GIFFORDS MAKES A SECOND VISIT TO TUCSON THIS WEEKEND

posted to Political Buzz by Andrea Kelly

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is spending the long Labor Day weekend in Tucson. This is her second trip home since she left for rehabilitation in Houston to recover from the gunshot wound she suffered in January.

Giffords spent several months doing inpatient rehab at TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, and is now an outpatient there. That means she gets to go home at night with her husband Mark Kelly.

She's still not spending much time in Tucson, and her staff says she's anxious to get back to her hometown.

In a news release, Giffords' office said the visit will be private, just as her first visit was during Father's Day weekend in June.

BORDER POLITICS: FACTS VS. TRUTH

posted to Political Buzz by Michael Chihak

Border czar Alan Bersin was armed with the latest statistics and facts on U.S.-Mexican border crime and illegal crossings when he spoke to municipal officials from across the state in Tucson this week.

From Bersin: Violent crime in the border region is down by double-digit percentages from San Diego to Brownsville, including 17 percent on the Arizona border; illegal immigrant arrests are down, too, including by four-fifths in the Tucson Sector in the last decade; drug cartel violence in Mexico, some of it within sight of the border, hasn't spilled across the line at all.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was armed with no statistics when she strode to the microphone a few minutes after Bersin, who was applauded by the crowd of 800. She had no facts. She had nothing to refute the commissioner's stance.

All she had were two quick-draw statements: We'll have to agree to disagree, and we need the border secured.

Thunderous applause followed.

It reminded me of the scene in an Indiana Jones movie in which Jones is confronted by a nasty-looking thug wielding a sabre. Jones' response: a shrug as he pulls out his gun and calmly shoots the guy dead.

In the case of the debate over illegal immigration, guess who Jones was?

FIVE LEADERS IN SEARCH OF A FOLLOWER

posted to AZ Week Notebook by Michael Chihak

The annual conference of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns presented both an opportunity and a challenge for us at Arizona Week.

A roomful of politicians, all and always with plenty to say, especially in these difficult times for local governmental officials.

We lined up five mayors from around Arizona, from cities and towns big, medium and small. University of Arizona journalism senior Melanie Huonker, as an Arizona Week intern, did the yeoman's work of making the arrangements. Melanie also did the majority of the background research work on the issues, both generally and for each participant's municipality.

All five showed up as promised, and we dove into what turned out to be a sustained, 32-minute interview covering a wide range of municipal, financial, economic and political issues.

Bottom line: They played well together. To see for yourself, go to azweek.com.

FEC RULES ON SECURITY MONEY

posted to Political Buzz by Christopher Conover

The Federal Elections Commission has ruled that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords can use campaign funds to pay for security upgrades to her Houston home.

The decision is a formality, with the draft of the ruling being released days ago. Commissioners said the use of campaign funds for home security is permissible because Giffords was injured while performing her duties as a member of Congress.

PIMA GOP RAFFLES A GUN

posted to Political Buzz by Christopher Conover

The $10-dollar a ticket raffle is supposed to raise money the Pima County Republican Party. But it is causing a firestorm because the weapon involved is similar to the one used in the January 8th shooting.

The Arizona House Democrats called the raffle “sick” in a news release and other Democrats are condemning the drawing.

Mike Shaw, the interim Chair of the Pima GOP told Arizona Public Media that he was surprised by the reaction. He says the Party’s intent did not intend to offend. Shaw pointed out that Congresswoman Giffords is a gun owner. He also says the same weapon was raffled off late last year and the winner simply didn’t pick up the weapon in time.

GRIJALVA V. FLAKE V. A TANK

posted to Political Buzz by Christopher Conover

Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona) says Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) is costing Arizona jobs. But Flake’s office says Grijalva has it wrong.

Grijalva is heading to the Charles E. Gillman military manufacturing plant in Rio Rico for a tour at the end of the week. In a press release, Grijalva’s office says while the Congressman is at the facility he will discuss Congressman Flake’s request for a three-year freeze on the construction of Abrams tanks.

Congressman Grijalva says that proposal will cost Arizona jobs. The news release is of particular note because Flake is the front-runner in the race for the US Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl (R).

It is also worth noting that Flake’s office says Grijalva has his facts wrong. An email from a Flake spokesperson says, “There has been no legislative effort by Congressman Flake to single out funding for the Abrams tank. Given the federal government’s fiscal crisis, spending is going to have to be cut, including the defense budget. However, there’s been no focus by Congressman Flake on funding for the Abrams tank.”