Martha McSally: No wonder I have no idea what McSally stands for

by David Safier

When Martha McSally gave her opening statement at Monday's Catalina Foothills Ed Forum, I kinda liked her. She gave off a positive energy when she talked about herself. But when she answered responded to questions about education, all I got was the same energy. No information, just energy.

If I were to try and capture McSally in a thumbnail description, it would be this: Sarah Palin with a brain and a bio.

McSally was asked about the incredible amount of government money flowing to for-profit colleges and the huge loans students accumulate, often gaining little in the way of education or skills. Her answer? Student loans are a problem. McSally recycled that statement half a dozen times in one form or another until her time was up. I honestly think she is clueless about the for-profit college issue, just as she showed huge holes in her knowledge of the issues during the primary.

McSally was asked if she would accept $1 of tax hikes for every $10 of budget cuts. Her answer? I'm a fighter who fights for what I believe in. I stand up for what's right. Everything is on the table.  Did I mention I'm a fighter? I was waiting for her to call herself a "Maverick," but I guess Sarah Palin has used up the Republican "Maverick" quota. Not a word about raising taxes, pro or con.

And so it went, response after response. I can say honestly I know nothing more now about where McSally stands on education or anything else than I did when I walked into the room, and I knew scarce little then. But I sure know she's got positive energy and she's a fighter who fights for what she believes in. And with her, everything is on the table — except of course a woman's right to an abortion and Obamacare (and I learned those stands from her website, not at the forum).

Sarah Palin with a brain and a bio.