AZ Congressional Delegation

The latest Carmona ad

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by David Safier

I really don't envy Jeff Flake. He's going head to head with one of the most difficult candidates to run against in the country. How can anyone top Carmona's story? And Flake, with all kinds of congressional votes to pick through and no private sector experience outside of his stint as a lobbyist, is easy pickings for the Carmona campaign. Carmona's latest ad, which you can see below the fold, is a perfect example of what Flake's up against.

And what does Flake have against Carmona? He has the claim that Bush's Surgeon General and one of the most independent-minded people you'll find anywhere is going to be carrying water for Obama. I just clicked through an anti-Carmona ad link on Talking Points Menu. The web page was created by Freedom Works. Not only does it look amateurish and have weak copy, but when you click on the video titled "Richard Carmona: Handpicked by Obama," it comes up with a black screen saying "The video has been removed by the user." Flakey, flakey, flakey.

Watch Carmona's new ad below the fold.

GOP gives up on Gabby (Mercer, that is)

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by Pamela Powers Hannley The GOP has been targeting Congressman Raul Grijalva for removal for years. Remember Ruth McClung? The Democrats initially dismissed the young, blond "rocket scientist" with the fiery, Sarah-Palin-style speechifying, but in the end, the new-comer nearly whooped the Congressman's ass in 2010. Fast forward to 2012, the Republicans are running another attractive … Read more

Robin Hood Tax: PDA Tucson urges Barber to find his progressive side

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Robinhood

by Pamela Powers Hannley

Each month, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) members across the country visit  their Congressional representatives and urge them to back progressive legislation. PDA Tucson visited Congressman Ron Barber's office today– the third time since he was elected.

One of the most important steps that Barber could take to help Arizona's economy and the country's would be to co-sponsor the so-called "Robin Hood Tax", which has now been introduced into the Congress as the Inclusive Prosperity Act (HR 6411) by Congressman Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Progressive Caucus (pictured above with Karen Higgins, vice president of National Nurses United). The Robin Hood Tax is a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. 

From National Nurses United:

New York – The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation.  Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act,  would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs.   
 
The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies.  It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets. 

The letter PDA Tucson delivered to Barber today is after the jump. If you think Barber should co-sponsor the Robin Hood Tax, contact him by following this link. 

A good day for women…

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Body911-sm72by Pamela Powers Hannley

Tuesday's Arizona primary was a good day for women. 

As we all know, the Arizona Legislature was on the forefront of the War on Women in the spring of 2012. Our legislators passed some of the country's most draconian laws restricting access to contraception, crippling Planned Parenthood, claiming that personhood begins before conception, and forcing women to submit to vaginal ultrasounds against their will. 

Primary day was a good day for women because all eleven of the women candidates backed by the pro-choice group Arizona List won their races. The only way we can change Arizona's reactionary ways is to change our government in Phoenix. We're counting on these women to help us do that.

Candidate list after the jump.

Arizona Democratic Party primary candidates battle to the finish line

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Social media was on fire yesterday, as Arizona Democratic candidates and their surrogates battled it out on Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail blasts.

Although Arizona voters have had nearly a month to complete early mail-in ballots, August 28 is primary election day, and there are several hotly contested Democratic primary races between Blue Dogs and progressives. Some common themes run through these races, most notably the environment, the economy, campaign financing, and women's issues. In addition, some Latino groups are using support for two controversial laws as a litmus test– SB1070, the "papers please" anti-immigrant law, and HB2281, the law targeting Mexican American Studies (MAS).

Race analysis after the jump.