The Grijalva interview, Part 4: His Run for Reelection

by David Safier

This is the fourth and final part of my interview with Rep. Raúl Grijalva in his D.C. office on Thursday, December 8 (Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.). I smoothed out some phrases for continuity, occasionally added a word or phrase in brackets for clarity and removed a few tangential discussions. Otherwise, this is what Grijalva said on the subject.

The Grijalva interview, Part 4: His Run for Reelection

As I go into this election, this reelection, it looks like I’ll have primary opposition and general opposition. And you wonder sometimes if it would be easier if you played it safe, you know? I’m sure it would politically. But I think I’m going to do well, and I’ll tell you why. Because of this mood that’s changing in America. I’ve heard a lot of times, “You know, Grijalva, I don’t agree with a damn thing you say, but damn it, you say it. Other people don’t say it. I have to find out by accident how they voted.”

People might disagree with me on the positions I’ve taken and that I will take in the future, but, you know, we’re not selling packaged goods here. I get offended by people who run for office because, that’s a career move. If a person  running for office doesn’t come at you with values and opinions, then I would be a little scared about what that will turn into later on.

We have many examples of that in Congress. They come here for the prestige and the career, and then realize that this is a job. A hard job. I’ve enjoyed it, and I look forward to coming back next cycle.

I think we’re going to do very well. There’s an outside chance of taking back the House. I say “outside” now because it’s early, but I really believe this new breed that came in, the Tea Party freshmen, they overreached, and so did the [Republican] Party. What I sense out there is buyers’ remorse.

That lady who voted for Gosar was mad at government, mad about immigration. Mad. So she said, “Let’s throw these people out and get this guy in there.” Now that same lady is wondering, “Why is he messing with my Social Security? Why has my daughter been laid off when she was a teacher? Why haven’t you done anything about Wall Street and foreclosures?”

The great barometer we have as the House of Representatives, for reading the mood of the American  people, is these two year election [cycles]. I’ve seen the barometer, in my ten years here, move three times. The American people? There’s a mood. The fairness issue is setting the tone. The mood is about this sense of insecurity.

I think the progressive movement for many years intellectualized everything . We talked to each other and no one else. I was guilty of that too. What’s happening now is, we’re getting our language. We’re getting our legs. I think that’s going to help a lot.