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Predictions 2010

December 31, 2009 by 16 Comments

I love watching the predictions heading into the new year. For you Horizon watchers, here is the video clip of predictions by local political reporters that aired on December 18th.

Here are my quick picks for 2010:

  1. JD Hayworth enters the race against John McCain and stuns the establishment with his ability to raise money.
  2. Janet Napolitano “resigns” before January 20th.
  3. The two traditionally financed gubernatorial candidates drop out of the race when Dean Martin finally enters the race and begins to “suck the oxygen out of the room.”

Now, it’s your turn to agree, disagree or make your own!

Filed Under: Predictions

AZGOP Bombshell (Victory Plan 2010)

December 30, 2009 by 94 Comments

I’m angry.

Right when we should be organizing to kick Dem derriere in 2010, a small group of people (who like to think of themselves as elite) put together a poorly written plan called Arizona Victory 2010 and try to foist it on the Arizona Republican Party in secret just prior to the state convention in January.

Worse, none of them are on the executive committee of the party (exceot one) and all of them are lobbyists, from outside of Arizona or work for one of the candidates!

Take a look at what got posted Monday to an Arizona-based, libertarian-leaning website (link provided below the quote):

The Arizona GOP will be taken over by the Agenda of “New American Century” with a teleconference vote of Arizona’s GOP leadership Dec 30th,… and there is nothing the rank and file Republican Activists and Elected Officers of the party can do about it.

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/063261-2009-12-28-declare-your-independence-with-ernest-hancock-morning-december-28th-2009.htm

Notwithstanding the obvious libertarian objection in the quote above, the concerns to Republicans, conservatives and AZGOP party grassroots activists should be obvious.  There are so many issues I dont even know where to start.

First, where the heck did freedomsphoenix get a copy of this from?

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uploads/001/Media/Arizona_Victory_Plan_Draft_for_ExComm_091218.pdf

Second, note the stakeholder list, it’s the same old McCain crew trying to take over the party again and spend all the party’s money with no accountability and with no representation from the grassroots PCs and State Committeemen.

Third, note the cryptic comment about “holding the governor’s office”.  Given the “stakeholder” list that includes no elected Republican party officers except for one, does that mean that they will be supporting John Munger against Jan Brewer?  Does it mean that they will throw Dean Martin under the bus if he ends up filing to run?

Fourth, is creating a “division” of the Arizona Republican Party which behaves like a PAC even legal?

Fifth, why would we as a party permit the state party to incorporate the “worst of” into our Victory Plan?  This plan includes the “worst of” Karl Rovian holdovers like Allan Philp and the “worst of” top-down authoritarian-style party management apparatchiks like Shiree Verdone and Lisa James.

Sixth, the plan appears to give this list of unaccountable and unelected “stakeholders” the power to spend party money in primary races, essentially giving them the power to anoint party-supported primary winners and losers not just as the federal level but also in state house and senate races. 

Seventh, have the teaparty movement and the New York race taught us nothing?  Protecting the same old retread candidates who brought us TARP (and yes that includes some Arizona Republican elected officials) and who voted for the largest spending programs ever (at the time under Bush) is not acceptable to the large and growing conservative independent voters who left the Republican party over the very shenanigans this group of “stakeholders” is trying to pull right here in this very “Victory” plan!  Should a “Victory” plan not try to incorporate those teaparty voters as part of our plan to win in 2010?

Bottom line….. this is a bad plan. 

State party officers, if you are reading this hopefully and presumably in time before voting on it today, it’s time to go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that heals the party, not further divides it, as we enter this vital 2010 election cycle. 

Please go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that energizes the base to go out and do the groundwork.  Please come up with a plan that takes the teaparty movement into account and brings those conservative independents back to us – a plan that will bring us fiscal conservatism and smaller government, both at the state and federal level.  A plan we can all live with and a plan that will ensure Victory for Arizona Republicans in 2010.

Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Political Parties

Oops! Is Brewer Padding Her Resume On Purpose?

December 30, 2009 by 6 Comments

brewer oopsThe Arizona Guardian today reported that Governor Brewer has included her membership in a “handful of community organizations and government boards” on both her official and campaign biographies that, evidently, she does not actually belong to anymore.  Oops!  These include the Maricopa County System on Justice Intervention for the Seriously Mentally Ill and the Japanese American Citizens League according to its popular “Guardian Angel” blog.

Why would Brewer feel it necessary to pad her resume?  And maybe more importantly, did she do it on purpose?

According to Brewer’s spokesman, her “staff has the responsibility” of making sure that her resume is accurate and this controversy should been seen as nothing more than an mere oversight.  Basically, it’s not really her responsibility because she is just too busy with more important matters to be bothered with, you know, little details about her previous community leadership experience.

Mistakes are bound to happen.  That’s a given like death and taxes.  But when they do you are probably just better off by owning up to them, taking responsibility and set things straight – not shifting the blame.

Filed Under: Advertising, Ethics, Government, State Government

’09 was a pivotal political year

December 30, 2009 by Leave a Comment

By Emil Franzi, Special to The Explorer

Measuring the relevance of important dates usually comes later. Some, like 1941 and 9-11, are immediately obvious, others need time to sink in. In October of 1929, nobody thought “wow, we’re starting the Great Depression.”

Often converging events need their dots connected. The year 2009 had a lot of converging events.

Like 1929, 2009 started with a new President and large majorities for his party in both houses of Congress where the numbers are strikingly similar – 58-39-1 and 267-167-1 then for Republicans, to 58-40-2 and 256-178-1 for Democrats now. Biggest difference was Herbert Hoover won by 17 percent to Obama’s 7 percent, and carried 41 of 48 states.

The 1930 election gave Democrats eight more Senators and 53 Representatives. GOP popularity sank while Hoover instituted counter-productive proto-New Deal measures. He was smashed in 1932 by FDR and Democrats gained 90 more House seats and 13 Senators. After FDR’s 1936 re-election, it was 76D, 16R, 4I, and 331D-76R-4I.

The tide turned in 1938 with heavy Republican gains. The New Deal was out of gas, unemployment was rising and an arrogant President tried packing the Supreme Court. The events of 2009 are accelerating and compacting that process for President Obama, who is far more arrogant and less skilled than FDR.

As Michael Barone notes, 60-plus years of mounting federal bureaucracy make it impossible for any President to do what FDR did when he told Harry Hopkins to simply put the unemployed on the government payroll. “Shovel-ready jobs” are a myth. Civil service, due process, union deals and environmental regulations make it impossible to hand anybody a shovel without months, often years of red tape. Unemployment will remain high until the private sector creates more jobs.

FDR and other successful Presidents focused on implementing the popular portions of their agenda first. Obama and Democrat Congressional leaders in 2009 exposed the degeneration of the federal legislative process in forcing an unpopular health care measure upon too many people. In doing so, they exhibit a political cluelessness rivaling those members of Czar Nicholas II’s Court ,who had no idea who Vladimir Lenin was up to the moment he had them shot.

Too many liberals look down their elitist noses at millions who are part of the latest populist reaction to bad governance that emerged in 2009 in the Tea Party movement. About the only thing that could prevent massive Republican gains, including the White House in 2012, would be the failure of the GOP to absorb Tea Parties and force them into their own party. The only hope for liberal Democrats is that the GOP is as inept as they are.

The year 2009 also exposed the massive manipulation occurring by pseudo-scientists supposedly compiling the climate data used to justify their political agenda. While attention focused on the sleazy e-mails (probably leaked, not hacked), more relevant was the databases exposed that have folks like Russian scientists wondering where the real data they sent disappeared to. Warm Earthers and their Democrat co-religionists took a bath on this one.

Strikingly obvious in 2009 was the almost total collapse of the old elite and in-bred media. They’ve been gradually replaced by a combination of cable news, talk radio and the internet, which continue to report what they ignore or, worse, misunderstand.

Finally, only the clueless believe “there’s no difference between Republicans and Democrats.” The year 2009 ended with all 60 Democrat and Independent senators voting for Obamacare and all 40 Republicans voting against it. Polarization and partisanship have never been greater.

That polarization gives us the clarity needed to make real decisions and exposes the trite notion that somehow everything can be compromised. It may well be the greatest contribution we got from 2009.

Hear Emil Franzi and Tom Danehy Saturdays 1-4 p.m. on KVOI 1030AM.

Filed Under: Guest Opinion, Political Parties

Is JD Hayworth a Rino Hunter or Poser? Or should John McCain be given a free pass this election?

December 30, 2009 by 24 Comments

This in today.  There is to be a conference call in which the doctrine outlined in the Victory Plan Draf will be ratified.  This appears to be being done outside of AzGOP State Mandatory Meeting slated for next month.  Now who could be behind this nefarious plot?  Hmm… maybe the man who brought us President Obama by not waging campaign 2008 with the vigor he should have.  Thank him for the current POTUS.  Oh, and they’re doing it on the eve of the New Years Holiday so you will be otherwise distracted and wake up with this hangover come January 2, 2010.  Flush the John!

Attention Big Game Hunters - Target Sighed

Attention Big Game Hunters - Target Sighed

I have read the many concerns about the Arizona 2010 Victory Plan Draft.  I agree with all of them.  However, the most egregious part of the plan to me is the third bullet under overview and goals.  “Reelecting all current federal office holders”  The special deal “earmark” for federal office holders is a prime example of why the American voter rates the Congress , both Republican and Democrats, so poorly.  The hubris in the directive that we reelect all current federal office holders is unfathomable and hypocritical.  The back-up for it, “popularity of our incumbents” is just down right  untruthful.
Have the Stakeholders not read the polls indicating how out-of-touch with the Republican base the Republican voter believes our federal representatives are?   In essence, the stakeholders are telling us they have done away with the primary elections for our federal incumbents.   They believe the governor should go through a primary but not our special privileged federal office holders.   I know Campaign Finance Reform was an incumbent protection act, but I had no idea it would be taken to this length.
The Stakeholders like to proclaim that the Republican Party is a bottom-up organization.  This plan proves otherwise.  The Stakeholders have become like the Congressional Democrats they complain about who abuse their political power.
Rob Haney
Chairman
Maricopa County Republican Committee
Filed Under: Campaigns & Elections, Liberals, Political Parties, Political Science

Tax-Payer funded Phone points illegal border crossers to water

December 30, 2009 by 4 Comments

The insanity that spews forth from the bleeding red state of California is getting worse ever day.  Now, our tax dollars are being used to develop GPS phones to help illegal aliens navigate their way to the US.

SAN DIEGO Faculty at University of California, San Diego are developing a GPS-enabled cell phone that tells dehydrated migrants where to find water. It also pipes in poetry from phone speakers, regaling them on their journey much like Emma Lazarus’ words did a century ago to the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” on Ellis Island. [Except those immigrant were coming to America legally.]

The Transborder Immigrant Tool is part technology endeavor, part art project. It introduces a high-tech twist to an old debate about how far activists can go to prevent migrants from dying on the border without breaking the law.

The designers – three visual artists on UCSD’s faculty and an English professor at the University of Michigan – are undeterred as they criticize a U.S. policy they say embraces illegal immigrants for cheap labor while letting them die crossing the border.

“It’s about giving water to somebody who’s dying in the desert of dehydration,[While breaking the law.]” said Micha Cardenas, 32, a UCSD lecturer.

I just had to Google this Micha fool and not surprising, this is what I found.  [Remember we are talking about California.]

Micha Cárdenas / Azdel Slade is a transgender artist, theorist and trickster [whatever the hell that is]. She is a Lecturer in the Visual Arts department at UCSD. She is an Artist/Researcher at the Experimental Game Lab at CRCA and the b.a.n.g. lab at CalIT2. Her interests include the interplay of technology, gender, sex and biopolitics.

If California wants to not only continue but now enhance their own demise, fine, let them.  But there must be something that the rest of the United States can do to help California secede from the union.  We can no longer wait for that giant earthquake to send them sliding into the Pacific Ocean.

Filed Under: Border

Does corporate assist for Brewer fundraising plea soil a “Clean” campaign?

December 29, 2009 by 9 Comments

A friend forwarded me the below fundraising solicitation on behalf of Gov. Jan Brewer’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign.  She found it interesting that a 501(c)(6) corporation sent this disclaimer-free $5 dollar political solicitation to their entire membership though it’s made clear it’s coming from the former U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters in her role as co-chair of the Brewer campaign.  The provision of the Associated General Contractors’ e-mail distribution list has real value to a political campaign as the administration@azagc.org mail stamp indicates.

I’m not an election lawyer nor the son of an election lawyer but does the fact that our governor is running “Clean” make this kind of corporate campaign largess particularly squalid? Does this potential corporate contribution warrant a Citizens Clean Elections Commission investigation?  I don’t know but maybe someone in the Munger, Parker, Mills or Graham campaigns might look into it.

Regardless of the legalities of this assist from the road-building Associated General Contractors, isn’t it interesting whose providing the Brewer campaign with it’s five-dollar qualifying contributions?  The fact that Gov. Brewer “will continue her strong efforts to provide funding for transportation upon her re-election” pretty much says it all.  Those with their snouts deepest in the federal stimulus trough are lining up behind their girl for governor.  Just like they did in 2006 when they lined up “unanimously” behind their other girl for governor, Janet Napolitano.

__________________________________________________________________________

From: Mary E. Peters [mailto:administration@azagc.org]
Sent: Tue 12/29/2009 10:17 AM
To:
Subject: Important message from Mary Peters

Dear AGC Member and Industry Partner:

As we approach the end of what has been a very challenging year for our nation and for Arizona, it is a time for reflection on what is really important.  It is a time to focus on what it will take to resolve our significant economic challenges.  It is a time when we as an industry need to band together and chart a course to a more prosperous future. 

We have the opportunity to support a Governor who will lead our state out of today’s challenges and a return to economic stability. 

These tough times call for a tough leader – a proven leader who is not afraid to make the right decisions for our State.  We need a leader who will put the people’s interests above political interests.  We need a leader who will make the right decisions for Arizona’s future.  That is exactly why we as an industry need to band together and create a united front to support a Governor who will do just that.  

Jan Brewer is that leader, but she cannot do it alone — she needs our support.

She understands that Arizona’s families and businesses are going through hard times.  She knows that we have to balance the budget today and provide long-term, sustainable solutions to stabilize and grow our economy for the future.  Governor Jan Brewer has made over $1 billion in cuts in order to put us on track to balance Arizona’s budget while still making sure the most critical programs are meeting the needs of individuals who need them most. Her plans for the future include high-paying jobs, investments in Arizona’s infrastructure and a strong education system for our children.

  • As a State Representative and State Senator Jan Brewer supported transportation funding for the State.  Under her watch at the State Legislature from 1983 – 1996, she placed emphasis on transportation projects, such as funding for Prop. 300 freeways. 
  • As a County Supervisor, Jan Brewer helped balance the county budget to provide resources for Maricopa County transportation priorities.
  • As Secretary of State, Jan Brewer supported Prop. 400 to ensure a continued revenue source for Maricopa County freeways to build the critical infrastructure we need to continue to build a business friendly environment in Arizona. 
  • As Governor, Jan Brewer has worked to ensure Arizona receives every dollar due to the state in the ARRA/Stimulus bill, advocated for the Canamex Corridor and designation of I-11. She works diligently to prevent further erosion of transportation funds by the State Legislature, and is working to make sure Arizona receives our fair share of federal funding from both high speed rail funding and the reauthorization of Surface Transportation programs.   
  • Gov. Brewer recognizes the important link between transportation infrastructure and economic development.  She appreciates the significant value Arizona contractors and consultants provide to our economy, and will continue her strong efforts to provide funding for transportation upon her re-election.

Jan Brewer is making, and will continue to make, the tough decisions for Arizona to put our state on a permanent, strong economic foundation. But, she can’t do it alone. She needs you to stand behind her, fight with her and support her.

Please click here now to support Governor Jan Brewer’s re-election campaign.

The time to act is now.  The time to join together to support a proven leader is now.

Sincerely,

Mary E. Peters
Governor Brewer 2010 Co-Chair
Former United States Secretary of Transportation

Filed Under: Campaign Finance, Campaigns & Elections, Endorsements, Transportation Tagged With: ,

The System Worked

December 27, 2009 by 54 Comments

“THE SYSTEM WORKED.”

Department of Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano in response to the thwarting of the attempt to blow-up an airplane over Detroit on Christmas. 

So a terrorist sneaks a bomb through airline security (only to be stop by a badly designed bomb and quick heroic responses by other passengers) counts as the system working in the Obama Administration.  I think Jonah Goldberg’s response over at The Corner is the proper response to this statement.

Filed Under: Government, National Security, Terrorism

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment

On behalf of all the writers here at Sonoran Alliance, I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Here are a few video clips from some of the best Christmas movies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2_J1qrdf68 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Hv9YmhGpw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgl8_GsoPSw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44usAgvOcGU
Filed Under: Culture, Holiday

Sen. Pearce on the Supervisors, Courts, Arpaio & Thomas

December 24, 2009 by 21 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

December 24, 2009

Senator Russell Pearce

I am concerned

Like most of us, I am very concerned about the appearance of the “circle the wagon” mentality going on in the courts, Maricopa County and by the Arizona Bar (an arm of the Supreme Court (mostly liberal trial attorneys). There certainly appears to be a culture of corruption. When folks feel our courts are above scrutiny, we run a great risk to the checks and balances of power by anyone branch.

The appointment of Former Chief Justice McGregor: While I have worked with Former Chief Justice Ruth McGregor and I like her and feel she is very competent, she certainly has the appearance of conflict, she was who appointed Superior Court Presiding Judge Barbara Rodriquez Mundell (a focus of the investigation) to her position and worked with her for the past several years. (By the way phantastic she is a Democrat).

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” –Thomas Paine

I also know County Attorney Andrew Thomas and know him to be a man of integrity and passion for justice and fairness. Even that being said, I am glad we have a system with proper checks and balances to ensure justice. Like most other folks I am greatly concerned about what is going on in Maricopa County.

I am concerned that Judge Mundell created a court to hear “Spanish speaking cases” in violation of the Constitution of the equal protection clause. Especially if there is evidence that the sentences are more lenient than those for English speaking defendants.

I am concerned that the Maricopa County Courts refused to enforce Proposition 100 a Constitutional Amendment passed by 78% of Arizonans to deny bond to illegal aliens who commit serious crimes in Arizona and pose a flight risk and public safety concern to all Citizens.

I am concerned that Judge Mundell handpicked judges to sit on cases where there was evidence of bias and prejudice.

I am concerned (nothing illegal perhaps) that in a time when we are cutting critical public safety positions the Maricopa County Board proceeds with a $350 million capital construction project.

I am grateful that we have a system with checks and balances. We do not live in a ‘Judacracy’ or a police state. One of the greatest threats is a Judiciary that treads into law making or policy setting modes. None of them have ultimate power and should not and we the people should always recognize our ability to remove those who violate public trust or abuse of power. We should elect our Judges as we use to and as we do in Arizona’s other 13 counties. Then “We the People” can and should be in charge of government and those that serve us in these critical positions of public trust.

That is why law enforcement investigates, a Constitutional Office called County Attorney reviews and decides if “probable cause” exists and if so files a complaint that must be signed by a Judge. Then there is a hearing to decide if indeed there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial and then a trial by a jury of our peers is critical to final justice.

Filed Under: County Government, Crime and Punishment, Ethics, Guest Opinion
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