly rallies its members to swamp state legislators with phone calls and emails in support of (or opposition to) legislative proposals.
They also aren't shy about directly lobbying legislators.
From the Arizona Legislature's events calendar -
And that wasn't an isolated day - the NRA, its proxies (like the Arizona Citizens Defense League above), or both, lobby the legislature on a nearly daily basis.
Above, Dave Kopp of the Arizona Citizen Defense League, testifies February 14, 2011 before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a "guns in schools" bill. A short while later, a lobbyist directly employed by the NRA spoke in favor of the same bill.
Kopp is so friendly with the people running the Senate that when he walks into the Senate building, its almost like he entering his own office.
Seriously. I've seen it many times.
He walks behind the reception counter, puts his briefcase on top the counter, and starts going through papers and agendas and other things back there like he owns the place.
And given how successful the NRA and its proxies have been at the Arizona Legislature and in many legislatures across the country, maybe they do.
This post is written as part of the Media Matters Gun Facts fellowship. The purpose of the fellowship is to further Media Matters' mission to comprehensively monitor, analyze, and correct conservative misinformation in the U.S. media. Some of the worst misinformation occurs around the issue of guns, gun violence, and extremism, the fellowship program is designed to fight this misinformation with facts.
Schedule For The Second Round Of Redistricting Hearings Announced
In addition to its business meetings, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) holds two series of public hearings all over the state.
During the first round of hearings, they solicited public input on what the AIRC should consider when drawing up maps.
Now, they've completed a draft map of Congressional districts and will have a draft map for legislative districts by the end of the weekend.
During the second round of public hearings, they'll accept feedback on those draft maps, and suggestions for changes to the maps. Most of the suggestions won't be turned into changes to the maps (if only because many will be contradictory), but some will.
The schedule of hearings (start time 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted), All are subject to change, so check 48 hours beforehand before making travel plans:
Tuesday, October 11 -
Phoenix College
Auditorium
1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Wednesday, October 12 -
Best Western Payson Inn
801 North Beeline Highway 87
Payson, AZ 85547
Thursday, October 13 -
Flagstaff City Hall
Council Chambers
211 West Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Friday, October 14 -
Navajo Nation Museum
Highway 264 and Loop Road
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Start time: 1 p.m. MDT/Noon MST
Saturday, October 15 -
Navajo Nation Museum
Highway 264 and Loop Road
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Start time: 9 a.m.
Saturday, October 15 -
Hon Dah Resort – Casino
Mt. Baldy Room
777 Hwy 260
Pinetop, AZ 85935
Start time: 3 p.m.
Monday, October 17 -
Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites
Junction Hwy 160
Tuba City, AZ 86045
Start time: 10 a.m. MDT/9 a.m. MST
Prescott Valley Public Library
Council Chambers/Auditorium
7401 E. Civic Circle
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Start time: 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18 -
Chandler City Hall
Council Chambers
175 S. Arizona Avenue
Chandler, AZ 85244
Wednesday, October 19 -
Bullhead City Council Chambers
1255 Marina Boulevard
Bullhead City, AZ 86422
Thursday, October 20 -
Maryvale High School
Auditorium
3415 N. 59th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85033
Friday, October 21 -
Apache Gold Casino Resort
5 miles East of Globe on Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
Start time: 11 a.m.
City of Globe
Location TBA
Start time: 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 22 -
West View High School
10850 W. Garden Lakes Parkway
Avondale, AZ 85392
Start time: 1 p.m.
Monday, October 24 -
Tohono O’odham Utility Authority Conference Room
Hwy 86 Mile Post 112
Sells, AZ 85634
Start time 11 a.m.
University of Arizona
Student Union Memorial Center
North Ballroom
1303 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
Start time 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25 -
Buena Performing Arts Center (Buena High School)
5225 Buena School Boulevard
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Wednesday, October 26 -
Holiday Inn
777 N. Pinal Avenue
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Thursday, October 27 -
Eastern Arizona College
615 N. Stadium Ave.
Thatcher, AZ 85552
Friday, October 28 -
Americana Hotel
639 N. Grand Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
Saturday, October 29 -
Yuma City Hall
City Council Chambers One City Plaza
Yuma, AZ 85364
Start time: 1 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1 -
South Mountain Community College
7050 South 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85402
Wednesday, November 2 -
City of Peoria
Location TBA
Thursday, November 3 -
Granite Reef Senior Center
1700 North Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Friday, November 4 -
Town of Marana
Marana Municipal Complex
Auditorium
11555 W. Civic Center Drive
Marana, AZ 85653
Saturday, November 5 -
Town of Green Valley
Location TBA
Start time: 10 a.m.
During the first round of hearings, they solicited public input on what the AIRC should consider when drawing up maps.
Now, they've completed a draft map of Congressional districts and will have a draft map for legislative districts by the end of the weekend.
During the second round of public hearings, they'll accept feedback on those draft maps, and suggestions for changes to the maps. Most of the suggestions won't be turned into changes to the maps (if only because many will be contradictory), but some will.
The schedule of hearings (start time 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted), All are subject to change, so check 48 hours beforehand before making travel plans:
Tuesday, October 11 -
Phoenix College
Auditorium
1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Wednesday, October 12 -
Best Western Payson Inn
801 North Beeline Highway 87
Payson, AZ 85547
Thursday, October 13 -
Flagstaff City Hall
Council Chambers
211 West Aspen Avenue
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Friday, October 14 -
Navajo Nation Museum
Highway 264 and Loop Road
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Start time: 1 p.m. MDT/Noon MST
Saturday, October 15 -
Navajo Nation Museum
Highway 264 and Loop Road
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Start time: 9 a.m.
Saturday, October 15 -
Hon Dah Resort – Casino
Mt. Baldy Room
777 Hwy 260
Pinetop, AZ 85935
Start time: 3 p.m.
Monday, October 17 -
Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites
Junction Hwy 160
Tuba City, AZ 86045
Start time: 10 a.m. MDT/9 a.m. MST
Prescott Valley Public Library
Council Chambers/Auditorium
7401 E. Civic Circle
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Start time: 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18 -
Chandler City Hall
Council Chambers
175 S. Arizona Avenue
Chandler, AZ 85244
Wednesday, October 19 -
Bullhead City Council Chambers
1255 Marina Boulevard
Bullhead City, AZ 86422
Thursday, October 20 -
Maryvale High School
Auditorium
3415 N. 59th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85033
Friday, October 21 -
Apache Gold Casino Resort
5 miles East of Globe on Highway 70
San Carlos, AZ 85550
Start time: 11 a.m.
City of Globe
Location TBA
Start time: 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 22 -
West View High School
10850 W. Garden Lakes Parkway
Avondale, AZ 85392
Start time: 1 p.m.
Monday, October 24 -
Tohono O’odham Utility Authority Conference Room
Hwy 86 Mile Post 112
Sells, AZ 85634
Start time 11 a.m.
University of Arizona
Student Union Memorial Center
North Ballroom
1303 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
Start time 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25 -
Buena Performing Arts Center (Buena High School)
5225 Buena School Boulevard
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Wednesday, October 26 -
Holiday Inn
777 N. Pinal Avenue
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Thursday, October 27 -
Eastern Arizona College
615 N. Stadium Ave.
Thatcher, AZ 85552
Friday, October 28 -
Americana Hotel
639 N. Grand Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
Saturday, October 29 -
Yuma City Hall
City Council Chambers One City Plaza
Yuma, AZ 85364
Start time: 1 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1 -
South Mountain Community College
7050 South 24th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85402
Wednesday, November 2 -
City of Peoria
Location TBA
Thursday, November 3 -
Granite Reef Senior Center
1700 North Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85257
Friday, November 4 -
Town of Marana
Marana Municipal Complex
Auditorium
11555 W. Civic Center Drive
Marana, AZ 85653
Saturday, November 5 -
Town of Green Valley
Location TBA
Start time: 10 a.m.
Friday, October 07, 2011
AIRC meeting in Tempe this weekend: Be there or risk being in a "safe" district
..."Safe" for the other side, that is...
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) has meetings scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday to work on a legislative districts draft map.
It's safe to bet that the Republicans and their tea party proxies will be out in force (though given that Sunday's meeting will be during prime football watching time, that force may be slightly smaller :) ), so a healthy presence of people who support both competitive districts and protecting communities of interest (no matter how much the Rs like to stamp their feet and whine otherwise, those are hardly mutually exclusive objectives).
Any folks who want to see Tempe basically stay in one LD (currently, it's mostly covered by LD17, with the far southern part in LD20) need to be there.
Both meetings will be at the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel, 1600 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 (NW corner of Broadway and 52nd St., near I-10).
Saturday's agenda is here: the meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday's agenda is here; the meeting starts at 1 p.m.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) has meetings scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday to work on a legislative districts draft map.
It's safe to bet that the Republicans and their tea party proxies will be out in force (though given that Sunday's meeting will be during prime football watching time, that force may be slightly smaller :) ), so a healthy presence of people who support both competitive districts and protecting communities of interest (no matter how much the Rs like to stamp their feet and whine otherwise, those are hardly mutually exclusive objectives).
Any folks who want to see Tempe basically stay in one LD (currently, it's mostly covered by LD17, with the far southern part in LD20) need to be there.
Both meetings will be at the Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel, 1600 S. 52nd Street, Tempe, AZ 85281 (NW corner of Broadway and 52nd St., near I-10).
Saturday's agenda is here: the meeting starts at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday's agenda is here; the meeting starts at 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Name-calling at the people you want to vote for you may not be the best campaign tactic
Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, the current flavor of the week in the R field of contenders (Chris Christie threatened to unseat Cain, but Christie decided not to enter the race) seems to be falling into the same pattern as the other recent flavors of the week -
They move to the front of the pack and proceed to show everyone why they're unqualified even for the nomination, much less the office.
Earlier this evening, he appeared on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC. When host O'Donnell brought up a poll showing that 81% of Americans support a small tax increase on the wealthiest Americans.
Cain responded by saying that the Democrats have brainwashed 81% of Americans.
I'm not kidding (like I could make up something this outlandish :) )
Now, I'm not a math major or an accountant, but it seems that Cain can't comprehend that he needs the support of more than the 19% (100% - 81%) has hasn't insulted if he actually expects to win the presidency.
Time Magazine has coverage here; Mediaite has coverage here (their coverage includes embedded video).
They move to the front of the pack and proceed to show everyone why they're unqualified even for the nomination, much less the office.
Earlier this evening, he appeared on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC. When host O'Donnell brought up a poll showing that 81% of Americans support a small tax increase on the wealthiest Americans.
Cain responded by saying that the Democrats have brainwashed 81% of Americans.
I'm not kidding (like I could make up something this outlandish :) )
Now, I'm not a math major or an accountant, but it seems that Cain can't comprehend that he needs the support of more than the 19% (100% - 81%) has hasn't insulted if he actually expects to win the presidency.
Time Magazine has coverage here; Mediaite has coverage here (their coverage includes embedded video).
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Hell hath no fury...
...like Arizona Republicans who are afraid they might actually have to run on the merits of their positions and their skills as candidates.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) has released a "draft" map of Congressional districts. Based on preliminary numbers ("preliminary" because the district lines will change, at least a little bit, after the next round of public hearings, starting next week), there are four districts that are basically "safe" Republican, two districts that are basically "safe" Democratic, and three districts that are competitive.
Personally, I think the people of Arizona in general (and every non-Republican in particular, which is 2/3 of the state) are done a disservice by this draft map. A better map would have three safe R districts, two safe D districts, and four truly competitive ones was and is an attainable goal.
However, I'm not going to whine about it. I'm just going to spend time this weekend working up a map that meets that objective while also adhering to the other criteria mandated by the Arizona constitution.
However2, I'm not going to let my unwillingness to whine stop me from mocking Republican whining.
Nope, not at all.
:)
First up on the hit parade: Governor Jan Brewer.
She put out a press release today on the official governor's website that wasn't exactly a prime example of non-partisanship.
From her press release (and my responses) -
"Unaccountable"? Only to the law. Something that Jan and her clan may not have much respect for, but the law is something that most of rest of us have a deep respect for.
"Unelected"? Perhaps, but that was the idea behind the creation of the AIRC by the voters - take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials who are more concerned with keeping their jobs than doing what is best for Arizona. In addition, while the members of the AIRC are "unelected," they are appointed by elected officials after betting vetted and screened by a commission headed up by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.
As for her allegation that the primary concerns for the AIRC are to protect "communities of interest" and create districts that are "geographically compact"?
From Article Four, Part Two, Section One of the Arizona Constitution -
From the press release:
Duh. (That's my high school debating experience showing through there...oh wait - my HS didn't have a debate team. :) )
Also, take a look at the current map, one that Republicans love. Many communities and most counties are split into two or more districts. With Arizona's population pattern of incredibly densely populated areas in metro Phoenix and Tucson while most of the rest of the state is incredibly sparsely populated, splits are going to happen.
I was going to analyze and rebut similar press releases from many of the Republicans in AZ's Congressional delegation, but they were too....similar.
Similar to the point of obviously being part of a coordinated disinformation campaign, and similar to the point of possibly being written by the same person.
Remember English 101?
Do a compare-and-contrast exercise - David Schweikert's press release is here; Jeff Flake's is here; Paul Gosar's is here; John McCain's and Jon Kyl's is here; Ben Quayle's is here; and for good measure (guess he didn't want to feel left out), a statement by Andy Tobin, speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, is here.
Note: all of the above statements courtesy the Republicanpress release outlet blog Sonoran Alliance.
Andrei Cherny, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, issued his own statement in response to the Republican blitzkrieg against the AIRC. I won't reprint the entire statement, but here is the final line, and it sums up my thoughts far more concisely than my own words can -
Later...
Ummm...redistricting is supposed to rewrite district lines and to move voters and sitting elected officials into new districts. That is why it's called "redistricting."A mix of outright lies and lies of omission.
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC) has released a "draft" map of Congressional districts. Based on preliminary numbers ("preliminary" because the district lines will change, at least a little bit, after the next round of public hearings, starting next week), there are four districts that are basically "safe" Republican, two districts that are basically "safe" Democratic, and three districts that are competitive.
Personally, I think the people of Arizona in general (and every non-Republican in particular, which is 2/3 of the state) are done a disservice by this draft map. A better map would have three safe R districts, two safe D districts, and four truly competitive ones was and is an attainable goal.
However, I'm not going to whine about it. I'm just going to spend time this weekend working up a map that meets that objective while also adhering to the other criteria mandated by the Arizona constitution.
However2, I'm not going to let my unwillingness to whine stop me from mocking Republican whining.
Nope, not at all.
:)
First up on the hit parade: Governor Jan Brewer.
She put out a press release today on the official governor's website that wasn't exactly a prime example of non-partisanship.
From her press release (and my responses) -
"The IRC proposal is simply gerrymandering at its worst," said Governor Brewer. "This unaccountable, unelected Commission has misused its authority to draw a congressional map that is every Democrat‟s dream. In doing so, they‟ve violated their bedrock legal requirements to maintain districts that protect communities of interest and are geographically compact."
"Unaccountable"? Only to the law. Something that Jan and her clan may not have much respect for, but the law is something that most of rest of us have a deep respect for.
"Unelected"? Perhaps, but that was the idea behind the creation of the AIRC by the voters - take redistricting out of the hands of elected officials who are more concerned with keeping their jobs than doing what is best for Arizona. In addition, while the members of the AIRC are "unelected," they are appointed by elected officials after betting vetted and screened by a commission headed up by the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.
As for her allegation that the primary concerns for the AIRC are to protect "communities of interest" and create districts that are "geographically compact"?
From Article Four, Part Two, Section One of the Arizona Constitution -
14) The independent redistricting commission shall establish congressional and legislative districts. The commencement of the mapping process for both the congressional and legislative districts shall be the creation of districts of equal population in a grid-like pattern across the state. Adjustments to the grid shall then be made as necessary to accommodate the goals as set forth below:All of those criteria are equal in importance in terms of the redistricting process, and I'm betting that Brewer and her handlers know that. They're just ignoring that inconvenient fact.
A. Districts shall comply with the United States Constitution and the United States voting rights act;
B. Congressional districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable, and state legislative districts shall have equal population to the extent practicable;
C. Districts shall be geographically compact and contiguous to the extent practicable;
D. District boundaries shall respect communities of interest to the extent practicable;
E. To the extent practicable, district lines shall use visible geographic features, city, town and county boundaries, and undivided census tracts;
F. To the extent practicable, competitive districts should be favored where to do so would create no significant detriment to the other goals.
From the press release:
This new proposal, however, throws that concept out the window – completely rewriting Arizona‟s congressional lines in a move that splits counties and communities and tosses large numbers of voters and sitting members of Congress into new districts.
Duh. (That's my high school debating experience showing through there...oh wait - my HS didn't have a debate team. :) )
Also, take a look at the current map, one that Republicans love. Many communities and most counties are split into two or more districts. With Arizona's population pattern of incredibly densely populated areas in metro Phoenix and Tucson while most of the rest of the state is incredibly sparsely populated, splits are going to happen.
I was going to analyze and rebut similar press releases from many of the Republicans in AZ's Congressional delegation, but they were too....similar.
Similar to the point of obviously being part of a coordinated disinformation campaign, and similar to the point of possibly being written by the same person.
Remember English 101?
Do a compare-and-contrast exercise - David Schweikert's press release is here; Jeff Flake's is here; Paul Gosar's is here; John McCain's and Jon Kyl's is here; Ben Quayle's is here; and for good measure (guess he didn't want to feel left out), a statement by Andy Tobin, speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, is here.
Note: all of the above statements courtesy the Republican
Andrei Cherny, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, issued his own statement in response to the Republican blitzkrieg against the AIRC. I won't reprint the entire statement, but here is the final line, and it sums up my thoughts far more concisely than my own words can -
"The only reason 50/50 districts are a threat to Republican electoral prospects is because of the extreme, out-of-touch agenda that Arizona Republican leaders have been pursuing. Gov. Brewer should spend less time on bullying and more on job creation, and substitute real leadership for these partisan attacks. It is beneath the dignity of the governorship and not in keeping with the best interests of the state.”
Later...
Ummm...redistricting is supposed to rewrite district lines and to move voters and sitting elected officials into new districts. That is why it's called "redistricting."A mix of outright lies and lies of omission.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Update to Committees Update: Republican going Independent to run against Arpaio
Oops. Turns out I missed a pretty big development in campaign committees news in my last post on the topic.
From the Valley Fever column on the Phoenix New Times' website, written by James King -
More updates as there is, well, more to update. :)
From the Valley Fever column on the Phoenix New Times' website, written by James King -
Scottsdale Lieutenant Mike Stauffer, the man who hopes to unseat Joe Arpaio as Maricopa County sheriff, announced Friday that he's switching party affiliation to run as an Independent.Stauffer's revised campaign paperwork is here. His campaign website is here.
It's probably a pretty good move -- Stauffer originally was running as a Republican, which means he would have had to face Arpaio in a GOP primary. Arpaio's brand of fruitcake, reality show sheriffin' tends to appeal to Maricopa County's far-right-wing-nuts, who would likely vote en masse for America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff."
Stauffer, a life-long Republican, has said from the first days of his candidacy that the office of the sheriff shouldn't be politicized -- that it's about law enforcement, not political ideologies.
More updates as there is, well, more to update. :)
Monday, October 03, 2011
Guest column: Lunch anyone?
By Jerry Gettinger, friend and friend of the blog
I was invited to lunch by an acquaintance the other day. I had not known this person very long. The occasion was a gathering of people who shared a communal interest. Those that were there had a common look… a look of resignation and fatigue. There was not much in the way of small talk; I imagine chit-chat had all but left their minds some time ago. I looked around the room and saw that most everyone just sat and waited, as if they had done this before and often. One person told me that it took almost an entire day to get her unemployment check. Paying the babysitter did not leave much in the way of spending money. Not if you want to feed your kids. Her husband worked two jobs. Still that was not enough.
Denny’s was gracious enough to let us use a private room. As the server took our orders, I glanced up and saw that people were concentrating on the price, not the food…the right side of the menu. No one ordered a big lunch…a plain hamburger was the usual, and for some, that was a stretch. Maybe I read too much into the body language. However, it seemed that ordering was difficult; I imagine it was the fact that eating out was a luxury that was seldom enjoyed. A different occasion that came about only recently.
My host had been out of work over 18 months. That was not unusual. We were asked to introduce ourselves and say a few words about why we were here. The stories began to take on a rhythm. “Worked for a company for 12 years, got laid off with 2 weeks’ pay,” or “the regional came in, called a meeting, said the company was relocating to Mexico, apologized, and left.” Strangely, there was no anger from anyone, from no one but me. When it was my turn, I began speaking in a soft voice, almost a whisper. I’m not comfortable speaking in front of a large group. But then, as I began to recite why I was there, my voice began rising. “They are ruining my country, they take and never give, one word is never used, “Compassion.” By the time I finished, I was shouting, and so was everyone else. Yelling and clapping! “Yes, yea that’s right they have to be stopped.” I was astounded at how angry I was, passed anger, actually enraged and passing the emotion on. Fury started coming out. And so it was with many of the others in attendance.
Do not misconstrue what I have said. These are good people, the kind who would pick up a five-dollar bill you dropped, they would pick it up, and made sure you got it back. After all, you might need it to feed your children. I finished talking then lunch was brought in. I could not eat. The people with whom I was eating were the kind that made our country strong and resilient. They dutifully paid Social Security and maybe, during a war (and there seemed to be many wars) purchased savings bonds. These were the same ones who were told that they would have to forgo part of their social security because...well you know the story. I wonder what they thought when they hear about someone on Wall Street making $25 million in one year with their husbands working 3 jobs and college is unreachable. They have been so beat upon; they don’t have the strength left to fight. “What do I do now? I do not have anything left. They won.”
The sad part is, they have won. They won, even though it wasn’t much of a battle. There wasn’t much left. Our representatives don’t represent and our clergy tell us that we have to die to find God, and honestly, what has God done for me, anyway? The richest people produce nothing but money…and begat more... for themselves. They conduct themselves with impunity, thumbing their nose at laws. Laws are for people of color or those without money. Education is out of reach. I cannot better myself without an education, but I cannot afford an education: you have priced it out of my reach. And so, I will flip burgers at McD or work as a cashier at a big box store.
This country lied. It said we would have the same opportunity as the person next door. We did not. Once they became powerful, they made certain that we would have no chance of achieving anything. There is nothing left to do but hope for the best. Every pol sounds the same; every leader promises then lies when he (or she) discovers how easy it is to live off the voters. Just promise every two (or six) years and you can relax and enjoy life forevermore. Remember “and they lived happily ever after.” Maybe someday! It is almost too late. Too late to take it back. The dictionary defines restore as…v. re’store 1. Give something back. 2. Return something to its previous condition
Join me. Come with me on a mission, a quest, what the dictionary defines as an adventurous expedition. Come help me pull our country away from the evil and return it to the goodness it once was. This is still a democracy and we still can vote change. We must take action or else all will be lost. The country is still ours to take back.
I was invited to lunch by an acquaintance the other day. I had not known this person very long. The occasion was a gathering of people who shared a communal interest. Those that were there had a common look… a look of resignation and fatigue. There was not much in the way of small talk; I imagine chit-chat had all but left their minds some time ago. I looked around the room and saw that most everyone just sat and waited, as if they had done this before and often. One person told me that it took almost an entire day to get her unemployment check. Paying the babysitter did not leave much in the way of spending money. Not if you want to feed your kids. Her husband worked two jobs. Still that was not enough.
Denny’s was gracious enough to let us use a private room. As the server took our orders, I glanced up and saw that people were concentrating on the price, not the food…the right side of the menu. No one ordered a big lunch…a plain hamburger was the usual, and for some, that was a stretch. Maybe I read too much into the body language. However, it seemed that ordering was difficult; I imagine it was the fact that eating out was a luxury that was seldom enjoyed. A different occasion that came about only recently.
My host had been out of work over 18 months. That was not unusual. We were asked to introduce ourselves and say a few words about why we were here. The stories began to take on a rhythm. “Worked for a company for 12 years, got laid off with 2 weeks’ pay,” or “the regional came in, called a meeting, said the company was relocating to Mexico, apologized, and left.” Strangely, there was no anger from anyone, from no one but me. When it was my turn, I began speaking in a soft voice, almost a whisper. I’m not comfortable speaking in front of a large group. But then, as I began to recite why I was there, my voice began rising. “They are ruining my country, they take and never give, one word is never used, “Compassion.” By the time I finished, I was shouting, and so was everyone else. Yelling and clapping! “Yes, yea that’s right they have to be stopped.” I was astounded at how angry I was, passed anger, actually enraged and passing the emotion on. Fury started coming out. And so it was with many of the others in attendance.
Do not misconstrue what I have said. These are good people, the kind who would pick up a five-dollar bill you dropped, they would pick it up, and made sure you got it back. After all, you might need it to feed your children. I finished talking then lunch was brought in. I could not eat. The people with whom I was eating were the kind that made our country strong and resilient. They dutifully paid Social Security and maybe, during a war (and there seemed to be many wars) purchased savings bonds. These were the same ones who were told that they would have to forgo part of their social security because...well you know the story. I wonder what they thought when they hear about someone on Wall Street making $25 million in one year with their husbands working 3 jobs and college is unreachable. They have been so beat upon; they don’t have the strength left to fight. “What do I do now? I do not have anything left. They won.”
The sad part is, they have won. They won, even though it wasn’t much of a battle. There wasn’t much left. Our representatives don’t represent and our clergy tell us that we have to die to find God, and honestly, what has God done for me, anyway? The richest people produce nothing but money…and begat more... for themselves. They conduct themselves with impunity, thumbing their nose at laws. Laws are for people of color or those without money. Education is out of reach. I cannot better myself without an education, but I cannot afford an education: you have priced it out of my reach. And so, I will flip burgers at McD or work as a cashier at a big box store.
This country lied. It said we would have the same opportunity as the person next door. We did not. Once they became powerful, they made certain that we would have no chance of achieving anything. There is nothing left to do but hope for the best. Every pol sounds the same; every leader promises then lies when he (or she) discovers how easy it is to live off the voters. Just promise every two (or six) years and you can relax and enjoy life forevermore. Remember “and they lived happily ever after.” Maybe someday! It is almost too late. Too late to take it back. The dictionary defines restore as…v. re’store 1. Give something back. 2. Return something to its previous condition
Join me. Come with me on a mission, a quest, what the dictionary defines as an adventurous expedition. Come help me pull our country away from the evil and return it to the goodness it once was. This is still a democracy and we still can vote change. We must take action or else all will be lost. The country is still ours to take back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)