Political Buzz – 2011
posted by Andrea Kelly
Several members of Arizona’s Congressional delegation are weighing in on a bill that could restrict the Tohono O’odham from building a casino near Glendale.
Arizona Congressman Trent Franks is sponsoring a bill to prevent tribes from building casinos on any land they’ve purchased in the past two decades to make up for land lost to federal flood areas. Read the bill here.
The bill is aimed at the Tohono O’odham Nation, which purchased land near Glendale, and wants to build a casino there. It would not be the only Indian casino in the Phoenix Metro area, there are already others.
In addition to Franks, the primary sponsor, four other Arizona House Republicans have signed up as cosponsors: they are Jeff Flake, Paul Gosar, Ben Quayle and David Schweikert.
Southern Arizona Democratic Congressman Raúl Grijalva said in a statement he opposes the bill because he said it opens the door to the federal government breaking other commitments and reneging on a promise to the tribes. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ office is not commenting on this legislation. Giffords' office spokesman Mark Kimble said the office is only commenting on legislation Giffords introduced in previous sessions, and this is a new bill.
Congressman Franks did not return attempts to contact him about the bill.
Casino
Flake
Franks
Quayle
Schweikert
US House,
September 20th 2011 at 9:22 —
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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.
September 19th 2011 at 16:05 —
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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.
Flake
Joe Arpaio
Obama
Mitt Romney
Sarah Palin
endorsements,
September 19th 2011 at 12:56 —
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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)?
Flake
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Mitt Romney
US Senate,
September 19th 2011 at 9:59 —
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posted by Christopher Conover
Don Bivens, the former chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, is throwing his hat in the ring for US Senate. In an email to supporters Bivens writes that Arizona is losing the spirit that attracted him to the state 40 years ago.
Bivens officially filed his candidacy in July with the Federal Elections Commission. The email to supporters is the first major move he has made in his run to replace the retiring Sen. Jon Kyl.
September 16th 2011 at 10:40 —
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posted by Christopher Conover
Presidential campaigns take the support of voters and of donors. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in Tucson to court both types of support.
He met with local business leaders, telling them a Romney White House would be more business friendly by getting rid of many regulations. He also attended a fundraising lunch organized by Jim Click. After the half-day swing through the Old Pueblo, Romney went north to Maricopa County to meet supporters.
Romney isn’t the only Republican candidate make the rounds in Arizona. Michelle Bachman made a stop in Phoenix. She met with Cindy McCain and Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Bachman is promising to make a number of visits to Arizona as she campaigns for President.
September 15th 2011 at 16:09 —
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