The U.S. Supreme Court last year declared that money is free speech, at least when it’s in the form of political contributions.
So if it is free speech, that is, if money talks, what is it saying? Just about anything the people who use it want it to say.
But wait. That might not be the key question here. Rather than what money is saying, why not look at where it’s coming from? And where is that? Not the sources you might think.
Big, monied interests aren’t the main contributors, at least for now. Instead, it’s mostly individuals making relatively small contributions.
Take the latest campaign finance reports filed last week. In the biggest race, President Obama brought in more than all eight Republican candidates combined, about $46 million in the second quarter. Just under half the total for Obama was in contributions of under $200.
For the Republicans, more than half the contributions to presidential candidates Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain were under $200 dollars.
In our state, meantime, an Arizona Republic analysis of the 2010 election cycle showed the largest group of political contributors were retirees, giving $1.1 million total, or 14 percent of all campaign contributions.
The newspaper further reported that individuals made up the bulk of contributors, giving about $100 each, and many were affiliated with or influenced by organizations such as teachers’ unions, the National Rifle Association, the AARP and veterans’ groups.
One can draw any number of conclusions from the data, but certainly the notion that big money and big-shot donors dominate politics and own candidates doesn’t hold up.
So in politics, money does talk, but with many and varied voices.
July 20th 2011 at 16:22 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
The voter registration deadline is approaching for those who want to vote in Tucson's upcoming primary election. The deadline to register is Aug. 1 The primary election is Aug. 30.
The entire election is by mail this year, so those who need to update their mailing address must also do so by Aug. 1. That will ensure they receive a ballot in time to vote and mail it back to the city to be counted.
Tucson's west side ward one has two Democrats running, Joe Flores is challenging incumbent Regina Romero. Two Democrats are also running write-in campaigns to challenge the party's mayoral candidate, Jonathan Rothschild.
Wards two and four are also up for election this year, but they do not have primary races. The incumbent Democrats in those east side wards will face Republican challengers in the November general election.
July 20th 2011 at 9:42 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
By DIANA SOKOLOVA, ARIZONA WEEK INTERN
Journalism includes a tremendous amount of background work, which often is left unnoticed. Before a journalist can report or write about something, he or she must do extensive research, both for the background of the topic and as a quest for people who suitable for interviewing.
Finding suitable people is one thing, but getting them for the interview, especially an on-camera interview, is another part of the TV journalist’s job. Luck and coincidences play a very important role in this quest along with professionalism.
Recently I was asked to get the director of Navajo Nation Economic Development Division for an interview. The crew and the host of the program, Michael Chihak, was going to travel to the Navajo Reservation for this interview.
As usual, time was tight. After getting the number and the name of the new director of the division, I started my hunt. After my numerous phone calls and messages on voice mail, I got no reply for two days.
I was getting desperate as the deadline was approaching. On my third day I was determined to get if not the director himself, then someone else from the division for the interview. This time, I wasn’t going to leave another message but decided to talk to whoever picked up, explain my situation and get advice on who would be willing to give an interview.
This time, luck was on my side. I was on the phone with someone in the division, who shared that the director received all my messages, but he wasn’t sure if he could give an interview, because by Navajo protocol, the director had to discuss the possible interview with the president of the Navajo Nation, Ben Shelly.
My goal was to get Albert Damon for the interview -- 30 minutes, no more, simple as that. I also did not understand why the director wouldn’t return my calls and tell me about the protocol procedure. I was lost. The whole travel route and a week's schedule of the crew depended on this interview.
Later that day I talked to the director of the division, who said Navajo President Shelly might give us an interview himself. Shelly hadn’t had an interview with anyone for a while. It would have been such a great asset for our program.
I got in touch with his personal assistant and after negotiation, she confirmed his availability. I was thrilled.
A journalist should always be prepared for unexpected shifts and changes in interviews and have a Plan B. Interview time, dates, people – all of it can change last minute without warning.
A journalist has to be determined and devoted to what the task. At the end of the day, if you did everything possible and have a little bit of luck, you will get a phone call confirming an interview.
(Editor's note: Navajo President Ben Shelly spent nearly 30 minutes with Arizona Week host Michael Chihak on Tuesday, July 12. The interview will air in early August.)
July 18th 2011 at 8:57 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
posted to Political Buzz by Christopher Conover
According to campaign finance reports for the last quarter, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has nearly $780,000 on hand. Her campaign raised more than $280,000 in the last three months. About half of the money came from individual donors with the balance coming from political action committees.
Giffords, who was shot on January 8th, still has not announced whether or not she is running for reelection. She does not have to legally make that decision until May.
July 15th 2011 at 13:49 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
posted to Political Buzz by Christopher Conover
Jerry Lewis is a conservative Republican from Mesa and according to Channel 12 in Phoenix he is set to take on Senate President Russell who is up for a recall election. Lewis, who is a political new comer, is an accountant and charter school official in Mesa. Like Senator Pearce he is also Mormon.
Senate President Pearce is the first elected official in Arizona to face a recall vote in 100 years. Opponents gathered more than 10 thousand signatures to force the recall.
July 15th 2011 at 13:43 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
An interview we did for a future Arizona Week uncovered Flagstaff's worst-kept secret: that Mayor Sara Presler is a superstar.
While those in Flag know about Presler, we didn't, and we assume many others south f the Mogollon Rim don't either. Here's a brief look.
We spent just an hour or so with the two-term mayor and were impressed with her political savvy, her knowledge of the convention and visitor business that makes Flagstaff business tick and how to keep it ticking.
She also showed the smarts to let business take the lead in Flagstaff's downtown redevelopment. She was so proud of it that she didn't hesitate to take yours truly for a stroll through downtown before the formal interview. Then, in the interview, she plugged it shamelessly.
Presler is 31, a lawyer and the first woman and the youngest person ever elected Flagstaff mayor. She was 28 when first elected in 2008. She is in the last year of her second two-year term and has already announced she won't run for a third term.
Flagstaff elections are nonpartisan, but Presler says "everyone knows" that she is a Democrat.
Sara Presler is someone to watch in Arizona. If she wants it, she could have a bright political futute.
July 15th 2011 at 13:18 —
c (0) —
K—
f
g
k
