What a bizarre political world we live in where there is a “slight” possibility where we have to pick between two conservative evils. Sen. Graham indicates that reconciliation will kill any chances of a bipartisan effort on immigration reform. Sen. Graham supports amnesty and is dangling his support for putting reconciliation off the table.

Graham, along with Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), met with Obama to update him on their efforts to advance immigration reform legislation. During the meeting, Graham said he made it clear to the president that the already difficult task of passing immigration reform becomes even harder when reconciliation is in play.

“I expressed, in no uncertain terms, my belief that immigration reform could come to a halt for the year if health care reconciliation goes forward. For more than a year, health care has sucked most of the energy out of the room. Using reconciliation to push health care through will make it much harder for Congress to come together on a topic as important as immigration,” Graham said in a statement.

First, it will not work because the Democrats are all steam ahead on starting the reconciliation clock Monday. Second, I am not sure he is in a position to offer this sort of deal. Immigration reform is as controversial or more so than healthcare. The group that opposes the type of reform liberals and Graham are selling is larger, in my opinion, than those who oppose healthcare. Healthcare is a complicated issue to understand but everyday people understand the harms of illegal immigration.

He is right though. Reconciliation will destroy any chance of “negotiation” when it comes to immigration reform. In the end, it will destroy more than just dialogue but any hope the Democrats have of retaining a majority.

And guess who has never flip-flopped on immigration, our good friend J.D. Hayworth.

Also in the news. Mitt Romney wins big in the latest Florida poll.

“Florida’s the first really important stop on the GOP calendar that we’ve looked at, and Romney’s lead there is overwhelming. He gets 52% to 21% for Huckabee and 18% for Palin. It’s closer, but still a double digit advantage, in Colorado. There Romney gets 44% to 25% for Palin and 17% for Huckabee.

In each state Romney has a big advantage with both moderates and conservatives, although he is particularly strong at this point with the center of his party. In Florida he leads Huckabee by 28 with conservatives and has a 36 point advantage over both Huckabee and Palin with moderates. In Colorado he’s up 8 on Palin with conservatives, but leads her by 41 with moderates.

One particular source of strength for Romney at this very early stage is that he’s doing even better with senior citizens than the overall electorate. In Florida he’s up 47 with voters over 65 and in Colorado it’s a 21 point margin.”

Remember during the Arizona primary Romney picked up 34% of the vote, not bad for running in McCain’s own state. Florida is an important primary state and analogous to Arizona in a lot of ways. There is still some great candidates testing the waters but until I see more traction Mitt is my man for 2012.

Anyone surprised that Sarahcuda is third? I think she is great but it is becoming more and more apparent her role is to be a voice of conservatism, while keeping other candidates on their toes.

No surprises on Huckabee. The DNC did not call him a “glass jaw” for nothing, certain doom is to be had if he gains any traction in the southern states.

On a side note. I remember standing in the crowd watching McCain’s concession speech in Arizona, simultaneously watching President Obama give his speech at Hyde Park. I remember feeling dread as it seemed probable that the Democrats would be in power for a long, long, time. It seemed unfathomable that the Democrats could destroy so much momentum and trust in so little time. It never felt so good to be wrong…..

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio today announced that the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity in Washington, D.C. has agreed to review allegations of corruption involving the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and judicial officials and others. Investigative files containing evidence of misconduct have been forwarded to federal officials. RICO complaints previously filed by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office were formally withdrawn at noon today so as not to duplicate or hinder the Department of Justice review or any additional investigation necessary. Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff for the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice Robert N. Driscoll, representing Sheriff Arpaio as a plaintiff in the federal RICO action, conferred with members of the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity relating to the allegations of corruption set forth in the RICO complaint. Federal officials have agreed to undertake a review of the Sheriff’s investigative files. The Sheriff’s Office has transferred all criminal files involving public corruption of elected and appointed officials to the Department of Justice. Upon learning of the Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity’s willingness to review the allegations, Sheriff Arpaio and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office have determined that these matters should be handled by a federal agency focused specifically on public corruption of elected and public officials so as to ensure adequate resources to review the evidence gathered. “As a former long-term employee of the federal government and the Department of Justice I have great confidence that the Office of Public Integrity will do a comprehensive and thorough review of the evidence we have provided and will reach a just and fair result,” said Sheriff Arpaio. The Sheriff’s Office Arpaio says, will work in concert with the Office of Public Integrity and provide any support necessary. “It should be apparent to any fair-minded person that our willingness to turn over the evidence we have gathered to this division of the Department of Justice underscores the confidence we have in the integrity of these investigations,” added Arpaio.

It is tempting by many campaigns to put out public polling claiming their guy is in the lead and touting his or her strength. For the second time in a month, Summit Consulting Group has put out a poll touting the strength of State Senator Jim Waring.

Now I like Jim and think he’s a good guy. But he needs to distance himself from Summit’s incredibly flawed polling.

For those of you who aren’t experts on polling, let me explain. In the poll just below as was the case with the poll release around a month ago, Summit isn’t releasing a true ballot question. You can tell this because the undecideds are uncommonly low. In fact, most Congressional races develop late and rare is it that a candidate builds up any type of substantial lead until voters start paying attention.

Yet, at first glance at the press release below, you would think that Jim Waring has a commanding lead in the race. However, if you read the press release, you will see that it is only among voters who have made up their mind. This is probably around 20 to 25 percent of the voters, leaving around 70-80 percent undecided. Now in fairness to Summit, they acknowledge that.

But there is another problem.

If you read further into the press release by Summit, they claim that the poll conducted was 400 interviews with a  margin of error of +/-  5 percent. That’s fine, but the numbers they are citing for Waring only include those who have decided or about 20-30 percent of those interviewed or in other words about 80 to 90 interviews, not 400. The problem with that is that this isn’t a statistically significant number of interviews to mean anything. The margin of error for such a small sample is so large that it means nothing. You can see that in their results with both Crump and Gorman jumping around in the numbers. That is to be expected because the margin of error is so large.

If Summit wants to be taken seriously as a polling firm, then they would do well to release the entire poll and release the number of interviews included in the numbers they choose to highlight.

Finally, in an article in the Capitol Times from last month, Summit head Chad Willems mentioned that he was going to be working for Waring.  Yet in this press release there is no such mention of any relationship.  The reason this matters is that the FEC takes a very dim view of consultants and employees of a campaign doing things independently that could ostensibly be seen as beneficial to a candidate they are working for.  Now Summit may not be working for the Waring campaign, but if they are, then they should disclose it to the recipients of the press release.

Scottsdale, Arizona – The Republican Professionals’ March networking event with featured guest speaker JD Hayworth hosted more than 250 professionals at the Scottsdale bar and lounge: The White House.  The crowded venue allowed prominent professionals, politicians, and like-minded conservatives the opportunity to exchange political views, business cards, as well as cheers for more than two hours. 

The highlight of the March event was a key-note presentation from US Senatorial candidate JD Hayworth.  Mr. Hayworth captured the large crowd’s attention with his impressive speech and made the rounds to greet every guest with a handshake.  A town hall situation was a pleasant surprise to the attendees when Mr. Hayworth began to field questions towards the end of the evening.

The Republican Professionals host networking events every month and actively seek to involve more Arizona conservatives at each event.  You can visit www.phxrp.com in the coming days to get the latest news and events for Republican Professionals of Phoenix, or find information about the next free networking event in April.

The purpose of Republican Professionals is to increase the participation of Republicans in the political process, further the goals of the Republican Party, and bring Republicans together so that they may network, volunteer, organize and communicate with fellow professionals.

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I realize that Sean Noble, former Chief of Staff to retiring Congressman John Shadegg, is in the private sector now and has bills to pay.  But this is ridiculous.

I received this e-mail yesterday from Steve Moak, announcing his intentions to run for office:

“I’m writing to let you know that I’m filing papers this week to become a Republican candidate for Congress in the seat that’s being vacated by John Shadegg.

If that catches you by surprise, well, it surprises me too!   John Shadegg’s former Chief of Staff contacted me several weeks ago and urged me to step up and run for United States Congress.”

How inspirational!  Just who I always wanted to represent me in Congress: someone who has never been a part of the cause running because a political consultant smelled a major payday and convinced him to do it.

I’ve never met Steve Moak, not in nearly 20 years of active participation in this Congressional District (going back to the Franks/Shadegg primary in 1994).

It appears he’s written some checks to candidates, notably John McCain (!) and some to John Shadegg.  Has he ever done anything else to help Republicans?

Steve, we know nothing about you.  There are a number of great candidates in the race already, candidates who have spent years helping the conservative fight through their own policy initiatives and by assisting in the campaigns of others.

I am by no means saying that long service in public office is a prerequisite: in some cases, it can even be a detriment.

Some of our greatest members of Congress here in Arizona had little or no elected experience before winning.  Examples include Shadegg himself, Jeff Flake, JD Hayworth, and Trent Franks (the only one of the four who had previously held elected office, and then only one two year term in the legislature years earlier).

However, each of them had fantastic records of service to conservatism.  Flake was the executive director of the state’s leading free market think tank.  Shadegg was a top official in the Attorney General’s office, and counsel to the state House Republicans.  Franks did more for educational choice in Arizona than nearly anyone I can think of.  JD was an active precinct committeeman, who despite his status as a TV personality, showed up at PC meetings, took walk lists and knocked doors for candidates.

What have you done?

And while jobs and the economy are far and away the biggest issues today, we need to know where you stand on other critical issues.  We need answers today, and we can’t wait for Sean Noble to tell you what to think.

What is your position on the sanctity of life?  Do you believe there is ever a good reason for the law failing to protect the life of a child?

What is your position on marriage?  How did you vote on the ballot propositions in 2008 and 2006?  Do you support civil unions?

What is your position on illegal immigration?  Do you favor employer sanctions?  Do you support amnesty for people who knowingly broke the law?  In your business career, have you used e-verify to determine the legal status of prospective employees?

How long have you lived in Arizona and have you failed to participate in any state or federal elections during that time?

I invite Steve to visit the comments section and answer these questions today.

And to consider the 1557 observation of Thomas Tusser regarding a fool and his money.

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, February 16, 2010  

The duly elected sheriff of a county is the highest law enforcement official within a county. He has law enforcement powers that exceed that of any other state or federal official.

This is settled law that most people are not aware of.

County sheriffs in Wyoming have scored a big one for the 10th Amendment and states’ rights. The sheriffs slapped a federal intrusion upside the head and are insisting that all federal law enforcement officers and personnel from federal regulatory agencies must clear all their activity in a Wyoming County with the Sheriff’s Office. Deja vu for those who remember big Richard Mack in Arizona.

Bighorn County Sheriff Dave Mattis spoke at a press conference following a recent U.S. District Court decision (Case No. 2:96-cv-099-J (2006)) and announced that all federal officials are forbidden to enter his county without his prior approval ……

“If a sheriff doesn’t want the Feds in his county he has the constitutional right and power to keep them out, or ask them to leave, or retain them in custody.”

The court decision was the result of a suit against both the BATF and the IRS by Mattis and other members of the Wyoming Sheriff’s Association. The suit in the Wyoming federal court district sought restoration of the protections enshrined in the United States Constitution and the Wyoming Constitution.

Guess what? The District Court ruled in favor of the sheriffs. In fact, they stated, Wyoming is a sovereign state and the duly elected sheriff of a county is the highest law enforcement official within a county and has law enforcement powers exceeding that of any other state or federal official.” Go back and re-read this quote.

The court confirms and asserts that “the duly elected sheriff of a county is the highest law enforcement official within a county and has law enforcement powers EXCEEDING that of any other state OR federal official.” And you thought the 10th Amendment was dead and buried – not in Wyoming, not yet.

But it gets even better. Since the judge stated that the sheriff “has law enforcement powers EXCEEDING that of any other state OR federal official,” the Wyoming sheriffs are flexing their muscles. They are demanding access to all BATF files. Why? So as to verify that the agency is not violating provisions of Wyoming law that prohibits the registration of firearms or the keeping of a registry of firearm owners. This would be wrong.

The sheriffs are also demanding that federal agencies immediately cease the seizure of private property and the impoundment of private bank accounts without regard to due process in Wyoming state courts.

Gosh, it makes one wish that the sheriffs of the counties relative to Waco, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma regarding their jurisdictions were drinking the same water these Wyoming sheriffs are.

Sheriff Mattis said, “I am reacting in response to the actions of federal employees who have attempted to deprive citizens of my county of their privacy, their liberty, and their property without regard to constitutional safeguards. I hope that more sheriffs all across America will join us in protecting their citizens from the illegal activities of the IRS, EPA, BATF, FBI, or any other federal agency that is operating outside the confines of constitutional law. Employees of the IRS and the EPA are no longer welcome in Bighorn County unless they intend to operate in conformance to constitutional law.” [Amen].

However, the sad reality is that sheriffs are elected, and that means they are required to be both law enforcement officials and politicians as well. Unfortunately, Wyoming sheriffs are the exception rather than the rule . . . but they shouldn’t be. Sheriffs have enormous power, if or when they choose to use it. I share the hope of Sheriff Mattis that “more sheriffs all across America will join us in protecting their citizens.”

If Wyoming Sheriffs can follow in the steps of former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack and recognize both their power and authority, they could become champions for the memory of Thomas Jefferson who died thinking that he had won those “states’ rights” debates with Alexander Hamilton.

This case is not just some amusing mountain melodrama. This is a BIG deal. This case is yet further evidence that the 10th Amendment is not yet totally dead, or in a complete decay in the United States. It is also significant in that it can, may, and hopefully will be interpreted to mean that “political subdivisions of a State are included within the meaning of the amendment, or that the powers exercised by a sheriff are an extension of those common law powers which the 10th Amendment explicitly reserves to the People, if they are not granted to the federal government or specifically prohibited to the States.”

Winston Churchill observed, “If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fights with all the odds against you with only a precarious chance of survival. There may be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is not hope of victory at all, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.”

by Dave Robinson Keene Free Press March 31, 2008

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

 Friday, February 12, 2010

Senator Russell Pearce on JD vs. McCain
Vote for JD, the true conservative

Dear Friends:

I am hoping and praying for a “change” in Washington D.C. and I am hoping this time it is a change that is good for America and for freedom loving Americans, and I hope and pray we are in time. What is going on in our Capitol should concern every America.  The candle of liberty has always been kept burning by the vigilance of a few.  In 1776 it all started with a small band of ragtag Patriots who had all they could stand on government that did not listen to the people and did not respect our natural (God given) liberties.

 I am sure that I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but just in case, here is some great news for all of us here in Arizona and across the country.

The political revolution that started in Virginia and New Jersey, and continued into Massachusetts, has finally made its way to Arizona.  We are about to have the chance to elect a conservative who will change politics all across this country.

I’m writing to you about a very special friend of all of ours, who on Monday will be announcing his candidacy for the United States Senate.  His name is J.D. Hayworth!

If you don’t know, J.D. is a tried and true patriot who believes in securing the border, reducing the size of government, restricting its intrusion into our economic and personal lives and protecting America against those who would try to destroy her.  He believes in the rule of law, the sanctity of Life, and the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.  He has an amazing lifetime rating of 98 from the American Conservative Union.

J.D. helped write the tax cuts that John McCain voted against.  J.D. opposed the billions in big government bailouts that John McCain voted for.  And don’t even get me started on Amnesty, the Gang of 14, McCain-Feingold, climate change, attack on talk (free) radio, or cap & trade.

Many of us have been asking J.D. to run this race and he has accepted our challenge.  Now we must do our part to elect J.D. Hayworth to the United States Senate.

How do we send a message to Washington that the people of Arizona don’t support amnesty, government subsidies for illegals and won’t tolerate the guns, drugs and gangs flowing over the border into our state any longer?
 
       …by joining me today and making an online contribution to JD!

How do we make sure Washington hears our voices loud and clear that we want smaller government, a balanced budget, and tax relief for families and seniors?
 
       …by joining me today and making an online contribution to JD!

Conservatives across Arizona and America are joining this fight.  Together we can win this battle.  We need your support today, whether you can contribute $20, $50 or even $500.  Every contribution helps send a signal that we’re behind J.D. Hayworth for U.S. Senate 100%.
 
Please join me and donate TODAY!.  And when the campaign is in your area, please join J.D. at a campaign event.  Visit his website at www.JDforSenate.com to learn more, and thank you, in advance, for supporting J.D. Hayworth for Senate.
 
God bless you and God bless America.

Senator Russell Pearce

If the links in this email are broken, please visit: http://www.JDforSenate.com

“I know it’s being recorded, but I wasn’t told it was off the record but Mr. Gibbs and I had quite the conversation off the air the other night. And I’m gonna tell ya, I told him he was full of sh*t is what I told him. I mean I did. And then he gave me the Dick Cheney f-bomb the same way Sen. Leahy got it on the Senate floor. So I told Robert Gibbs, I said, and I’m sorry you’re swearing at me but I’m just trying to help you out. I’m telling you you’re losing your base. Do you understand that you’re losing your base? ” Ed “Moron” Schultz…..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEMENT BY JOHN MUNGER ON THE LEGISLATURE’S REFERRAL OF GOVERNOR JAN BREWER’S SALES TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL

(PHOENIX, AZ) February 4, 2010 – Republican Gubernatorial candidate John Munger released the following statement:

“Ignoring the basic laws of economics, the Arizona Legislature has referred Governor Brewer’s sales tax increase to the May ballot in a misguided effort to solve our State’s fiscal problems.  Fortunately, the voters will have a chance to stop this madness from becoming reality.”

“Raising taxes will kill thousands of jobs at a time when we need them most.  Another tax increase will also help ensure that Arizona remains one of the least competitive places to do business.  With real leadership, we could be using this crisis to reset our budgetary priorities, restart our economic engine and reduce the size of our government to one we can afford.”

For more information on John Munger’s recent budget proposal Leading Arizona, which includes various non-tax revenue enhancements and other specific budgetary alternatives, please visit www.johnmunger.com or click here.

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