Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato: Ariz. to roll out desert-hue carpet for prince

Arizona Daily Star ^ | Political Notebook by Daniel Scarpinato

[SandRat]

Forget those canned presidential candidate visits. A different kind of political visit will occur next week, as his Royal Highness Prince Andrew touches down on Arizona soil Tuesday.

The details are sketchy, but Notebook hears the prince will be touring Honeywell's facility in Phoenix as well as the offices of Godaddy.com, a Web site where you can register domain names.

Prince Andrew — fourth in line for the British throne — is actually best known for his former wife, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. You might know her as the redhead in those Weight Watchers commercials.

On hand for his visit will be Gov. Janet Napolitano for a welcoming party at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

Given speculation that Napolitano's friendship with presidential candidate Barack Obama signals her future ambitions, hopefully this doesn't get people talking about a royal appointment.

Although we can safely say that "Dame Janet" is probably out of consideration.

Chelsea 2012?

First Bill, then Hill — is Chelsea next?

After Hillary Clinton's stump speech in Tucson last weekend, she and former first daughter Chelsea spent some time schmoozing and signing autographs.

Though the Clintons didn't take questions from the audience or the media, Joe Taylor — a native Tucsonan now living in Phoenix — managed to get one in for Chelsea.

"So, are you running in 2012?" he asked her. To which she kindly replied, "No," and signed her name on the 22-year-old's arm per his request.

Hillary wouldn't oblige.

"I don't sign body parts," she apparently told him.

Taylor, though, is still in Clinton's corner.

"I don't expect politicians do to that," he said. "They're more professional. It's not like it's Arnold Schwarzenegger signing my arm."

Paging Tim Bee

State Senate President Tim Bee handed Democrats just what they wanted this week: a chance to say he isn't doing his job.

The Tucson Republican has launched a run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, and whether he can balance his leadership duties at the Legislature with the task of running against a well-funded incumbent has been a regular discussion in political circles.

Well, this week Bee relieved himself of his duties — flying to Washington for some face time with national Republicans.

Part of the trip included attending the CPAC convention — where speeches by Mitt Romney and John McCain received major media attention.

The effect his departure had on the business of the Senate is debatable — and varies depending on the party registration of the person you ask.

"Everything is going to go fine, and we're not going to miss a beat," Bee said in a voice-mail message, promising that he doesn't intend to miss many days of the legislative session and stressing that he conducted Senate business while back East.