CD-4 Joe Penalosa likely to be removed from ballot
The following statement was released by William Connor regarding a petition challenge of CD-4′s Joe Penalosa. Penalosa recently dropped out of the Scottsdale City Council to seek the Republican nomination in CD-4. Janet Contreras is the current frontrunner in the race to unseat Ed Pastor in the November General Election.
Elections attorney Bill Conner stated; “Late today we have filed an application for an order to show cause why Janet Contreras’ opponent shouldn’t be removed from the ballot. Not only does he have insufficient signatures and two potential felons passing his petitions, but he lives twenty miles outside the district he is running in. We have the process of law for a reason. Title 16 of A.R.S. exists to ensure that not just anyone makes it to a nominating ballot. That is clearly the case here. Mr. Penalosa wasn’t even close. We are eager for our Show Cause hearing”.
James Molina on Rich Crandall-Democrat Fundraiser
For Immediate Release: June 8, 2010
LD19 Senate Candidate James Molina Calls On Representative Rich Crandall To Cancel Joint Fundraiser With Democrats
LD19 Republican candidate James Molina called on his opponent in the upcoming primary to cancel a joint fundraiser planned for later this month. The so-called 12 in ’10 event is to benefit a dozen moderate to liberal lawmakers. But that is not what troubles Molina.
“It is disturbing that some Republican legislators would co-host a high dollar fundraiser event for Democrats whose leadership has contributed to our current sad state of affairs-over spending and budget deficits. Working with Democrats to get them re-elected is completely unacceptable,” said Molina.
Molina’s campaign manager Barbara Parker also questioned the motives behind the deep-pocketed contributors being invited to this $2,500 per person event. “The invitation says that the candidates are opposed to the Clean Elections system of public campaign financing, yet incumbent Rich Crandall has always run on the taxpayer’s dime. Between Crandall’s 2006 and 2008 campaigns, he spent over $118,000 in taxpayer funds.”
Molina is the conservative in this two-man contest, enjoying the support of the Senator Chuck Gray as well as popular figures like Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Fallout Begins For Republicans Co-Hosting Fundraiser With Democrats
Today’s Yellow Sheet carries a press release about the upcoming “12 in ’10″ fundraiser event that is trying to land big-dollar contributions for 12 candidates, including some high-profile Democrats. The event will take place at the Biltmore Resort and attendees are expected to contribute a minimum of $2,500 per person, divided amongst the candidates. So just who are the like-minded candidates that these donors are coming to see and help? Some of the Republican names include State Representatives Adam Driggs, Rich Crandall, Michelle Reagan, and Bill Konopnicki. There are some Republican challengers on the list as well, including Doug Sposito, Karen Fann, and Kate McGee.
Joining them for the event are a couple of big-name Democrats, including one of the GOP’s top targets for the 2010 cycle, State Representative Eric Meyer, and Justin Johnson, son of former Mayor Paul Johnson, who is challenging GOP Senator Linda Gray.
Several things about this fundraiser has tongues wagging. First, the price of admission. Ordinary folks can’t afford $2,500, so the target audience for this event is clearly a select group of well-funded individuals, PACs, and interest groups. Second, no one can remember the last time Republicans teamed up with Democrats to raise money for each other, especially during an election season, and especially during a primary season when many of the Republican candidates are engaged in primaries themselves.
Reagan has no real challengers this cycle, so she can team with the Democrats without and consequences. But it is a risky gamble for people like Konopnicki or Crandall. Certainly their GOP opponents will be making some noise about their lack of loyalty. Challengers like Sposito and Fann can also be taken to task by local opposition. The most interesting district to watch will be LD11, where Adam Driggs and Kate McGee are actively raising money for the Democrat in their own district. The same Democrat that the rest of the Republicans in the district are trying to beat so that they can recapture the longtime GOP seat. We hardly imagine that the GOP activists in LD11 will take kindly to this news.
Andrew Thomas Reduced Plea Bargains; Tom Horne Agreed To One
AZ Border Patrol Agents Assoc. Endorses Andrew Thomas for Attorney General
The group wrote:
“We are proud to endorse your candidacy for Arizona Attorney General. We have enjoyed working with you as the Maricopa County Attorney, and we are confident you will do a great job as Attorney General. Your history of aggressively prosecuting the crimes associated with illegal immigration has helped us do our jobs more effectively. We are thankful that there are prosecutors in this state who are committed to upholding our laws and are unafraid to face the special interest groups. It is always easier to back off in the face of pressure from activists and others who do not want you to prosecute illegal immigration cases, but you have a clear and convincing record of staying the course and doing the right thing. We appreciate your continued support of our mission, and it is our hope that the people ofArizona will recognize how valuable you are when they vote for a new Attorney General.”
All of Thomas’ campaign opponents, Democrat and Republican, support amnesty and oppose SB1070.
Republican legislators hosting fundraiser for liberal Republicans and Democrats
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
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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Slideshow from Politics on the Rocks event with Sheriff Babeu and Ben Quayle
Politics on the Rocks attracts its usual capacity crowd.
Become a Freedom OUTLAW!! YEEEEEHAW
I know we like to think of the GOP as the party of law and order.
However, we are also the party of Barry Goldwater and, especially in Arizona, we have also to maintain the western spirit of republicanism – individualism and opposition to government growth.
At the 1964 RNC national convention, Barry Goldwater delivered the speech “Extremism in the Defense of Liberty is No Vice“.
We must maintain the Rebel spirit, the Spirit of 1776, rebellion against government, such as our forefathers did who slept on the frozen ground at Valley Forge and then went off to fight the greatest military force of all time.
Yes, we are the party of law and order, but only supporting those laws that minimize government, lower taxes, lower spending and prevent crime against other people where there is an aggrieved party.
The wussie Republicans of today say that speeding 11 mph over the limit and getting a photo radar ticket is ok, because we are the party of law and order. Phooey on them. If there were an aggrieved party other than the State, then ok. If the driving were reckless and endangering others, I’d agree. But, for example, speeding alone is no reason to bring down the hammer of the State onto otherwise law abiding citizens.
Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Remember that or go join your Tory bretheren and let posterity remember that you were not my countryman.
Here’s a litty ditty posted at BACKWOODS HOME MAGAZINE. “Become a FREEDOM OUTLAW”! YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHAW. Let Arizona return to its rabid individualistic roots upon which it was founded!
“Freedom Outlaw.” The term came up here a few days ago. It’ll arise again and again on this blog.
If you’ve been hanging out in my vicinity for a few years, you probably know what I mean by it. If not, you might be puzzled or even offended by the notion that people who believe in freedom are (or should be) criminals. Thought I’d stop this morning and define some terms.
So this is mostly for people who haven’t heard it all before.
A Freedom Outlaw is (loosely) somebody who cares so much about freedom that he or she will go after it regardless of any laws or regulations blocking the way. Will go after it personally. Not petition for it. Not write letters for it. Not vote for it. But GO for it.
Also, a Freedom Outlaw has panache. Think Robin Hood. Think V. Think (not to be self-promotional here, but …) of the swashbuckling fellow on the cover of this book.
Does a Freedom Outlaw really have to be a criminal? Well … yes and no. If the thought of being a criminal offends you, I can only say, “Get over it.” As Kent McManigal states so well, every, single one of us is already a criminal. We violate obscure laws from the time we open our eyes in the morning till the moment we fall exhausted into bed. Three Felonies a Day according to Harvey Silverglate. And the more innocent we are in our hearts when we commit those “crimes,” the riper we are for the plucking by corrupt prosecutors and regulators.
Heck, we probably violate laws, federal or state, even as we snooze. Maybe our PJs flout fireproofing regulations. Perhaps our snoring is regulated somewhere as noise pollution. Maybe our dreams are filled with acts of subversion.
But the simple fact is that we are already criminals, each and every one of us, even if we do our utmost to be “law-abiding citizens.”
There are simply too many laws to abide.
So we might as well embrace and enjoy what we are.
U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Release of Campaign Matching Funds
Goldwater Institute News Release
PHOENIX – In a major victory for free speech, the U.S. Supreme Court this morning blocked the use of taxpayer money as campaign “matching funds.” The Court will decide whether to review a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“This ruling vindicates the right of traditionally funded candidates to run their campaigns without the heavy hand of government helping their opponents,” said Nick Dranias, the Goldwater Institute’s lead attorney in the case known as McComish v. Bennett.
Under the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Act, candidates who run with public campaign subsidies receive an almost dollar-for-dollar match each time a privately funded opponent raises money above a certain amount, and additional matches when independent expenditures are made against the subsidized candidate.
Today, the Supreme Court restored an injunction against the use of matching funds ordered earlier this year by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver.
“In a time of soaring budget deficits, the last thing taxpayers should be paying for are politicians’ campaigns,” said Darcy Olsen, president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute.
The Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation represents John McComish, Nancy McClain and Tony Bouie, candidates for the Arizona Legislature whose campaigns are funded by private donations. All three are running against taxpayer-funded candidates who will receive a dollar-for-dollar match from the government for every dollar they privately raise.
In January 2010, Judge Silver ruled that matching funds discourage traditionally funded candidates from raising or spending their donations so they can avoid triggering more taxpayer-funded campaign money for their opponents. Judge Silver determined matching funds are an unconstitutional burden on the election speech of privately funded candidates.
A three-judge panel for the Ninth Circuit disagreed in May, and issued an opinion stating the damage to free speech is minimal.
The Goldwater Institute requested that the Supreme Court intervene before the state started to hand out this year’s first round of matching funds on June 22, 2010. In a filing before the Court on Monday, June 7, the Goldwater Institute emphasized that publicly subsidized candidates were first warned by Judge Silver more than 18 months ago that matching funds were unconstitutional. Judge Silver issued her final ruling in late January, but delayed her order so the state could appeal. The Supreme Court’s action today ended that delay and put Judge Silver’s order into effect immediately.
Read more about this and other Goldwater lawsuits to protect individual rights and keep government within its constitutional limits at www.goldwaterinstitute.org/litigation. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog supported by people who are committed to expanding free enterprise and liberty.
US Supreme Court: “No matching funds, for now.”
Today the United States Supreme Court has ruled that no matching funds can be disbursed until they decide whether to hear an appeal challenging their Constitutionality.
It is nearly certain that they will, with the likely outcome that matching funds will be eliminated.
This mostly likely means that no matching funds will be available this election cycle, or ever again, and radially alters the calculus for a number of candidates.
I hope Arizona will take advantage of this opportunity to remake our campaign finance system, removing contribution limits and letting each side have the maximum amount of resources possible to make their case to voters.
Without matching funds, and with draconian contribution limits, we are a haven for self-funders (i.e., rich people who need to fill a void in their life), who can easily outspend “Clean Elections” candidates or those raising it in $400 increments.
McCain’s Senior Advisor Grant Woods: “To be an Arizonan is to be a part of Mexico”
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, June 7, 2010
While John McCain is running as far as he can to the right, pretending to be tough on border security now that it is an election year, his closest friends and campaign workers are saying the opposite. Grant Woods, a McCain campaign “senior advisor” and known liberal Republican in Arizona, recently told the Washington Post in an interview, “To be an Arizonan is to be a part of Mexico.” Does this mean Mr. Woods believes the U.S. should cede parts of the country to Mexico to form Aztlan? These kinds of views should come as no surprise from McCain’s campaign staff. His 2008 presidential campaign staff included Juan Hernandez, one of the biggest open borders proponents in the nation.
McCain may fool a few people during this election year who watch his misleading commercials on Fox News. But he has 24 years in the Senate he can’t hide. Watch this 2-minute video below which contrasts Obama’s statements on immigration with McCain’s. They’re exactly the same! In fact, in January of this year, Obama’s press spokesperson Robert Gibbs praised McCain for having the same view on immigration as Obama, and said that the administration wanted him to help them resolve the issue. Even the opposition knows McCain hasn’t changed on immigration.
John McCain’s senior advisor laments Arizona’s new immigration law
Maybe you missed this quote in the Washington Post yesterday:
“To be an Arizonan is to be a part of Mexico. It’s to be a part of the various Native American tribes. That’s part of our culture, the diversity. I think the people’s hearts are there, but the leaders don’t always respect that.”
That quote came from a senior advisor to John McCain, the former Attorney General of Arizona, Grant Woods in an article written by Peter Slevin.
Those following the US Senate Primary here in Arizona, know that Grant Woods has been a permanent fixture in the John McCain camp for many years.
On another note, does anyone find it interesting that Somos Republicans has been strangely quiet over John McCain’s new found conservatism on border security and illegal immigration?
Their complete blackout of statements regarding McCain’s new position on border security and illegal immigration is absolutely uncanny.
While the Republican Hispanic group lambastes Arizona’s SB 1070 and Governor Brewer, they have not had an ill word to say of John McCain. In fact, a recent photo of McCain staffer Anthony Miller may hold a clue about McCain’s careful positioning with the group. Could there be an understanding in place that Somos will refrain from criticizing McCain knowing that his karaoke conservatism is will quickly cease after the August 24th Primary?
