ARIZONA:Woods may switch from GOP to Dems

The Arizona Republic ^ | October 25, 2002 | Chip Scutari

[dittomom]

Woods may switch from GOP to Dems
He's co-chairman of Salmon's campaign for governor

By Chip Scutari
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 25, 2002

Grant Woods, one of Arizona's most popular Republicans and co-chairman of Matt Salmon's gubernatorial campaign, is considering jumping to the Democratic Party after the Nov. 5 election.

The defection of the former state attorney general would be a coup for Arizona Democrats, who have been courting moderates. Chairman Jim Pederson said he'd be thrilled to have Woods join the party.

"He's a thoughtful, articulate person," said Pederson.

Republican Party Chairman Bob Fannin didn't want to comment.

Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics and the conservative wing's domination of the GOP's agenda.

Earlier this year, he spoke out when the state GOP didn't endorse Arizona schools chief Jaime Molera in the primary, which he eventually lost.

"It's the party of Lincoln," Woods said. "But I don't know that Lincoln would recognize it. I'm trying to remember why I became a Republican in the first place."

Woods' public speculation could have a "chilling effect" on Salmon's campaign, Tempe-based pollster Bob Grossfield predicted.

"It provides a great reason for moderate Republicans, and especially moderate Republican women, to look away from Salmon," he said.

Woods said his possible bolt has nothing to do with Salmon, a close friend.

"He is the sort of Republican that I would support," Woods said. "He's a real human being that cares about people. If he's elected governor, that would be a real positive step for the Republican Party."

Salmon said Woods' party preference won't change their friendship.

"Grant has always been an independent thinker," Salmon said. "And if Grant decides to change his party affiliation, then I'll make him the chairman of Democrats for Salmon."

As for Woods' political ambitions, he said he's interested in running for the U.S. Senate, but only if Sen. John McCain, his political mentor, retires in 2004.

"Any opportunities I've had in politics have been because of him," Woods said.

[dittomom]

Don't let the door hit you in the backside on your way out, Grant.

[dittomom]

Pinging Arizona...

[HiJinx]

I kinda like Mrs. HJ's take on that saying,
"Don't let the door hit ya' where the Good Lord split ya'!"

I wonder if Grant is considering switching parties so he can help with McCain's 2004 Presidential bid as a Democrat? < /sarcasm>

[Gunder]

"Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics"

I don't disagree with him there. The GOP has a long way to go when it comes to courting this group. There's so much potential there, but the Pubs don't seem interested in capturing it.

[Spiff]

Woods sounds like a freakin' RINO. Right now, this minute, Salmon should dump him from his team. I hope he rots in socialist, baby-killing Democrat hell.

[dittomom]

Woods has been a very quiet co-chair of the Salmon campaign from what I've seen. When he was brought on board, I know there were alot of FReepers questioning it - they were right.

[dittomom]

What? Didn't you see John McCain on Saturday Night Live talking about all his his hispanic constituents here in Arizona? "I'M JUST KEEEEEE-DING!" --- /sarcasm

[Cyber Liberty]

Good riddance.

[DLfromthedesert]

Not so in Tucson. We have a Community Outreach Committee that has had several successful events this past year, and we recently opened up a Southside Republican Headquarters in the heart of RaOOOOl country.

This has been endorsed by Fannin. The problem is the media doesn't cover it.

If Grant doesn't know why he became a Republican, it's because he never was one !!! It was evident when he created his PC real estate listing no-nos!!!

[rhinohunter]

[hsmomx3]

Accept my apologies as I just posted this!! I searched for the article and did not see it.

[Gunder]

That's good to hear. Unfortunately, as you write, if "the media doesn't cover it," it makes getting the message out all the more difficult.

[jdontom]

Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics and the conservative wing's domination of the GOP's agenda.

The writing is on the wall concerning the Hispanics, he feels that he must switch to Dem or face an Hispanic Dem in the next election. Arizona is increasing their mexican population, and the Dems thank they have this minority in their back pocket...time will tell..

[RooRoobird14]

Grant Woods is a RINO of the worst kind--good riddance!!!!

I have never had respect for him as a man since he shacked up with Marlene Galan (TV reporterette) while he was still married to another woman with small children in the home. He only cleaned up his act because he decided to run attorney general.

Now I understand he is trying to convert to Catholicism (now that he left his first wife and married Marlene). Needless to say, he is pro-abortion. What a loser.......

[uglybiker]

Grant Woods is an opportunist. It gets rather windy out here in Arizona and Grant tends to flit along with it.

[Spiff]

Grant Woods is an opportunist. It gets rather windy out here in Arizona and Grant tends to flit along with it.

The same can certainly be said of current "Republican" candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.

[rmmcdaniell]

RINO ALERT!!!!!

[rmmcdaniell]

RINO ALERT!!!

[rmmcdaniell]

RINO ALERT!!!

[rmmcdaniell]

bump

[CounterCounterCulture]

The defection of the former state attorney general would be a coup for Arizona Democrats, who have been courting moderates.

If he is considering jumping, then he ain't a moderate. There are no Democrat moderates. If there are, then they are potential Republicans and don't realize it yet.

Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics...

Does his version of "outreach" mean to talk to Hispanic groups and encourage Hispanics to run, or does it mean open the borders and give out free money?

...and the conservative wing's domination of the GOP's agenda.

Glad to hear of THAT!

"It's the party of Lincoln," Woods said. "But I don't know that Lincoln would recognize it.

If Lincoln saw RINOS like this Woods clown, then I would agree. But true conservatives judge not by the color of one's skin but by contents of one's character. Democrats judge by the opposite. Maybe Woods' problem is that Republicans generally treat people like...um...people instead of little colored groups like the 'Rats do.

I'm trying to remember why I became a Republican in the first place."

Then you shouldn't have gotten involved in politics in the first place. Don't give me your lyin' BS about it not being the party of Lincoln. You don't have a clue.

[Norwell]

As soons as they lose the hyphen Gunter, those so inclined will come to the GOP of their own accord.

[Benherszen]

IM NEW YORK HISPIANIC JEWISH REPUBLICAN. THIS GUY IS FULL OF IT!

[longtermmemmory]

This is the second jump ship story I have seen. Its never D to R. The Dem party just put out a new tv ad advocating divided government. In other words don't give the senate to republicans.

The best argument the dems have for vote for democrats is "we are not republicans, no matter what we believe". They are becoming political evil in their pathetic desperate efforts to not become irrelevant.

[AmericaUnited]

"It's the party of Lincoln," Woods said. "But I don't know that Lincoln would recognize it.

Well of course the only thing to do is join up with the party of the devil! /sarcasm

[BillyBoy]

>> Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics and the conservative wing's domination of the GOP's agenda. <<

I'm guessing he's another "Republican" upset that the GOP won't drop their decades-old planks of supporting only LEGAL immigration and pro-life legislation. He wants the GOP to be more "inclusive" by abandoning most of the planks he deems "offensive" to feminazis, criminals, illegal aliens, etc.

You'll have a great time in the 'RAT party, Mr. Woods. Think about this: where else can you support immigration policies that will cause the nation's population to reach 1 billion by 2100, while having the gall to demand "smaller class sizes, less industrial sprawl, and universal health care for every American." in the future. And they think the GOP's stance on trickle-down economics is hypocritical. Bwahahahaha.

[fortheDeclaration]

"Woods said he has become increasingly upset by the Republicans' lack of outreach to Hispanics" I don't disagree with him there. The GOP has a long way to go when it comes to courting this group. There's so much potential there, but the Pubs don't seem interested in capturing it.

The GOP doesn't need to be 'courting' any group.

That is Democratic policy, to deal with people in ethnic groups.

The GOP should stand for individual freedom and that is what America is about.

[RooRoobird14]

Grant Woods has a problem with the following:

(1) That the GOP is pro-life

(2) That the GOP does not support a radical homosexual agenda

(3) That the GOP doesn't support medical marijuana

(4) That the GOP hasn't lowered its standards to support immoral lifestyles which are harmful to traditional families and children. The bottom line is, Grant Woods left his first wife and small children to shack up with reporter/harlette Marlene Galan, and he doesn't want to feel guilty about it.

Grant Woods is an opportunist cut out of the same cloth as Bill Clinton. Good riddance. He's an embarassment to the GOP anyway.