ARIZONA GOP DEBATE

posted by Christopher Conover

The debate is scheduled for Phoenix and will focus on so-called new federalism. In recent years, the topic of federalism has gotten plenty of attention in Arizona as the state has challenged the federal government on health care, immigration, and the environment.

Republican Nation Committeeman Bruce Ash told Arizona Public Media that the top level candidates have agreed to participate in the debate. He also said hosting a primary debate does not necessarily keep the Grand Canyon State out of the running for a general election debate next year.

Last week, Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachman both made stops in Arizona.

WHAT'S AN ENDORSEMENT WORTH?

posted by Michael Chihak

Colleague Andrea Kelly's blog posting on the endorsement by U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona of Mitt Romney for the GOP presidential nomination leads me to ask:

What's an endorsement worth?

For starters, Romney didn't return the favor by endorsing Flake in the U.S. Senate race in Arizona. Not yet.

Endorsement seekings are under way. To wit, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was in the state last week to meet with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to ask for his support.

Here are a couple of samples from recent history of the relative value of big-name political endorsements.

-- President Obama endorsed many a fellow Democrat who lost in last fall's mid-term elections, and he endorsed the Democrats who ultimately lost in a special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts and last week's special U.S. House election in New York.

-- Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin endorsed more than three dozen "tea party" candidates in last fall's mid-term elections. Half of them won and half lost, including a U.S. Senate candidate in her home state of Alaska.

JEFF FLAKE WEIGHS IN ON PRESIDENTIAL RACE

posted by Andrea Kelly

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake has endorsed Mitt Romney in the Republican race for the presidential nomination.

The news broke this morning, and Romney sent a message on Twitter announcing the endorsement.

Flake is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, so Romney and the other Republican candidates will be campaigning at the same time as Flake in 2012.

Given the fact that Romney is now in second place in the race, according to recent polls, will Romney's campaign affect Flake's (for better or worse)?