One of the things that bothers me even as Fact Checking has - thankfully - become more prevalent over the past few years is when campaigns/candidates IGNORE the fact checkers publicly calling them out on their falsehoods or misrepresentations. If anything, it got worse in the last election cycle and the trend is showing signs of continuing.
So, Arizona's Politics is going to try to do its part to continue holding false-tellers' feet to the fire. We will try to follow-up on the most egregious misrepresentations to see if and how it has been remedied. If you have any suggestions for this series, please comment below or e-mail to info-at-arizonaspolitics-dot-com.
On September 4, the Arizona Republic did a "Fact Check" piece, finding that legislative candidate Jeff Dial (Repub., LD20) had posted FALSE information on his website. On September 15, Arizona's Politics did a "Fact Check Follow-Up," noting that even 11 days after the Republic's one-star, false rating, Mr. Dial had not corrected the false language (while praising him for the positive approach the rest of his issues statements took). No response.
In the unlikely event that Mr. Dial did not learn of the Republic's verdict, Arizona's Politics left multiple voice and e-mail messages for him. We asked him to either respond or to let us know when the website was made accurate, so that we could inform our readers and the general public. Those messages have gone unanswered. On September 27, another follow-up was posted and messages left.
We regretfully report that - as of 8:00a.m., Wed. October 20 - Mr. Dial has STILL not corrected the website.
However, until we hear from Mr. Dial (please e-mail/phone/Tweet/snail mail/whatever), we have to award him another "F" for "Failing to correct". This brings his report card to FOUR "F's" in a row.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
AS SEEN ON TV: Ads running on Oct. 19
I would like to make this a group effort. Please post a synopsis of the ads you see on TV, hear on radio, or receive in the mail. The more details, the better. Links or scans are better still.
Many political campaigns have become skilled at "releasing" ads without ever intending to actually spend money on airing them. Arizona's Politics is not as interested in publicizing those as we are in sharing and fact checking ads that are in fact getting (paid) airplay.
I do not get to watch too much TV, but in a short time tonight, spanning some of Letterman and some of the repeat of the (Channel 5) news, I saw:
--DCCC ad against Schweikert
--NRCC ad against Kirkpatrick
--Harry Mitchell ad
--negative ad against Tom Horne, from Felecia Rotellini campaign
--ad against Prop. 109
--DCCC ad against Gosar
I will try to post those on Wednesday, and fact check as necessary. And, as time permits.
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. Thanks.
Many political campaigns have become skilled at "releasing" ads without ever intending to actually spend money on airing them. Arizona's Politics is not as interested in publicizing those as we are in sharing and fact checking ads that are in fact getting (paid) airplay.
I do not get to watch too much TV, but in a short time tonight, spanning some of Letterman and some of the repeat of the (Channel 5) news, I saw:
--DCCC ad against Schweikert
--NRCC ad against Kirkpatrick
--Harry Mitchell ad
--negative ad against Tom Horne, from Felecia Rotellini campaign
--ad against Prop. 109
--DCCC ad against Gosar
I will try to post those on Wednesday, and fact check as necessary. And, as time permits.
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. Thanks.
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS ALERT!: They Can See Clearly Now - Half-Million Dollar Democrat Tuesday In Arizona; Ophthamologists See It Differently
As we get closer to November, the independent expenditures on behalf of or against Congressional candidates will continue to increase. Arizona's Politics will check in regularly on the reports that these groups must submit to the Federal Election Commission.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 19, October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday.
Earlier today (Tuesday), we reported on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") - and a Democrat-philic group answering the Republicans' challenge in CD7. This evening, the DCCC also made media buys of nearly a quarter-million dollars each in CD1 and CD5, where incumbent Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Harry Mitchell are facing difficult campaigns.
A new ad was produced ($10,988.00) opposing GOP challenger Paul Gosar (CD1), and $236,770.69 in media time was purchased. No production costs in CD5, but $237,365.57 of spots bought opposing David Schweikert.
Also late Tuesday, four other outside groups notified the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") that they had spent money to assist Arizona Republicans. (1) the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (spell that ten times quickly) paid $35,292.00 for a direct mail piece favoring Schweikert; (2) Republican-philic group Freedomworks planted $3,990.70 for yard signs for Ruth McClung (CD7); (3) The Republican-philic Susan B. Anthony List sent $10,988.85 for a mailer opposing Kirkpatrick; and (4) the National Rifle Association shelled out $1,481.53 to send out a McClung mailer.
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. Thanks.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 19, October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday.
Earlier today (Tuesday), we reported on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") - and a Democrat-philic group answering the Republicans' challenge in CD7. This evening, the DCCC also made media buys of nearly a quarter-million dollars each in CD1 and CD5, where incumbent Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Harry Mitchell are facing difficult campaigns.
A new ad was produced ($10,988.00) opposing GOP challenger Paul Gosar (CD1), and $236,770.69 in media time was purchased. No production costs in CD5, but $237,365.57 of spots bought opposing David Schweikert.
Also late Tuesday, four other outside groups notified the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") that they had spent money to assist Arizona Republicans. (1) the American Academy of Ophthalmologists (spell that ten times quickly) paid $35,292.00 for a direct mail piece favoring Schweikert; (2) Republican-philic group Freedomworks planted $3,990.70 for yard signs for Ruth McClung (CD7); (3) The Republican-philic Susan B. Anthony List sent $10,988.85 for a mailer opposing Kirkpatrick; and (4) the National Rifle Association shelled out $1,481.53 to send out a McClung mailer.
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. Thanks.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
INTERSECTION OF MUSIC AND POLITICS: Calexico Playing For Democratic Volunteers In Tucson
This Sunday, internationally-known and Tucson-based alternative group Calexico (w/ Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta) will play a concert at Hotel Congress (in Tucson) for folks who spend at least three hours campaigning for Democratic candidates. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - locked in a tight battle with GOP challenger Jesse Kelly - will speak to the group.
Here are more details. Arizona's Politics does not generally "do" press releases, but Calexico is a great band; it caught my eye (ear?).
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. Thanks.
Here are more details. Arizona's Politics does not generally "do" press releases, but Calexico is a great band; it caught my eye (ear?).
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. Thanks.
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Dems Engage In Grijalva/McClung Race; Big Direct Mail Piece For Mitchell
As we get closer to November, the independent expenditures on behalf of or against Congressional candidates will continue to increase. Arizona's Politics will check in regularly on the reports that these groups must submit to the Federal Election Commission.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday
Last Friday, we saw the Republicans - through what we are calling Republican-philic groups - expand the congressional playing field into the heavily-Democratic CD7. The "Americans for Tax Reform" ("ATR")spent $230,000 on the television ad focusing on Rep. Raul Grijalva's call to boycott Arizona over SB1070 and his vote to recess Congress last month.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") responded the next day with a $62,732.50 commercial expenditure against McClung. Today, the Democrat-philic group "America's Families First Action Fund" (can we get a duck to quack "AFFAF"?) one-upped ATR with a $250,595.40 ad buy against GOP challenger Ruth McClung.
The Republicans mailed a bit more money to southern Arizona, too. "Americans for Limited Government" dropped $22,499.22 to design/produce/print/mail a piece to oppose Grijalva.
AFFAF also spent in the six figures in the CD5 race, spending $101,246.00 on a direct mail piece opposing GOP challenger David Schweikert, against Rep. Harry Mitchell.
Another Republican-philic group has gone to the air on the hotly-contested CD1 race. The "Trust In Small Business PAC" spent $2,489.00 producing a radio spot supporting challenger Paul Gosar against Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, and $13,435.00 on radio airtime.
In smaller expenditure news, the "Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund" spent $207.63 on salary to support Grijalva, and NARAL Pro-Choice America spent a total of $63.00 renting lists favoring the Democrats (Jon Hulburd, Mitchell, Gabrielle Giffords) and opposing the Republicans (Ben Quayle, Schweikert, Jesse Kelly) in CD's 3, 5, and 8.
Arizona's Politics will attempt to post ads - that are airing - from all races. If you find one (that is not already up here), please send us the link. (Same deal for radio, mailers, etc.)
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. Thanks.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted October 16, October 15 x3, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28. In addition, on Saturday, we provided a "tote board" of the busy Friday
Last Friday, we saw the Republicans - through what we are calling Republican-philic groups - expand the congressional playing field into the heavily-Democratic CD7. The "Americans for Tax Reform" ("ATR")spent $230,000 on the television ad focusing on Rep. Raul Grijalva's call to boycott Arizona over SB1070 and his vote to recess Congress last month.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ("DCCC") responded the next day with a $62,732.50 commercial expenditure against McClung. Today, the Democrat-philic group "America's Families First Action Fund" (can we get a duck to quack "AFFAF"?) one-upped ATR with a $250,595.40 ad buy against GOP challenger Ruth McClung.
The Republicans mailed a bit more money to southern Arizona, too. "Americans for Limited Government" dropped $22,499.22 to design/produce/print/mail a piece to oppose Grijalva.
AFFAF also spent in the six figures in the CD5 race, spending $101,246.00 on a direct mail piece opposing GOP challenger David Schweikert, against Rep. Harry Mitchell.
Another Republican-philic group has gone to the air on the hotly-contested CD1 race. The "Trust In Small Business PAC" spent $2,489.00 producing a radio spot supporting challenger Paul Gosar against Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, and $13,435.00 on radio airtime.
In smaller expenditure news, the "Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund" spent $207.63 on salary to support Grijalva, and NARAL Pro-Choice America spent a total of $63.00 renting lists favoring the Democrats (Jon Hulburd, Mitchell, Gabrielle Giffords) and opposing the Republicans (Ben Quayle, Schweikert, Jesse Kelly) in CD's 3, 5, and 8.
Arizona's Politics will attempt to post ads - that are airing - from all races. If you find one (that is not already up here), please send us the link. (Same deal for radio, mailers, etc.)
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. Thanks.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: Yesterday's Tote Board: Republicans ALMOST hit $1 Million, Did Pitch a Shutout
We filed four money reports on our "Following Money In Arizona's Politics" series yesterday/today, but did not really take a moment to stop and total them up until just now. Quite the stunning result. Republicans and Republican-affiliated groups filed expenditures NEARLY spent $1 Million dollars in the Grand Canyon State yesterday. (Unfortunately, about 1/2 of that COULD be coming from undisclosed corporate contributions.) Democrats and their affiliated groups spent ZERO during the same period.
Please supply your own drum roll as we go to the tote (total) board............... $991,640.84!!!
Brief recap (check out the links for more detail):
1) NRCC spent $248,698.21 against Kirkpatrick, more than $382,000 against Mitchell.
2) NRA spent $25,555.58 for Kelly, $3,035.25 for Schweikert.
3) ATR spent more than $230,000 attacking Grijalva.
4) CFRW spent more than $112,000 attacking Giffords.
5) ATR spent $40,709.00 attacking Kirkpatrick.
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. Thanks.
Please supply your own drum roll as we go to the tote (total) board............... $991,640.84!!!
Brief recap (check out the links for more detail):
1) NRCC spent $248,698.21 against Kirkpatrick, more than $382,000 against Mitchell.
2) NRA spent $25,555.58 for Kelly, $3,035.25 for Schweikert.
3) ATR spent more than $230,000 attacking Grijalva.
4) CFRW spent more than $112,000 attacking Giffords.
5) ATR spent $40,709.00 attacking Kirkpatrick.
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. Thanks.
FACT CHECK: Ad Attacking Grijalva Focuses On Boycott, "Deciding Vote"
Yesterday, Arizona's Politics posted about the quarter-million dollar ad buy by the Republican-affiliated group "Americans for Tax Reform" opposing Rep. Raul Grijalva (Dem., CD7), which was significant in its effect of expanding the playing field for Republicans and forcing Democrats to spend money in districts previously thought of as safe. You can watch the 30-second ad here.
The ad focuses on two attacks: Grijalva's earlier support of a boycott of Arizona because of the anti-immigration law signed by Governor Brewer, and Grijalva's casting the decisive vote in Congress' decision to adjourn last month without extending the "Bush tax cuts."
First, the ad correctly notes that Arizona is facing a 10% unemployment rate and that the rate is the highest in 27 years (since the early Reagan years, by the way, when it hit 11.6%).
The ad also almost perfectly represents the Arizona Republic editorial of May 1, in which they scolded many Arizona political figures from both parties (in order, Brewer, Napolitano, McCain, Kyl, Hayworth, Gordon, Pearce, Grijalva, Thomas, and Arpaio) for failing Arizona. The editorial did say it was "a call for destruction of his own state's economy is irresponsible and beneath contempt."
However, the ad crosses into misleading territory when it states that "instead of fighting for tax relief for our families, Grijalva cast the deciding vote to go home...." The text on the screen finishes the sentence, stating "...without finishing his job."
The ad focuses on two attacks: Grijalva's earlier support of a boycott of Arizona because of the anti-immigration law signed by Governor Brewer, and Grijalva's casting the decisive vote in Congress' decision to adjourn last month without extending the "Bush tax cuts."
First, the ad correctly notes that Arizona is facing a 10% unemployment rate and that the rate is the highest in 27 years (since the early Reagan years, by the way, when it hit 11.6%).
The ad also almost perfectly represents the Arizona Republic editorial of May 1, in which they scolded many Arizona political figures from both parties (in order, Brewer, Napolitano, McCain, Kyl, Hayworth, Gordon, Pearce, Grijalva, Thomas, and Arpaio) for failing Arizona. The editorial did say it was "a call for destruction of his own state's economy is irresponsible and beneath contempt."
However, the ad crosses into misleading territory when it states that "instead of fighting for tax relief for our families, Grijalva cast the deciding vote to go home...." The text on the screen finishes the sentence, stating "...without finishing his job."
FOLLOWING MONEY IN ARIZONA'S POLITICS: NRA Goes Postal, NRCC Sends Half-Million To Central and Northern AZ
As we get closer to November, the independent expenditures on behalf of or against Congressional candidates will continue to increase. Arizona's Politics will check in regularly on the reports that these groups must submit to the Federal Election Commission.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted yesterday, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28.
Yesterday was a big day for Republicans and Republican-philic groups. We previously discussed the quarter-million dollar ad buy targeting Rep. Raul Grijalva (Dem., CD7) and smaller efforts against Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (Dem., CD8) and Ann Kirkpatrick (Dem., CD1). Later in the day, the NRA (National Rifle Association) and the NRCC ("National Republican Congressional Committee") joined in the fun/funding.
1) The NRCC made new ad buys against Rep. Harry Mitchell (CD5) and Rep. Kirkpatrick. (I saw the slightly tweaked new anti-Mitchell ad airing last night.) Two separate buys against Mitchell totaled $372,162.80, and one against Kirkpatrick cost $248,698.21. In addition, the NRCC sent $11,500.00 to the Tarrance Group to conduct "survey research".
2) The NRA filed notice that it has printed and mailed "four color cards" and/or "postcards" supporting challengers David Schweikert (Repub., CD5) and Jesse Kelly (Repub., CD8). The cost (four color cards, postcards, postage combined) was $3,035.25 for Schweikert and $25,555.58 for Kelly.
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. Thanks.
Our previous reports on Independent Expenditures in Arizona's Congressional campaigns were posted yesterday, October 13, October 12, October 7, October 4, September 30, and September 28.
Yesterday was a big day for Republicans and Republican-philic groups. We previously discussed the quarter-million dollar ad buy targeting Rep. Raul Grijalva (Dem., CD7) and smaller efforts against Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (Dem., CD8) and Ann Kirkpatrick (Dem., CD1). Later in the day, the NRA (National Rifle Association) and the NRCC ("National Republican Congressional Committee") joined in the fun/funding.
1) The NRCC made new ad buys against Rep. Harry Mitchell (CD5) and Rep. Kirkpatrick. (I saw the slightly tweaked new anti-Mitchell ad airing last night.) Two separate buys against Mitchell totaled $372,162.80, and one against Kirkpatrick cost $248,698.21. In addition, the NRCC sent $11,500.00 to the Tarrance Group to conduct "survey research".
2) The NRA filed notice that it has printed and mailed "four color cards" and/or "postcards" supporting challengers David Schweikert (Repub., CD5) and Jesse Kelly (Repub., CD8). The cost (four color cards, postcards, postage combined) was $3,035.25 for Schweikert and $25,555.58 for Kelly.
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. Thanks.
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