BREAKING, UPDATE: Posses Not Carrying Insurance On Vehicles Caused Grounding; County Trying To Help MCSO Find Insurance Company; Grounding NOT Prompted By Shot Posse Member

(For initial article this afternoon, please click on "BREAKING: More Than 100 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse-Owned Vehicles Grounded")

The grounding of Maricopa County Posse patrols is due to Posses and/or their members not carrying auto insurance on their vehicles.  According to Maricopa County, it is NOT related to the New Year's Eve shooting of Posse member Phillip Grigg, and that the County Risk Manager is trying to help the Sheriff's Office and its Posses find a company that will write policies for the Posse-owned vehicles.

No word yet on how many Posse vehicles were on county roads without insurance, whether some of the vehicles were covered and some were not, or whether some insurance companies recently canceled policies, prompting the grounding that was announced this weekend.

As reported earlier by Arizona's Politics, there are more than 100 Posse-owned vehicles.  Maricopa County is largely self-insured, and is not in a position to cover vehicles owned by the non-profit Posses.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio indicated this weekend, and again today, that he "is working hand-in-hand with County Officials to resolve the issue.  Although that may give the impression that the issue - and, therefore, the grounding - originated outside the MCSO and with the County.

Not so, County Communication Director Cari Gerchick told Arizona's Politics this afternoon.  "Our risk manager is trying to find an insurance company that will offer the necessary policies to Posse members.  Not that the County will pay for (them)."

Gerchick also told Arizona's Politics that the grounding did not result from the New Year's Eve shooting of Posse member Phillip Grigg.  "That was a workman's compensation issue."  (Arizona's Politics is in the process of following up on this story.)

(For initial article this afternoon, please click on "BREAKING: More Than 100 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse-Owned Vehicles Grounded")



We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

BREAKING: More Than 100 Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Posse-Owned Vehicles Grounded

(For updated article, please click on "BREAKING, UPDATE: Posses Not Carrying Insurance On Vehicles Caused Grounding; County Trying To Help MCSO Find Insurance Company; Grounding NOT Prompted By Shot Posse Member")

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office states this afternoon that they have NOT "suspended any posse operations."  However, they have apparently grounded "the use of Posse-owned vehicles."

MCSO recently told Arizona's Politics that "there are approximately 114 Posse-owned vehicle, which does not include the privately-owned vehicles that are used for Posse business."

The grounding came to light this weekend when the West Valley's Daily News-Sun reported that the Sun City West Posse operations had been "suspended."  In response to an inquiry this afternoon, the MCSO sent Arizona's Politics a three sentence release saying there is not a suspension.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the Daily News-Sun on Saturday that he "plans to talk with county officials early in the week to get this resolved and doesn’t consider it “a story yet.” But, if nothing is resolved, then it will be “a big story,” the sheriff said."

At various points, the MCSO deems vehicles to be past their usable life, and recommends that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approve the sale of the vehicles to the Posses for $1.  The Supervisors routinely approve these sales unanimously.  (As an example, here is the sale of two MCSO vehicles to the controversial Cold Case Posse from 2008.

Besides the apparent questions about insurance on the vehicles in light of the New Year's Eve shooting of Posse member Phillip Grigg, there are questions regarding government plates being reported on some of the Posse-owned vehicles, the usage of county fuel resources, and the lack of any financial oversight of the various Posse groups.

The MCSO release states that "Sheriff Joe Arpaio expects the issue to be resolved quickly."

(For updated article, please click on "BREAKING, UPDATE: Posses Not Carrying Insurance On Vehicles Caused Grounding; County Trying To Help MCSO Find Insurance Company; Grounding NOT Prompted By Shot Posse Member")


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH: Giffords and Kelly Endorsing For Governor

Don't really need to write anything up for this.  Both Gabrielle Giffords and Mark Kelly continue to earn respect and admiration for their recovery from the shooting.

(Click on picture to run video in new window.)

(If clicking on picture did not work, here is link: http://bit.ly/GabMark4Fred)

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Phoenix Committee Submits Additional Info Supporting Bid To Host 2016 GOP Convention, Has "Excellent Chance", No Matter What Vegas Says; But, Could State GOP Have MAJOR Fundraising Task

The Phoenix committee bidding to host the 2016 Republican National Convention confirmed today that they submitted their formal bid and additional information to the RNC last week - well ahead of today's deadline.  While not disclosing what that info was, committee spokesperson Gordon James told Arizona's Politics that Phoenix continues to have "an excellent chance" to win the lucrative hosting job.

Although Las Vegas is still getting most of the buzz as a host city, James and committee chair Sen. Jon Kyl (retired) remain optimistic.  Kyl repeated today that "Phoenix has a good shot."

However, an interesting development was also reported on today.  Earlier this month, Congress passed - and the President is expected to sign - legislation that will prevent the two major parties from receiving taxpayers' voluntary tax-checkoff dollars to pay for the national conventions.  In a report on NPR this morning, it was reported that the Republican National Committee "suggests that it might be up to them (the successful host city) to find that cash".  In 2012, the parties each received $18 million from the federal fund.

The Political Moneyline article suggests that Las Vegas might have a leg up in that aspect because of proven GOP moneyman and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson. Phoenix has its GOP fundraisers, but noone at the Adelson (or Koch) level.  (Adelson contributed $5M of the extra $57M the GOP raised in 2012 for the convention in Denver.














We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

After Staff Shakeup, Project Vote Smart "Rebuilding" and Pointing Towards 2016 With Project Galaxy, Says Tucson Boardmember

The headline from the Montana newspaper sounded dire, "Project Vote Smart lays off 6, considers closing".  The article focused on the layoffs and the hard feelings towards founder and President (and, Arizonan) Richard Kimball.  The truth, according to a couple of boardmembers, is that the nationally-known organization is "rebuilding" and pointing to the 2016 election - when new projects will make sense of the entire galaxy of political information and make it easier than ever for voters to know where candidates stand on issues important to them.

Vote Smart has been an award-winning organization that for more than 25 years has collected information on candidates, office-holders, initiatives, and assembles it in ways that can help voters make informed choices when they complete their ballots. It has been a tremendous resource.

Arizona's Politics spoke with two boardmembers, including SecretaryTreasurer Susan Brandes. They both indicated that the board had reached consensus on the need to lay off several persons, and that Kimball would be the one to handle the unpleasant task asap.

Kimball,  a former Arizona State lawmaker and Corporation Commissioner, who began Project Vote Smart in 1988 shortly after losing the senatorial campaign to John McCain (to replace Barry Goldwater), currently resides in Tucson and went to the Vote Smart ranch/headquarters in a Montana wilderness to meet with the staff.

Four people - including the long time IT Director -  had recently left for different reasons.  After laying off 4 more (in the research department and the lodge manager), five more upset staffmembers left and two were fired for cause. Both boardmembers stated that the laid off staff received $600 stipends to get back to civilization/home.

Brandes notes that the organization is in "dire straits", and that the recession and the refocusing by some large foundations from "voter information" to other "good government" priorities.  Indeed a review of the 501(c)(3) organization's IRS filings (officially known as the Center for Indeendence in Politics) does indicate that annual revenues had decreased 33% between 2008 and 2012 from approximately $1.5M to $1.0M (two year averages).  (The most recent 990 IRS filing is at the bottom of this article.)

"We could either struggle along now... or we can rebuild and have (new Political Galaxy and other social media projects) ready for 2016," said Brandes.  The Political Galaxy project, according to Vote Smart's website, was to have been up and running by last month.

Both boardmembers expressed understanding of the staff's angry reaction, but note that the "money just isn't there" to maintain the staffing levels.  

Brandes emphasized that they "are focused on keeping current databases current" and have shifted remaining staff to ensure that voters can continue to find fresh information for the 2014 elections.  The other boardmember noted that the staff level is currently 26, and that it is "normally at 42" at this point in an election cycle.  (Vote Smart does have three different positions currently advertised on its website.)

The board also decided to put the 50-acre property near Philipsburg, Montana on the market - partly in order to determine its value, and partly because they are coming to the conclusion that it may be better to have the organization housed near a university (as they previously did).

  Project Vote Smart IRS 990, 2011

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

BREAKING: Hours After Judge's Rebuke, Sheriff Arpaio Calls Charges Of Racial Profiling "Unfounded", Announces He Will Run In 2016

The charges of racial profiling are "unfounded."  That is what Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told his supporters this morning, hours after he had been summoned to U.S. District Court Judge G. Murray Snow, to be admonished for mischaracterizing the Court's orders.

Arpaio repeated his "unfounded" protestation in an email announcing that he would be running for re-election in 2016 - rather than running for Governor or stepping down.  (The entire email is reproduced here, below the jump.)

At the bottom of the email - after vowing to fight "Barack Obama's political machine, Hollywood leftists and their millions as well as a hostile local and national media..." - Arpaio also warns his fellow Patriots to not give money to any of the "fraudulent groups" that either pretend to be him or to support his campaigns.  Arizona's Politics has written about some of those groups in the past, including "Defend Sheriff Joe", run by current Corporation Commission candidate Vernon Parker.

However, the sentence about opponents using "their massive show of force" to level "Rampant, UNFOUNDED charges of racism and racial profiling in my office" is most surprising given yesterday's federal court hearing. ("U.S. judge rebukes top aide of Arpaio")  Judge Snow, who after a 2012 trial, found last year that the MCSO had in fact engaged in racial profiling, summoned Arpaio and his Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan after the pair had "undermined" his subsequent order for a court monitor during training sessions with MCSO deputies.

Arpaio was silent during the hearing, Sheridan acknowledged to the Court that he had "mischaracterized" the order and that he was "ashamed."

Today's email with the Sheriff's signature - whether written directly by him or not - is certain to add to the Court's concerns about the MCSO's commitment to follow the Court's directives.

(The Arpaio e-mail is below the jump.  Please click "Read More", below.)

Patriot, I have made one of the most important decisions of my life. And I want you to be the first to know. After much prayer and discussion with my wife Ava and many close friends and advisors, I have decided that I will once again run for Sheriff -- but only if I have your continued support. Do I have your support? If I do, I'm asking you to click here right now and sign your "I STAND WITH JOE" re-election support pledge. Without your pledge and support I won't be able win. I have to tell you Patriot -- this was a tough decision. You see, this will certainly not be an easy election. My opponents are already lined up against me and will cross any line to see me defeated. In fact, we've seen them use their massive show of force to do the following: >>>> The Obama Justice department has been rolling out lawsuit after lawsuit to take me down. >>>> The Democrats drained my campaign resources last spring with a costly re-call election smear campaign that came dangerously close to defeating me, but with your support we prevailed. >>>> Rampant, UNFOUNDED charges of racism and racial profiling in my office. >>>> Al Sharpton, George Lopez, Linda Ronstadt and a gaggle of other celebrity lefties are using their Hollywood megaphone to slander my name and reputation. >>>> A hostile national and local press corps that actually gets the weather right more than anything they report about me.   Patriot, we've seen what they will do to take me down, and I have no doubt that this is going to be the toughest re-election battle of my career. And it's why I need to ensure I have your continued support. But as of now, I don't know if I still have your support. That's why I'm asking you to put down what you are doing right now -- click here - and let me know if I still have your support by signing your personalized "I STAND WITH JOE" reelection support pledge immediately. I also need your financial support. Fighting the recall battle last year severely drained my campaign account. Furthermore, going up against Barack Obama's political machine, Hollywood leftists and their millions as well as a hostile local and national media is extremely expensive. I estimate I'll have to raise at least 4 million dollars to have a fighting chance. That's where you come in. In addition to your "I STAND WITH JOE" re-election pledge, I need you to chip in your most generous contribution. For some of you maybe $5 is all you can afford. But for others $500 or even $1000 is a sacrificial gift you are willing to make. Whether its $5, $25 or even $250... I pledge to you that I will faithfully use your contribution to win reelection and continue to enforce the law as I have always done. I hope I can count on you to stand with me and show your support today. Sincerely, Sheriff Joe Arpaio Maricopa County, Arizona P.S. You have probably received emails or letters from other organizations that either pretend to be me or support me and my campaign. Please understand these are fraudulent groups and that you should never give money to any other group to support my reelection unless it comes directly from me and is paid for by "Elect Sheriff Joe Arpaio." We are taking steps to bring these crooks to justice and have already shut down numerous efforts. Thank you!

Paid for by Elect Sheriff Joe Arpaio

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH: Centrist PAC's $200K Ad Supporting Kyrsten Sinema (FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS)

On Saturday, we reported on the more than $200,000 being spent this week by Center Forward, supporting Arizona's two Blue Dog Democrats in the their reelection efforts. The only ad (of the seven around the country, supporting five Democrats and two Republicans) that was made available was the pro-Ron Barber ad.

Center Forward has now posted all seven, so here is the 30-second spot supporting Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-CD9).  More than $200,000 of airtime has been purchased in the Phoenix market for the next two weeks.  (So, you will be seeing the spot a lot.)

The ad is not embeddable, so clicking on the picture below will bring you to YouTube.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH, NEW AD: Blue Dogs Snarl Back, Centrist PAC Spending More Than $200k On Ads Supporting Arizona's (FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS)

(UPDATE, 3/24/14:  You can view the Center Forward ad supporting Sinema here.)

Ads supporting Arizona's two Blue Dog Democrats begin running in Tucson and Phoenix on Monday.  A PAC supporting centrists in both parties is spending more than $200,000 to praise Reps. Kyrsten Sinema (D-CD9) and Ron Barber (D-CD2).

Center Forward is spending more than $750,000 over the next two weeks supporting five Democratic Representatives and two Republicans.  $200,000 of that sum will be spent in the Phoenix market, supporting Sinema; Arizona's Politics is not yet sure how much airtime is purchased in Tucson on behalf of Barber.

Sinema and Barber joined the Blue Dog Democratic Caucus last year; the caucus is composed of moderate Democrats.  Barber's re-election has been targeted by Republicans and Democrats as one of the most closely-contested in the nation;  it is one of six rated as a "pure toss-up".  Sinema is in a swing district, too, but it is currently rated as "Democrat favored".

The text of the pro-Barber ad is below.

h/t TheHill.com



"Bickering. Dysfunction. Washington's broken, but Ron Barber is bringing people together to do something about it. He worked with Republicans and Democrats to require that, if Congress doesn't pass a budget, it doesn't get paid.  And Barber has led by example, voting to block a congressional pay raise, refusing his pay during the government shutdown, even donating his congressional healthcare subsidy to southern Arizona charities."

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Arizona Rep. Grijalva 1st Out of Box, Endorses Gallego To Replace Pastor

Politico is reporting that Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-CD3) has endorsed former state Rep. Ruben Gallego in what is expected to be an intense Democratic primary to replace the retiring Rep. Ed Pastor (D-CD7).

The in-person endorsement at a Tuesday night fundraiser in Phoenix apparently surprised Gallego.

Gallego has already resigned from his state legislative post.  Announced candidate and State Senator Steve Gallardo has not yet resigned.  There are a number of other individuals who have either announced their candidacy (Cesar Chavez) or are still considering it.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

BREAKING, READ: District Court Rules In Arizona/Kansas' Favor Regarding Requiring Proof Of Citizenship With Motor Voter Forms

(UPDATE, 11:25am: Reaction from Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne added.)

The U.S. District Court ruled today in favor of Arizona and Kansas re: motor voter registration forms instructing registrants to provide proof of citizenship.

Judge Eric Melgren did not rule on whether Arizona's (and Kansas') constitutional rights were violated by the refusal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to add the states' instructions to produce proof of citizenship.  Instead, the judge determined that adding the instruction was a "non-discretionary duty" and therefore the EAC could not refuse to add it.

No word yet on whether this decision will be appealed by the EAC, nor whether it will have an effect on previous announcements by Arizona and Kansas that they will provide different, "federal office only" ballots for those individuals who registered with the federal form and did not provide documentary proof of citizenship.

Arizona's Attorney General Tom Horne issued a news release this morning calling the decision "an important victory." "I personally argued this case, before the United States Supreme Court. The language of that Supreme Court case dictated today’s result in the District Court. The victory was really won at the level of the United States Supreme Court. There’s been a media cover-up of the seriousness of voter fraud in Arizona. In an earlier trial, a Federal District Judge in Arizona found that voter fraud is a serious problem in Arizona.”

  Dist Ct Decision on AZvEAC 031914

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Sobered Arizona Senators Flake, McCain Covering Sunday News Shows Upon Return From Ukraine

Arizona Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain (both R's) will split up to tackle two of the Sunday morning news shows upon their return from Ukraine.  Flake is quoted this afternoon as saying the visit has been "sobering".

Both are part of a bipartisan Congressional delegation of 8 Senators there right now.  "Hours after (they) arrive back home", McCain will join CNN's State of the Union host Candy Crowley.  Meanwhile, Flake will head to NBC's studios to appear on Meet the Press (along with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), who is co-leading the delegation).

McCain has tweeted several photos of their visits and meetings today, including this one at a shrine by the Maidan.  (See more at https://twitter.com/SenJohnMcCain)

Flake was quoted in a new report up on the New York Times' website this afternoon: “It’s pretty sobering to come here,” said Senator Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican. “I saw the bullet holes in the lamp posts. It speaks to the great determination of the Ukrainian people. And that determination will be needed in the coming weeks and months.”

And of course, before leaving yesterday, McCain excoriated fellow Republicans in the Senate who held up an aid package for Ukraine in an effort to put a halt to new IRS rules about 501(c)(4)'s and political activity.



http://nyti.ms/1m55Eh0

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH: 1st Ad In Arizona Governor Campaign; Jones Wants To "Make Arizona The Brightest Star"

(UPDATE, 11:01am: Jones campaign spokesperson Anna Haberlein confirms to Arizona's Politics that "the ad is running statewide."  While she would not give the total amount being spent on this first salvo, and would not disclose whether the campaign had raised the money for the ad buy or whether the candidate has lent more money to her committee, she did say that "as to fundraising, our campaign will have the resources to compete." Jones' committee had $50,000 cash on hand on January 1.)

The first 30-second TV ad in the wide-open race to replace Jan Brewer as Arizona's Governor is on the air today (and posted below), and attorney Christine Jones is promising to "mak(e) Arizona the brightest star."

Jones, who put $500,000 of her own money into the campaign last year and spent it before 2014, has purchased more than $100,00 worth of airtime for this spot in the Phoenix market alone.  It will run for at least the next week.

Yesterday, after Arizona's Politics reported on the first-out-of-the-box ad campaign, a consultant for - and son of - another candidate tweeted that he had heard the spot had been pulled.  The Jones' campaign added some confusion by responding that the ad would run "sooner rather than later."

The ad introduces the former GoDaddy attorney to the public, and emphasizes her belief in the U.S. Constitution, her conservative values and her toughness on illegal immigration.  Interestingly, she notes her background in forensic accounting and not her legal experience.


Jones for Governor | Introducing Christine Jones from Christine Jones on Vimeo.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Two Guys File FEC Paperwork For Pastor's Congressional Seat

State Rep. Ruben Gallego  and State Sen. Steve Gallardo  are the first two guys* to file their FEC paperwork for the CD7 seat since longtime Rep. Ed Pastor  (D-CD7) announced his retirement at the end of this term.

Gallego (D-LD27) - the House Assistant Minority Leader, who plans  to resign within the next couple of days - signed his Statement of Candidacy two days after Pastor's surprise announcement.  And, his campaign committee's organizational statement misspells his (eventual) website address, but is being run by fellow Arizonan and veteran Michael "Rome" Hall.

Gallardo (D-LD29) - the Senate Minority Whip - announced his candidacy right away, and signed and filed his federal Statement of Candidacy last week.  His campaign website is up and running.

Other candidates - including County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox - have also announced their intentions to run for the safe Democratic seat.  They have not yet filed their federal paperwork.


* In this context, "guys" is not meant to apply to solely the male gender; it was an attempt to subtly coach people who have trouble pronouncing Spanish names.






ardo cand: http://1.usa.gov/1fzSdC0
comm: http://1.usa.gov/1m0qWwf
ego cand: http://1.usa.gov/1kP2flY
comm: http://1.usa.gov/1gnAb5I
ardo website: http://bit.ly/GAllardo


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Arizona's Flake, McCain Among 8 Senators Heading To the Ukraine Today

Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake are among a bi-partisan group of eight who are flying to the Ukraine today to meet with leaders of that country-in-crisis.

Former Arizona reporter and current Politico reporter Scott Wong interviewed McCain on the Senate subway  and learned that three Ukrainian leaders had requested the Congressional delegation ("CODEL").


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

UPDATE: Christine Jones' Ad Began Airing This Morning

Republican candidate for Governor Christine Jones began airing her first 30-second TV spot this morning, introducing herself to voters as someone with business experience who will be a "fierce defender of the Constitution."

After the campaign caused some confusion yesterday over whether the ad buy had been postponed, the ad began airing as scheduled.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

HE CAN'T RESIST: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Uses Brewer Announcement To Renew Flirtation; MAY Be The Last Time

Within hours after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer announced that she would not try to run for re-election, Newsmax scored "an exclusive interview"* with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  The sixth-term Sheriff says he now is - again - considering a gubernatorial run.

He has a campaign warchest for his 2016 sheriff reelection campaign larger than any of the many candidates already running for Governor this year, but Arpaio has never followed up on any of his previous considerations of running for Governor/Senator/President.

"If I'm ever going to do it, I should do it now," Arpaio told Newsmax.  "I don't want to wait until I'm 86 years old."  Knowing his audience, he said that all of the "sensitive things" he has going on in the MCSO would all "be in vain" if he runs for Governor.  



* Newsmax thus failed one of the tests of a serious news site.  Universally held journalism standards prohibit the use of the terms "exclusive interview" and "Arpaio" in the same sentence.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

BREAKING: The Timing Is Right, Christine Jones Begins Running TV Spots Tomorrow; 1st On Air In Crowded Arizona Governor's Race (FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA)

(4th and FINAL UPDATE, 2:54pm:  Jones campaign spokesperson Anna Haberlein has now confirmed to Arizona's Politics that an ad WILL begin running tomorrow, as first reported.  Ms. Haberlein said the campaign will not release any further details until tomorrow.  As is oft said before an ad runs, "Stay Tuned!")

(Previous updates are at end of article.)
* * *
Now that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is out of the way - announcing that she will not attempt to run for re-election - GOP candidate Christine Jones is beginning to run the first TV ads in the campaign.

Although the ad is not yet available, Jones' committee has purchased approximately $20,000 of air time on Channel 15 (Phoenix) for a spot that will begin airing tomorrow.  Presumably, she has purchased similar amounts of time on other stations in Phoenix, and she may also be spending in the Tucson and Flagstaff markets.

Arizona's Politics has asked the Jones campaign for more information about the ad and the ad buy. Campaign spokesperson Anna Haberlein confirmed that the ad will begin running on Thursday, but would provide no further details at this time.  Lately, Jones has been campaigning hard on the issue of the 2nd Amendment (to the U.S. Constitution) and is holding appearances at gun stores in Flagstaff and Prescott Valley.  (A video posted on her YouTube channel last month on the subject is below.)

Jones - former counsel for GoDaddy.com - has put $500,000 of her own money into the campaign and has already spent that.  She entered 2014 with only $50,000 of cash on hand. (See report, below.)

The Republican primary election concludes on August 26, and the winner will face presumed Democratic nominee Fred DuVal and presumed Libertarian nominee Barry Hess.

)
(1st UPDATE, 11:45am: I received a tweet from Ryan Smith, with the Arizona political consultants HighGround, that the ad buy discussed below may have been pulled back.  The Jones campaign signed off on the ad buy yesterday and it was filed by Channel 15 late yesterday afternoon;  until we receive confirmation from the campaign that it has been pulled, this article will remain up.


Also, the Jones campaign has posted a 60-second YouTube video praising Governor Brewer; the ad buy document suggests a 30-second spot.  We have inquired as to whether the new video will be aired instead of the (presumably) previously-recorded commercial.)

(2nd UPDATE, 12:00pm: I received a follow-up Tweet from Jones' spokesperson Anna Haberlein telling Arizona's Politics "we'll be on the air sooner rather than later.")

(3rd UPDATE, 12:37pm: Arizona's Politics has now spoken with Ms. Haberlein, and the campaign will say nothing further than what was in her tweet.  Guess we will have to tune in tomorrow to see if it runs.  According to the ad buy statement, it is supposed to begin airing during Good Morning America (7-9am), and then once during each of Channel 15's 6pm, 6:30pm, and 10pm newscasts.)

  Christine Jones Jan. 31, 2014 Arizona campaign finance report

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH: President Obama Deflects... AGAIN... On Birth Certificate Issue! (Transcript)

When it came to answering questions about his home country or his birth certificate today, U.S. President Barack Obama changed the subject.

The hard questioning by former actor Zach Galifinakis comes at about 2:23 in the video.  The transcript is below.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: President Barack Obama from President Barack Obama      

The President/community organizer appeared on "Between Two Ferns" in order to "plug" his Healthcare.gov website and the looming December January March 31 deadline.  The surprise at the end of the show reveals who permitted Galifinakis to be taping his program in the White House.

h/t some website called FOD

Transcript re: home country & birth certificate:

Zach: Where are you planning on building
your Presidential Library,in Hawaii or your home country of Kenya?
Because…I mean both places seem like they would be…

Obama: Zach, that's a ridiculous question.

Zach: Well, you know- I mean not to bring up the birth certificate thing but you really never did really produce your real…

Obama: Where is your birth certificate?  Why don't you show it to us right now?

 Zach:  I don't want to show anybody my birth certificate because it's embarassing.

Obama: What's embarassing about it?

ZACH: [sighs] My weight on it.  It says that I was born seven pounds…
eight hundred ounces.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Rep. Gosar Weighs In From Arizona On Issa/Cummings House Oversight Conflict, Urges Issa "To File Contempt Charges (Against Lerner) As Soon As Possible"

Although Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar (R-CD4) was not able to be at the House Oversight hearing that erupted into fireworks between Committee Chair Darrell Issa (R-CA) and the Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) on Wednesday, he urged Issa "to file contempt charges as soon as possible."

Gosar is working from his district this week after having hip replacement surgery, so he missed the hearing at which former IRS official Lois Lerner refused to testify (pleading the 5th Amendment right to not be compelled to testify against oneself in a criminal matter). Issa - who had made his own opening statement - then closed the hearing and cut off Cummings' microphone while he was speaking. Cummings raised his voice and continued to protest Issa's actions.

After noting that Rep. Gosar was not present, Arizona's Politics contacted his office and asked for his reaction to the uproar. Gosar did not mince words - about either his colleague or about Lerner:

"Rep. Cummings is losing credibility with the American people, who are begging for justice. He's become a lap dog of the Administration, towing the line by protecting the IRS. Ms. Lerner acted with reckless disregard for the rights of citizens and must be held accountable. I hope Chairman Issa will file contempt charges as soon as possible."

Gosar's comments were made at about the same time that it became known that Issa had called Cummings to apologize late Thursday (and, the apology had been accepted).

Gosar spokesman Garrett Hawkins also noted that Rep. Gosar's hip replacement "surgery went well and his recovery is moving along faster than expected. Unfortunately, he hasn't made it back to DC because his doctors haven't cleared him to fly yet."

(Note: In response to a confused and concerned emailer, this article has been slightly modified to reinforce that Rep. Gosar is urging contempt charges against Lerner and not against Cummings.  Thanks to H.M. for taking the role of editor.)


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

"America's Toughest Sheriff"? Now, Arizona Can Claim "America's Most Puzzling Governor" (YEAH, WE'RE LOOKIN' AT YOU, ARIZONA")

I'm not sure Jan Brewer will be boasting about the new slogan headlining this week's Politico Magazine.  Maricopa County Sheriff Joe may like his, but Politico asks if Brewer is "America's Most Puzzling Governor", in an article spotlighting her recent veto of SB1062, contrasting it with her awkward debate blank-out, and calling her "a strangely blank slate."

The cover story is written by Tucson freelancer Reed Karaim, and draws a surprising comparison between Brewer and President Barack Obama.  "Neither of them would like this comparison, but in a way, Brewer resembles Obama in her ability to leave both her natural constituents and her opponents confused and frustrated. Unlike Obama, however, somewhere in the last five years Brewer has become comfortable with the no-holds-barred political culture we live in today, a culture that exists in its purified, sometimes unhinged, essence in Arizona."

It is a fun, even-handed, well-written profile that explains details to the wider political public that those of us in Arizona are already familiar with.

Oh yeah.  I can't just use the "sun-bleached Sarah Palin of the Desert" without the rest of the paragraph: 

Who is Jan Brewer? Is she the Tea Party heroine, the sun-bleached Sarah Palin of the Desert who signed SB 1070, the “show your papers” anti-illegal immigrant bill, and waved her finger in President Obama’s face on an airport tarmac? Is she the traitor to conservative causes who accepted Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion and battled her Republican legislature to get it implemented? Is she the seemingly overwhelmed, unelected governor of her first term who struggled to articulate basic positions? Or is she the woman who strode to the podium last week and not only slapped down a veto of a bill dear to the religious right, but did it with a brief, blunt statement the New Yorker’s Hendrick Hertzberg called “a damn good speech”? On that, no one can seem to agree.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

WATCH: Arizona State Rep. Justin Pierce Speaking At CPAC 2014; From "Hope" To "Inspire"

Arizona State Rep. Justin Pierce (R-LD25) - who is running to be Arizona Secretary of State - took advantage of his speaking slot at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference ("CPAC") to urge fellow conservatives to move past "hope" and to begin "inspiring this country to go forward".

Pierce had been scheduled to talk just before one of the most-anticipated speakers of the day, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.  Instead, he took the podium from the big guy and delivered a personal 7-minute speech. (Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal followed Pierce.)

Pierce talked of his memory of watching President Ronald Reagan address students ("the future doesn't belong to the faint-hearted; it belongs to the brave") - he was in 5th grade - following the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on January 28, 1986.  He then tied it to his message to his similarly-aged son the day after President Obama defeated Mitt Romney to win re-election.

(To view the video, you may click here or on the picture below.)

Afterward, Pierce posted on his Facebook page that it was "an amazing experience."

Pierce faces competition in the Republican primary for Secretary of State from Wil Cardon and state Sen. Michele Reagan. Terry Goddard is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination and no other candidates have filed.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: New Arizona Super PAC Ready To Support GOP Congressional Candidates Tobin, McSally (Others?); Pushing Boundaries of Coordination

"Arizona Grassroots Action" Super PAC filed papers this past week to raise unlimited money for GOP Congressional candidates.  Earlier today, Arizona's Politics reported on a new joint fundraising effort to benefit Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin and USAF Col. Martha McSally (ret.) in their campaigns to secure GOP nominations for Congressional races.  Arizona Grassroots Action is connected to that effort, sharing the same officers and "political financial consulting" firm.

The Federal Election Commission ("FEC") filing lists the Virginia-based Republican firm of Huckaby Davis Lisker as Arizona Grassroots Action's ("AGA's) main address, Treasurer, and Custodian of Records.  The same firm is handling the McSally Tobin Victory Committee (also filed last week).

(AGA lists Lisa Lisker and Julie Miller from HDL as Treasurer, Custodian of Records and Designated Agent the joint fundraising committee lists Keith Davis - also from HDL - and Lisa Lisker in those roles.)

While neither the Tobin campaign nor the McSally campaign has responded to Arizona's Politics' requests for information, it would appear that both committees are likely to hold a fundraiser(s) for the candidates in the near future, and that the Super PAC is a way to permit unlimited contributions.

Tobin and McSally are running in closely contested swing districts CD1 and CD2.  They both have primary competition for the nominations to face Democratic incumbent Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Ron Barber (respectively).

There is not supposed to be "coordination" between candidates' committees and Super PACs - as stated by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in the landmark Citizens United opinion, but that line has been rapidly becoming more blurry.  Coordinated fundraising may be the next frontier.


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Congressional Candidates Andy Tobin, Martha McSally Plan Joint Fundraiser

(UPDATE, 5:20pm: Please see new story on "Arizona Grassroots Action Super PAC", possibly pushing boundaries of non-coordinated coordinated efforts.)

Two Arizona GOP Congressional candidates - facing primary contests - are joining forces to raise money together.  State House Speaker Andy Tobin and Air Force Col. Martha McSally (ret.) have filed to hold a joint fundraiser.

Tobin is facing significant primary competition, but is planning to face incumbent Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-CD1) in November.  McSally narrowly lost to Rep. Ron Barber (D-CD2) in 2012 and has an inside track on the GOP nomination.

Their joint fundraising committee - called the McSally Tobin Victory Committee - is based out of Virginia.  Arizona's Politics has asked for details on the fundraiser and will update as needed.




We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

SIDEBAR: McCain Least Popular, With An Asterisk; Arizona, Montana Only Two POLLED States Disapproving of Both Their Senators

We just posted the article about Public Policy Polling ("PPP") dubbing Arizona Senator John McCain as the "Least Popular Senator In Country."  Arizona and Montana are also the only two states disapproving of BOTH of their Senators' job performance.

But, all of that requires some explanation and/or an asterisk.

PPP has not polled all 50 states, and the ones that they have polled have all been at different times.  Below is the top portion of the chart of Senators that have negative approval/disapproval numbers.

The full chart is available here.

You can see that the dates range from March 2010 (Alabama) to this week.  And, on the Governor's chart, a maximum of 44 different states' leaders are listed.

While it is very possible that McCain currently would receive the highest disapproval from his or her state's voters - and that Arizona and Montana voters are the most dissatisfied - it is important to note that we do not have a full bushel of fruit to compare (not all states) and that the fruit has some apples and some oranges (different times).

I appreciate the responses from Tom Jensen at Public Policy Polling - this is not the first time I have e-mailed him and posted about his polls and news releases.


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Pollster Dubs Arizona Senator John McCain "Least Popular Senator In Country"

(Please view this accompanying sidebar article that explains the "Least Popular" moniker, and includes response from PPP.)

A new poll of Arizona voters finds that only 30% approve of Arizona Senator John McCain's job performance, leading Public Policy Polling ("PPP") to call him the "Least Popular Senator In Country".

Only 35% of Republicans polled gave the longtime Senator - and, the party's 2008 Pesidential nominee - a thumbs up, slightly ahead of Democrats (29%) and independents (25%).  Overall, 54% disapprove of McCain's job performance.

Arizona's other Senator, Jeff Flake, has a smaller approval number than McCain's (27%), but also has fewer people disapproving of his performance (47%).

PPP does not make it entirely clear, but their "Least Popular" tag probably does not mean that they polled McCain's - or, other Senators - numbers nationally, but that no other Senator has higher disapproval numbers among their state's voters.

McCain has upset large numbers of active Arizona Republicans, as evidenced by the censure votes at the state party level and among local party organizations.  He has likely angered Democrats and independents with his steady criticism of President Obama's foreign policy.

In October, 2012, McCain's popularity was strong among Arizonans, as reported by PPP.  51% of all voters approved of his job performance, including 2/3 of Republicans, 41% of independents and 32% of Democrats.  (Overall approval/disapproval was 51%-39%.)

The pollsters also questioned Arizonans about a few possible 2016 Presidential matchups.  Though Texas Senator Ted Cruz polled the most support among GOP respondents for the nomination (16%), the poll did not pose a hypothetical matchup between Cruz and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was the only Republican who out-polled Clinton, 45%-44%.  Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee all trailed Clinton by three to six percentage points.

The poll - which released some of their numbers yesterday - was conducted between February 28 and March 2, and was an automated phone poll with 20% questioned via the internet if they do not have landline phones.


We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.

Cue Al McCoy: Jim Brown Switches His Congressional Sights From Crowded CD1 Primary Fight To CD2; Gets No Respect Upon Exit

Even though Arizona Congressional candidate Jim Brown claims no athletic prowess to compare to the famous Hall of Fame football player who shares his name, his latest decision brought to mind a catchphrase of Phoenix' Broadcasters' Hall of Fame announcer Al McCoy.

"A swisheroo for two!"

Only, Jim Brown is switching to two - Congressional District 2.  Two months ago, the businessman announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in CD1, in order to oust Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick.

However, after meeting and facing the other Republicans challengers in a forum, Brown decided to switch to a somewhat-less-power-packed primary.  fellow CD1 business-owner and conservative Gary Kiehne.  Brown chose Kiehne over Arizona state legislators Adam Kwasman and Speaker Andy Tobin.

He decided to throw his support - and his supporters' support(?) - to

In a Kiehne news release, Brown said, “I’ve gotten to know Gary Kiehne over the last month and it’s clear to me that he exemplifies everything that I want to see out of a candidate for Congress. Gary is a strong conservative with a background in business and serving the community. In other words, he’s one of us, not a professional politician or political insider.
However, in thanking Brown on his Facebook page on Saturday, Kiehne - who, in fairness, has already had at least one staff typographical error problem - thanked "AZ businessman JOE Brown for his generous endorsement!" (emphasis added)  Now, there was a Joe Brown who was a famous boxer during the same era that Jim Brown was running up and down a football field.  But, if you are going to tout endorsements from previous opponents, you do need to proofread better.

Brown now slides over to fight in CD2, where he will face Martha McSally and Shelley Kais in the GOP primary, to determine who will challenge incumbent Rep. Ron Barber in November.

We welcome your comments about this post. Or, if you have something unrelated on your mind, please e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com or call 602-799-7025. Thanks.