Posted on 08/23/2002 9:47:11 AM PDT by dittomom
Notes and observations from a campaign trail turning downright surly:
• Early in his political career, Terry Goddard had a charmed life.
In the early 1980s, he rode a narrow victory in the campaign to establish a district system in Phoenix to the Mayor's Office. During the 1980s, he was a substantial force and an attractive political persona: intelligent, articulate and passionate about his issues, primarily transit and urban form.
He was politically bruised by losing the 1990 gubernatorial race to Fife Symington and a lackluster effort attempting a 1994 rematch.
But it appears Goddard's luck has returned. He's the uncontested Democratic nominee for attorney general, awaiting the victor in an unsatisfying Republican primary.
Foster Robberson is politically unknown and untested. There's really no way to know what kind of an attorney general he would be.
John Greene did a passable job as Senate president and director of the Insurance Department. But he occasionally shows a temperament - seeing enemies behind every bush, overreacting to criticism and opposition - not exactly suited to the exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
Moreover, his failure to comply with substantive campaign disclosure requirements of the new Clean Elections Act hardly inspires confidence in a claimant for the highest law enforcement office in the state.
Unfortunately, Andrew Thomas' campaign hasn't exhibited the grace and intelligence that characterize his writings on crime and culture in books and essays for national publications.
It's hard to see any of them upending Goddard, who reportedly retains high and favorable name identity among voters, in a low-spending general-election campaign.
• Republicans in the governor's race are trying to position themselves as best able and most willing to cut state spending.
But thus far, only Democrat Alfredo Gutierrez has put forward a solid proposal that will actually reduce any spending: replace Students FIRST, the statewide school construction program, with state assistance targeted to school districts with low property values.
In the Clean Elections debate this week, Gutierrez estimated that such a change would save the state approximately $200 million a year.
• Credit Republican superintendent candidate Keith Bee for being the only contender in either party for any office talking sensibly and realistically about full-day kindergarten. In the Clean Elections debate for this office, Bee pointed out that full-day kindergarten would require not only a large increase in operating expenses but capital as well, since it would require more classroom space.
Bee suggested that perhaps the public education system should concentrate on doing better at the job it already has, and try full-day kindergarten on a pilot basis.
• The biggest megaphone in the Republican gubernatorial primary now belongs to Carol Springer, due to her late qualification for public campaign funds. She will now have substantially more to spend for the remainder of the campaign than Betsey Bayless, who has substantially more than front-runner and privately financed Matt Salmon.
At this late date, it's going to be difficult for Springer to use the money, $770,000 and counting, to make a run of her own. But it's got to hurt Bayless, who probably needs a clean shot in a largely two-person race to catch Salmon.
• Greene's case, in which he was threatened with removal from the ballot, is only the most prominent example of the Clean Elections Commission's new role as campaign cop. The commission is also sorting through more than a half-dozen complaints about candidates taking too much money from the wrong sources or not reporting what they spent timely or accurately.
It's only going to get worse from here, as questions about matching funds and independent expenditure campaigns proliferate.
Early on, there was concern about the Clean Elections fund going broke this election, which never was likely.
But the process may very well break down as the Clean Elections staff, dedicated and capable but small, and a voluntary commission struggle with their assigned role of rationing and regulating political speech and spending during the heat and frenzy of an election campaign.
Reach Robb at robert.robb@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8472. His column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
I decided to support Matt Salmon for Governor long ago, but I am still trying to make up my mind in the AG and School Superintendent's races.
I met Foster Robberson, like his ideas and am leaning towards voting for him.
As for school superintendent, I am NOT impressed with Jaime Molera and wonder if anyone knows why in the world Jon Kyl and John Shadegg are both featured in radio ads supporting him?
Tom Horne is President of my kid's school board and was also my state rep at one time. He was defeated in a bid for State Senate (2000) by the more conservative, Dean Martin. Freepers might find it interesting, that as President of the Paradise Valley School Board, he just published a "President's Message" in the latest school district newspaper (there is always a President's Message" in this quarterly paper). The headline of the message is PARADISE VALLEY REFUSES TO NEGLECT FOUNDING FATHERS AS NEW STATE STANDARDS WOULD REQUIRE. Horne goes on to talk about how he and the school board fought to make sure that in the PV District, high school students would still be required to "study our revolution, constitution and founding fathers, and the Greco-Roman basis for western civilization. Our action is legal because everything provided in the standards is covered; we have simply added to it the most important things that students need to learn in social studies."
Just started seeing signs in my neighborhood for Keith Bee. Maybe some FReepers from the Tucson area can post their impressions of him.
Just say NO to RINOs.
Well, I try to, but sometimes you end up having to pick from a whole herd of 'em!
I spoke to Tim Bee - State Senator and Keith Bee's brother - and he told me that Keith Bee is the only pro-life candidate for state superintendant of public schools. He's also very pro-homeschool.
I had the opportunity to ask Tom Horne his feelings about the State Superintendant of Public Schools' role in home schooling. His answer was something about making sure all home school students are being taught - as if it is his responsibility to monitor students OUTSIDE of public schools. And as if the huge problems facing the public schools even allows home schooled students to be on his radar. Fix the public schools first, idiot - leave homeschool success alone! His answer was the wrong answer for me.
So - former Democrat Tom Horne, pro-abortion and one who believes the state should intervene in homeschool will not be receiving my vote.
Given Bee's record as State Representative, his pro-life stance, his pro-homeschool views I will be voting for him. I've known him and members of his family and I like them and their views. They're good, honest people.
All other pro-abortion candidates will never receive my vote and such RINOs can go pound sand in another party.
The man's just not in the right party. Personally, I don't give a hoot about the abortion stance of a school Superintendent. It's just not all that relevent in that job.
I don't like Tom Horne; his attacks on Molera are unjustified. I know a lot of good conseratives who are supporting Jaime.
Where did you get the idea that Bee supports "School to Work" and Goals 2000? I've not seen/heard that.
I, too, an four-square against vouchers. I do not support any program which would allow the state or federal government to further intrude upon the success of private schools. In order for private schools to qualify to accept vouchers, they're going to have to meet certain state-mandated requirements (curriculum, reporting, etc). It is the camel's nose under the tent and soon private schools will begin to resemble and demonstrate the same poor results as public schools.
I think Bee is right on this issue.
The man's just not in the right party. Personally, I don't give a hoot about the abortion stance of a school Superintendent. It's just not all that relevent in that job.
It is a good judge of character. In my opinion, no one who supports or tolerates the butchering of infants is fit for any public office and certainly the Republican Party should have nothing to do with them. I've personally committed to never vote for someone who accepts or supports the bloody sacrifice of children upon the altar of convenience - even if they're only running for streetsweeper. I will not knowingly support an evil person.
As for relevance to the position of State Superintendent of Schools - there is relevance. There may be some decisions about in-school health clinics, counseling, curriculum, sex education content, outside organizations (like Planned Parenthood) allowed to provide literature and in-school presentations, etc.
I'll have to see more about what's out there before I hit the polls Sept 10. The only things I'm sure about right now are Salmon for Gov, Flake for Rep, and myself (and my wife) for dogcatcher.
For AG, I'm going for Thomas since I've heard that he too is the only pro-life candidate for that position.
Secretary of State: I have not decided yet
Attorney General: Andrew Thomas.
Treasurer: David Peterson.
Superintendant of Public Education: Keith Bee is a typical politician, he knows the right answers, I was not impressed with Tom Horn, I am going to go with the politician.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Further Information Contact:
Benjamin Graff
480.951.1575
Republican National Committeeman Condemns Candidate Thomas
Phoenix – August 23, 2002 – Andrew Thomas, candidate for Attorney General, has been distributing false information against his fellow Republican opponents through hit-pieces and telephone messages.
Now, the Republican National Committeeman for Arizona, Mike Hellon, has responded to those vicious attacks through a letter to Mr. Thomas (please see additional attachment to this email). Mike Hellon calls Thomas’ statements “false in the extreme” and stated that Foster Robberson and John Greene are “both honorable men of accomplishments”. Committeeman Hellon further states that Mr. Thomas is “unfit to represent the Republican Party in the General Election”.
Upon reviewing Mr. Hellon’s letter, Foster Robberson commented, “Arizona’s Attorney General should be a person of high integrity and strong moral character. Mud-slinging and false information does not reflect these values. I commend the Republican Party and Mike Hellon for stepping forward to condemn this behavior”.
Andrew Thomas was there, and I swear he looks like Hitler. A couple of other people picked up on that, too.
The AG's office enforces the laws of the state, and Andrew is not even capable of telling the truth.
Foster is an honorable man, and eminently qualified for the office.
Jaime is also doing a great job, inspite of the disinformation from Horne's campaign.
He is pro-life and pro parental choice. He got some great legislation passed through his leadership, and he is endorsed by Kyl, Shadegg, and Hayworth.
Can't vote for Horne in good conscience. There are just too many issues where he has not been on the conservatives side, as well as the fact that he changed from Dem to Rep when he ran for the legislature because he knew it was such a heavily Rep district. I think he's spent far too much time being part of the problem instead of the solution.
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