Arizona Daily Star endorsement: Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Arizona Daily Star today gives a strong endorsement for the reelection of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords a fierce advocate for Southern Arizona:

Gabrielle Giffords is a fierce advocate for Southern Arizona, holds substantive, common-sense views and has demonstrated courage and independence during her two terms in Congress.

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We have watched Giffords expand her knowledge and use her influence in Washington to help shape issues vital to Southern Arizona, like border security.

We continue to be impressed with her affinity for the details. She doesn't say "I support the health-care reform legislation" and leave it there. She explains why it's necessary and why it is good for the people she represents.

Additionally, Giffords doesn't talk about the need for energy independence, she sponsors legislation that will help expand the solar industry in Southern Arizona. She knows that while it might be popular in some corners to rail against "the government," the fact is that in her district, many jobs are government jobs or are dependent on government contracts.

Giffords' record on immigration is strong. She has been a strong proponent of overhauling the system and can explain, in detail, why and how it should be fixed. Her support for the National Guard along the border, and for an increase in Border Patrol agents and practical technology so those agents can better stop drugs and people smugglers demonstrates that she is focused on tangible solutions.

She spoke out against the boycott of Arizona, and she also opposes SB 1070, because she saw that hurting Arizona's working people would not fix immigration and would cause only more problems. When problems with an entrance to Fort Huachuca near Sierra Vista cropped up, or flood-plain issues arose in the district, Giffords was there with solutions and she got it done.

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She has a moderate voting record in Congress and seeks out practical solutions instead of ideological rigidity. One way she demonstrates that is by holding regular public meetings in her district and by speaking individually with the people she represents.

Giffords has met critics head-on and explained her support of, for example, the health-care-reform legislation and Social Security. She has withstood attacks from outside political operatives who seek to tarnish her record with lies and misrepresentations about her positions.

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We respect Giffords' tenacity, intelligence and integrity. We again endorse her to represent Congressional District 8 in the U.S. House of Representatives.