Thursday, February 16th, 2006...7:56 am
Why I Am Supporting Gabrielle Giffords
I’ve been getting e-mails and posts from people who claim not to understand why I support Gabrielle Giffords. Of course, I’ve said it a thousand times on here (okay, not a thousand…so don’t bother writing a correction).
I was thinking of writing a post saying that I only will support candidates that I’ve hung out with at Hotel Congress. This would create a difficulty should Jonathan Paton change his mind and decide to run; my vote would be up for grabs. Such overly snarky entries seem to be lost on my more irony challenged posters.
So here it goes: Giffords has built an impressive progressive record in the state legislature. She has been able to do this despite serving with some of the most retrograde, neanderthal characters you will find in 21st century American politics. I have yet to see an example of Giffords selling out and voting with the far right just so she can get her name on something that passes. We have had a lot of Democratic legislators that fall into this trap, including some current ones that are beloved by progressives.
Her record has earned her a “MVP” from the Sierra Club, as well as endorsements from folks like Clague Van Slyke, Steve Farley and Bill Risner, who have been active in progressive politics for years. These aren’t people who need to “sell out” for political advantage.
Yeah, she is close to some people that I’m not a big fan of. And yes, the DLC likes her. Consider this for a second: those ubiquitous lists that the DLC puts out of rising stars or whatever term they use have also included people like Barack Obama and Gavin Newsome, not exactly the heralds of some Dixiecrat movement. By the way, Howard Dean was a favorite of the DLC throughout his tenure as governor too.
When an elected official is willing to stand up for the right things, I feel that I should stand with them. If we are willing to throw someone with an otherwise great record overboard just because there is a new face that says all the right things, who the heck is going to stick with us? If building a strong progressive record isn’t enough to get support, why would someone in office even bother?
I saw this most strikingly in the Paul Hackett-Sherrod Brown race in Ohio. Brown had built a record that looked a heck of a lot more like fellow Ohioan Dennis Kucinich than Joe Lieberman, but had a primary opponent in Hackett, a more conservative candidate. For some reason, progressive activists classified Hackett as the more liberal candidate, and Brown as some establishment sell-out. A quick perusal of Brown’s record would show this to be ridiculous. When Hackett dropped out yesterday, I recieved several e-mails from people claiming that conservative Democrats forced him from the race to help their candidate. Eh?
I think we do well with any of the three leading candidates, Giffords, Patty Weiss or Jeff Latas. However, I’d like to stick with someone with a proven record. She has shown that she can do the job, and should be rewarded for the job she’s done with my vote.
NB - I’ll get an e-mail from someone saying “You didn’t mention Alex Rodriguez.” Yeah, I didn’t. I don’t see his candidacy going anywhere. The Statehood Day edition of the Arizona Daily Star featured a story called “‘A-Rod’ Has a Simple Plan to Win Kolbe’s Seat in the House.” The article itself didn’t feature any details of the plan, for all I know they were refering to what bands were in his CD collection. The only “simple plan” that leads to a Rodriguez victory involves arranging for Weiss, Latas and Giffords to go on a hunting trip with the Vice-President.
31 Comments
February 16th, 2006 at 9:31 am
Ohhh, the A-Rod comment was snarky Ted–but damn funny! Bwhahaha!!!!
February 16th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Excellent, Tedski!
That was the most well-reasoned argument I’ve heard any Democrat make for a candidate in quite some time.
It’s about time someone made sense in this state. I want you.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:00 am
A-Rod will finish ahead of Latas. He’s the only proven vote-getter in the race other than Giffords and he received more votes than her last time they ran.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:04 am
Tedski - I def want to stay out of this … but let’s be fair.
When Barak Obama found out he was listed as a DLC guy, what did he do? He wrote them and forced them to remove his name.
Gabby put it up on her webpage.
I’m not saying Barak is right and Giffords is wrong - hell the DLC pointed to her as a rising star - which is clearly true. I’m just saying pretending like Gabby didn’t like the DLC back is a little misleading. Before this whole congress thing, she was pretty proud of her DLC affiliation. If the plan is to pretend that isn’t the case — THAT is wrong.
I personally will vote for a candidate who I trust and respect even if we dont’ agree on everything before someone who is just lockstep with my views without those other qualities.
I just hope this doesn’t devolve into a “progressive” off where the way we decide who is the most “progrssive” is by counting the number of times people use the word in campaign lit, the number of progressives who amke an endorsement, and the number of progressive organizations that support someone.
My point - If Gabby’s record and experience and leadership is enough - focus on that. Her supporters should stop trying to wash away the DLC thing with Spin because it is there and won’t go away. Use it - don’t try to hide from it.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Howard is not a DLCer now, why? He knows the truth is why. We also know the truth about Gabby. Progressive, I DON’T THINK SO. I have looked at her voting recorded when she was actually there to vote. Maybe if she were more interested in Arizonans instead of traveling to China, she may have gotten may respect. Go Patty.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:19 am
I don’t know, I think Gabby is pretty progressive for a Republican.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:50 am
Excellent post Ted. Based on the folks that I know who are supporting her, I think she has a fantastic shot at winning. In fact, I think she is going to win.
February 16th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
To TEDSKI–
Some of your reasoning is problemmatic:
Giffords was a state representative–she resigned her position–she chose to get off of one boat in order to compete to get onto a bigger boat. Therefore, by supporting another candidate over her to get onto a new boat, no one is “throwing her overboard.”
Your words imply that she deserves to be viewed as already being on the boat. Yet, at the two previous forums, she has been saying that she is running because we’re facing really dire problems now [with the implication that therefore we need someone like her in Congress]. If she really believes that things are so dire that we need someone like her in Congress, then Kolbe’s decision to not run for re-election shouldn’t have affected her decision to run in CD 8. Yet [unlike Latas and Schacter] she didn’t step up to the plate until Kolbe made his decision public. Thus, her statement on why she is running does not ring true.
The last phrase in your statement “If building a strong progressive record isn’t enough to get support, why would someone in office even bother?” is absurd. She HAS gotten support of the LD 28 voters by being re-elected to the state senate. Perhaps you’re implying that the main purpose of building a progressive record is the expectation of continuing to move up the political food chain?
Re Hackett–There is irony in what you say–If Brown is the more liberal candidate, with a record that looks “a lot more like fellow Ohioan Dennis Kucinich than Joe Lieberman,” and Hackett comes off more conservative than Brown [along with sounding like a true straight-talk-express, which voters are yearning for], then WHY do the party leaders think that Brown would have a better chance then Hackett in winning a very Reddish state like Ohio???
February 16th, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Ted, I wonder how much the anger over your supporting Giffords is related to the view you are more like the press then not?
But you have a good reason to support her and you have never tried to get anyone to not support the other strong candidates so I cannot se why this is a problem. Then I remember: Democrats and cats.
February 16th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
It’s one thing if someone disagrees with you and explains his or her opinion in comments, e.g. “Actually, I like Latas because he majored in Aerospace Engineering and Aerospace Engineers rock!” What I find strange is people getting angry with you for expressing your political opinion in your own blog, e.g. “How dare you endorse her! What are you thinking?”
February 16th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
To Elizabeth Rogers–
I love Ted’s threads because he provides facts and exposes discrepancies (like the press is supposed to)with wit/humor(so unlike the press)and reasonableness. I don’t have a problem with Ted supporting Giffords. [If Giffords win, I’ll support her 100%.] What I do have a problem with is a few of the illogical or absurd arguments he made to explain his support.
I agree with your remark re the Democrats/cats. That’s why it concerns me to see bloggers blogging blatantly-untrue remarks–”Giffords is conservative” [perhaps this bloggers is coming from the far left of the spectrum?]–or petty remarks–”Patty will fall on her face”. It seems that some people are hardening themselves into positions such that they may not be willing to put their full support behind whoever wins the Democratic primary.
Lastly, Ted might want to add that Napolitano is DLC-associated. The DLC IS part of the Democratic party, that is, if you believe that the Democratic moderates have a place in the party.
February 16th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Hey Ted! You forgot Francine damnit!
February 16th, 2006 at 6:07 pm
cc burro asked:
WHY do the party leaders think that Brown would have a better chance then Hackett in winning a very Reddish state like Ohio???
Because Brown has won several elections in Ohio and Hackett has won NONE.
February 16th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I don’t understand this alleged aversion to the DLC. From what I understand, it’s not seen as liberal … er progressive … enough but as Tedski points out, so called progressives like Dean have been affiliated with DLC.
And then there are the Clintons. Remember them? Clinton pere founded the thing and Clinton mere is a leader in the organization.
You anti-DLCers got a problem with Bill and Hill??
February 16th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
RE DLC–
I think that some progressives dislike the DLC because of the DLC’s stance on the Iraq War and NAFTA and concerns re DLC’s sources of funding.
I recommend that you go to the DLC’s website and read their proposals. The DLC’ers are moderate Democrats–not “Republican lite”. I particularly agree with their view that the DEMs need to produce/articulate a well thought-out, positive, compelling, reality-based progressive platform if the DEMs are to win over a majority of the electorate–not just be anti-Bush, anti-Republican, the anti-party.
February 16th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
To CC:
I support Gabby because I saw her speak once and she seemed nice. That is the only reason I support her. Makes no sense either.
Of course I am stuck in Hayworth Hell so you know…my support means less then Tim’s.
February 17th, 2006 at 12:45 am
Well, maybe you should try and hear some of the other candidates before forming your baised view on how “nice” someone is. I heard there are plenty of “Nice” people out there and I think most of the candidates in the CD-8 race are nice. Maybe you should be a little more open minded before you support someone that maybe nice but a poor choice. Life experience far out weighs her shoty voting record.
February 17th, 2006 at 6:28 am
It’s not a “shoty” record. She’s the only one with a record and it obviously makes sense to look at it. Keep in mind who she had to work within the legislature. She did a great job for her constituents.
February 17th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Elizabeth–
It makes perfect sense. The first step in supporting a candidate is thinking a candidate is “nice”– that is, decent, fair, trustworthy–otherwise someone will never support that candidate. [Ideally, the next step should be checking out that candidate’s issue stances/values to see you agree with the candidate’s on your major issues.]
ANONYMOUS-RIGHT-AFTER ELIZABETH–If you want someone to support your candidate, you better lay off the vitriol. That kind of tone is never going to win someone over to your candidate and, in fact, is likely to bias someone against your candidate. People are NOT attracted to a candidate/campaign they view as nasty. You say that Giffords has a “shoty” record, which is a meaningless criticism since you provide no backup–no specifics.
Elizabeth–
J.D. is a piece of work. I’m amazed at how many pieces of work Arizona also has in the state house.
February 17th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Great points CC Burro…I am not sure that we are supporting the same candidate right now, but I get the feeling that we will be in November (smile). I would also say to my new “penpal” that I will never tell or say a word if you vote for Gabby in the primary (grin). No one will ever know who you vote for when you go into that booth or send in that ballot by mail (smile).
Yeah I love the so called arguments being made against Giffords. I have, over and over and over again given places a person can go to get a sense of who Gabrielle Giffords is and why she is a great candidate. Some are trying to sway support to Weiss or Latas by arguing that she has no record and that she is a Democrat in name only. It is buffoonery to think that these baseless arguments are going to soften her support. I keep saying that her support is broad, and it is not campaign speak, I assure you.
The hope here must be that “nay-sayers” hope that those who do not know Giffords will be swayed by it. All I can say is good luck…and that it is making some of us work harder, write checks, and raise more funds.
Roger
February 17th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Well, Anonymous, the time I met Gabby was at a small dinner put on by the Democratic Women of Arizona club. She did not have to be there and I do not remember seeing any other people in the CD8 race there or at other events like that.
I can support whoever I want to and it does not matter, *I* am not in CD8.
February 17th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
KRALMAJALES–
[laughter]. Nah. I’m very happy with the candidate that I’m already supporting–Jeff Latas.
On a different, related subject–Any idea why the Tucson newspapers didn’t cover the DFA forum? Is CJ Karamargin all they have to cover all of politics? Just one reporter?
February 17th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
hahahaha…CC Burro…we would love to have someone as intelligent as you are as a Gabby supporter. I am going to keep on working on you…and I swear…I won’t tell a soul if you vote for her (grin).
Now to your point, I was wondering the same thing. I did not see coverage of the DFA or the very first event in Patagonia or even the campaign kickoff of
Gabrielle Giffords (there was some coverage of Weiss’ kickoff speech I think). The Giffords event outperformed expectations…had a large crowd…and a very diverse set of supporter from the far far left to the center. I wondered if there was an “insider” media bias in favor of Patty…but that would be a a conspiratorial slamm and a denigration of the work of our journalists.
Roger
February 18th, 2006 at 6:43 am
There is “conspiracy” on behalf of Patty Weiss. The Star simply doesn’t cover political news - or the Legislature - or neighborhood events - or anything of note in Tucson.
For example, Rep. Phil Lopes has taken on universal health care with virtually no notice from his hometown paper. He also stood up to the Republicans for freezing citizens out of legislative committee hearings. It was in every newspaper in the state, including the Citizen. But not the Star. See today’s AZCentral for some news.
February 19th, 2006 at 10:01 am
Nice plug, but I have one question WHAT RECORD? What has she DONE? The only thing she has a good claim to is the ability to raise money. Not win against a well-funded Republican.
February 20th, 2006 at 7:49 am
This post has been removed by the author.
February 22nd, 2006 at 1:58 am
“You anti-DLCers got a problem with Bill and Hill??”
YES!!! And if you DON’T have a problem with them, you aren’t paying attention.
Have you checked out Hill’s votes lately?
Well, to Bill’s credit, he was the best Republican president we have had in the last 30 years.
And by the way, the DLC still is the Clinton org and they are still pulling the strings. If you believe in citizens’ power, than you can’t support the Clintons.
Just based on these comments I think I will support Weiss. There seems to be a big void of intellectual capital in this Party that she could provide.
I will support Giffords if she gets the nomination. I have supported her all these years in LD28. I have to say though, I have been so disappointed in her at her speaking engagements. She didn’t give one good answer that showed she understood the issues at the DFA forum, everything to her is ‘complex’, and in speaking to her personally she comes across average in every way: average intelligence, average depth, average human understanding, average integrity. I expected that someone who served in the house and senate would be a lot more knowledgeable and confident in her positions. I get a distinct Kerry feeling about her.
I will take average over what the Republicans have to offer, but I would rather aim for someone a little more exceptional in all regards.
Of course there is always Raytheon Rodriguez for the pretend Democrats who try to justify that one.
February 22nd, 2006 at 2:05 am
Roger, I don’t think there is a bias because I certainly haven’t heard anything about Weiss’s campaign. I think it is more that reporters here don’t cover politics in general and if Patty does get anything it is all about being a former newscaster which I doubt voters care about one way or another.
Latas is the only one getting coverage and it is probably because he is running a smart campaign and getting a lot of internet support which pushes the attention up to the mainstream media. Weiss and Giffords could learn a lot from the Latas campaign. He also has some really well respected activists supporting him which is something that brings in even more support.
I don’t think I will vote for Latas because he seems too limited but I do give him a lot of credit for being out there and running a good campaign. If he would have chosen to start out in a state campaign and prove himself first since he neither has Gabby’s experience or Weiss’s community leadership I think he could have easily won any state office he chose.
February 22nd, 2006 at 2:17 am
“Elizabeth Rogers said…”
Loved your comment about the ‘nice’ thing! You are being honest. I suspect most people support a candidate and it has nothing to do with their background or even positions but just a gut instinctive “I like them or I don’t.”
I am just surprised anyone can support any candidate this early because I have talked to 5 of the candidates in length, researched what I could find on them, and still feel like I don’t know any of the candidates well enough to throw support behind them.
I like Latas’s charisma and campaign strategy but don’t think his talk matches his walk so I don’t think I can get behind him. I like Weiss’s life experience, intelligence and community involvement but I think she actually might be a little too brainy for our CD8 voters (sorry to insult us all) and would like to see her sound less ‘nice’ as another blogger said. Gabby I have issues with on some of her votes which I plan to research in full for the past 2 years, but I also think she has the money, endorsements, and the shallowest of all reasons…she is really cute! So, I think it is down to Weiss and Giffords for me but still way to early to tell and Latas might change my mind.
February 22nd, 2006 at 8:07 am
LAST ANONYMOUS–How do you think Latas’ walk doesn’t match his talk? That comment is surprising to me because his honesty AND integrity is one of the main reasons I like him.
February 24th, 2006 at 7:18 am
Two anonymous’ back,
You make excellent points. I also think if Latas had come at this with more experience and if he had a base that he would be doing better than he is now. I also agree that he has something the other candidates could learn from. I just don’t think it is his time…for THIS office. I also hope the other candidates are watching because the only thing I see in Gabby that is a weakness is that she does not yet appear “tough” (needs to fight back a little more with some gravitas) and that she is so intelligent on some issues that she appears “wishy washy” at times… So at some point someone will ask “what do you believe in?” “What will you really fight for?” I know she has it is in her, but it is something to work on now.
Weiss…I am just disappointed that she ran. One is because I know she is going to give my favorite a race (smile) due to name recognition. But I also don’t see the substance, I don’t see the experience, and whenever I bring her up to others I hear about temperament issues that really worry me. From what I have heard, I worry about how she will appear when attacked.
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