Thursday, November 9th, 2006...9:51 am
Caucus, And I Don’t Mean Azerbaijan
I ran into Phil Lopes yesterday, and he told me that he could take me. Okay, not really. But Lopes was having a problem that he didn’t anticipate. He had to make arrangements to move today’s Democratic caucus meeting to a different room to accomodate four members more than anticipated.
Not exactly the sort of problem that is really a problem though, is it?
Lopes is running for re-election to be house minority leader in a caucus today, and another Tucson legislator, Linda Lopez, is hoping to replace him. Yesterday, the Republicans had their meeting and re-elected Jim Weiers (something that the voters almost didn’t do). That meeting was closed, so I have no good gossip for you.
I have a feeling that Lopes (with an “S”) will be re-elected. He has done a good job leading a loyal opposition and also made sure that candidates like Lena Saradnik got support from the State Party when they otherwise might not have been able to. I’m not sure what case can be made against his continued leadership. Lopez (with a “Z”) just became president of the Sunnyside School Board and may have to fight a recall soon. I’ve said this before, I don’t know how anyone, no matter how talented, can do both jobs and do them well.
Something I’m curious about, do the overwhelming victory of Janet Napolitano and the gains by Democrats make the Republican caucus reconsider some of their tactics of the last couple of years, or did we just make them angrier?
1 Comment
November 9th, 2006 at 11:53 am
That last question is a very interesting one. I have no doubt that they are hoppin’ mad at their Party leadership and that should make for one hell of an interesting fight.
You would think that with Democratic house gains, they might take some heed. What I think you might see happen is that those Republicans who once were much closer to the middle, but felt that they had to move further to the right in the last sessions environment, may actually feel like they can re-moderate themselves, which may not tone down some of the rhetoric, but may make it more difficult for this Legislature to push their agenda. (Think John Nelson)
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