Giffords courts her progressive wing

by David Safier
Last night, after I posted about my phone conversation with Rep. Giffords, I got an email from a friend in Green Valley. "Dang, David," she wrote, "I thought I was the lucky one….but, no, GG paid attention to you too. . . . She reassured me that the big O had her vote and thanked me for working for her."

My friend was one of many supporters who emailed Giffords asking her to vote for the budget. Giffords must have gotten the message that she shouldn't take voters on this side of the political spectrum for granted and made a few calls to make sure her progressive wing knew she was listening.

Here's an anecdote I remember whenever I think about Giffords' votes that make my teeth clench. I have a friend who's an economic conservative (he has no patience with the social conservatives, so we have something in common). We argue now and again about policy. A few months after Giffords won her first CD-8 election and had settled into office, my friend asked me what I thought of her performance. I said basically, I'm sure glad she's there, but her stances and votes aren't always progressive enough for my tastes. He flashed a huge grin and replied, "That's why we both voted for her."