Maybe Brady McCombs doesn’t follow national politics
September 9, 2012
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by David Safier One of the Republican's biggest talking points is that Obama cut $713 billion from Medicare. Democrats respond, Ryan has the exact same dollar cut — $713 billion — in his plan. In Clinton's convention speech, speaking about Ryan's hypocrisy, he ad-libbed, "It takes some brass to attack a guy for doing what … Read more
Unable to attend President’s speech, Obama fans fill the streets of Charlotte (videos)
September 9, 2012
by Pamela Powers Hannley
Thousands of people crowded the sidewalks of Charlotte on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. Originally scheduled for the Bank of America Stadium, which holds 73,000 people, President Barack Obama's speech was moved indoors to the Time Warner Arena, a much smaller venue. The official reason for moving the venue was projected rainy weather, which had plagued the convention off and on all week.
Pundits are reporting that the venue was changed because Democrats could not fill the stadium, but hundreds– if not thousands– of people milled about on Charlotte's sidewalks or watched speeches at the outdoor MSNBC stage or inside bars, restaurants, and the convention center.
The street scene was carnival-like with dozens of vendors selling t-shirts, buttons, American flags, programs, and other Obama memorabilia. Although thousands of disappointed but amicable Obama fans, plus police, pedicabs, and a handful of protesters filled the area outside of the arena, the aura was peaceful and friendly, as it had been all week.
Watch videos of the street scenes in Charlotte, after the jump.
Phoenix Tea Party Patriots’ BirtherFest event cancelled due to lack of interest
September 8, 2012
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by David Safier The cancelled Phoenix Tea Party Patriots' September 22 event wasn't actually called BirtherFest. It was a "Cold Case Posse Event" billed as "an exciting time as the Greater Phoenix Tea Party and Surprise Tea Party present an event to support Sheriff Joe and his investigation into the fraudulent Obama documents." Sharing star … Read more
The Rs’ LD13 primary mess: Unleash the lawyers!
September 8, 2012
By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings On Tuesday, the Arizona Capitol Times broke the story that Darin Mitchell, one of the winners of the LD13 Republican primary for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, apparently doesn't live in that district. Note: the link is to my post about the story; the Cap … Read more
Ann Kirkpatrick airs her first TV ad: ‘Right Way’
September 7, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Ann Kirkpatrick (CD 1) airs her first TV ad, "Right Way." From the YouTube description:
Ann Kirkpatrick has lived her entire life in this district and raised her family here. She learned the value of a dollar from her dad, who ran the general store, and by owning her own business. Ann has Arizona values running through her veins. She knows we can protect Medicare, strengthen our schools and balance the budget — the right way.
Video below the fold.
Arizona Supreme Court puts the ‘Top Two Primary’ initiative on the ballot – now defeat this terrible idea
September 7, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
After a series of court cases in which the "Open Government/Open Elections'' initiative was off the ballot, then on the ballot, then off again, the Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the "Top Two Primary" initiative back on the ballot in November. 'Top 2' primary can be on ballot, state's high court rules:
The Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a hotly contested proposition to create a so-called top-two primary system can remain on the Nov. 6 ballot. The ruling came just one day before the hard deadline for printing the ballot, which will have nine propositions.
The Open Elections/Open Government initiative, or Proposition 121, would change the current system — in which candidates are winnowed down through party primaries — to one in which all candidates for a given office appear on a single primary-election ballot. Party labels would be optional. The top-two finishers would then advance to the general election. The system would apply to all local, county, state and federal offices, except for presidential elections.
Supporters say the top-two system would lead to more centrist policies by attracting more voters, particularly independents, who typically do not vote in primaries.
There is no empirical evidence to support these claims made by the proponents of this initiative. They are perpetrating a fraud on the voters.
But rather than fight this civil war within the GOP, the Chamber of Commerce establishment Republicans want to rewrite the rules for everyone. We are all to be punished for their failures as establishment Republicans. How is this fair or just?
Backers have a simplistic belief that this "top two primary" will magically allow more "moderate" Chamber of Commerce establishment Republicans to get elected — with the added bonus of denying voters any real choices in November by eliminating minor political parties from the general election ballot (Green, Libertarian, Americans Elect), and even Democratic candidates in many Republican voter registration heavy districts, perhaps even statewide races. This initiave will thus disenfranchise voters.
You’re damn right children are a special interest!
September 7, 2012
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by David Safier A Capitol Times article (subscription only) about Prop 204, the renewal of the one cent sales tax, most of which will go for education, talks about the strategies the anti-204, moneyed interests are planning to take to try and defeat the initiative. They're going to say it was "written by special interest … Read more
Fact Checking the mendacity of ‘Mittens’
September 7, 2012
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Time once again for Steve Benen's weekly fact check of the shameless shapeshifter and pathological liar, Willard "Mittens" Romney. Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity, Vol. XXXIII: First Lady Michelle Obama delivered a beautiful speech at the Democratic National Convention this week, which was very well received. There were a few phrases in particular, though, … Read more
