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Poll Results, Prognosis: Overwhelming Doom & Gloom!

May 6, 2011 By 9 Comments

We have to admit that the results from last week’s Friday poll did not surprise us. For months, We have been hearing plenty of pessimism from pundits, our readers and the voters. What we did not expect was how bad the collective prognosis really is.

Here is the graphic of the poll results:

Looking at the numbers, almost 34% believe the US is heading in the wrong direction but even more shocking is that 48% polled believe we are heading for catastrophe!

Almost 82% of our readers believe we’re in deep trouble!

We’d love to hear your continued comments about the poll as well as where you think we’re heading.

As we close out this poll, perhaps this YouTube video by Paul Revere 2012, captures the sentiment of Americans:

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Filed Under: Economics, Polls Tagged With:

Tucson’s Mike Shaw video featured on Glenn Beck

May 5, 2011 By 3 Comments

Congratulations to Mike Shaw for having his video work featured on Glenn Beck’s show today. Beck was especially interested in Shaw’s revelation and coverage of former Colorado professor Ward Churchill who appeared in middle of the protest. Churchill, who was fired from the University of Colorado at Boulder because he referred to victims of the 9/11 attacks as “Little Eichmanns” was obviously in on the protests to orchestrate and organize the student protest.

Here is the video from Glenn Beck’s show:

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Here is the video that Mike produced:

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Filed Under: Education, Freedom of Speech, Media, Personalities, Protests, Race Relations Tagged With: , , , ,

The Agendas Behind the bin Laden News Event

May 5, 2011 By 20 Comments

The Agendas Behind the bin Laden News Event

by Paul Craig Roberts, a former Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury under President Ronald Reagan and former associate editor of the Wall Street Journal.

Excerpts:

The US government’s bin Laden story was so poorly crafted that it did not last 48 hours before being fundamentally altered. Indeed, the new story put out on Tuesday by White House press secretary Jay Carney bears little resemblance to the original Sunday evening story. The fierce firefight did not occur. Osama bin Laden did not hide behind a woman. Indeed, bin Laden, Carney said, “was not armed.”

The White House has also had to abandon the story that President Obama and his national security team watched tensely as events unfolded in real time (despite the White House having released photos of the team watching tensely), with the operation conveyed into the White House by cameras on the SEALs helmets. If Obama was watching the event as it happened, he would have noticed, one would hope, that there was no firefight and, thus, would not have told the public that bin Laden was killed in a firefight.

full article here…….

Filed Under: Terrorism

Arizona Conservatives on the radio this last week

May 5, 2011 By 9 Comments

Arizona has several talented conservatives on the radio. Here’s a rundown of some great interviews over the last week.

Hair on Fire with Barbara featuring an interview with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and former Arizona GOP Chairman Randy Pullen.

Listen to internet radio with Hair on Fire by Barbara on Blog Talk Radio


The Alexander & Goldman show featured an interview with Sheriffs Paul Babeu and Larry Dever available here.

Tea Party Talk with Van discussing a possible run for public office.

Listen to internet radio with Van the Radio Man on Blog Talk Radio

To any other conservative radio hosts we forgot to mention, please send us an email to include you in the lineup!

Filed Under: Talk Radio Tagged With: , ,

Politics on the Rocks tonight with Grover Norquist

May 5, 2011 By

 

 

Politics on the Rocks
 

Politics on the Rocks is honored to host Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform on Thursday, May 5th 6:00 PM at Hotel Valley Ho located at 6850 E. Main St in Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480-248-2000).
This free event will take place in the SoHo Ballroom which is located near front entrance & valet drop. We will be giving a complimentary hard back edition of Grover Norquist’s Best-Selling book “Leave Us Alone” to the first 300 people that arrive.
Also speaking is Arizona State Treasurer Doug Ducey, former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery.
This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend. We would like to thank our marketing partner Scottsdale Nights, photographer Christopher Cashak, and East Valley Web & Graphic Design. 

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) was founded by Grover Norquist in 1985 at President Ronald Reagan’s request. ATR is a coalition of taxpayer groups, individuals and businesses opposed to higher taxes at the federal, state and local levels.
ATR organizes the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, which asks all candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases. In the 112th Congress, 237 House members and 41 Senators have taken the pledge. On the state level, 13 governors and 1249 state legislators have taken the pledge.
In the words of Newt Gingrich, Grover Norquist is “the person who I regard as the most innovative, creative, courageous and entrepreneurial leader of the anti-tax efforts and of conservative grassroots activism in America . . . He has truly made a difference and truly changed American history.” Mr. Norquist holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, both from Harvard University. He currently lives in Washington, DC. For more info on ATR check out their website.

Doug Ducey is the Arizona State Treasurer and former CEO of Cold Stone Creamery. He took office January 3, 2011 as Arizona’s 32nd State Treasurer. As Arizona’s Chief Banker and Investment Officer, Treasurer Ducey oversees more than $10.2 billion in state assets and serves as an investment manager for local governments. Doug came to Arizona in 1982 to attend Arizona State University where he graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Finance in 1986. He worked his way through college at Hensley & Co., the local Anheuser-Busch distributorship. Upon graduation, he joined Procter & Gamble and began a career in sales and marketing. There he was trained in management, preparing him for his role as partner and CEO of Cold Stone Creamery. When he and his business partner sold the company in 2007, Cold Stone had grown from a local scoop shop to more than over 1,400 locations in all 50 states and 10 countries. Doug then committed to an entrepreneurial pursuit in Scottsdale where he became the lead investor and Chairman of the Board for iMemories. For more info on Doug Ducey please visit this website.

Every month Politics on the Rocks champions a charity in the valley. This month we are working with Operation Homefront.
Local artist Lucretia Torva has created an oil painting of fallen soldier SPC Robert “Ski” Donevski who died a hero in Afghanistan January 16, 2010. His actions saved 19 people and he has been awarded 12 medals including the Silver Star and Purple Heart. She painted this portrait not only to represent Robert for his parents, also as a representation of all people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Robert Donevski’s proud Mother will be in attendance and, if you feel so inspired, you may donate in Robert’s name to Operation Homefront.

We are very excited to partner up with the historic Hotel Valley Ho for our upcoming event. Hotel Valley Ho was cool back in 1956 when it first opened its doors, before Downtown Scottsdale was downtown. It’s every bit as chic now, after an expansive but meticulously groomed 2005 renovation. Check out their website.
Regards,
Charles A. Jensen
Politics on the Rocks National Committee

RSVP Today on Facebook!


Date: Thursday, May 5th
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, Arizona [ map it! ]
Politics on the Rocks
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Filed Under: Special Event

Are Arizona Conservatives that naive about Grover Norquist?

May 5, 2011 By 10 Comments

Plenty of political unrest brewing over an event scheduled Thursday night featuring the President of Americans for Tax Reform and founder of the Islamic Free Market Institute, Grover Norquist.

National security advocates including Pamela Geller, David Horowitz and Frank Gaffney have all been very vocal in their opposition to Norquist’s standing in the conservative movement.

In March, 2010, Pamela Geller wrote an article for American Thinker:

Grover Norquist’s ties to Islamic supremacists and jihadists have been known for years. He and his Palestinian wife, Samah Alrayyes — who was director of communications for his Islamic Free Market Institute until they married in 2005 — are very active in “Muslim outreach.” Just six weeks after 9/11, TheNew Republic ran an exposé explaining how Norquist arranged for George W. Bush to meet with fifteen Islamic supremacists at the White House on September 26, 2001 — to show how Muslims rejected terrorism. (read entire article, “Grover Norquist Jihad.”)

Over a year ago, Founder and President of The Center for Security Policy, Frank Gaffney, issued the following video warning and challenge:

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And here is what David Horowitz had to say about Norquist as recent as February 12th of this year during his keynote at CPAC 2011:

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Arizona advocates for strong national security and border security policy should be more than a little concerned about Norquist’s appearance at this casual Republican event tomorrow night. Friends of Israel should be even more alarmed that the Norquist soiree will hoodwink more conservatives into a false sense of peace and security regarding our single most important ally in the Middle East.

Those Arizona conservatives who venture to show at tomorrow night’s Norquist event should ask Mr. Norquist the hard questions. At at time when the country is debating the proper burial treatment by the Obama Administration of the most notorious terrorist in history, someone ought to press Mr. Norquist on his sensitivities and sensibilities in the battle against Islamic terrorism.

 

Filed Under: Debates, National Security, Special Event, Terrorism Tagged With: ,

Goldwater offers solutions to Coyotes quandary

May 5, 2011 By 6 Comments

by Nick Dranias
Goldwater Institute

The Goldwater Institute has repeatedly met and talked with Glendale officials, including Mayor Elaine Scruggs, to try to resolve the constitutional conundrum raised by the city’s effort to subsidize the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes. But the Goldwater Institute will not turn a blind eye to Glendale’s plan to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to prop up the Coyotes in violation of the state constitution.

The deal hinges on two main components. First is that the city proposes borrowing up to $100 million to purchase arena parking rights from the future team owner. This is a charade meant to hide a $100 million handout to the new owner because the city already owns the parking rights. The second component is the $97 million arena management fee. That fee would directly subsidize the Coyotes by reimbursing its future owner for operating expenses that only benefit the team. However laudable the goal of keeping the Coyotes in Glendale, it does not merit back-room negotiations, abuse of taxpayer money, and violation of the law.

It is not too late for Glendale to keep the Coyotes in town legally. The city should pursue more private investment in the deal by having the NHL reduce its upfront sales price for the team and spread any balance out over the 30 year arena lease term. It should also demand that the NHL promise not to relocate the Coyotes over the term of the lease. The city should reduce the management fee so that it does not reimburse the future owner of the Coyotes for operating expenses that only benefit the team. And if the future owner of the Coyotes really believes he can turn the bankrupt team around, Glendale should demand a 100% asset-backed guarantee of all revenues that have been promised to the city.

There are legal ways to keep the Coyotes in town and protect taxpayers; Glendale should choose one.

Nick Dranias holds the Clarence J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair for Constitutional Government and is director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: Frequently Asked Questions about Glendale/Phoenix Coyotes deal

Maricopa County Recorder’s Office: Glendale Parking Agreement (Jan. 25, 2011)

Forbes: A Critical Battle Over The Sports Economic Model

Washington Post: George Will: An Arizona city’s sports mania encounters a hard check

Filed Under: City Government, Constitutional Law, Spending, Sports

Congressman Flake: Study Shows Need for STAPLE Act

May 5, 2011 By 6 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2011
CONTACT: Genevieve Frye Rozansky

Technology Industry Will Continue to Be Outsourced Without Reform

Washington, D.C. – Republican Congressman Jeff Flake, who represents Arizona’s Sixth District, today highlighted a study by Compete America which states that U.S. universities during the 2009-2010 school year awarded roughly one-half of all advanced engineering degrees to foreign-born students.

The results from the study prove the need for the STAPLE Act, (H.R. 399), which would exempt from caps on green cards and H1-B visas foreign students who have earned a Ph.D. degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics from a U.S. university and have a job offer in the U.S.

“Unless our visa policy is adjusted to allow foreign-born, U.S.-educated students to remain and work in the country after they’ve graduated, we’re going to continue to see our technology industry move overseas. Why should we let the next Google be developed abroad when U.S. universities are educating the people who will create it?” said Flake.

To learn more about the Compete America study, please visit http://www.competeamerica.org/state/state-data.

 

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Filed Under: Education, Elected Officials, Legislation, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Support Your Local Republican Party

May 4, 2011 By

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Run for Ryan – May 14, 2011

May 4, 2011 By

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Rep. Quayle Launches House Energy Action Team (HEAT)

May 4, 2011 By 3 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) is joining with House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam (R-IL), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-WA) to announce the creation of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT).

HEAT will consist of a committed group of House members to promote Republican energy policies that will address rising energy prices, create thousands of good jobs and enhance our national security by promoting energy independence for America. HEAT will clearly demonstrate that House Republicans are on the side of the small businesses and families who are increasingly harmed by record high energy prices.

“Going to the gas station these days is about as much fun as a trip to an uncertified dentist. Every time I fill up my tank in Phoenix, the price for a gallon of gas is higher than the time before. With our economic recovery already anemic, the latest surge in gas prices requires fresh thinking and immediate action by leaders in Washington,” Rep. Quayle said. “HEAT will be a key resource for House Republicans as we develop common-sense energy policies aimed at creating jobs and making America more energy independent.”

“Traveling around my district during the district work period, my constituents overwhelmingly wanted to talk about the steadily increasing price of gas that is placing great strain on their families and small businesses,” Whip McCarthy said. “The restrictive policies of this Administration are bringing unnecessary pain at the pump and they are costing our nation jobs. The HEAT initiative will further highlight Republican energy proposals to expand domestic energy production. These proposals will help create American jobs, grow our economy, and enhance our security through greater energy independence.”

“My constituents in Chicagoland are vitally concerned about continually rising gas prices and the Administration’s refusal to accept commonsense energy solutions,” Chief Deputy Whip Roskam said. “With our economy still struggling, now more than ever, we need an all-of-the-above energy approach that removes barriers to job creation and relieves the burden on consumers and small businesses. HEAT will be an important tool for House Republicans to advance our commonsense energy solutions.”

“House Republicans are hard at work through the American Energy Initiative crafting the common-sense solutions we need to create a more secure energy future. Today’s high gas prices are squeezing family budgets and making it hard for our economy to bounce back. As we work to cut the red tape that is blocking energy production and finally harness our available resources with an all-of-the–above energy strategy, I’m pleased to have this team of talented members volunteer to take our message of job creation and energy security to the American people,” said Chairman Upton.

“With the price of gasoline increasing daily, and the prospect of $5 gasoline looming ahead, it is time for Congress to put an end to the Obama Administration’s anti-energy, job-destroying policies that are inflicting further economic pain,” Chairman Hastings said. “House Republicans are taking action this week to reverse these Obama Administration policies and pass legislation to expand American energy production, create new American jobs and lower energy prices. HEAT is an important initiative to promote Republican energy policies that will grow our economy and strengthen our national security by decreasing our dependence on unstable foreign energy supplies.”

The following Members will be participating in HEAT:

Reps. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Conaway (R-TX), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Greg Walden (R-OR), Rick Berg (R-ND), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Doc Hastings (R-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Alan Nunnelee (R-MS), Pete Olson (R-TX), Ben Quayle (R-AZ), Martha Roby (R-AL), Phil Roe (R-TN), Steve Womack (R-AR), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Bill Flores (R-TX), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), John Shimkus (R-IL), Fred Upton (R-MI), Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Mike Pompeo (R-KS).

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Energy, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Neely Shines at Citizens of Phoenix Debate

May 4, 2011 By 11 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2011
CONTACT: Robert Johnson

PHOENIX – Former Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely shined yesterday at the candidate debate hosted by the group, Citizens of Phoenix. Neely displayed the breadth and depth of her understanding of the issues in the first meeting of the five mayoral candidates.

“I am pleased with the results of the debate,” said Neely. “It was a wonderful opportunity to share ‘The Phoenix We Want’ with the citizens and my vision for more jobs, a balanced budget, and increased transparency. Most importantly, I had fun.”

The debate ranged on a number of issues including neighborhood preservation, public safety and jobs. Neely discussed working closely with neighborhoods on issues such as preserving open space, addressing water rates, and pushing for increased efficiencies across the city.

“Last year, I pushed for efficiency studies in departments across the city including police, fire, courts, and the water department,” said Neely. “Streamlining the size of government is something we will never stop doing. We will always look for new ways to get the job done – to reinvent an old process. Changing things in government is never easy. The system wants things to stay the same – it fights change. But some things have to change. They need to change.”

On the topic of jobs, Peggy made it clear that she is no stranger to attracting businesses to Phoenix.

“My focus is on jobs, jobs, jobs. My priority as the Mayor of Phoenix, my focus each day as I go to work, my commitment of time and energy will be on jobs. I will work as Mayor to attract business and investment to attract high wage employers,” said Neely.

During her time on the city council, District 2 has been a strong leader in job creation attracting companies such as Republic Services, Mayo Clinic Hospital, W.L. Gore and Associates, American Express, Axway, APL, Ryan Companies, and Penske Automotive Group/ Chauncey Ranch Auto Boutique developing thousands of jobs and attracting regional and national headquarters in Phoenix.

“I think Peggy scored major points with her experience in creating jobs,” said Kathy Landis. “It was really clear that she was the candidate with the most real experience. It is that kind of leadership we need for the city as a whole.”

Neely stuck to the issues and responded with real actions she took while on council and the plans contained in her extensive policy agenda. She also pointed to the need for accountability and transparency in local government and the need for the Mayor and council to go above and beyond in being open and accountable for her actions.

“When it comes down to it,” explained Ken Cada, “Peggy is the only candidate with a real plan. The voters of Phoenix deserve real plans – and Peggy delivered.”

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Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, City Government, Debates, Press Release Tagged With:

Bureaucracy threatens state parks

May 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute

As the state has faced mountains of red ink over the last few years, one of the budget casualties has been the State Parks department. Some parks have been temporarily closed to save money and permanently closing others has been debated. As the economy begins to recover, all parks that were temporarily closed have reopened, but that doesn’t mean the department is out of the woods. The real obstacle to keeping our state parks open isn’t money. It’s bureaucracy.

Last December, the Arizona State Parks Foundation published a “privatization and efficiency plan.” Prepared by PROS Consulting, the proposal appears to have been written by former government parks administrators—not exactly the kind of out-of-the-box thinking needed during times of budget crises. It recommends most state parks be managed by a quasi-government entity, sort of like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the federally created banks that helped create the real estate bubble. The report is clearly influenced by the department’s objection to allowing private companies to manage Arizona’s parks.

Some hear “private companies” and think our parks would be sold off. But the Parks Foundation is ignoring what really has been suggested: a public-private partnership that allows private companies to manage publicly owned resources under strict performance contracts. One Arizona-based company, Recreation Resource Management, runs complete parks for the U.S. Forest Service right here in Arizona. This fact alone should be enough to dispel concerns raised in the report that many state parks are on land leased from the federal government and therefore can’t be run by anyone but the state.

A quasi-government entity could keep the current state park organization largely intact, missing the opportunity to gain the efficiencies and improvements in quality that could come from allowing private companies to help. A private company, required under contract to maintain a park’s character, would be committed to running a park well to attract more people to enjoy its natural or cultural treasures. In the end, isn’t that what we want in a parks system?

Dr. Byron Schlomach is the director of the Goldwater Institute’s Center for Economic Prosperity.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: State Parks Board needs to act on private contracting

Recreation Resource Management: A Successful Model Exists to Keep State Parks Open … Right Here in Arizona

Arizona State Parks Foundation: Arizona State Park Privatization and Efficiency Plan

Filed Under: Environment, Government Reform, Spending, State Budget, State Government

AZ GOP: Headed in the Wrong Direction

May 4, 2011 By 49 Comments

DISCLAIMER:    The contents of this post represent my beliefs, and in no way should be viewed as being the views of Sonoran Alliance.     Sonoran Alliance has a policy of permitting posters with a wide variety of views and does not endorse the content of all posters.

I want to make clear that I am not affiliated with the mystery group or the website that is demanding the resignation of our Chairman via anonymous demands.   Although I feel it would be best for him to resign, Tom Morrissey is still the duly elected Chairman of our party.  As such, he deserves the respect of people willing to speak in a civil tone and under their own name about their grievances.  I am making the case that Tom Morrissey is unfortunately not the leader to lead us to victory in 2012.  I have stated the facts to the best of my knowledge and ability and even removed and re-worked the post after someone claimed an inaccuracy in the numbers.   There are many debates to be had over this issue, and I ask you to reflect in a respectful and reasoned manner as to the role of the State GOP Chairman. For the sake of a false “unity” should we cripple the party for two critical years?   We must have an effective, strong organization against the Democrats in 2012.

AZGOP: Headed in the Wrong Direction

Republican organizations across the country have made fundraising a priority for the 2012 election cycle.  The newly elected RNC Chairman, Reince Preibus, stated his priorities would be to raise enough money to compete with President Obama and erase the party’s debt. Preibus is well on his way to accomplishing these goals – the RNC announced last week they have raised $17.7 million in the 1st Quarter, with over $7 million contributed in March alone. Additionally, the RNC has reduced its debt by nearly $5 million.

So the question begs to be asked:  What has the Arizona Republican Party, under Chairman Morrissey’s leadership, done to accomplish these same goals?

Fundraising

According to FEC (Federal Election Commission) Reports, the AZGOP is headed in the wrong direction. Year-to-date, our State Party has raised $176,653.  Republican revenue was $80,129 in January, $62,526 in February and $33,998 in March. Since Tom Morrissey was elected as our State Party Chairman, revenue has dropped 46%.

The Arizona Democratic Party, on the other hand, has raised an outstanding $220,448 to date, with $70,617 in January, $72,588 in February, and $77,243 in March. 

These numbers show that Democrats are increasing their contributions even as Republicans are showing declining revenue. The Democrats have out-raised Republicans in Arizona by $91,942 in only three months.  The election of the young, dynamic Andrei Cherny has given the Democratic Party an effective leader who moved quickly to heal splits in his Democratic Party, and has given the AZGOP a formidable adversary.   It should also be noted that Cherny’s election was heavily contested; indeed, factions within the Democratic party attempted to prevent his nomination as Chairmen on procedural ground.   Despite the overwhelming Arizona Republican victories of 2010, Arizona only has an 11% Republican registration advantage and the Democrats appear to have been motivated to rally in the face of their setbacks.   We Republicans have grown complacent and the State Party under Tom Morrissey has shown the troubles this can cause.

Reducing Debt

As of February 28, 2011, the AZGOP had $7,505.41 in debt, consisting primarily of monies owed to CBIZ MHM, LLC for FEC Report Preparation.

By the end of March 2011 the Party’s debt ballooned to $73,616.67.  As Republicans at every level of government are fighting against wasteful spending, incredible deficits & unsustainable debt, the AZGOP has increased their debt by nearly 1,000% in 30 days.   It is hard to imagine the party ever previously going through a period of such staggering debt accumulation.

Where did this debt come from?

  • $20,000 in legal fees to two law firms
  • $5,149 due to T-Mobile
  • $10,062 for FEC Reporting owed to two firms 
  • $4,865 Property Taxes
  • $1,327 Reimbursement
  • $683 to Cox for Internet Service
  • $14,334 to Political Media for web page consulting
  • $17,193 for Direct Mail, Telemarking and contribution envelopes

Following are some of the questionable expenditures by the AZGOP since Morrissey became Chairman:

In March 2011, the AZGOP paid Political Media $14,334 for web page work. This is in addition to the $4,954 they paid Political Media in February for web page consulting. That brings the total year to date cost for web page consulting to a staggering $19,228.You may visit www.AZGOP.org and decide for yourself if the new website is worth nearly $20,000. 

Business leaders understand “to make money you have to spend money.” Unfortunately, the AZGOP is spending money with no results. In March, the AZGOP spent $35,574 on various fundraising efforts consisting of Direct Mail and Telemarketing. These efforts raised $33,998, resulting in a net loss of $1,575. To put this in perspective, they spent $1.05 for every dollar they brought in and considering the $20,000 website could have generated some donations, this is a generous assumption.

The AZGOP spent $4,000 in March to lease a copy machine, and also spends $140 per month for a landscaper to maintain the grounds (ie. the half dozen trees scattered around the rock and asphalt) at headquarters. One can easily make the argument the State Party is wasting the money it is raising, and not spending it on the essentials.   Those that attended the April Executive Guidance Committee meeting realized that the extravagant spending of the AZGOP does indeed have its limits – the air conditioning was broken.  Rob Haney has moved the May meeting as well due to the air conditioner being still in need of repair, and recently noted that he has reserved locations to hold the meetings outside the Republican Headquarters in June and July, with reservations for August and September are in progress as well.  Although I cannot speak on behalf of the Maricopa Republican Chairman, I hope he is not alluding that the Republican Headquarters expects to be without air conditioning for the entire summer.

The Arizona Republican Party needs true leadership, a leader who can fill our war chests for the inevitable redistricting fight that will influence Arizona politics for the next decade. We are all aware the Democrats will file suit in every case where the district boundaries do not serve their interests, and right now we do not have the financial resources to fight any legal battle. In fact, we have already taken ourselves deeper into debt with $20,000 of unpaid legal fees.  Sadly, the Arizona Democrats, who are in the exact same position with new party leadership, seem to be gearing up for this fight.  They have out raised and out spent us without accruing any additional debt.

The Arizona Republican Party seems to be on a fast track to bankruptcy and demise from internal and external destruction.  We need a consistent, qualified leader that can fundraise and ultimately, unite the party when it really matters. Without this unity, we are not only diminishing our ability to defeat Obama in 2012, but also risking our majority Arizona Congressional Delegation, and the super-majorities we have gained in the Arizona House and Senate. With the 2012 election right around the corner we need a strong State Party more than ever, and so far we have yet to see the results or actions we need.

I, personally, did not support Tom Morrissey for State Chairman.  However, I feel that barring extraordinary circumstances, it is important to support a State Chair.  Unfortunately, these are extraordinary circumstances.  Asking for a State Chair to step down is a very serious matter, and should not be taken lightly or for reasons of philosophical differences.  It should only be done in times of grave crisis.   I fear we are heading for that crisis.

Arizona Republicans need a leader who can be effective in preparing our State Party for the challenges that await us in 2012. Tom Morrissey is not that man. Tom Morrissey is not a leader. 

You may verify the numbers above on the FEC website:

http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00008227/725939/

Filed Under: Blogs, Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections, Debates, Elected Officials, Political Parties Tagged With: , ,

Join David Schweikert this Friday for 112th Congress Coffee Club!

May 4, 2011 By

Please Join Republican Congressman

David Schweikert

For the 1st Breakfast in the 112th Congress Coffee Cup Club series

with Special Guest Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane

Get an Arizona 5th District Coffee Club Mug and enjoy breakfast with Congressman David Schweikert and, special guest, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane this Friday morning!

This unique coffee mug is the first of its kind for the District and a great way to celebrate returning the District to the Republican side of the U. S. House of Representatives.

Plan on joining the Congressman and Mayor at this informative and casual event by making your reservations now!

Friday, May 6th
8am-10am
Chaparral Suites
5001 N. Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(Corner of N. Scottsdale Rd and E. Chaparral Rd)

Registration begins at 8:00am
Breakfast served at 8:30am

Tickets ~ $50

Please bring items to support the troops for Packages From Home
[ Click here to see their list ]

Seating is Limited

For additional information, please contact Karen Garrett at (602) 571-6020 or Karen@davidschweikert.com

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Press Release, Special Event

Rep. Quayle Statement on House Passage of H.R. 1213

May 3, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2011
CONTACT: Richard Cullen

WASHINGTON (D.C.) Congressman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) released the following statement Tuesday following House passage of H.R. 1213 a bill that would repeal Section 1311 (a) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which allows the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to provide unlimited funding to states to set up insurance exchanges.

“Today’s vote is the latest action taken by the House Republican Majority to dismantle and defund Obamacare. With America more than $14 trillion in the red, we can’t afford federal programs funded by blank checks. While our health care system is in need of smart reforms, we cannot recklessly spend money we don’t have to achieve them. As we work to block Obamacare’s funding and implementation, House Republicans will continue to do everything possible to make sure this job-crushing law does not take hold.”

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Filed Under: Elected Officials, Health Care, Press Release Tagged With: ,

Reps Franks, Gosar Request Congressional Hearing on Navajo Generating Station

May 3, 2011 By 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 3, 2011
CONTACT: Ben Carnes

Congressmen Trent Franks and Paul Gosar Request a Congressional Hearing about the Navajo Generating Station

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressmen Trent Franks (AZ-02) and Paul Gosar, DDS (AZ-01) sent a joint letter to the Chairmen of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power and the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, requesting a hearing regarding the Navajo Generating Station (NGS).

The NGS, which is located near Page, Arizona, provides 95% of the power needed for the Central Arizona Project (CAP). 45 percent of the City of Phoenix and 80 percent of the City of Tucson depend on the NGS and the CAP for their water supply. Furthermore, the NGS provides over 500 good paying jobs to the area, over 80 percent of which go to members of the Navajo Nation. The plant and the associated Kayenta coal mine provides $137 million in revenue and wages to the Navajo Nation and its tribal members, and about $12 million annually to the Hopi Tribe, nearly 88 percent of their annual operating budget.

Franks and Gosar are concerned about the future of the NGS and Arizona’s water supply because of burdensome regulations that threaten the viability of the plant.

Rep. Franks:
“This situation is a stunning example of environmentalism run amuck. Closing the Navajo Generating Station would be devastating to the economies of the surrounding region, including those of the Hopi and Navajo tribes.”

“As the sole remaining buyer of coal from the Hopi tribe, shutting down the NGS would cut nearly 90% of the tribe’s income and would effectively shut down the Hopi tribe as a functioning government, in addition to putting hundreds of Arizonans (including hundreds of members of the Navajo tribe) out of work, and affecting hundreds of thousands of Arizonans’ current ability to receive water and electricity.

“In exchange for all of the difficulties created, the only ‘benefit’ yielded by the dismantling of the NGS would be a change in visibility so slight as to not even be detectable without specialized equipment that is significantly more sensitive than the human eye. In other words, the supposed environmental benefit is functionally non-existent.

“This is far beyond the pale of environmental stewardship, and I look forward to a hearing during which these concerns can be laid out in greater detail.”

Rep. Gosar:
“My district faces extremely high unemployment, especially on tribal lands near the Navajo Generating Station. I have requested this hearing so that my colleagues can understand the significant impact the NGS has on our local economy. The plant and associated mine provides nearly 1,000 jobs in Northern Arizona, is critical to the livelihood of the Pinal County and Native American agricultural community, and is essential to supplying water to 80% of the state’s population. We must carefully examine regulations that could threaten the State of Arizona’s water and power supply.”

Rep. Gosar, a member of the Natural Resources Committee, has been an outspoken advocate on the committee to raise concerns about problems impacting his constituents. He spoke at a hearing with the Navajo Nation’s President Shelly about NGS here:

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In another recent hearing he spoke about the water and power concerns with NGS here:

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Attached is a copy of the letter that was sent to Chairmen Tom McClintock and Don Young.

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Congressman Franks is serving his fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives and is a member of the Judiciary Committee, where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and a member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law. He is also a member of the Armed Services Committee, where he serves on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.


Filed Under: Elected Officials, Energy, Press Release Tagged With: ,
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