As I noted in a comment on the previous post, “Espresso in Tucson,” I don’t question Greg Patterson’s pro-life credentials although his realization of the issue probably came after his 1984 work on the Kolbe campaign. (Heck, at the time, I was oblivious to the life issue and politics as I was training to run nuclear reactors in the navy.)

After EspressoPundit’s posting, “What’s Up Doc?” I felt inclined to respond to Greg with my own insight on Southern Arizona politics. (For those who don’t realize this, I was a conservative candidate in 1994 and 1996 in the then legislative district 13. Yes, I got beat.) Here’s my response to Greg:

I hate to say it but a lot of the social conservatives will probably walk out on Huffman. The only thing that may save him is if Patti scares the hell out of them and/or Steve moves in the direction of social conservatives on some issue. Once upon a time, even Kolbe voted against taxpayer-funded abortion policy.

I am one who holds out hope for a conversion experience in elected officials. I can name two sitting elected officials who have come to realize how important the life issue is and how unreasonable, how nasty and how greed-driven the pro-abortion side can be. Pro-Lifers must continue to be firm in their position (not compromising) but demonstrate love and compassion in how they deal with those who are still blind, lost or indifferent.

I’ve personally endorsed Randy Graf and I hope he wins. But, if he doesn’t, I’ll be firm but compassionate with the victor in demonstrating that the pro-life position is the higher ground.

     The usually correct Greg of the popular Espresso Pundit blog (see What’s Up Doc? under June 29) missed the point in a recent story about the CD8 race in Southern Arizona. Responding to a comment posted on a Tucson area blog Greg said it was “wishful thinking” that the pro-life community may not work very hard for Huffman if he is the Republican nominee. Greg it is not wishful thinking, it is a Fact.

     Let’s back up for a second and ask why is someone a pro-life activist. The most common reason it to defend the worth of human life. There are no rewards here on earth for this thankless task. Abortions mostly happen in the secret confines of some non-descript “woman’s clinic.” The rest of the word wonders what all the fuss is about because they rarely see the true nature of abortion. When they do it is very easy to turn away and brand the pro-lifers holding a sign as fringe crackpots. The primary motivation for someone who advocates for the dignity of a human life smaller than a quarter is none other than the belief in the soul and some interest in serving the other kingdom, the one not of this world. I can most emphatically assure Greg that when push comes to shove pro-lifers do not care if a Republican or Democrat goes to Washington from CD8. In the end those are worldly concerns and if a pro-lifer gets that wrapped up in this life it is time to take a break and reflect on the true word and meaning in life. And that meaning has nothing to do with whether Steve Huffman or Gabby Giffords goes to DC. Another issue is that not all pro-life supporters in the Tucson area are Republicans. A few crucial activists are Democrats and will certainly not care about supporting an abortion on demand Republican. 

     Another flaw in espresso’s post is his statement that if Huffman is the nominee “he will have all the grassroots support that he can handle.” The mistake here is that Greg is responding to a point that was never made. No one said that Huffman would not have grassroots support, only that not much would come from the pro-life community. You can tell when someone is flustered when they respond to phantom comments. 

     While on the point of grassroots support there are two candidates in CD8 who do have a lot of “boots on the ground.” There are Graf and Hellon. Randy owns the border issues crowd and social conservatives. Mike has an amazing list of long time party veterans in his camp. The list is impressive: a sitting county supervisor, a current state senator and several former legislators and a long list of Republican activist. No, they do not have as much money as the Huffman crowd but they have a lot more experience running and winning a campaign then Click or Diamond. It is a truly impressive lineup. In a normal year it would be enough to put a candidate over the top. 

     Undoubtedly some of Randy’s crowd will fall in line and support the Republican nominee in November. Some may not. There is a greater chance that more of his supporters would fall in line behind Hellon rather than Huffman. The real question if Huffman wins in September is not what Republican pro-lifers will do. It is what Hellon supporters will do. Steve should be very careful to not directly attack Mike. This may be hard for Steve to do with all his money and with rumors that Mike is polling ahead of Steve. 

     I am glad that espresso walked for Kolbe in ’84. He is welcome to come down to Southern Arizona again and walk for Huffman in ’06. He had better hurry because there is a reasonable chance that Steve might not win the primary. No matter who walks for whom it should be very clear that it is axiomatic that pro-lifers (from whatever party) will not break a sweat for Huffman. 

     Huffman stooge Kolbe is out there saying that Graf cannot win because he is too conservative. The truth is Huffman cannot win because he is too moderate. Gabby will eat Steve alive. A solid Democrat almost always beats a wishy-washy Republican. She has even more money than Steve and a much stronger presence on the campaign trail. 

      The pro-lifers will be out campaigning for the Republican Gubernatorial candidate, whichever one wins. Don has claimed conversion and pro-lifers love and live for conversion. They are faith bound to accept and encourage conversion on the issue of life. There will also be a host of other pro-life candidates to work for in September and October so they will be quite busy if they want to spend the fall working on politics.