Showing posts with label Goddard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goddard. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Fairness: Terry Goddard's ground-breaking ad
Terry Goddard is running for Arizona Secretary of State, facing Republican Michele Reagan.
As a state senator, she supported and voted for the infamous SB1062, which would have granted legal protections to those who discriminate against LGBT folks (and others) and who base their bad behavior on religious citations. The bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Brewer at the behest of the business community (Brewer has no more use for the intended victims than Reagan, but she listens to folks with the deepest pockets).
Goddard showed his stance, and backbone, on the issue, by having an actual same-sex couple from Arizona star in his campaign ad on the issue.
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first example of this in any AZ political ad, and may be the first time a non-LGBT candidate has run such an ad in the country.
No matter what, though, it hits Reagan right in her weakest area - the hate that she has wholeheartedly embraced as part of her pursuit of statewide support in the R primary.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Psssst. Didja hear the latest rumor?
Just a compilation of some recent political rumors here in AZ...
...The Phoenix Business Journal (and other sources) has been reporting that Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor (D-AZ7) is under consideration for a spot in the President's cabinet as Secretary of Transportation.
From the article, written by Mike Sunnucks -
Some of the names of contenders listed in the article: Mary Rose Wilcox, a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; Laura Pastor, the Congressman's daughter and 2007 candidate for Phoenix City Council; and Phil Gordon, former mayor of Phoenix. In addition, pretty much every legislator with ties to Central or South Phoenix, or southwestern Maricopa County, is also mentioned.
I don't know if Pastor has a serious chance at the cabinet seat, but if it happens, look for a rugged Democratic primary in the race to fill the seat for the remainder of his term. Pastor's district is heavily Democratic (the district has slightly less than three times as many Ds as it does Rs), and the winner of the special election will get the inside lane on what should be a safe seat for them for years, maybe decades.
This isn't the first time in recent years Pastor has been the subject of rumors of a possible presidential appointment - at the beginning of Barack Obama's first term in the White House, Pastor was talked about as a dark horse candidate for the ambassador's post in Mexico. That one didn't happen, but even then, it didn't seem likely. This one...?
...Terry Goddard, former Arizona Attorney General and three-time candidate for governor (and a former mayor of Phoenix), is mulling a run at another term as AG.
From Politics Plugged In, written by Dennis Welch
...Jim Lane, Mayor of Scottsdale, is making noises, and moves, like someone who is strongly considering a 2014 run at a statewide office. John Washington, in a post on Scottsdale Trails, dropped a hint that Lane may be looking at a run at either Arizona Secretary of State or even Governor. According to the post, Jason Rose, one of the premier Republican PR flacks in AZ and a Lane "advisor", has publicly stated that Lane isn't considering a run for AZ Treasurer.
However, that denial may fall into the category of "whistling past resign-to-run" - as part of Scottsdale's State of the City activities this past week, at one event, Lane was introduced by Doug Ducey, who is none other than the current AZ Treasurer. And Ducey himself is the subject of rumors regarding a possible 2014 run for Governor.
There is also talk that the "Lane as a candidate for AZSOS" talk was less a serious consideration than a threat to gain the support of State Senator Michele Reagan (R-LD23), a real candidate for SOS. Apparently, while Reagan and Lane are both members of the chamber of commerce wing of the AZGOP, and both are from Scottsdale, they aren't exactly best friends.
Lastly, while Lane has strong ties to the business community, he is taking steps to shore up his support among social conservatives.
Witness this picture of the invitation to an official event with Jim Lane, Mayor -
While the invite touts the event as "Breakfast With The Mayor", has the city's logo on it, and is going to take place in a city-owned facility (Granite Reef Senior Center), it has a rather curious "copyright" statement - it was copyrighted by the Paradise Valley Community Church.
Hmmm...
Obviously, nothing is definite yet (other than that Lane and Rose need a civics class refresher, focusing on the separation of church and state), but if a Lane statewide candidacy comes to pass, political dominos will fall in Scottsdale in much the same way that an elevation of Ed Pastor to the president's cabinet would set off a political reshuffling in south and west Phoenix. Virginia Korte and Bob Littlefield, current members of the Scottsdale City Council, would almost certainly test the waters. That would open up the race for one of the state representative spots in north Scottsdale, a position that Littlefield is "exploring", and so on...
...More to come as the 2014 election cycle reaches full speed...
...The Phoenix Business Journal (and other sources) has been reporting that Arizona Congressman Ed Pastor (D-AZ7) is under consideration for a spot in the President's cabinet as Secretary of Transportation.
From the article, written by Mike Sunnucks -
Longtime Phoenix congressman Ed Pastor’s name has popped up as a possible successor to the departing U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
That could open up Pastor’s Democratic-leaning and Hispanic-majority district, and there will be no shortage of possible contenders from within his party.
Some of the names of contenders listed in the article: Mary Rose Wilcox, a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors; Laura Pastor, the Congressman's daughter and 2007 candidate for Phoenix City Council; and Phil Gordon, former mayor of Phoenix. In addition, pretty much every legislator with ties to Central or South Phoenix, or southwestern Maricopa County, is also mentioned.
I don't know if Pastor has a serious chance at the cabinet seat, but if it happens, look for a rugged Democratic primary in the race to fill the seat for the remainder of his term. Pastor's district is heavily Democratic (the district has slightly less than three times as many Ds as it does Rs), and the winner of the special election will get the inside lane on what should be a safe seat for them for years, maybe decades.
This isn't the first time in recent years Pastor has been the subject of rumors of a possible presidential appointment - at the beginning of Barack Obama's first term in the White House, Pastor was talked about as a dark horse candidate for the ambassador's post in Mexico. That one didn't happen, but even then, it didn't seem likely. This one...?
...Terry Goddard, former Arizona Attorney General and three-time candidate for governor (and a former mayor of Phoenix), is mulling a run at another term as AG.
From Politics Plugged In, written by Dennis Welch
Old pols never die and many times they never fade away, either.
Take former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard for example. The three time gubernatorial loser told 3TV this week that he might want his old job back.
“I’ve been seriously thinking about it because I don’t like seeing what’s happening to the office,” Goddard said over the telephone. “Morale has fallen and a lot of people are leaving.”
...Jim Lane, Mayor of Scottsdale, is making noises, and moves, like someone who is strongly considering a 2014 run at a statewide office. John Washington, in a post on Scottsdale Trails, dropped a hint that Lane may be looking at a run at either Arizona Secretary of State or even Governor. According to the post, Jason Rose, one of the premier Republican PR flacks in AZ and a Lane "advisor", has publicly stated that Lane isn't considering a run for AZ Treasurer.
However, that denial may fall into the category of "whistling past resign-to-run" - as part of Scottsdale's State of the City activities this past week, at one event, Lane was introduced by Doug Ducey, who is none other than the current AZ Treasurer. And Ducey himself is the subject of rumors regarding a possible 2014 run for Governor.
There is also talk that the "Lane as a candidate for AZSOS" talk was less a serious consideration than a threat to gain the support of State Senator Michele Reagan (R-LD23), a real candidate for SOS. Apparently, while Reagan and Lane are both members of the chamber of commerce wing of the AZGOP, and both are from Scottsdale, they aren't exactly best friends.
Lastly, while Lane has strong ties to the business community, he is taking steps to shore up his support among social conservatives.
Witness this picture of the invitation to an official event with Jim Lane, Mayor -
While the invite touts the event as "Breakfast With The Mayor", has the city's logo on it, and is going to take place in a city-owned facility (Granite Reef Senior Center), it has a rather curious "copyright" statement - it was copyrighted by the Paradise Valley Community Church.
Hmmm...
Obviously, nothing is definite yet (other than that Lane and Rose need a civics class refresher, focusing on the separation of church and state), but if a Lane statewide candidacy comes to pass, political dominos will fall in Scottsdale in much the same way that an elevation of Ed Pastor to the president's cabinet would set off a political reshuffling in south and west Phoenix. Virginia Korte and Bob Littlefield, current members of the Scottsdale City Council, would almost certainly test the waters. That would open up the race for one of the state representative spots in north Scottsdale, a position that Littlefield is "exploring", and so on...
...More to come as the 2014 election cycle reaches full speed...
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Early speculation time: 2014 Governor's race - Part Two
A few days ago, I posted a snark-filled piece full of speculation on possible Republican candidates for governor in 2014.
Out of a sense of fairness, I'm now doing one on potential Democratic candidates.
Out of a sense of partisanship, it will be less snarky...at least, less snarky toward the Democratic candidates. :)
As with the prior post, no actual discussions with the potential candidates took place in the production of this post. In no way does a mention in this post indicate that someone is planning or interested in running for governor of Arizona, nor does lack of a mention in this post indicate that someone is *not* planning or interested in running for governor of Arizona.
As with the previous post on this topic, the names mentioned are those who have held office previously or who have otherwise made an impact on the metaphorical public square.
On to the speculation:
Terry Goddard, former attorney general and candidate for governor:
- Con: has run for governor and lost, twice.
- Pro: both of the ultimate victors of the races for governor (Fife Symington, Jan Brewer) that he was in have brought great national ridicule down upon Arizona. The voters may finally be ready to choose competence over ideological blathering.
- Con2: This is Arizona. Don't hold your breath.
Janet Napolitano, former governor:
- Con: she resigned as governor in 2009 to take a position in President Barack Obama's cabinet, leaving Arizona fading in her rear-view mirror.
- Pro: regardless of the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, she may be interested in moving on - - if the Rs win, a whole new cabinet will be brought in to DC; if Obama wins, pretty much the same will happen. Second term presidential cabinets are usually very different than the cabinets for the first term of the same president. And three-plus years of "Governor Jan Brewer" have only served to increase the amount of respect people have for Napolitano.
- Con2: as Secretary of Homeland Security, Napolitano has only had to deal with terrorists, spies, and grave threats to America. As governor, she might not be willing to again deal with scourges upon society like the Arizona legislature, the Goldwater Institute, and the Center for Arizona Policy.
Gabrielle Giffords, former member of Congress:
- Con: still recovering from a horrific assassination attempt that took the lives of six people, including a small child, and injured more than a dozen other people.
- Pro: if her recovery, already nothing short of miraculous, progresses well enough for her to handle the rigors of the job, and she actually wants the job, the election will be less a contest than a walk-over.
Harry Mitchell, former member of Congress:
- Con: after nearly five decades of public service, he may have reached the point of his life where he is ready to leave the "top of the ballot" stuff - walking precincts and making appearances on the rubber chicken circuit to those with younger legs and digestive tracts.
- Pro: one of the most respected people in Arizona politics, and one of the few left where the respect genuinely crosses partisan lines.
Phil Gordon, former mayor of Phoenix -
- Pro: still has an effective organization and base of support in what is the largest city and county in the state.
- Con: the Rs despise him, and he is far from popular with grassroots Ds, even in Maricopa County, outside of Phoenix.
Greg Stanton, current mayor of Phoenix -
- Pro: also has an effective organization and base of support in what is the largest city and county in the state. In addition, he is so new that he hasn't had time to tick off grassroots Ds.
- Con: the Rs despise him, despite knowing next to nothing about him (other than that he isn't one of them), and he is young by political standards.
- Pro2: he may be too young/new for an effective run in 2014, but 2018 and 2022 are well within the realm of realistic possibility.
Felecia Rotellini, 2010 candidate for attorney general -
- Pro: while she didn't win in 2010, she had the best performance of any D candidate during that cycle and garnered a lot of respect across the political spectrum. She's smart, energetic, and universally well-liked among Democrats. It helps that the guy who won the 2010 election, Tom Horne, is widely considered to be a sleazeball and is under federal investigation for campaign finance violations.
Con - while she's been a public servant before, she has never actually held elected office. Like Napolitano before her, a term as AG might be necessary to elevate her name recognition among the general public before running for the top spot.
Sandra Kennedy, current member of the Arizona Corporation Commission -
- Pro: intelligent, experienced and one of only two Democrats to hold statewide elected office.
- Con: as with Brenda Burns in the previous post, the ACC isn't the highest-profile perch from which to launch a run at a high-profile job. Unlike Burns however, Kennedy actually does some good work for the people of AZ, and as such, she doesn't have access to scads of corporate money.
Other names that may come up in conversation:
Rep. Chad Campbell, House minority leader: smart but young enough that like Stanton above, 2014 may be too soon; Kyrsten Sinema, former state legislator and current candidate for Congress: also young, and has her sights set much higher than the 9th floor of the Executive Tower; Steve Gallardo, state legislator: could go for it in 2014, but young enough to wait until 2018/2022 and use the time to both consolidate and expand his base of support; Ruben Gallego, state legislator: if the others are young by political standards, he's a bambino. A bambino with ambition, however. 2014 is too soon, and 2018/2022 may also be too soon, but after that...?; Neil Giuliano, former Republican and former mayor of Tempe: made noises about a run in 2010, but was pretty much unknown outside of Tempe. Would need to elevate his name rec among the general public.
A couple of wildcards:
Sue Gerard and Kris Mayes, the former head of the state Department of Health Services and chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, respectively. They're Republicans who have actually done good work for the people of Arizona. As such, they'd never get through a Republican primary in the current political environment. Not likely to even consider becoming Democrats, but given the amount of respect that people have for them, they could make things interesting.
Later...
Out of a sense of fairness, I'm now doing one on potential Democratic candidates.
Out of a sense of partisanship, it will be less snarky...at least, less snarky toward the Democratic candidates. :)
As with the prior post, no actual discussions with the potential candidates took place in the production of this post. In no way does a mention in this post indicate that someone is planning or interested in running for governor of Arizona, nor does lack of a mention in this post indicate that someone is *not* planning or interested in running for governor of Arizona.
As with the previous post on this topic, the names mentioned are those who have held office previously or who have otherwise made an impact on the metaphorical public square.
On to the speculation:
Terry Goddard, former attorney general and candidate for governor:
- Con: has run for governor and lost, twice.
- Pro: both of the ultimate victors of the races for governor (Fife Symington, Jan Brewer) that he was in have brought great national ridicule down upon Arizona. The voters may finally be ready to choose competence over ideological blathering.
- Con2: This is Arizona. Don't hold your breath.
Janet Napolitano, former governor:
- Con: she resigned as governor in 2009 to take a position in President Barack Obama's cabinet, leaving Arizona fading in her rear-view mirror.
- Pro: regardless of the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, she may be interested in moving on - - if the Rs win, a whole new cabinet will be brought in to DC; if Obama wins, pretty much the same will happen. Second term presidential cabinets are usually very different than the cabinets for the first term of the same president. And three-plus years of "Governor Jan Brewer" have only served to increase the amount of respect people have for Napolitano.
- Con2: as Secretary of Homeland Security, Napolitano has only had to deal with terrorists, spies, and grave threats to America. As governor, she might not be willing to again deal with scourges upon society like the Arizona legislature, the Goldwater Institute, and the Center for Arizona Policy.
Gabrielle Giffords, former member of Congress:
- Con: still recovering from a horrific assassination attempt that took the lives of six people, including a small child, and injured more than a dozen other people.
- Pro: if her recovery, already nothing short of miraculous, progresses well enough for her to handle the rigors of the job, and she actually wants the job, the election will be less a contest than a walk-over.
Harry Mitchell, former member of Congress:
- Con: after nearly five decades of public service, he may have reached the point of his life where he is ready to leave the "top of the ballot" stuff - walking precincts and making appearances on the rubber chicken circuit to those with younger legs and digestive tracts.
- Pro: one of the most respected people in Arizona politics, and one of the few left where the respect genuinely crosses partisan lines.
Phil Gordon, former mayor of Phoenix -
- Pro: still has an effective organization and base of support in what is the largest city and county in the state.
- Con: the Rs despise him, and he is far from popular with grassroots Ds, even in Maricopa County, outside of Phoenix.
Greg Stanton, current mayor of Phoenix -
- Pro: also has an effective organization and base of support in what is the largest city and county in the state. In addition, he is so new that he hasn't had time to tick off grassroots Ds.
- Con: the Rs despise him, despite knowing next to nothing about him (other than that he isn't one of them), and he is young by political standards.
- Pro2: he may be too young/new for an effective run in 2014, but 2018 and 2022 are well within the realm of realistic possibility.
Felecia Rotellini, 2010 candidate for attorney general -
- Pro: while she didn't win in 2010, she had the best performance of any D candidate during that cycle and garnered a lot of respect across the political spectrum. She's smart, energetic, and universally well-liked among Democrats. It helps that the guy who won the 2010 election, Tom Horne, is widely considered to be a sleazeball and is under federal investigation for campaign finance violations.
Con - while she's been a public servant before, she has never actually held elected office. Like Napolitano before her, a term as AG might be necessary to elevate her name recognition among the general public before running for the top spot.
Sandra Kennedy, current member of the Arizona Corporation Commission -
- Pro: intelligent, experienced and one of only two Democrats to hold statewide elected office.
- Con: as with Brenda Burns in the previous post, the ACC isn't the highest-profile perch from which to launch a run at a high-profile job. Unlike Burns however, Kennedy actually does some good work for the people of AZ, and as such, she doesn't have access to scads of corporate money.
Other names that may come up in conversation:
Rep. Chad Campbell, House minority leader: smart but young enough that like Stanton above, 2014 may be too soon; Kyrsten Sinema, former state legislator and current candidate for Congress: also young, and has her sights set much higher than the 9th floor of the Executive Tower; Steve Gallardo, state legislator: could go for it in 2014, but young enough to wait until 2018/2022 and use the time to both consolidate and expand his base of support; Ruben Gallego, state legislator: if the others are young by political standards, he's a bambino. A bambino with ambition, however. 2014 is too soon, and 2018/2022 may also be too soon, but after that...?; Neil Giuliano, former Republican and former mayor of Tempe: made noises about a run in 2010, but was pretty much unknown outside of Tempe. Would need to elevate his name rec among the general public.
A couple of wildcards:
Sue Gerard and Kris Mayes, the former head of the state Department of Health Services and chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, respectively. They're Republicans who have actually done good work for the people of Arizona. As such, they'd never get through a Republican primary in the current political environment. Not likely to even consider becoming Democrats, but given the amount of respect that people have for them, they could make things interesting.
Later...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Terry Goddard and Paul Johnson tell Tom Horne: Enough already
Former Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and former mayor of Phoenix Paul Johnson wrote an op-ed published in Saturday's edition of the Arizona Republic.
In it, they criticize Arizona's current AG, Tom Horne for using his office to bolster the efforts by his fellow Republicans to intimidate the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).
Some choice quotes from the piece (and you really should read all of it) -
My take, or what I would say to him in such a situation:
Mr. Horne, you are a man who wants to be governor of a state that's ever more purple (note: outside of Maricopa County, Arizona voter registration leans slightly D, and even more importantly, there have been major increases in Independent voter registration levels in all parts of the state) and most residents, even some partisans, are thoroughly disgusted with elected officials brazenly using their offices for personal and partisan gain.
Your bullying tactics may help you in the 2014 Republican gubernatorial primary, but they will hurt your chances of winning the general election, something that is open to *all* voters, not just Republicans.
To sum up - cut the crap, quit worrying about your next job, and just do your current job right. Doing that will increase your chances at getting that next job.
Later...
BTW - Am I the only one who noticed that the Republic buried the Goddard/Johnson piece on Saturday, perhaps the lowest circulation day of the week? Could it be they're quietly (quietly for now, anyway) siding with those who are working to undermine the independence of the "Independent" Redistricting Commission?
In it, they criticize Arizona's current AG, Tom Horne for using his office to bolster the efforts by his fellow Republicans to intimidate the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (AIRC).
Some choice quotes from the piece (and you really should read all of it) -
...Attorney General Tom Horne recently announced an investigation of the commission - breaking a longstanding attorney general protocol of never discussing pending investigations before a lawsuit is filed or a grand jury has returned an indictment.Goddard and Johnson were far more eloquent and tactful than I would be if I was sitting across a table from Horne.
...The power of the Attorney General's Office must not be or appear to be subverted for partisan purposes.
Members of this commission are volunteers who have stepped forward to serve the people of Arizona. They deserve our thanks, not constant attacks. But more important, it was Arizona voters who took redistricting out of the hands of politicians when they approved Prop. 106. Voters went to great lengths to ensure this commission was truly independent, insulated from pressure from politicians who care most about staying in office.
...In all this furor, one thing is certain: If the commission does its job right, neither Republicans nor Democrats are going to be completely happy - exactly what Arizona voters wanted when they passed Prop. 106.
...We call on Attorney General Horne to end his part in the intimidation campaign and allow the commission to focus on the important duties entrusted to it by Arizona voters.
My take, or what I would say to him in such a situation:
Mr. Horne, you are a man who wants to be governor of a state that's ever more purple (note: outside of Maricopa County, Arizona voter registration leans slightly D, and even more importantly, there have been major increases in Independent voter registration levels in all parts of the state) and most residents, even some partisans, are thoroughly disgusted with elected officials brazenly using their offices for personal and partisan gain.
Your bullying tactics may help you in the 2014 Republican gubernatorial primary, but they will hurt your chances of winning the general election, something that is open to *all* voters, not just Republicans.
To sum up - cut the crap, quit worrying about your next job, and just do your current job right. Doing that will increase your chances at getting that next job.
Later...
BTW - Am I the only one who noticed that the Republic buried the Goddard/Johnson piece on Saturday, perhaps the lowest circulation day of the week? Could it be they're quietly (quietly for now, anyway) siding with those who are working to undermine the independence of the "Independent" Redistricting Commission?
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Campaign superlatives
Inspired by Laurie Roberts of the Arizona Republic, who has a column up with the title "My picks for the most memorable performances of this campaign season."
Mostly her column is a series of criticisms of the effors of some of the campaigns. I can do that, and will, but I've got a few compliments, too.
Toward the end of the high school year, yearbooks come out, with picks (and pics) of the "the most" whatever or "the class" blah. Now that we are nearing the end of the campaign cycle, it's time for campaign superlatives.
...The "Least Likely To Have A Future On American Idol" Award: Rodney Glassman, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. His video performance of "Sweet Home Arizona" was easily the most entertaining video of the season, and it was energetic. Other than that...?
...The "Truth? We don't need no stinking truth! " Award: Many worthy nominees, but this one goes to the Yes on Prop 302 folks. They've got signs all over the state pimping the proposition with "Stop Wasteful Government Spending." They've also go signs up saying the Prop 302 is "for the kids" or some such tripe.
Prop 302 would defund and destroy First Things First, a program for early childhood education and health care. The money set aside for it via a voter-approved dedicated tax would then go into the state's General Fund and be subject to appropriation by the lege. The expectation is that the lege would use the revenue as an excuse for more corporate tax cuts, and then use the resulting reduction in revenue as an excuse for cutting education and children's health care programs even more than they already have been.
...The "Most Expensive Campaign By A Candidate Who Isn't Even On The Ballot" Award: Maricopa County's own Joltin' Joe Arpaio. The nativist sheriff isn't up for reelection until 2012, but he spent over $700K on TV spots targeting Rick Romley, a candidate for Maricopa County Attorney, and incurred a fine of $150K more for his illegal "in-kind" contribution.
...The "Most Likely To Be Cursing Poor Timing" Award: Joe Hart, the incumbent Arizona Mine Inspector. Hart looks to be openly in the pocket of the industry he's supposed to regulate (he takes lots of campaign contributions from them, and they help create laws to specifically increase his job security).
He started the campaign season well-funded and bunkered legally, and looked to be cruising to an easy reelection. Then 33 miners in Chile became trapped in an unsafe mine, and even worse, had the audacity to survive for more than two months underground before being rescued.
The world's, and Arizona's attention became focused on the drama in Chile, and unfortunately for Hart, on all things mining.
Including Hart's dearth of qualifications for the job, and the wealth of experience in the safe operation of mines on the part of his opponent Manny Cruz.
...The "Most Likely To Wish That The Election Was Held The Day After She Signed SB1070" Award: Who else? Jan "Brain Freeze" Brewer. She started out the real election cycle (i.e. - after the other major R candidates dropped out of their primary) with a huge lead over Terry Goddard. Right now, however, the short calendar between the primary and general elections is her best friend.
Between...
- Nationally ridiculed false claims of headless bodies in the Arizona desert...
- The aforemention "brain freeze" during her one and only debate with Goddard...
- National coverage of the ties between private prisons, SB1070, and her circle of lobbyists/advisers
- and other missteps, she has since allowed Goddard to close the gap with her, turning the contest into one that will be won by the organization with the stronger GOTV effort. She still leads in recent polling, but Tuesday can't come soon enough for her.
..."Most Likely To Be A Chip Off The Old Block" Award: Ben Quayle. Dad can't spell "potato" correctly; son doesn't know history, calling Barack Obama the "worst president in history" in a TV spot, ignoring the fact that his deep-pocketed well-connected daddy used to work for the deep-pocketed well-connected daddy of the one of the "worst presidents in history," the one who was the worst in well over a century.
Later...
Mostly her column is a series of criticisms of the effors of some of the campaigns. I can do that, and will, but I've got a few compliments, too.
Toward the end of the high school year, yearbooks come out, with picks (and pics) of the "the most" whatever or "the class" blah. Now that we are nearing the end of the campaign cycle, it's time for campaign superlatives.
...The "Least Likely To Have A Future On American Idol" Award: Rodney Glassman, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. His video performance of "Sweet Home Arizona" was easily the most entertaining video of the season, and it was energetic. Other than that...?
...The "Truth? We don't need no stinking truth! " Award: Many worthy nominees, but this one goes to the Yes on Prop 302 folks. They've got signs all over the state pimping the proposition with "Stop Wasteful Government Spending." They've also go signs up saying the Prop 302 is "for the kids" or some such tripe.
Prop 302 would defund and destroy First Things First, a program for early childhood education and health care. The money set aside for it via a voter-approved dedicated tax would then go into the state's General Fund and be subject to appropriation by the lege. The expectation is that the lege would use the revenue as an excuse for more corporate tax cuts, and then use the resulting reduction in revenue as an excuse for cutting education and children's health care programs even more than they already have been.
...The "Most Expensive Campaign By A Candidate Who Isn't Even On The Ballot" Award: Maricopa County's own Joltin' Joe Arpaio. The nativist sheriff isn't up for reelection until 2012, but he spent over $700K on TV spots targeting Rick Romley, a candidate for Maricopa County Attorney, and incurred a fine of $150K more for his illegal "in-kind" contribution.
...The "Most Likely To Be Cursing Poor Timing" Award: Joe Hart, the incumbent Arizona Mine Inspector. Hart looks to be openly in the pocket of the industry he's supposed to regulate (he takes lots of campaign contributions from them, and they help create laws to specifically increase his job security).
He started the campaign season well-funded and bunkered legally, and looked to be cruising to an easy reelection. Then 33 miners in Chile became trapped in an unsafe mine, and even worse, had the audacity to survive for more than two months underground before being rescued.
The world's, and Arizona's attention became focused on the drama in Chile, and unfortunately for Hart, on all things mining.
Including Hart's dearth of qualifications for the job, and the wealth of experience in the safe operation of mines on the part of his opponent Manny Cruz.
...The "Most Likely To Wish That The Election Was Held The Day After She Signed SB1070" Award: Who else? Jan "Brain Freeze" Brewer. She started out the real election cycle (i.e. - after the other major R candidates dropped out of their primary) with a huge lead over Terry Goddard. Right now, however, the short calendar between the primary and general elections is her best friend.
Between...
- Nationally ridiculed false claims of headless bodies in the Arizona desert...
- The aforemention "brain freeze" during her one and only debate with Goddard...
- National coverage of the ties between private prisons, SB1070, and her circle of lobbyists/advisers
- and other missteps, she has since allowed Goddard to close the gap with her, turning the contest into one that will be won by the organization with the stronger GOTV effort. She still leads in recent polling, but Tuesday can't come soon enough for her.
..."Most Likely To Be A Chip Off The Old Block" Award: Ben Quayle. Dad can't spell "potato" correctly; son doesn't know history, calling Barack Obama the "worst president in history" in a TV spot, ignoring the fact that his deep-pocketed well-connected daddy used to work for the deep-pocketed well-connected daddy of the one of the "worst presidents in history," the one who was the worst in well over a century.
Later...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday good thoughts from Rose Mofford
Simple and direct...
Pic of the artwork courtesy an email from the Goddard campaign, original artwork courtesy former Governor Rose Mofford...
Pic of the artwork courtesy an email from the Goddard campaign, original artwork courtesy former Governor Rose Mofford...
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Entering the home stretch in Arizona...
and something tells me that Jan, her clan, and the rest of the Rs are happy that the election cycle comes to an end on November 2, not December 2.
From the East Valley Tribune -
It's getting closer, but to put Terry, and Chris, Felecia, Andrei, Penny, and Manny. over the top, sign up here to volunteer with the Arizona Democratic Party or your local county or coordinated campaign office.
Being exhausted from a day of canvassing or phone banking will suck, but a single night's sleep will recharge your batteries.
Years of Republicans holding statewide office will suck worse, and it will take years, even generations, to fix the damage.
Nine days of campaigning left. Nine days for the future of Arizona.
Note on 10/24: something goofy happened with the formatting of this post. It's been corrected.
From the East Valley Tribune -
Goddard catching up with Brewer in final weeks of gubernatorial campaign
Gov. Jan Brewer's large lead over Democrat Terry Goddard is eroding in the final weeks of a campaign that once looked like a runaway victory for the Republican incumbent
{snip}
While Brewer led Goddard by 20 points in July, she's supported by 38 percent of likely voters compared with Goddard's 35 percent, according to a Behavior Research poll conducted the first 10 days of October. The gap between the candidates narrowed as support for Goddard rose during the survey.
Libertarian Barry Hess and the Green Party's Larry Gist had 6 percent between the two of them.
It's getting closer, but to put Terry, and Chris, Felecia, Andrei, Penny, and Manny. over the top, sign up here to volunteer with the Arizona Democratic Party or your local county or coordinated campaign office.
Being exhausted from a day of canvassing or phone banking will suck, but a single night's sleep will recharge your batteries.
Years of Republicans holding statewide office will suck worse, and it will take years, even generations, to fix the damage.
Nine days of campaigning left. Nine days for the future of Arizona.
Note on 10/24: something goofy happened with the formatting of this post. It's been corrected.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Jan Brewer's new campaign slogan?
From the Arizona Republic (emphasis mine) -
Expect a slew of press releases from Jan Brewer, Governor and Jan Brewer, Candidate for Governor touting this news in a "See?!? Arizona isn't in as bad a condition as we thought it would be! Vote for meeeeeee!!!!!" sort of way.
And expect all of those press releases to conveniently leave out the bit about federal stimulus money contributing to the stabilization of AZ's economy. Or that Brewer and the Rs in the AZ Congressional delegation strongly opposed the federal stimulus package.
Help put Arizona back on the path of sanity and competence - Vote for Terry Goddard.
Yeah, yeah - I know that "sanity and competence" isn't the most electrifying phrase in politics these days, but it's the truth.
Arizona job-loss estimate not as bad as expected
Thanks to federal stimulus money and better-than-expected hiring in some sectors, Arizona is now predicted to lose only about 1 percent of its jobs this year, the state Department of Commerce said Thursday.
Expect a slew of press releases from Jan Brewer, Governor and Jan Brewer, Candidate for Governor touting this news in a "See?!? Arizona isn't in as bad a condition as we thought it would be! Vote for meeeeeee!!!!!" sort of way.
And expect all of those press releases to conveniently leave out the bit about federal stimulus money contributing to the stabilization of AZ's economy. Or that Brewer and the Rs in the AZ Congressional delegation strongly opposed the federal stimulus package.
Help put Arizona back on the path of sanity and competence - Vote for Terry Goddard.
Yeah, yeah - I know that "sanity and competence" isn't the most electrifying phrase in politics these days, but it's the truth.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Foreshadowing: even more massive cuts to education coming next year
On Wednesday, September 29, the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) of the lege's Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) met to discuss the economic and the state budget situation in Arizona.
Their briefing materials are here. Much of it is just a gathering in one place of economic and revenue info in one place, and all of it is incredibly dry, but it's worth downloading the .pdf and studying it in depth. The video of the meeting is here.
There was *far* too much data presented for me to do an adquate job of covering it here, but here is a brief summary of some of the discussion:
- They generally think that the recession in AZ is over (in a "cautiously optimistic" way, as state treasurer Dean Martin phrased it)
- However, while we have reached bottom, a recovery hasn't started - consumers, the fundamental driver of AZ's (and America's) economy, are still screwed. They're either looking for a job or are worried about the security of the jobs that they have, and aren't spending money that they don't absolutely have to spend
- However2, corporate profits are near or at their pre-recession peak, but they're holding on to the profits instead of investing them and creating jobs
- Real estate prices, both residential and commercial, will stay depressed for the foreseeable future. Vulture investors actually moderated the price declines by snapping up distressed properties, but now they are keeping the market values down when they put their investment properties on sale in an already glutted market
- The state's revenues are better than they were last year, but still weak, and less than projected when the latest budget was crafted. The budget shortfall for the remainder of the current fiscal year is up to $825 million, if the two ballot questions sweeping voter-approved funds aren't passed by the voters in November. (The legislative Rs present in the room Wednesday wanted to stress that point for some reason)
- Current projections show an estimated budget shortfall next year of $1.4 billion
- Those figures don't include currently suspended formula funding ($1.4 billion more next year if the formula funding is reinstated)
- The R legislators' eyes widened when they heard that the "maintenance of effort" requirements that were part of accepting the federal money used to balance the last couple of budgets expire at the end of the current fiscal year in June. Currently, the lege can't cut education funding below 2006 levels. In the fiscal year starting July 1, 2011, they'll be able to cut education as much as they want
- This is especially significant in light of the fact that federal law limits a state's ability to change eligibility standards for Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona), regardless of the fiscal year
- Anecdotal good news: the FAC representative from the Salt River Project (SRP) reported that large industrial concerns are now buying more power. The hope is that ramped-up production will lead to a ramped-up jobs picture
- More anecdotal good news (OK, it's more of a lack of bad news, but in the economy, it's "good" news when there isn't bad news to report): Construction sector employment figures are stagnant. Which is an improvement after months of job losses in that sector.
- Highlight of the meeting: State Senator Jack Harper accidently rolled his chair off of the dais, waking everybody up (including himself). Why is it that some of the most important stuff is also the most boring?
Anyway, the meeting illustrated why we need to elect Terry Goddard as governor. More major budget cuts are coming. Deal with it. The money just isn't there and won't be for at least the near future.
Education will bear the brunt of the cuts. Deal with that, too. It's easily the largest segment of the state's budget. In down budgetary times, it will face the most cuts.
The Republicans in the legislature are sharpening their meat cleavers and oiling their chain saws in gleeful anticipation of inflicting mortal wounds upon public education in Arizona during the next budget cycle.
However, the presence of Terry Goddard in the governor's office will serve to mitigate the carnage.
He and his veto pen will be there to force the anti-society extremists in the legislature to the negotiating table and force them to minimize the long-term damage.
Of course, electing Terry Goddard only sets up a strong, but not impenetrable, defense to the worst of the lege's machinations.
Right now, the Rs in lege have a majority in both the House and the Senate. That gives them the ability to bypass the governor and place measures directly on the ballot. Their access to virtually unlimited funds from lobbyists and corporations gives them a strong advantage there.
Electing more Democrats to the legislature, maybe even enough to tie or take control of one of the chambers, would go a LONG way toward stopping the R-led slaughter of Arizona's physical and societal infrastructures.
Other coverage:
Mary Jo Pitzl of the Republic has a point here about the timing of the meeting. Many people, including the Goddard campaign, found the timing of the meeting to be suspect. They believe that the meeting was called in order to influence voting on the ballot questions. Pitzl pointed out that the FAC always meets once in the fall, usually in September or October. Her point is valid. However, it should also be pointed out that the two most recent fall FAC meetings took place in October (2009 and 2008) and that most of the previous years' meetings took place in early September, not the week before early ballots dropped.
Arizona Republic coverage of the meeting here.
AP coverage, via Googlenews, here.
East Valley Tribune coverage here (in which Senate President Bob Burns is quoted as saying that Arizona may ignore the "maintenance of effort" requirements that are going to expire soon anyway.)
Later...
Their briefing materials are here. Much of it is just a gathering in one place of economic and revenue info in one place, and all of it is incredibly dry, but it's worth downloading the .pdf and studying it in depth. The video of the meeting is here.
There was *far* too much data presented for me to do an adquate job of covering it here, but here is a brief summary of some of the discussion:
- They generally think that the recession in AZ is over (in a "cautiously optimistic" way, as state treasurer Dean Martin phrased it)
- However, while we have reached bottom, a recovery hasn't started - consumers, the fundamental driver of AZ's (and America's) economy, are still screwed. They're either looking for a job or are worried about the security of the jobs that they have, and aren't spending money that they don't absolutely have to spend
- However2, corporate profits are near or at their pre-recession peak, but they're holding on to the profits instead of investing them and creating jobs
- Real estate prices, both residential and commercial, will stay depressed for the foreseeable future. Vulture investors actually moderated the price declines by snapping up distressed properties, but now they are keeping the market values down when they put their investment properties on sale in an already glutted market
- The state's revenues are better than they were last year, but still weak, and less than projected when the latest budget was crafted. The budget shortfall for the remainder of the current fiscal year is up to $825 million, if the two ballot questions sweeping voter-approved funds aren't passed by the voters in November. (The legislative Rs present in the room Wednesday wanted to stress that point for some reason)
- Current projections show an estimated budget shortfall next year of $1.4 billion
- Those figures don't include currently suspended formula funding ($1.4 billion more next year if the formula funding is reinstated)
- The R legislators' eyes widened when they heard that the "maintenance of effort" requirements that were part of accepting the federal money used to balance the last couple of budgets expire at the end of the current fiscal year in June. Currently, the lege can't cut education funding below 2006 levels. In the fiscal year starting July 1, 2011, they'll be able to cut education as much as they want
- This is especially significant in light of the fact that federal law limits a state's ability to change eligibility standards for Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona), regardless of the fiscal year
- Anecdotal good news: the FAC representative from the Salt River Project (SRP) reported that large industrial concerns are now buying more power. The hope is that ramped-up production will lead to a ramped-up jobs picture
- More anecdotal good news (OK, it's more of a lack of bad news, but in the economy, it's "good" news when there isn't bad news to report): Construction sector employment figures are stagnant. Which is an improvement after months of job losses in that sector.
- Highlight of the meeting: State Senator Jack Harper accidently rolled his chair off of the dais, waking everybody up (including himself). Why is it that some of the most important stuff is also the most boring?
Anyway, the meeting illustrated why we need to elect Terry Goddard as governor. More major budget cuts are coming. Deal with it. The money just isn't there and won't be for at least the near future.
Education will bear the brunt of the cuts. Deal with that, too. It's easily the largest segment of the state's budget. In down budgetary times, it will face the most cuts.
The Republicans in the legislature are sharpening their meat cleavers and oiling their chain saws in gleeful anticipation of inflicting mortal wounds upon public education in Arizona during the next budget cycle.
However, the presence of Terry Goddard in the governor's office will serve to mitigate the carnage.
He and his veto pen will be there to force the anti-society extremists in the legislature to the negotiating table and force them to minimize the long-term damage.
Of course, electing Terry Goddard only sets up a strong, but not impenetrable, defense to the worst of the lege's machinations.
Right now, the Rs in lege have a majority in both the House and the Senate. That gives them the ability to bypass the governor and place measures directly on the ballot. Their access to virtually unlimited funds from lobbyists and corporations gives them a strong advantage there.
Electing more Democrats to the legislature, maybe even enough to tie or take control of one of the chambers, would go a LONG way toward stopping the R-led slaughter of Arizona's physical and societal infrastructures.
Other coverage:
Mary Jo Pitzl of the Republic has a point here about the timing of the meeting. Many people, including the Goddard campaign, found the timing of the meeting to be suspect. They believe that the meeting was called in order to influence voting on the ballot questions. Pitzl pointed out that the FAC always meets once in the fall, usually in September or October. Her point is valid. However, it should also be pointed out that the two most recent fall FAC meetings took place in October (2009 and 2008) and that most of the previous years' meetings took place in early September, not the week before early ballots dropped.
Arizona Republic coverage of the meeting here.
AP coverage, via Googlenews, here.
East Valley Tribune coverage here (in which Senate President Bob Burns is quoted as saying that Arizona may ignore the "maintenance of effort" requirements that are going to expire soon anyway.)
Later...
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Arizona Republic editorial board to its readers: Arizona may be in lousy shape, but you should vote for the status quo
Liberals like to claim that the Arizona Republic is a "conservative" paper, but it's not. (Though to be fair, many of them remember the not-so-distant days when the Rep was officially named the "Arizona Republican" or less officially served as the press release outlet for the Arizona Republican Party.)
Conservatives like to claim that the Rep is a "liberal" paper, but it isn't. (It just isn't a mouthpiece for the "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" wing of the AZGOP.)
Instead, the Arizona Republic is a "corporate" paper, dedicated to defending corporate profit margins. Since most corporations operate in such a way as to derive the maximum profit from the political status quo, the Republic has become a staunch defender of that status quo.
Their latest list of election endorsements clearly illustrate this tendency.
- They passed over Terry Goddard in giving their endorsement in the race for governor to Jan Brewer. They called Goddard an "articulate, dedicated servant of the people of this state" yet gave the nod to Brewer, citing her ability to "handle the legislature" (apparently, the Rep's editorial board slept through all of 2009) and her disbanding of the state's Department of Commerce in favor of a meaningless (and authority-less) "Commerce Authority." What they also liked was her support for "enhancing prospects for job creation" - better known as blanket tax cuts directed to corporations.
- They ignored Rodney Glassman (literally! He wasn't even mentioned in the article!) in giving their endorsement for U.S. Senate to John McCain. In the opinion piece, they cited "McCain's role in all those great national and world debates," such as the debates over the war in Iraq and campaign finance reform. What they didn't cite were McCain's accomplishments for Arizona. They couldn't cite those accomplishments, because there aren't any. This particular endorsement also isn't a surprise, even aside from its "status quo" characteristics - the Rep's editorial board has been in the McCain family pocket for decades (is Dan Nowicki the Republic's reporter who is embedded with McCain's staff, or is he the McCain staffer embedded with the Republic? Either way, the effect, and the final product, is the same...)
- The Rep's endorsement of Ann Kirkpatrick in the CD1 race also serves to illustrate the Rep's "status quo" bias - she's an incumbent, and while a Democrat, she's a conservative one who thoroughly supports Big Business. Note: While I too support and recommend voting for her, it's because she is the better candidate, not a great candidate.
- The logic the Rep's editorial board used when passing over Penny Kotterman when endorsing John Huppenthal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction astounds me, even when allowing for their "status quo" bias. They cite his 18 years of legislative experience focusing on education issues and then follow it up with this quote -
Their endorsement is as sensible as a doctor sitting down with a patient who has been diagnosed with lung cancer after decades of smoking and suggesting that the patient could cure the cancer by smoking more cigarettes.
- In a bit of a surprise, the Rep's editorial board endorsed Felecia Rotellini over Tom Horne for Attorney General. They complimented her as "smart and unflappable," which is very true, but Tom Horne is a current office holder and an establishment Republican. This would seem to disprove my "status quo bias" position, until one remembers that, like Rotellini, Terry Goddard, the current Attorney General, is smart, unflappable, and a Democrat.
- However, the Rep did spring one big surprise on voters, and not in a good way. They twisted themselves like a pretzel to find a way to ignore Jon Hulburd and give their CD3 endorsement to Ben Quayle.
First, they opened up their piece with -
Could the Quayle family's previous ownership of the Republic have influenced the endorsement? Nahhhh, couldn't be...
The headline for the Rep's endorsement was "Ben Quayle offers candor, conviction."
Given that Quayle's previous "candor" indicated a deep disrespect for women and could lead to convictions of the criminal variety if he becomes part of the free-for-all social environment in D.C.'s political subculture, instead of being a surprise, perhaps the Rep's endorsement of his [possible] ascension to Congress would be in perfect keeping with their desire to maintain the status quo.
Less than a week ago, the Republic actually brought themselves some credit with their list of endorsements for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District - the candidates they endorsed were intelligent, educated, experienced, and highly-qualified for the job.
Apparently, however, those qualities are desirable only in candidates for lower-profile (though extremely important) offices.
I may agree with some of the Rep's coming endorsements, but where I will support the candidates who are better for Arizona, they'll be supporting the candidates who they see as most protective of their preferred status quo.
Conservatives like to claim that the Rep is a "liberal" paper, but it isn't. (It just isn't a mouthpiece for the "kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" wing of the AZGOP.)
Instead, the Arizona Republic is a "corporate" paper, dedicated to defending corporate profit margins. Since most corporations operate in such a way as to derive the maximum profit from the political status quo, the Republic has become a staunch defender of that status quo.
Their latest list of election endorsements clearly illustrate this tendency.
- They passed over Terry Goddard in giving their endorsement in the race for governor to Jan Brewer. They called Goddard an "articulate, dedicated servant of the people of this state" yet gave the nod to Brewer, citing her ability to "handle the legislature" (apparently, the Rep's editorial board slept through all of 2009) and her disbanding of the state's Department of Commerce in favor of a meaningless (and authority-less) "Commerce Authority." What they also liked was her support for "enhancing prospects for job creation" - better known as blanket tax cuts directed to corporations.
- They ignored Rodney Glassman (literally! He wasn't even mentioned in the article!) in giving their endorsement for U.S. Senate to John McCain. In the opinion piece, they cited "McCain's role in all those great national and world debates," such as the debates over the war in Iraq and campaign finance reform. What they didn't cite were McCain's accomplishments for Arizona. They couldn't cite those accomplishments, because there aren't any. This particular endorsement also isn't a surprise, even aside from its "status quo" characteristics - the Rep's editorial board has been in the McCain family pocket for decades (is Dan Nowicki the Republic's reporter who is embedded with McCain's staff, or is he the McCain staffer embedded with the Republic? Either way, the effect, and the final product, is the same...)
- The Rep's endorsement of Ann Kirkpatrick in the CD1 race also serves to illustrate the Rep's "status quo" bias - she's an incumbent, and while a Democrat, she's a conservative one who thoroughly supports Big Business. Note: While I too support and recommend voting for her, it's because she is the better candidate, not a great candidate.
- The logic the Rep's editorial board used when passing over Penny Kotterman when endorsing John Huppenthal for State Superintendent of Public Instruction astounds me, even when allowing for their "status quo" bias. They cite his 18 years of legislative experience focusing on education issues and then follow it up with this quote -
We believe the sort of reform advocated by John Huppenthal is best for improving Arizona's often dismal comparative standing on the crucial questions of how best to improve schools.Ummm...do they understand that Huppenthal and the "reforms" pimped by him are some of the major reasons for Arizona's "dismal comparative standing" on most education-related metrics? And that his experience in the lege has included years of trying to slowly destroy public education in Arizona?
Their endorsement is as sensible as a doctor sitting down with a patient who has been diagnosed with lung cancer after decades of smoking and suggesting that the patient could cure the cancer by smoking more cigarettes.
- In a bit of a surprise, the Rep's editorial board endorsed Felecia Rotellini over Tom Horne for Attorney General. They complimented her as "smart and unflappable," which is very true, but Tom Horne is a current office holder and an establishment Republican. This would seem to disprove my "status quo bias" position, until one remembers that, like Rotellini, Terry Goddard, the current Attorney General, is smart, unflappable, and a Democrat.
- However, the Rep did spring one big surprise on voters, and not in a good way. They twisted themselves like a pretzel to find a way to ignore Jon Hulburd and give their CD3 endorsement to Ben Quayle.
First, they opened up their piece with -
Ben Quayle, a Republican, may be the best-known congressional candidate in the country who isn't a member of the "tea party." That shouldn't matter to voters in District 3, which stretches from north-central Phoenix to New River. They don't need a celebrity. They need the best representative they can elect.In the next paragraph, they follow that up with -
If this were a job interview, Democrat Jon Hulburd would have the large advantage. He rose to become a partner at Fennemore Craig, one of Phoenix's top law firms. He left to start an import business. He has career and community accomplishments that Quayle can't match.So naturally, after pointing out Quayle's celebrity status and saying that CD3 doesn't need a celebrity in Congress, and Hulburd's vastly superior resume and qualifications, they gave their endorsement to Quayle -
But elections aren't just about resumes. They're about ideas. And on that score, Quayle is the better candidate to succeed John Shadegg. Quayle is well-versed in the issues. He speaks with passion and conviction.So, the Rep soft-pedals Quayle's lack of qualifications for any elected office, much less a seat in Congress, and completely ignores his pre-candidacy career as a writer for the website Dirty Scottsdale, under the porn-riffic nom de plume "Brock Landers."
Could the Quayle family's previous ownership of the Republic have influenced the endorsement? Nahhhh, couldn't be...
The headline for the Rep's endorsement was "Ben Quayle offers candor, conviction."
Given that Quayle's previous "candor" indicated a deep disrespect for women and could lead to convictions of the criminal variety if he becomes part of the free-for-all social environment in D.C.'s political subculture, instead of being a surprise, perhaps the Rep's endorsement of his [possible] ascension to Congress would be in perfect keeping with their desire to maintain the status quo.
Less than a week ago, the Republic actually brought themselves some credit with their list of endorsements for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District - the candidates they endorsed were intelligent, educated, experienced, and highly-qualified for the job.
Apparently, however, those qualities are desirable only in candidates for lower-profile (though extremely important) offices.
I may agree with some of the Rep's coming endorsements, but where I will support the candidates who are better for Arizona, they'll be supporting the candidates who they see as most protective of their preferred status quo.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Short Attention Span Musing: The "That's Just Republicans Being Republicans" Edition
...Terry Goddard (D), Jan Brewer (R) and Barry Hess (L) sat down with the Arizona Republic's editorial board to talk about their visions for Arizona. Brewer's vision: cut education, health services, the Department of Economic Security, and anything else that benefits the working and middle classes while protecting tax loopholes for corporations and the wealthy.
...Ken Bennett, the appointed Arizona Secretary of State, had pledged to not endorse (at the 14:25 mark in the video) any candidates in a race overseen by his office. However, that pledge has gone by the wayside, as the man who will run the state's elections has endorsed fellow Republicans like Brenda Burns (Corporation Commission), Scott Bundgaard (LD4 State Senate) and Steve Pierce (LD1 State Senate).
FYI - Democratic nominee for Secretary of State Chris Deschene has pledged not to endorse candidates in elections that he would oversee as SOS, and has stuck by that pledge.
...Democratic nominee for Attorney General Felecia Rotellini has demanded an apology from Republican Tom Horne and his campaign for falsely claiming that Rotellini "has never tried a case in her entire life." The Arizona Republic article linked to "demanded" indicates that Horne is now aware that Rotellini *has* tried cases before a jury, but hasn't backed down from his statement or issued an apology. Why should he, when the lie serves his purposes better than the truth.
...Republican candidates all over the state have kept to the master plan of running and hiding from voters whenever possible. The latest examples of this: Russell Pearce blowing off the Clean Elections debate in LD18 on Monday and Kirk Adams and Justin Olson doing the same last week in LD19. In both cases, the Republicans aren't running as Clean candidates and therefore don't have to participate in CE debates, but they aren't participating in other events that put them in the same places as their Democratic opponents and voters.
...Jan Brewer's "Arizona Commission on Privatization and Efficiency" has issued its first set of recommendations on which state services and operations can be given over to private vendors, and other "efficiency" measures, in order to save the state money.
The suggestions include:
Privatizing the state's email system
Selling state parks
Hiring private companies to manage highway rest areas (if the feds approve, not likely, but anything is possible)
Purchasing software that would allow State computers to be shut down remotely
The Commission includes a number of Republican Party/anti-government stalwarts.
Mark Brnovich, chair, current the Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, and a former executive with a private prison company (Brewer just *loves* those guys, doesn't she?)
Chad Kirkpatrick, Director of the Government Information Technology Agency, and chair of the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, the Arizona incarnation/affiliate of Americans for Prosperity, a corporate lobbying group
John Halikowski, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, a former legislative researcher working for the Republican caucus of the AZ lege. He was instrumental in crafting legislation mandating privatization. His bio indicates that he spent six years working in executive positions for MVD, and I'm not sure of this, but the math looks right for him to have worked there during Russell Pearce's corruption-laden administration of that agency. Will check into that...
Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a former Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party, and a man who has never seen a public service that shouldn't be privatized in a way that maximizes some corporation's profits (whether that corporation can deliver the service as well is irrelevant)
Leonard Gilroy, a senior staffer at something called "The Reason Foundation," an organization that claims to be an independent think tank dedicated to "free market" principles, but their dedication to "free" markets isn't free. According to Sourcewatch, much of their funding comes from industry sources and extremists like the infamous Koch Brothers.
Stan Levine, a retired chemical company CEO and a senior member of Joe Arpaio's "posse"
There were a few more, but none who were there to represent the public interest.
With an assemblage like that, is it any wonder that they want to give state parks, which are supposed to be managed for the benefit of the people of Arizona, to private corporations to be managed for the benefit of those corporations?
It all looks like it's part of the GOP's game plan of running government into the ground (by refusing to actually govern responsibly by say, balancing the freakin' budget), and when government inevitably fails on their watch, use the failure that they've induced as an excuse to further sell off public assets to private groups.
Later...
...Ken Bennett, the appointed Arizona Secretary of State, had pledged to not endorse (at the 14:25 mark in the video) any candidates in a race overseen by his office. However, that pledge has gone by the wayside, as the man who will run the state's elections has endorsed fellow Republicans like Brenda Burns (Corporation Commission), Scott Bundgaard (LD4 State Senate) and Steve Pierce (LD1 State Senate).
FYI - Democratic nominee for Secretary of State Chris Deschene has pledged not to endorse candidates in elections that he would oversee as SOS, and has stuck by that pledge.
...Democratic nominee for Attorney General Felecia Rotellini has demanded an apology from Republican Tom Horne and his campaign for falsely claiming that Rotellini "has never tried a case in her entire life." The Arizona Republic article linked to "demanded" indicates that Horne is now aware that Rotellini *has* tried cases before a jury, but hasn't backed down from his statement or issued an apology. Why should he, when the lie serves his purposes better than the truth.
...Republican candidates all over the state have kept to the master plan of running and hiding from voters whenever possible. The latest examples of this: Russell Pearce blowing off the Clean Elections debate in LD18 on Monday and Kirk Adams and Justin Olson doing the same last week in LD19. In both cases, the Republicans aren't running as Clean candidates and therefore don't have to participate in CE debates, but they aren't participating in other events that put them in the same places as their Democratic opponents and voters.
...Jan Brewer's "Arizona Commission on Privatization and Efficiency" has issued its first set of recommendations on which state services and operations can be given over to private vendors, and other "efficiency" measures, in order to save the state money.
The suggestions include:
Privatizing the state's email system
Selling state parks
Hiring private companies to manage highway rest areas (if the feds approve, not likely, but anything is possible)
Purchasing software that would allow State computers to be shut down remotely
The Commission includes a number of Republican Party/anti-government stalwarts.
Mark Brnovich, chair, current the Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, and a former executive with a private prison company (Brewer just *loves* those guys, doesn't she?)
Chad Kirkpatrick, Director of the Government Information Technology Agency, and chair of the Arizona Federation of Taxpayers, the Arizona incarnation/affiliate of Americans for Prosperity, a corporate lobbying group
John Halikowski, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, a former legislative researcher working for the Republican caucus of the AZ lege. He was instrumental in crafting legislation mandating privatization. His bio indicates that he spent six years working in executive positions for MVD, and I'm not sure of this, but the math looks right for him to have worked there during Russell Pearce's corruption-laden administration of that agency. Will check into that...
Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a former Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party, and a man who has never seen a public service that shouldn't be privatized in a way that maximizes some corporation's profits (whether that corporation can deliver the service as well is irrelevant)
Leonard Gilroy, a senior staffer at something called "The Reason Foundation," an organization that claims to be an independent think tank dedicated to "free market" principles, but their dedication to "free" markets isn't free. According to Sourcewatch, much of their funding comes from industry sources and extremists like the infamous Koch Brothers.
Stan Levine, a retired chemical company CEO and a senior member of Joe Arpaio's "posse"
There were a few more, but none who were there to represent the public interest.
With an assemblage like that, is it any wonder that they want to give state parks, which are supposed to be managed for the benefit of the people of Arizona, to private corporations to be managed for the benefit of those corporations?
It all looks like it's part of the GOP's game plan of running government into the ground (by refusing to actually govern responsibly by say, balancing the freakin' budget), and when government inevitably fails on their watch, use the failure that they've induced as an excuse to further sell off public assets to private groups.
Later...
Monday, September 20, 2010
Brewer campaign script: Plan A - Lie; Plan B - Run and Hide. Plan C: When Plan B stops working, return to Plan A.
Early this year, Jan Brewer and her quest for an elected term as governor were in trouble.
Deep-pocketed Republican challengers were swamping her in her primary race, and early polling had Terry Goddard defeating her in the general election.
Then Russell Pearce's SB1070 came along, and Brewer's campaign righted itself with Plan A.
She focused on selling that nativist measure to the Republican base, using stereotypes, extremist rhetoric, and outright lies.
The bill, and her successinciting "energizing" her base forced most of the other R gubernatorial candidates to withdraw from the race.
In addition, polls taken shortly after the primary showed her with a comfortable (~20%) lead over the Democratic nominee for governor, Terry Goddard.
Then came The Debate.
After the brain freeze that will never go away, the grammatical gaffes ("we has did"), and the frantic retreat from the media after the debate, her handlers refused to allow her anywhere near a situation that isn't totally in their control.
That marked the beginning of Plan B.
Run and hide Brewer and her weaknesses until November, and everybody would keep their jobs (and the revenue streams for theirreal "former" employers).
Then came word on Monday of new polling that shows Goddard has seriously closed on Brewer.
It's become obvious, even to those who have their heads buried in the sand at the bottom of the deepest underground bunker in the state (which has been made to look a *lot* like the 9th floor of the Executive Tower), that running and hiding is no longer a viable plan.
Instead of adapting to the changed circumstances (something that might just involve cranio-rectal dislodgement surgery), they've chosen to go back to Plan A.
Stereotypes, extremist rhetoric, and lies.
From an interview with Jorge Ramos of Univision, via Huffington Post -
We'll know in November if her ploy is effective.
Later...
Deep-pocketed Republican challengers were swamping her in her primary race, and early polling had Terry Goddard defeating her in the general election.
Then Russell Pearce's SB1070 came along, and Brewer's campaign righted itself with Plan A.
She focused on selling that nativist measure to the Republican base, using stereotypes, extremist rhetoric, and outright lies.
The bill, and her success
In addition, polls taken shortly after the primary showed her with a comfortable (~20%) lead over the Democratic nominee for governor, Terry Goddard.
Then came The Debate.
After the brain freeze that will never go away, the grammatical gaffes ("we has did"), and the frantic retreat from the media after the debate, her handlers refused to allow her anywhere near a situation that isn't totally in their control.
That marked the beginning of Plan B.
Run and hide Brewer and her weaknesses until November, and everybody would keep their jobs (and the revenue streams for their
Then came word on Monday of new polling that shows Goddard has seriously closed on Brewer.
It's become obvious, even to those who have their heads buried in the sand at the bottom of the deepest underground bunker in the state (which has been made to look a *lot* like the 9th floor of the Executive Tower), that running and hiding is no longer a viable plan.
Instead of adapting to the changed circumstances (something that might just involve cranio-rectal dislodgement surgery), they've chosen to go back to Plan A.
Stereotypes, extremist rhetoric, and lies.
From an interview with Jorge Ramos of Univision, via Huffington Post -
RAMOS: But you understand people were upset that you said that the majority of undocumented immigrants were drug mules when in reality they are not. The majority are not.If The Debate was Brewer's "Brain Fart" moment, this could well be her "doubling down on a pair of 8s when Goddard is showing a 10" moment.
BREWER: Well, if you know; if you are coming across with the drug cartels, and you're hauling drugs, then you are. And they're probably not doing it willingly; they are probably not doing it willingly.
RAMOS: Do you still believe the majority are drug mules? The majority of undocumented immigrants are bringing drugs to this country?
BREWER: I think that it has increased. I think that it has increased.
We'll know in November if her ploy is effective.
Later...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Brewer: "crime's up"; FBI: Only if by "up" you mean "down"
Jan Brewer spent most of the spring and summer bolstering her (now-successful) bid for the AZGOP's nomination for governor by playing into the GOP base's fear of the "other," particularly immigrants. She has spent the last few months spouting off about a growing crime wave that is wracking Arizona, particularly immigrant-caused crimes.
...In her statement regarding her approval of SB1070...
...In the Clean Elections debate for the Republican candidates for governor...
...During an interview with Fox News...
...And in numerous other speeches, interviews, and press releases.
She spends most of her time talking up her stance against immigrants, but ignoring the issues that matter most to Arizonans - the state's failing education system (for their children's future) and the state's cratered economy (for their own present and future). She has nothing to address those concerns.
Well, it turns out that she has little more than nothing on crime - her alleged "crime wave" that Arizonans from which Arizonans need protection is nothing but a lie.
From the FBI's 2009 crime statistics for Arizona, released on Monday -
Violent crimes: down 13.9% (compared to a national drop of 5.3%)
Violent crime rate (per 100K population): down 15.1% (nationally, decreased 6.1%)
Property crimes: down 11.7% (down 4.6% nationally)
Property crime rate: down 13% (down 5.5% nationally)
Across the board, crime in Arizona has declined at a greater rate than the decline nationally.
I'm guessing that at some point, Brewer's handlers told her to keep driving home the "crime is up" talking point, probably both to bolster support for her among the fearful GOP faithful and to subtly undermine the credibility of the Democratic nominee, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
However, lying so brazenly only serves to further undermine her credibility as a candidate best qualified to lead Arizona into the next decade.
And after her dreadful performance during the televised debate with Goddard, she needs to shore up her credibility, not undermine it.
...In her statement regarding her approval of SB1070...
...In the Clean Elections debate for the Republican candidates for governor...
...During an interview with Fox News...
...And in numerous other speeches, interviews, and press releases.
She spends most of her time talking up her stance against immigrants, but ignoring the issues that matter most to Arizonans - the state's failing education system (for their children's future) and the state's cratered economy (for their own present and future). She has nothing to address those concerns.
Well, it turns out that she has little more than nothing on crime - her alleged "crime wave" that Arizonans from which Arizonans need protection is nothing but a lie.
From the FBI's 2009 crime statistics for Arizona, released on Monday -
Violent crimes: down 13.9% (compared to a national drop of 5.3%)
Violent crime rate (per 100K population): down 15.1% (nationally, decreased 6.1%)
Property crimes: down 11.7% (down 4.6% nationally)
Property crime rate: down 13% (down 5.5% nationally)
Across the board, crime in Arizona has declined at a greater rate than the decline nationally.
I'm guessing that at some point, Brewer's handlers told her to keep driving home the "crime is up" talking point, probably both to bolster support for her among the fearful GOP faithful and to subtly undermine the credibility of the Democratic nominee, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
However, lying so brazenly only serves to further undermine her credibility as a candidate best qualified to lead Arizona into the next decade.
And after her dreadful performance during the televised debate with Goddard, she needs to shore up her credibility, not undermine it.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Terry Goddard's statement on the 9th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks
Terry Goddard, Arizona's Attorney General and the Democratic nominee for Governor of Arizona, issued the following statement on the 9/11 anniversary -
For those readers in the East Valley, take a few moments out of your day to visit the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park.
"As we remember the ninth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, join me in taking a moment to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Let's also keep in our thoughts and prayers the survivors whose lives will never be the same."
"All Americans - even those of us thousands of miles away - felt pain, horror and anger over the attacks on our nation. Let us resolve that this tragedy we share will unite us as a country and continue our commitment to freedom, not drive a wedge of fear and hate between us. As proud Americans and Arizonans, we can recognize on September 11 all that we have in common - our great country and state, our love for our families and the chance to work toward a better future in a free country."
"Today, we also remember and honor our law enforcement and first responders, who perished while performing their duties. Whether we take part in commemorative events or set aside a few moments during the day, we must never forget the heroes of 9/11."
For those readers in the East Valley, take a few moments out of your day to visit the Healing Field at Tempe Beach Park.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Crickets chirping
There's been a lot of bluster and name-calling from Republican candidates during this year's election season -
"Obamacare!"
"Immigrants!"
"Cut taxes!"
"Immigrants!!"
"Unions!"
"Immigrants!!!"
"Lather, Rinse, Repeat!"
Well, it turns out there is a quick and efficient way to get Republicans to shut up - challenge them to stand up and actually explain their positions civilly.
- Candidate for governor Terry Goddard has challenged Jan Brewer to a series of debates all over the state, but she has refused to participate in any more than the one that she was required to participate in as a condition of accepting Clean Elections funding.
She has refused to do so, but given her thorough faceplant of a performance in the CE debate, her reluctance in understandable. Though not acceptable.
- Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny has challenged Doug Ducey to a series of debates, but thus far, he has also declined to participate, perhaps out of fear that his financial misdeeds (here and here) would become a topic of discussion.
- Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has challenged Republican nominee Paul Gosar to some debates, but the career dentist and tea party favorite is avoiding a direct confrontation with the incumbent in CD1.
- Jon Hulburd, the Democratic nominee in CD3, has challenged Ben "Dirty Scottsdale" Quayle to some debates, but apparently, the Republican nominee is hoping Daddy's name recognition and money connections will keep him from having to mount an actual campaign.
- CD2 Congressional candidate John Thrasher reports that Republican incumbent Trent Franks has agreed to a debate. Just not to "minor" details like a place and a time...
In fact, the only R candidate who has accepted a debate challenge outside of one required by Clean Elections rules is John McCain, who will be debating Democratic challenger Rodney Glassman on September 26.
Other than that one example, however, the only sound one hears when the R candidates are challenged to put up or shut up is the sound of
Crickets chirping.
"Obamacare!"
"Immigrants!"
"Cut taxes!"
"Immigrants!!"
"Unions!"
"Immigrants!!!"
"Lather, Rinse, Repeat!"
Well, it turns out there is a quick and efficient way to get Republicans to shut up - challenge them to stand up and actually explain their positions civilly.
- Candidate for governor Terry Goddard has challenged Jan Brewer to a series of debates all over the state, but she has refused to participate in any more than the one that she was required to participate in as a condition of accepting Clean Elections funding.
She has refused to do so, but given her thorough faceplant of a performance in the CE debate, her reluctance in understandable. Though not acceptable.
- Treasurer candidate Andrei Cherny has challenged Doug Ducey to a series of debates, but thus far, he has also declined to participate, perhaps out of fear that his financial misdeeds (here and here) would become a topic of discussion.
- Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick has challenged Republican nominee Paul Gosar to some debates, but the career dentist and tea party favorite is avoiding a direct confrontation with the incumbent in CD1.
- Jon Hulburd, the Democratic nominee in CD3, has challenged Ben "Dirty Scottsdale" Quayle to some debates, but apparently, the Republican nominee is hoping Daddy's name recognition and money connections will keep him from having to mount an actual campaign.
- CD2 Congressional candidate John Thrasher reports that Republican incumbent Trent Franks has agreed to a debate. Just not to "minor" details like a place and a time...
In fact, the only R candidate who has accepted a debate challenge outside of one required by Clean Elections rules is John McCain, who will be debating Democratic challenger Rodney Glassman on September 26.
Other than that one example, however, the only sound one hears when the R candidates are challenged to put up or shut up is the sound of
Crickets chirping.
Friday, September 03, 2010
"Gee, ya think?" headline of the day
After spending the last two days running from journalists and serving as the target of national ridicule for her performance during the Clean Elections debate on Wednesday, Jan Brewer has finally come clean about her oft-repeated claim that there were headless bodies in the Arizona desert.
From the Arizona Republic -
Here's the vid -
The relevent spouting starts at around the 37 second mark.
In her statement, she claimed to be pointing out that there was violence across the border with Mexico that could spill over and didn't mean that there was any in Arizona.
Read the article, and watch the interview she gave to Fox News. She was completely unequivocal when she claimed that there were headless bodies found in Arizona.
Vote for Terry Goddard for Governor.
From the Arizona Republic -
Brewer says she was wrong about beheadingsNow, lest a reader think that she issued a full "mea culpa" over her repeated attempts at fearmongering, here's the money quote -
"That was an error, if I said that," Brewer said about beheadings occurring in Arizona."If"?!?
Here's the vid -
The relevent spouting starts at around the 37 second mark.
In her statement, she claimed to be pointing out that there was violence across the border with Mexico that could spill over and didn't mean that there was any in Arizona.
Read the article, and watch the interview she gave to Fox News. She was completely unequivocal when she claimed that there were headless bodies found in Arizona.
Vote for Terry Goddard for Governor.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Goddard wins debate over Brewer
...And not just on content of his positions (yeah, I'm biased, so I'm not getting into those, too much).
Tactically, the debate was a solid win for Goddard, and not just because Brewer did such a horrible job ("we has did"!! YES!).
Like many folks, my opinion on the race is already well-defined (GO GODDARD!). He did a good job on Wednesday night, but even if he had turned in a mediocre performance he'd still have my support.
Likewise, Brewer supporters would still support her even if she had just stared into the camera and drooled (which might have been an improvement over the performance she turned in, but I digress...)
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission must really have had it in for me when they scheduled both the LD17 and Governor's debates for the same time.
Thank God for the wonders of technology.
Went to the LD17 debate at ASU and watched the debate between the candidates for governor via DVR.
In addition, the debate can be found on the website of KAET, the PBS affiliate in Phoenix, and on YouTube (the YouTube video is embedded below).
After viewing the debate, and pondering Brewer's grammatical gaffes (i.e. - "we have did what was right for Arizona.." at the 4:45 mark), deflections (i.e. - blaming unions and SB1070-inspired boycotts for Arizona's long-cratered economy and the decades of damage to Arizona's education system wrought by the decades of unrelenting attacks on it by Republicans in the legislature) and outright lies (Brewer at the 39:00 mark: "We have balanced the budget!"), one clear observation emerges -
As bad as Brewer did during the debate, the Rs' biggest tactical mistake was allowing their faux-Green candidate, Larry Gist, anywhere near a camera and microphone.
His positions of "privatize prisons" and "health care reform violates states' rights" and more, he gave strong evidence that he's nothing more than a Republican plant in the race.
Any Green party voters watching that debate would have realized that if they vote for Gist, they'll just be allowing themselves to be used by cynical Republican operatives like Derrick Lee.
According to the Secretary of State's latest voter registration count, there are 4585 registered Greens in Arizona.
Most of those voters were almost certainly pushed into the Goddard column by the debate.
Tactically, the debate was a solid win for Goddard, and not just because Brewer did such a horrible job ("we has did"!! YES!).
Like many folks, my opinion on the race is already well-defined (GO GODDARD!). He did a good job on Wednesday night, but even if he had turned in a mediocre performance he'd still have my support.
Likewise, Brewer supporters would still support her even if she had just stared into the camera and drooled (which might have been an improvement over the performance she turned in, but I digress...)
The Citizens Clean Elections Commission must really have had it in for me when they scheduled both the LD17 and Governor's debates for the same time.
Thank God for the wonders of technology.
Went to the LD17 debate at ASU and watched the debate between the candidates for governor via DVR.
In addition, the debate can be found on the website of KAET, the PBS affiliate in Phoenix, and on YouTube (the YouTube video is embedded below).
After viewing the debate, and pondering Brewer's grammatical gaffes (i.e. - "we have did what was right for Arizona.." at the 4:45 mark), deflections (i.e. - blaming unions and SB1070-inspired boycotts for Arizona's long-cratered economy and the decades of damage to Arizona's education system wrought by the decades of unrelenting attacks on it by Republicans in the legislature) and outright lies (Brewer at the 39:00 mark: "We have balanced the budget!"), one clear observation emerges -
As bad as Brewer did during the debate, the Rs' biggest tactical mistake was allowing their faux-Green candidate, Larry Gist, anywhere near a camera and microphone.
His positions of "privatize prisons" and "health care reform violates states' rights" and more, he gave strong evidence that he's nothing more than a Republican plant in the race.
Any Green party voters watching that debate would have realized that if they vote for Gist, they'll just be allowing themselves to be used by cynical Republican operatives like Derrick Lee.
According to the Secretary of State's latest voter registration count, there are 4585 registered Greens in Arizona.
Most of those voters were almost certainly pushed into the Goddard column by the debate.
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