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Jeff Smith Announces Run in Arizona CD-6

March 15, 2010 By 39 Comments

Jeff Smith

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 15, 2010

Conservative Independent Candidate to Challenge Incumbent Jeff Flake for AZ 6 House Seat

Gilbert, AZ – March 8, 2010 – Jeff Smith announced today that he will run for the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s 6th congressional district in 2010 against incumbent Jeff Flake. Smith, who is active in the East Valley and Greater Phoenix Tea Party movement, articulated the principles and values that will be the foundation of his candidacy:

“I believe the Constitution is a divinely inspired document that has come under assault from those who would continuously expand the size and scope of the federal government at the expense of our individual liberties and states’ rights. I am committed to defending the Constitution, stopping the march toward socialism and redistribution of wealth, and to returning the federal government to the limits of its constitutional authority, as envisioned by the founders.”

Smith also identified certain issues where he differs from Jeff Flake, and feels Flake no longer represents the values of the voters in the district. “Illegal immigration continues to be an issue of grave concern for Arizonans. For too long the federal government has failed to secure the border and enforce existing immigration laws. This lack of enforcement amounts to a massive subsidy to certain businesses and industries, at tremendous expense to our legal citizens and immigrants, the economy, and society at large. This picking of winners and losers on the part of the government is tantamount to socialism. I support vigorous enforcement of our immigration laws across all levels of law enforcement, and am opposed to amnesty in any form for those whose first act on American soil was to violate our laws.”

Smith, 44, is married to wife Camille and has three children ages 10, 13, and 15. He graduated in 1989 from Brigham Young University with a degree in Economics and worked in the Banking Industry for a few years before returning to school, earning an MBA from the Goizueta Business School of Emory University. After graduating, he worked for eight years in the Telecommunications industry, then left to found a financial advisory firm in Arizona, which he sold two years ago.

Smith said he looks forward to a vigorous debate about the critical issues facing Arizona and the nation. “I am gratified by the response we have been getting to our message so far. There is clearly an appetite for a return to constitutional principles and conservative values upon which this country was founded. “ While he admires Jeff Flake and is grateful for his service to the district, he feels that Flake has lost touch with his constituents, drifting leftward on some of the crucial issues of our day. Flake also ran on a promise not to stay more than 3 terms and if he runs again, this will be his sixth.

Arizona’s 6th congressional district encompasses parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties. In Maricopa County it includes most of Mesa and Chandler, as well as Gilbert and Queen Creek. In Pinal County it includes Apache Junction and Gold Canyon. It is an area known for cultural conservatism and, as such, is one of the nation’s most conservative Republican districts.

For more information and to donate to the campaign, please visit www.votejeffsmith2010.com.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Press Release

Hayworth: Absurd laws deserve absurd response

March 15, 2010 By 23 Comments

JD Hayworth for US Senate

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 15, 2010

“Leftist media attacks can’t mask the absurdity of Massachusetts’s action”

Phoenix, AZ—When the Massachusetts Supreme Court handed down a decision defining marriage as “the establishment of intimacy,” millions of Americans read of the news with disbelief. Among them was conservative Arizona U.S. Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth, who accurately defined the ruling as “absurd”.

In response, former Congressman Hayworth offered an interpretation of the Massachusetts ruling. In it, Hayworth said, “I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point: If you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse. But it’s just the wrong way to go, and the only way to protect the institution of marriage is with the federal marriage amendment that I support.”

“But sadly, the liberal media, intent on defending the ultra-leftist, progressive politicians in Massachusetts, are attacking me for standing up once again for family values and for rejecting this absurd court ruling,” said Hayworth. “But they don’t intimidate me at all. I know right from wrong and as a staunch defender of the institution of marriage, I know I can count on millions of supporters across America to stand with me when our values are under attack – and when I am under attack for standing up to defend those values.”

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Filed Under: Culture, Judicial, Legislation, Marriage, Press Release

Prominent McCain endorser Grover Norquist funneled money from Abramoff

March 15, 2010 By 28 Comments

A m e r i c a n P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N S E N S E , in Arizona

Monday, March 15, 2009

Abramoff pal Norquist endorses McCain

Norquist took the cash; guess who McCain blames

The favorite music of the “Inside-the-Beltway” crowd seems to be the DC shuffle.

Truth is irrelevant. Getting mud to stick on your opponent is the name of the game, and McCain plays this like a Stradivarius.

The “good” Senator who tells us that character matters, has attacked JD Hayworth over a contribution from the infamous lobbyist, Jack Abramoff. To his credit, JD dropped that $2,250 gift like the hot potato it was, and turned it over to charity. Good for him.

But what about Grover Norquist whose fawning support for Senator McCain has him lapping up endorsements like a contestant in a pie eating contest?

The Washington Post reported:

“According to an investigative report on Abramoff’s lobbying released last week by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Americans for Tax Reform served as a “conduit” for funds that flowed from Abramoff’s clients to surreptitiously finance grass-roots lobbying campaigns. As the money passed through, Norquist’s organization kept a small cut, e-mails show.

A second group Norquist was involved with, the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy, received about $500,000 in Abramoff client funds; the council’s president has told Senate investigators that Abramoff often asked her to lobby a senior Interior Department official on his behalf.

… in 1999, a year in which Norquist moved more than $1 million in Abramoff client money to Reed and Christian anti-gambling groups, Reed was working to defeat lotteries and casinos that would have competed with Abramoff’s tribal and Internet gambling clients.”

Norquist’s relationship with Abramoff’s gambling clients began in 1995 when Congress was considering taxing tribal casinos.

Abramoff was annoyed at the amount Norquist skimmed before sending the money on, e-mails show. “Grover kept another $25 k!” Abramoff wrote in a February, 2000 note to himself.

When the US Senate got involved, McCain was put in charge of investigating the scandal. Eventually McCain, probably seeing he could use the whole mess to his advantage, backed off on Norquist. According to one article,

“Senator John McCain has proved to be Jack Abramoff’s best friend.” Read that twice, and let it sink in.

McCain was Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee from 2005-2007, but suppressed evidence of Jack Abramoff’s role in directing illegal foreign payoffs to ranking members of the Republican Party.

Did Norquist, an anti-tax hawk, endorse McCain in spite of McCain’s terrible record on taxes, which includes voting against tax breaks, as payback for letting up on the Abramoff investigation? That is a very good question.

Listen to McCain play that fiddle! He gleefully accepts the endorsement from scandal ridden Norquist whose ties to Abramoff are slimy at best, and tries to hang Norquist – Abramoff style misdeeds around JD’s neck, knowing full well that JD walked away from that mess clean as a whistle. My friends, character indeed matters. McCain does not seem to have any.

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Ethics

Gilbert Remains Committed to Religious Freedom

March 15, 2010 By 19 Comments

Town of Gilbert

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 15, 2010

ON BEHALF OF

MAYOR JOHN LEWIS
VICE MAYOR LINDA ABBOTT
COUNCILMAN DAVE CROZIER
COUNCILWOMAN JENN DANIELS
COUNCILMAN LES PRESMYK
COUNCILMAN JOHN SENTZ
COUNCILMAN STEVE URIE

Gilbert, Arizona, March 15, 2010. Approximately six weeks ago, members of the Gilbert Town Council learned that a Town zoning code intended to help neighborhoods with traffic, parking and safety concerns had been interpreted by Town staff to mean that small church groups could not meet in their own homes. The Council immediately asked Town staff to make changes to the code and not enforce the code while changes were being considered.

Unfortunately, without the Town Council’s knowledge, one church group had already been told to stop holding meetings in their home. Last week the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed an appeal for the Oasis of Truth Church located in Gilbert. While Town staff had anticipated presenting to the Town Council proposed zoning changes at the next Town Council meeting (scheduled for March 23), ADF’s appeal reached the media on Friday, March 12, causing concern that Town of Gilbert restricted religious freedom guaranteed in the Constitution.

Gilbert’s Mayor John Lewis said, “It is unfortunate that the Council did not know about information given to the Oasis of Truth Church. Gilbert is known as a family-oriented community and our faith groups are a vital part of our Town. We want to keep it that way.” Lewis continued, “Gilbert has the largest celebration of the Constitution in the United States. During the third week of September, we have an entire week of community activities available to remind us of the important principles of the Constitution.” Vice-Mayor Linda Abbott commented, “This is a community with patriotic citizens who study and defend the Constitution. We understand the importance of maintaining religious freedom.”

Upon learning of the appeal, the Town Council expressed their overwhelming support to expedite changes in the code. Yesterday, Mayor Lewis and Acting Town Manager Collin DeWitt attended the Sunday worship services of the Oasis of Truth Church. DeWitt said, “We had a wonderful experience as we met with the three leaders of the church and their families. We are glad that they selected Gilbert as their home.” Mayor Lewis told church leaders that he will ask Town attorneys to include ADF and the Oasis of Truth Church in the review process this week of the proposed changes that will be presented to the Town Council on March 23. Lewis said, “We welcome their input and suggestions to ensure that church groups are able to meet and enjoy their Constitutional rights. Potentially, we may have a solution to this issue this week.”

The Town of Gilbert has been one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. In spite of the economic downturn, 1,278 single family permits were issued by the Town in 2009. Currently, 221,000 citizens of Gilbert enjoy the clean, safe, and vibrant environment. In 2009, Gilbert was named as the 24th safest city in the United States and safest city in Arizona. Mayor Lewis said, “Our vibrancy is enhanced with our strong faith-based groups. Our partnership with our local ministers and pastors is excellent. Gilbert is considered a religious friendly area. Religious activities occur all over Town and most especially in our homes. The Town Council and our citizens will keep it that way.”

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Filed Under: City Government, Press Release, Religion

Voting was never a root canal

March 15, 2010 By 11 Comments

Emil FranziOnce again Oro Valley is conducting a mail-in election. And once again I will tell you why the concept is fundamentally wrong.

It makes voting easier? Check Iraq or Afghanistan or lots of other places trying to build democratic regimes where they still shoot at you for making the attempt. Voting was pretty damn easy here for quite a while.

My liberal Democrat radio co-host Tom Danehy, who shares my opinion on this subject, reminds us of a news clip from a Philippine election in which an official with a ballot box is being chased by a group of thugs. Not shown is the part where they succeeded and killed him. I witnessed a few years back huge lines in Rocky Point when they were holding something unusual in Mexico – a real election. People wanted to be part of it.

We had it pretty soft. Having to actually leave home and go to a safe polling place isn’t exactly a root canal.

Voting by mail does make it easier – for the election bureaucracy. They prefer to use the money involved to hire a few more permanent employees rather than go through the hassle (for them) of using Election Day temps.

The costs involved are clearly increased in some areas (postage) and decreased in others (poll workers), but that should never be a deciding factor. Ahead of even cops, courts and armies, choosing who’s in charge is the first and most primary duty of government.

At-home voting destroys the secret ballot. Why do you think we have those little booths and curtains? So husbands can’t muscle wives or wives husbands. Mailing out ballots is an invitation to cajole by anyone from the family patriarch and union boss to your mama.

It’s also quite obviously a fraud magnet. Why the same Republicans who are convinced thousands of illegal aliens are voting at the polls are ignoring a system that eliminates their having to go there to do it is beyond me. I recognize that most voting systems are legit, but it doesn’t take much dog barf to ruin an otherwise great burger.

While supposedly being in the best interest of individual voters, the at home ballot can screw them in two ways by returning it too early or returning it too late.

Return it too early and you may learn something that would’ve changed your mind about a candidate or an issue. The elimination of late information was sold as a virtue by advocates of early voting because it would eliminate last-minute smears. It also eliminates last-minute facts. Which is why many folks hold onto their ballot until the last minute.

Only return it too late and it doesn’t count. One stat I have never seen election officials produce is how many ballots get tossed every time for late delivery.

But my greatest complaint is that the entire concept (beyond taking care of the ballots of those physically unable to get to a polling place including those who are out of town) is totally demeaning to the election process.

What advocates are really saying is “we recognize this voting thing is really not important to you. You’re right — it’s no big deal. We want to make it so easy it won’t inconvenience you at all.” Turnout is not increased by telling people voting is not worth much effort.

Election days used to be local and national events. They were part of that Norman Rockwell kind of glue that helped hold the country and its culture together. To eliminate them is to eliminate one more part of what made America a great nation.

Filed Under: City Government, Demographics, Voter Registration, Voters Guide

Kelly supporters sticking with the leader

March 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jesse Kelly

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 15, 2010

Tucson, AZ. Jesse Kelly supporters are sticking with their candidate and are not switching to the newest entrant, despite pressure from party power-brokers. Jesse’s supporters know that he is the one who has the energy and commitment to beat Representative Giffords in the general election. Kelly supporters are impressed with the money he has raised and with the large number of volunteers that Jesse is deploying in neighborhoods across all of CD8.

When Kelly supporters find out that the career politician in the Republican primary voted against tort reform and for Janet Napolitano’s budget-busting spending programs, they are even more adamant in their support for the true conservative in the primary, Jesse Kelly. When they realize the primary candidate who brags about his anti-smuggling bill told a county prosecutor not to use the law against illegal immigrants1 they become even more disgusted with career politicians.

Jesse would like to thank all of the volunteers and supporters for not only staying with him but for doubling their effort to make sure a true conservative represents District 8 in Washington.

Jesse Kelly is a Republican candidate for Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District in the southeastern region of the state. For more information on the Jesse Kelly campaign please visit VoteJesseKelly.com or send an e-mail to media@jessekellyforcongress.

1. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,195083,00.html

Filed Under: Uncategorized