Who's the Hottest Chick in Scottsdale?

by: Zelph

Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 21:17:05 PM MDT

Ben Quayle, son of former Vice President J. Danforth Quayle and candidate for candidate for Congress, initially denied that he had anything to do with "Dirty Scottsdale".  Now he's coming clean. Sort of.

"I just posted comments to try to drive some traffic," Quayle said.

You can find more about Ben's adventures in Scottsdale trolling for hot chicks here.

How did this story break into the national media?  It smells like a Rose to me. Jason Rose is working for Quayle's opponent in the Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District for Arizona, Vernon Parker, former Mayor of Paradise Valley.

Rose and Parker had recently assailed Quayle, who has no children, for "renting a family" for his campaign mailers.  Parker apologized after learning that the children in the flyer were Quayle's nieces (and the children of Jason Rose's sister-in-law), but Jason kept right on pounding Quayle on this on his Twitter feed long after Parker's apology.

Don't you just love it when Republicans get down and dirty in the primary?  It makes our job so much easier.

Blue America: Live Chat with Raúl Grijalva

by: Zelph

Wed Jun 30, 2010 at 21:42:41 PM MDT

Raúl Grijalva is the only member of Congress, besides Alan Grayson, honored with his own personal Blue America page by progressive bloggers.

Grijalva, as we explained at One America, is the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a booming voice on behalf of working families on every issue that comes before Congress. He helped lead the fight against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, helped lead the fight against Wall Street predators and helped lead the fight for equitable health care. And he was the first to step up and speak out, at great political -- and personal -- peril, against SB 1070, urging the governor to veto what is clearly an unconstitutional bill. He even called for a boycott and pointed out that "one of the first conventions to cancel was Martin Luther King's fraternity, which would have brought up to 5,000 people. It was going to have a convention in Phoenix and within a few days of the governor's signature they canceled and moved it to Las Vegas. That should have been a harbinger of things to come for the governor and the state legislature... I find it ironic that the resort industry and Chamber of Commerce are so concerned about the loss of business, but have yet to state publicly how they feel about the law."

Dept. of You Just Can't Make This Sh*t Up

by: Zelph

Fri Jun 25, 2010 at 12:48:35 PM MDT

Um, OK, but that was still just a little too much transparency for the neighbors, Mark.

Spinks is running in the Republican primary in CD5 for the chance to take on incumbent Democrat Harry Mitchell.    

Shadegg announces his intent to retire, again - maybe.

by: Mackinac

Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 23:53:57 PM MST

Rep. John Shadegg has once again announced his intention to retire from Congress. He claims that this time, he is for real.

"While it would be difficult to leave this position at any time," Shadegg said in a statement, "it is particularly hard to do so now with the challenges we face as a nation, but it is necessary for me to do so."

- snip -

"Two years ago I considered retiring and briefly announced my intention to do so," Shadegg said in a statment, adding, "This time, however, my decision is irreversible."

In the 2008 election John McCain carried the 3rd district with 56% of the vote while Shadegg only managed to gain 54%. The district has been turning lighter shades of red over the past couple elections. In 2004 a Democrat did not even run, and Shadegg received over 80% of the votes cast.

Bob Lord was the Democratic candidate in the last election. I'm not sure if he plans on running again. One person who has announced plans to run for this newly opened seat is attorney Jon Hullburd. He released a statement today after the announcement of Shadegg's decision not to seek re-election.

Like many people, I was surprised to hear John Shadegg announce his retirement earlier today. His 16 years of service have been a defining part of this district and Arizona politics.  No matter who emerges from the Republican primary, I look forward to a spirited debate about the issues facing our country and our state.

I am deeply gratified by the broad community support I have received in the first three months of the campaign.  Our recent fundraising effort in the fourth quarter yielded $315,000, making us the Democratic challenger who raised the most in the West.  I plan to work hard over the coming months to ensure we have the resources on hand to bring independent leadership to the district and focus on getting our nation back on track. (Emphasis mine)

The Hill also gives us some teabaggers who might run as well.

-Former Shadegg Chief of Staff Sean Noble

-State Treasurer Dean Martin (who could also run for governor)

-State Sen. Pamela Gorman

-Former Arizona State University quarterback and NFL free agent Andrew Walter

-State Sen. Jim Waring

-State Rep. (and former Speaker) Jim Weiers

-State Rep. Sam Crump

Hold on tight, it's going to be a wild ride in Arizona politics this year!

HEY REPUBLICAN RUBES!

by: Zelph

Mon Aug 24, 2009 at 21:15:29 PM MDT

While most thoughtful Republicans have rejected this sort of juvenile gutter politics, you  have to hand it to the Rethuglicans in Arizona's Congressional delegation, they know their base.  And they know that nobody ever lost a election in Arizona by underestimating the intelligence of the Arizona Republican voter.

Sen. John McCain must be running scared knowing that he will face uberwingnut Minute Man Chris Simcox in a Republican primary.  Else why would he be defending the kooky claims of his former running mate, Sarah Palin, that Obama's health care reforms will feature death panels?  Surely McCain knows better.

And why is Arizona Congressman Trent Franks pandering to the birther contingent?  Franks considered filing a lawsuit demanding that President Obama produce his birth certificate (which, of course, he already has), but then chickened out. C'mon Trent, don't back off now.  Prove once and for all, that your not intimidated by that pointy headed librul elitist press.  Let your freak flag fly!

Franks has made it clear in an interview with Mike Stark previously that he doesn't really believe the birther claims that Obama isn't a U.S. citizen, but that won't stop him from pandering to the knuckle-dragging dumbasses who actually believe this rot.  After all, they elected him.

Thanks, Raul!

by: Zelph

Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:51:06 PM MDT

Raul Grijalva was the only Democratic U.S. Representative from Arizona to vote "No" on the War Supplemental which contains no timeline for withdrawal.  Now I expected a "Yes" vote from Blue Dog Giffords and Blue Dog wannabe Mitchell, but what's up with Ed Pastor?  

Bizarrely, many Repubs, including Franks and Shadegg, opposed the War Supplemental because it contains funding for the IMF to bail out Eastern Europe. Hmmn, didn't these guys call Democrats who voted against any war funding when Shrub was President "Defeatocrats" and worse?  Just sayin'.

Yes, the War Supplemental passed (226 TO 202) in spite of opposition from the strange bedfellows of progressives and Republicans, but progressives  definitely let the Villagers know we are here and that antiwar Democrats can't be ignored.  Thanks to Jane Hamsher over at Firedoglake and others and others for coordinating the effort.

Urge Grijalva to Continue to Vote No on the War Supplemental

by: Zelph

Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 21:04:11 PM MDT

Please contact Raul, if you live in his district, and ask him to vote "No" on the War Supplemental.  Forward him this video if you like.

The vote is tomorrow.

Give 'em Hell, Harry

by: Zelph

Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 23:23:56 PM MST

http://www.azcongresswatch.com...

Felons for Shadegg

by: Zelph

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 19:36:15 PM MST

According to Arizona court records and Shadegg's Federal Election Commission filings, his campaign has employed three men with sketchy pasts to make phone calls to get out the vote. One man appears on the registered sex offender list. Another can be found in Arizona prison records, having served time for car theft and burglary. A third is in the same database for theft.

Shadegg and his campaign did not return phone calls.

Are decent folks ashamed to work for Republican candidates nowadays?  Can't say that I blame them.

Shades of Richard Nixon

by: Zelph

Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 22:12:00 PM MDT

===================================================

Lost and Found: John Shadegg's campaign credit card discovered at Democratic office

A credit card for John Shadegg's campaign was found this weekend under the front desk of a Democratic Party office.

The card is issued to a senior Shadegg campaign operative, lists Shadegg's re-election organization and was found near Democratic campaign materials.

The Democratic Party notified Shadegg's campaign office that the card has been found. The party has also filed a report with the Tempe Police Department and with the credit card company.

"It's extremely disturbing that a senior campaign operative for Republican John Shadegg would leave a credit card under a desk at one of our offices," said Maria Weeg, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party. "We let Congressman Shadegg know we found his credit card and requested Shadegg promptly explain what a member of his staff was doing in our office and how his campaign credit card arrived in our office."

Congressman Shadegg has a responsibility to personally answer the following questions:

1)How did his campaign credit card arrive in a Democratic Party office?

2)What was a member of his congressional and campaign staff doing in the office?

3)Did his staff member access any information in the office or remove any materials - and, if so, will he return this information and materials?

Lord Wins Endorsement of Correctional Officers

by: Zelph

Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 21:27:25 PM MDT

ACPOA President Tixoc Muñoz:

We represent those who walk the toughest beat in America and we know Bob Lord will walk alongside us as our next Congressman.  Bob Lord is tough on crime and will work to protect Arizona families by fully supporting us as public safety officers.

Bob Lord understands our situation. We need more correctional officers, more equipment, more support in order to do our job, and we know he'll see it through.

Republicans like Shadegg might talk the talk, but when it come down to brass tacks, they don't walk the walk in supporting our correctional officers.    Oh, they like to lock people up, but don't give a damn about the safety of our correctional officers as evidenced by understaffing and lack of adequate equipment.  They don't care much about paying them a decent wage either.  

Drill This!

by: Zelph

Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 22:28:22 PM MDT

AZBlueMeanie gives us some great ammunition for the water cooler wars over at Blog for Arizona when the Rethugs start up with this "drill now" horseshit.

Utah Democratic Candidate Takes a Stand Against Telco Immunity

by: The SideTrack

Wed Jul 02, 2008 at 01:51:20 AM MDT

Morgan is the Democratic candidate for Utah's first congressional district, a seat currently held by school voucher supporting, "drill here, drill now" parroting, warrantless wiretap backing Rob Bishop. In addition to the 2/1 odds Morgan faces unseating the corporate funded incumbent, he also faces a battle with in-state leadership as a result of Rep. Jim Matheson, our only sitting Democrat, and faithful Blue Dog.  

Arizona Republicans Oppose Habeas Corpus Ruling

by: Zelph

Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 23:09:12 PM MDT

Shadegg argued that detainees were not U.S. citizens and have no right to habeas corpus, which instructs a court to determine whether a prisoner is being held on sufficient evidence or not.

Shadegg has recently introduced legislation to circumvent the recent Supreme Court ruling and make military courts the ultimate arbiters of whether prisoners at Guantanamo are to be afforded these rights or not.

George Will has some thoughts on the importance of habeas corpus and McCain's contention that the recent Supreme Court ruling on this matter was one of the worst ever.  It's rare that I agree with George Will, but I think that this is a matter on which principled conservatives and liberals can agree.

No state power is more fearsome than the power to imprison. Hence the habeas right has been at the heart of the centuries-long struggle to constrain governments, a struggle in which the greatest event was the writing of America's Constitution, which limits Congress's power to revoke habeas corpus to periods of rebellion or invasion. Is it, as McCain suggests, indefensible to conclude that Congress exceeded its authority when, with the Military Commissions Act (2006), it withdrew any federal court jurisdiction over the detainees' habeas claims?

It's sad to see that Republicans in Arizona's Congressional delegation have so little respect for a right that is fundamental to our concept of justice.  

I fear the sort of Supreme Court Justices a President McCain might appoint.  Something for you Hillary supporters who are considering not voting or, actually voting for John McCain, to take into consideration.

Bob Lord, first Orange to Blue addition

by: Zelph

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 23:29:35 PM MDT

Read all about it over at Daily Kos.

Where was Sidney Hay?

by: Zelph

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 22:21:11 PM MDT

From PolitikerAZ.com:

Trish Rensink, who organized the forum on behalf of the Arizona Wildlife Federation and a host of other environmental organizations, said Hay had confirmed she would be there in March when the invitation was first extended, and, as recently as "a few weeks ago," was given a list of topics that might be discussed.

Rensink said the Hay campaign did not call to cancel, and offered no explanation of what Hay was doing instead.

"It was a surprise when she didn't show up," said Rensink.

Bob Lord Supports Veterans, Come Support Him This Thursday

by: Zelph

Mon May 26, 2008 at 22:19:41 PM MDT

Please join us this Thursday, May 29 for a press event with DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) Chairman, Rep. Chris Van Hollen and Bob Lord.

Chairman Van Hollen and Bob will speak to the media about the District 3 Congressional race and pressing veterans issues facing Arizona and the nation.

Come out and show your support for Bob as we welcome Chairman Van Hollen and honor our veterans.

If you are a veteran, please wear a hat or an item to identify yourself.

When: Thursday, May 29, 10:15 a.m. (be there at about 10 a.m.)
Where: VFW, 4853 E Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018

Please invite any friends and family.  

Please RSVP to sarah@lord2008.com.

If you would like to attend other fund raising events that day, please contact Vickie at vcook@lord2008.com.

Thanks and we hope to see you there!

Sarah Muench
Communication Director
Bob Lord for Congress

Howard Dean Praises Lord

by: Zelph

Thu May 15, 2008 at 21:23:53 PM MDT

In a podcast released by the Arizona Democratic Party, Howard Dean said he believes Bob Lord is a great candidate and that incumbent Republican John Shadegg is vulnerable in AZ CD3.

======================================================

Shadegg has recently been tied to the same shady lobbyist who was recently dismissed by the McCain campaign.  Doug Goodyear's firm was paid $348,000 in 2002 to do PR for Burma's military junta which is widely known for its human rights abuses.

Mitchell Ahead in Money, Ahead in Polls

by: Zelph

Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 22:30:35 PM MDT

Lord Wins AriSEIA Endorsement

by: Zelph

Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 21:30:08 PM MDT

Lord showed reporters and members of AnSEIA the 30 photovoltaic panels that take up one third of the space on the roof of his Arcadia home.

His opponent for Congress in AZ CD3, incumbent Republican John Shadegg, on the other hand, voted against tax credits for renewable energy.