More about Ted ‘Tort Reform’ Vogt

October 18, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I want to expand upon a point I made the other day about the Arizona Daily Star's endorsement of Tea-Publican Rep. Ted "Tort Reform" Vogt. Bradley for Senate; Vogt, Wheeler for House. How delusional are the editors of the Star in their selection of Vogt?

"Vogt is conservative, without a doubt, but we believe he could be effective in moderating, to the degree possible, his more extreme colleagues' views on matters that speak to the necessity of government."

You and I know the editors have access to Project Vote Smart online, in addition to the Arizona legislature's data base, and their own reporting on the state legislature. Ted "Tort Reform" Vogt's voting record makes the editors' assertion about moderation laughable. Vogt is an extremist.

Vogt is running as a team with "Dont make me angry" Frank Antenori. Their campaign signs are even paired together, as I am sure the editors are aware. These guys are joined at the hip and have voted nearly identical on every major piece of legislation.

If the Star recommends against Antenori for his extremism, then logic and common sense dictate that they must also recommend against the guy who is joined at the hip with Antenori and votes nearly identical on every major piece of legislation.

CD 2 Debate recap

October 18, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Did you know that there was a CD 2 debate in Sierra Vista on Wednesday night? Not if you read the Arizona Daily Star.

You have to read the Sierra Vista Herald for a recap of the debate, and they have the report behind a "premium member" deal for which you have to sign up.

Martha McSally started the evening still whining about the House Majority PAC ad "Recipe," which calls McSally's positions a "recipe for disaster." She has attempted to conflate this ad into a "sexist" attack, Silly Season for McSally.

McSally responded with an ad of her own featuring former Congressman Jim Kolbe waxing indignant, “I saw Ron Barber unfairly attack my friend, Martha McSally,” Kolbe in said in McSally ad. “He's wrong.” CD2 Air War: Kolbe Defends McSally As Candidates Debate Social Security's Future | The Range:

Team Barber spokesman Prentice said via email that Kolbe “supports privatizing Social Security, so it is no surprise he has endorsed Martha McSally. She wants to raise the retirement age, voucherize Medicare and gamble Social Security in the stock market, just like he does. But Ron Barber is committed to protecting Social Security and Medicare and has stood up against plans to privatize and voucherize these programs—plans that would weaken Social security and Medicare and hurt Arizona seniors.”

McSally likes to portray herself as a "warrior," but she sounds more like a "whiner" when she complains about campaign ads that are not even produced by the Barber campaign. Politics ain't beanbag, lady. If you're reaching for the smelling salts and the fainting couch over a fair campaign ad, you're not cut out for this job.

McSally began the evening by demanding an apology from Barber for the House Majority PAC ad. Candidates spar in battle for Congress | The Sierra Vista Herald: 

The finger pointing between the two became especially heated when McSally asked Barber if he will apologize for an ad questioning her integrity, paid for by the Democratic House leadership.

“Will you not apologize to me? Right now?,”  the GOP candidate asked.

Barber started to respond he  would not apologize because he did not release the ad, saying it is not something he would have done.

However, McSally kept interrupting him, as he tried to explain his reasons.

Finally an exasperated Barber said “Can I finish, please?”

Citizens Clean Elections LD 14 Senate and House candidate debate

October 18, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Citizens Clean Elections LD 14 Senate and House candidate "debate." Democratic senate candidate Patricia Fleming, and Democratic House candidates Robert Leach and Mark Stonebraker participated on October 10, 2012.

As they have done at several other candidate forums and debates throughout LD 14, incumbents Republican Senator Gail Griffin and Republican Representatives David Stevens and David Gowan failed to attend and to participate. The Sierra Vista Herald recently editorialized Our View: LD14 deserves better. Their contempt for their constituents is unprecedented.

Video below the fold.

Citizens Clean Elections LD 10 House candidate debate

October 18, 2012

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Citizens Clean Elections LD 10 House candidate debate between incumbents Bruce Wheeler (D) and Ted Vogt (R), and Stefanie Mach (D) and Todd Clodfelter (R), on October 10, 2012.

Video replay below the fold.

Arizona Illustrated (PBS) LD 11 Senate Debate

October 18, 2012

Posted by AzblueMeanie:

KUAT’s Arizona Illustrated (PBS) hosted an LD 11 Senate debate between Tea-Publican Sen. Cap’n Al Melvin and his Democratic opponent, Jo Holt. LD11 State Senate Forum – Arizona Public Media.

Video replay below the fold.

Amazon Binder comments. Hilarious.

October 17, 2012

by David Safier Go to the Avery Durable View Binder page on Amazon. Check out the "Most Helpful Customer Reviews" at the bottom of the page. Lots more if you click on See all 168 customer reviews. Lotsa fun. (h/t to Karl who's always fun, even when he's beating me up on the tennis court)