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Talk is Cheap: Kirk Adams & his $5 Million Earmark for Paul Babeu

March 24, 2012 by 53 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
Saturday, March 24, 2012

It seems like every Republican candidate boasts about their perfect record when it comes to cutting wasteful spending and being a fiscal conservative. But some candidates have voting records that support their claims and some do not.

 

Kirk Adams is one of those candidates whose rhetoric does not match his record.

 

In March 2011, the Arizona House of Representatives, led by then-Speaker of the House Kirk Adams, passed HB 2718, a $5 million “earmark” to Sheriff Paul Babeu and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department. HB 2718 was intended to send “emergency” funds to Pinal County for “border security operations” and “public safety equipment,” despite the fact that Pinal County does not border Mexico.

 

Using an enormous amount of his political clout, Sheriff Babeu leaned hard on Kirk Adams to co-sponsor and lead the passing of this wasteful earmark through the legislature. Adams, only a couple months away from announcing his campaign for Congress, was happy to oblige Sheriff Babeu in hopes that it would earn him Babeu’s once-highly influential endorsement for his congressional campaign.

 

In a press release sent from his Speaker’s office on February 23, 2011, Kirk Adams defended HB 2718, stating:

 

“Sheriff Babeu has stepped up to the plate and is fighting to protect Arizonans – in Pinal County and beyond,” said House Speaker Kirk Adams, sponsor of the legislation. “Years of neglect and denial have allowed Pinal County to become the top corridor into our state and country for illegal activity. Sheriff Babeu’s important and courageous work will help keep America and Arizona safe.”

 

Babeu, eager to receive the additional funding from the state, went on to spend nearly $1 million to purchase a patrol helicopter for his Sheriff’s office. Since then, Pinal county officials have determined they do not have the necessary funds to consistently purchase the gas needed to operate the helicopter. Now, the Pinal County Sheriff’s office is in possession of a taxpayer-paid helicopter that can’t be used for “border security” or “public safety.”

 

At a time when Arizona faced a budget crisis like never seen before and Arizona families struggled to make ends meet, Kirk Adams chose to flush millions of taxpayer dollars down the drain.

 

Arizona voters need to look past the rhetoric of Republican candidates who claim to be fiscally conservative. Our country can’t afford more politicians in Congress who talk tough about cutting wasteful spending but continue to vote for more of it. Now more than ever, we must entrust our country’s future with candidates who possess a proven fiscal record to back up their campaign rhetoric.

 

In the end, the tough talk from Kirk Adams about cutting wasteful spending and being fiscally responsible reminds me of that earmarked helicopter: it just doesn’t fly.
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Filed Under: Arizona Politics, Border, Elected Officials, Ethics, Illegal Immigration

Comments

  1. George says:
    March 24, 2012 at 9:12 am

    I’m all for fighting illegal immigration, but this money should have gone for real efforts to stop it, not to pay for that showboating Paul Babeu.

    Reply
    • CD6 Businessman says:
      March 24, 2012 at 10:44 am

      It was supported by every Republican member of the House

      Reply
    • CD5 Conservative says:
      March 24, 2012 at 12:51 pm

      Hmmm, wasn’t that the intent of the money in the first place. To give the sheriff the equipment he felt he needed to fight drug and human smugglers??? Isn’t that “real effort”?

      Or should we just keep going down the current course…
      1) beg the president to fix the boarder issue
      2) beg the presdient to NOT sue the state for trying to fix the problem
      3) allow as many people or drugs that can make it across the boarder.

      Is this serioulsy the best that the Salmon camp has?

      Reply
    • JPD says:
      March 25, 2012 at 10:25 am

      More “Cheep Talk” and $4 BILLION.

      The Club for Growth considers the illegal immigration aka foreign invader issue, a SOCIAL ISSUE rather than an ECONOMIC one. How else could The Club for Growth arrive at bestowing Jeff McFlake with a “100% Rating”.

      If you ask someone a question, or they offer an explanation in anticipation of a question, where their response leaves information out or is riddled with half-truths: are they telling a lie?

      Why haven’t the EARMARK Queens McMcCain and McFlake tried to stop four billion dollars plus ($4,000,000,000+) per year in tax payer money from being disbursed to illegal’s in the form of an Additional Child Tax Credit?

      The Club for Growth is a joke, they don’t know what district Flake is running in as they called out a district he is not in or represents. The Club for Growth has also made claims in mailers that Wil to Change Washington, Wil Cardon’s congressional voting record leans to the liberal side…………..! I didn’t know Cardon was casting votes other than his and his family’s campaign contributions for over a decade to U.S. House Representative Jeffery Lane Flake.

      Jeff Flake’s STRAWMAN, Wil Cardon and his “OUTSIDER” TV ad
      http://patriothq.com/2012/03/16/jeff-flakes-strawman-wil-cardon-and-his-outsider-tv-ad

      Reply
  2. GOP PC says:
    March 24, 2012 at 9:17 am

    Kirk Adams is all about rhetoric over substance, flash over reality. He voted to throw that money away in order to look tough on illegal immigration and disguise his real record. His campaign team is full of open borders proponents and he refused to support Sen. Russell Pearce in the recall. What does that tell you?

    Reply
    • p2012p says:
      March 24, 2012 at 10:04 am

      It tells me that he works for McRINO.

      Reply
    • CD6 Businessman says:
      March 24, 2012 at 10:45 am

      It was supported by every Republican member of the House and Steve Smith, Andy Biggs, Ron Gould, and Sylvia Allen in the Senate

      Reply
    • CD5 Conservative says:
      March 24, 2012 at 12:56 pm

      His real record…you mean the one where he helped push SB1070 through the house…or was it the other 17~ votes in the house that were in support of Pearce and tough immigration laws.

      Yep – that real record just sucks.

      Of course, what did Matt Salmon ever do to address immigration problems….I can’t wait to hear these responses….because if i hear about a quote during the gov’s debate about national guard on the boarder and i’m going to have to focus on the bill he voted against while in congress that would have supported more boarder patrol and improved technologies. Of course there was also his support of guest worker programs that we’re needed…

      You can make claims about his staff and the pearce race all you want. Facts are facts, records are records and Adams has done more for this state and country in the past 12 years than Salmon EVER has during this time.

      Reply
    • PAL says:
      March 25, 2012 at 1:31 pm

      It telsl me that every other REP member of the House must have felt the same way since they all voted for it & many gave press interviews.

      Reply
  3. p2012p says:
    March 24, 2012 at 9:19 am

    The McRINO machine recruits Babeu from the East Coast to be Sheriff in Pinal County, then Babeu does pro McCain poliical ads, and now we find out that McAdams gives a kick back to Babeu! What a joke!

    Reply
    • CD6 Businessman says:
      March 24, 2012 at 10:47 am

      So TP, is the entire Republican House a part of the McRino machine? I know this is a new concept for you but try doing your research instead of just typing what Uncle Russell is telling you.

      Reply
      • zoo says:
        March 24, 2012 at 12:46 pm

        After the gang-o-filth aka Phoenix Chamber of Commerce joined by Hensley Distributing (Cindy McCain) backed down nine GOP senators ( cellar rats) on a cache of anti-illegal immigration bills one year ago, it sure looks like a McMajority to me.

        Reply
    • CD5 Conservative says:
      March 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm

      p2012p (aka Pearce’s nephew)……don’t you have a senate race to focus on so you can lose badly again? I wonder, will you be able to raise 250K again just to lose to another newbie? Oh wait, with Worsely’s money, I’m betting your uncle won’t have a 4:1 spending advantage anymore….bahahahahahahaha

      pretty sad state that sooooooooo mannnnnyyyyyyy people are ready for Pearce to fade into the sunset.

      Reply
      • p2012p says:
        March 24, 2012 at 3:26 pm

        Yeah, you RINOs are going to need a lot of money, the price of someones vote is skyrocketing!

        Reply
        • CD5 Conservative says:
          March 24, 2012 at 6:37 pm

          oh darn, please don’t call me a RINO. you obviously know me so well. I’m sure you can even state my RINO’s views on Policy. I don’t think I can stand up too sooo much insight and cruelity.

          TP – grow the f#%@ up. Just because people were tired of you Uncle’s one trick pony play doesn’t mean we’re Rino’s. I’ll take a Businessman who’s had huge success in his career over a career politician / public servant 6 days a week and twice on Sunday.

          But hey, your candidate, sellout, influence peddler and lobbyist knows dang well how much a vote costs. God knows he spent enought to influence Pastor and Baca…bahahahahaha.

          So go away troll…or even better go focus on the other two Pearce races that will go down in flames….

          Reply
  4. CD6 Businessman says:
    March 24, 2012 at 10:44 am

    This is the dumbest post I have ever seen unless of course the American Post-Gazette has now turned liberal on us.

    EVERY Republican House member voted for this bill in addition to two Democrats voting in favor.

    In addition to that it was supported in the Senate Committees by the following:

    Sylvia Allen
    Rich Crandall
    Steve Smith
    Ron Gould
    Andy Biggs

    This is really the best dirt you guys can find on Kirk Adams? A bill unanimously approved by the State House and by some the most recognized Senate members?

    Reply
  5. Gilbert Guy says:
    March 24, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    What genius at Highground decided that this release was a good attack on Adams? Really? The headline is Kirk Adams spending money on border security. That is TOTALLY going to sink him in a Republican primary. Great operation you folks are running over there. Please keep attacking Adams. WIth your help, he may just be able to pull off the upset.

    Reply
    • Sky says:
      March 25, 2012 at 5:31 pm

      Ha, ha! Couldn’t agree with you more. With Adam’s impeccable record, they will be hard-pressed to find something they can twist to their advantage… any attack they make will only end up hurting their own cause. So I say, keep it up!

      Reply
  6. Joe in Mesa says:
    March 24, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Bottom line is that it was an earmark spearheaded by Kirk for Babeu. Talk about favors!!! Can’t wait until the pictures come out with a shirtless Kirk Adams and hand down Babeu’s shirt.

    Reply
    • CD5 Conservative says:
      March 24, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      earmark…sounds like someone needs to go look up the definition. This was a straight up appropritions bill. This wasn’t an amendment tacted onto some other non approps bill.

      This was the state leadership facing a problem and trying to solve it.

      But hey, don’t let the fact that Russell Pearce supported this bill get in the way of your short sightedness.

      Reply
  7. Anson Clarkson says:
    March 24, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    I enjoyed being at the Red Mountain Tea Party when Kirk Adams informed the crowd of this “wasteful earmark” and received a standing ovation. Poor American Post Gazette, reaching so far and falling flat on their face.

    Reply
  8. Rob says:
    March 24, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    I guess the author doesn’t realize that one can go to azleg.gov and pull up past session.

    Because there you will find that HB2718 was sponsored by Montenegro, Adams, Lesko, Proud and Tobin.
    All R’s and all – save Adams – currently serving.

    http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/1r/bills/hb2718o.asp&Session_ID=102

    You can also find the Floor Amendment put forth by one Former Senator Russell Pearce who supported this bill and which did nothing to curtail the funding, rather it loosened the existing restrictions and oversight.

    http://www.azleg.gov//FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/50leg/1r/adopted/2718pearce1234.doc.htm&Session_ID=102

    Can we expect an article condemning the recalled Former Senator who’s running for AZ Senated in District 25?

    Reply
    • CD5 Conservative says:
      March 24, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      now Rob, don’t go confusing the Salmon supporters with actual facts. They can’t process that and then just turn to calling people open boarder supporters or Rino’s or whatever other name a typical liberal would a conservative.

      Facts are Facts…this smells of desperation or someone getting really thin skinned about Adams pointing out the facts about his record….

      Oh, this race is just beginning.

      Reply
    • p2012p says:
      March 24, 2012 at 8:39 pm

      Now that has settled it, the NewTimes has chimed in for Jirk McAdams!

      Reply
      • CD5 Conservative says:
        March 24, 2012 at 8:49 pm

        what an idiot…he sites actual legislative sources, you quote new times.

        who’s the RINO/Liberal now…..

        go away troll, the Pearce brand is dead

        Reply
        • p2012p says:
          March 24, 2012 at 8:56 pm

          Rob is NewTimes, Moron!

          Reply
          • Rob says:
            March 24, 2012 at 9:01 pm

            azleg.gov is New Times?

            Ah….I see.
            Because I’ve posted on NT, it makes the link I provided along with the facts not true.
            In the p2012p world.

            So, you’ve slammed Adams as a RINO for his sponsoring and support of this bill.
            Your hero, Pearce, supported it as well.

            But, your not a hypocrite, are you p2012p?

            Reply
  9. CD5 Conservative says:
    March 24, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    now Rob, don’t go confussing the Salmon supporters with actual FACTS…they can’t process or accept it. Then they get into a rag and start calling their opponents RINO’s or open boarder supporters or whatever name a typical liberal would use a against a conservative when they don’t have an intellectual arguement.

    This article reeks of desperation or being thin skinned. Oh this race is on…if Matt and his team are bothered now, what until more sunlight fills the room. Sunlight is the best disenfectant you know :)

    Reply
    • Rob says:
      March 24, 2012 at 9:12 pm

      I don’t have a dog in this fight, but the sheer stupidity of trying to make this an issue is beyond comprehension.

      Whoever is coming up with this stuff is either in cahoots with the Adams campaign or is just completely clueless….and based on some of the more recent TP backed candidates…like Pearce…it’s really hard to tell. They are their own worst enemies.

      All I can say is I hope they’ve stocked up on tissue come November if this is the best they can do.

      Reply
  10. RussellPearceWatch says:
    March 24, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    Are Salmon’a Tea Party supporters schizophrenic or what? Kirk Adams supported (along with all Republicans) the bill to help Pinal County fight illegal traffic. It is the hue and cry of Arizona Tea Partiers – fight illegal immigration. Fiscal conservatism? It won’t be Salmon whose firm lobbied for the GM bailouts.

    Reply
    • p2012p says:
      March 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm

      You have to love it when the Libs go about calling McAdams a conservative. Yeah it is going to cost a lot of money for the McRINOs to buy ones vote this election.

      Reply
      • CD5 Conservative says:
        March 24, 2012 at 8:51 pm

        yeah, because that worked so well for your uncle???? buying votes????

        outspent 4:1, butt kicked by 10+%.

        We’ll see soon enough the Q1 #’s

        Reply
        • p2012p says:
          March 24, 2012 at 9:00 pm

          Sorry to bust your bubble, but the Democrats won’t get to vote in this primary. But, who knows, maybe the McRINO Machine can pay them to re-register as Republicans, or at least Independents.

          Cha-Ching, is it worth it?

          Reply
          • CD5 Conservative says:
            March 24, 2012 at 9:05 pm

            sing it with me now….nanana, nanana, hey hey hey , good bye….

            you’re just a broken record p2012p spewing lies and inuendos.

            Reply
          • Rob says:
            March 24, 2012 at 9:06 pm

            Why with friends like Dan Grimm, Greg Western, Constatine Querard, the East Valley Tea Party, LD 22 Tea Party, Pat Oldroyd, Lester Pearce and Olivia Cortes who needs Dems?

            Reply
    • Rob says:
      March 24, 2012 at 9:04 pm

      Matt Heinz supported it too.
      Only Dem to vote for it.

      Of course, that was after Heinz, his boyfriend and Paul Babeu went out for ice cream and had a sleepover at Heinz’s house.

      Reply
  11. TruConserv says:
    March 25, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    This wasn’t an earmark. It was a straight appropriations bill.

    No (R) complained about it being a RINO project at the time.

    It’s hardly the fault of the entire (R) legislative body who approved the expenditure that Babeu didn’t spend it well … or to be more accurate, that he came out of the closet.

    That’s really all this is.

    The “author” deliberately tries to mislead the reader by calling this an “earmark” because earmarks are unpopular and uses Babeu as his/her foil because Babeu has been outed as a immigrant loving (literally) homosexual, a doubly unpopular position.

    The only real question is whether this is a approved proxy attack, akin to the sleaze Pearce pulled in his recall election, or just some over-zealous post from a none-too-bright supporter.

    Your thoughts?

    Reply
  12. Ghost of Friedman says:
    March 26, 2012 at 9:16 am

    p2012p: How would you define “RINO?”

    Reply
  13. Ghost of Friedman says:
    March 26, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Or should I say, “McRino?” Which, by the way, sounds delicious and is making me hungry.

    Reply
  14. Oberserve says:
    March 26, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    How about the FIFTY million that he and Russell Pearce passed for the Arizona Commerce “Authority” used to pick and choose “free market” winners and losers by a quasi-governmental organizations’ private Board of Directors?

    How about that? Where were you on that issue?

    Hint: you supported it in the Jobs bill.

    Way to go, hypocrites!

    Reply
    • Tiny Elvis says:
      March 26, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      And guess who the biggest pushers of the Commerce Authority were down at the Capitol???

      Say it with me….HighGround

      Reply

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