Ain’t nobody takin’ a dive! Rotellini deserves her rematch

The anti-democratic Tea-Publicans are at it again. Now they are trying to tell each other who can and cannot run for office — no need for a primary election or for the voters to decide.

Former Arizona Republican Party chair and past and present crappy congressman, Matt Salmon, is calling on Arizona’s poster boy for political corruption, Tom “banned for life by the SEC” Horne, to exit the race because he fears that Tommy Boy will be a drag on the GOP ticket. Really? Compared to all the other ethically-challenged candidates on the GOP ticket? U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon asks Tom Horne to exit AG race:

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon asked Arizona Attorney General and fellow Republican Tom Horne on Wednesday to end his bid for re-election, saying the controversies enveloping the attorney general have threatened the party’s ability to hold onto the office.

Salmon’s afternoon phone call to Horne is the first of what some say could be numerous calls from GOP lawmakers urging Horne to exit the race. Another Republican lawmaker — state Rep. Warren Petersen — on Wednesday called for Horne to bow out of the race.

Salmon’s call comes in the wake of new allegations accusing Horne of using the Attorney General’s Office, its staff and other resources, to run his re-election campaign.

In a statement to The Arizona Republic, Horne said “I will fight for Arizona’s conservative principles and if some politicians disagree with me or want to be influenced by a campaign finance dispute that was judged in my favor so be it,” said Horne, referring to an administrative-law judge’s determination that there was not enough evidence to prove he coordinated with an independent expenditure committee during the 2010 race.

“I am heartened by the support of grassroots conservative Republicans, including endorsements from 12 conservative legislators. I have won without the endorsements by the ‘establishment’ and with the support of the grassroots, I will do it again.”

So that’s a big “F-You!” from Tommy Boy. I would expect no less from “Tom Horne’s Exercise in Ego and Futility – THEEF for short.” (Hat tip to The Republic’s Laurie Roberts.)

Horne [said] that Salmon has the right to endorse his Republican opponent, but that he can’t tell him not to run. [Exactly!] Salmon has not endorsed Mark Brnovich, saying he has given Horne the benefit of the doubt and “many months” to resolve the issues.

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State Republican lawmakers are reportedly drafting a letter to be released next week that will call on Horne to withdraw from the race.

Just who the hell do they think they are to decide who can and cannot run for office? The editors of The Arizona Republic?

The Republic’s Linda Valdez gets it exactly right: Felecia Rotellini deserves her rematch. Wait, Tom, let her beat you in November:

Hang in there, Tom Horne.

Don’t let them bully you.

Rep. Matt Salmon wants you to bow out of the AG race. So what?

He’s just one guy in love with a political party, and he’s putting that above your career.

Nothing’s more important to Tom Horne than Tom Horne’s career.

So what if every GOP member of the delegation makes the call?

Sure, Horne looks like a wounded candidate. He’s dogged by accusations that he broke campaign laws to get elected and then used his public office as re-election central.

Tom deserves his day in court just like anybody else. He’s innocent until proven otherwise.

He’d tell you that himself. He’s a lawyer, you know.

So what if he likes a little something sweet with lunch? So what if he can’t park in those pesky garages? Who can?

So stay right where you are, Tom. Don’t give up.

Don’t let Felecia Rotellini down.

She deserves her rematch. And with Horne as her opponent, she’ll win the attorney general’s race this time for sure. It will make up for the dirty tricks two GOP county attorneys say Horne played before the last election.

So hang in there, Tom.

You deserve to get beaten in November.

Damn straight!

UPDATE: Voters in Pima County can give Tom “banned for life by the SEC” Horne a piece of their mind at several upcoming events. Who knows? Maybe even our lazy media villagers will decide to actually cover one of these political events, for a change:

Tuesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m.: Pima County Republican Club Luncheon, at the Sabaar Shriner Temple, 450 S. Tucson Blvd.  Maybe the Shriners will let Tommy Boy drive one of their little clown cars! (The Shriners do great work by the way).

Thursday, May 29, Noon: Green Valley Republican HQ, at the Green Valley Village, Suite 70 (between Marti’s Bistro & The Happy Quail).

Thursday, June 5, 6:00 p.m.: Northwest Conservatives meeting, at the Oro Valley Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley.

Wednesday, June 11, 3:45 p.m.: Saddlebrooke Republicans meeting, at Mountain View Club, 38759 S. Mountain View Blvd., Saddlebrooke.

Friday, June 13, 11:30 a.m.: Oro Valley Republican Women’s Club Luncheon, at the Oro Valley Country Club, 300 N. Greenock Drive, Oro Valley.

Tuesday, June 17, 5:30 p.m.: Oro Valley Town Hall with Tom Horne, at the Oro Valley Library, 1305 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley.