Tuesday, September 4th, 2007...9:21 am
Chewning Up Political Scenery
A correspondent reported to me this morning that they saw an ad for Gene Chewning, who apparently wants to run for congress against Raúl Grijalva. Chewning, you may remember, was the candidate who came about 10,000 votes short of beating Phil Lopes in the 2006 election. This would be impressive except that only about 35,000 people voted in that election.
The fact that Chewning was thinking about doing this was missed by me but picked up by the guys at Arizona Watchtower. See, I should be checking there more often. They refered to Ron Drake’s 2006 effort as “phenomenal.” I had no idea that making patronizing statements about the largest city in the district, skipping editorial board meetings, having no grassroots presence and only getting seven tenths of a percentage point more than Joe Sweeney did two years before makes a campaign “phenomenal.” I have so much to learn about politics.
According to the folks at Watchtower (not affiliated with the Jehovah’s Witnesses), Chewning will be running ads on CNN and Fox. I went over to the FEC’s page and could not find any evidence of a committee filing, so I don’t know how he is paying for these things.
22 Comments
September 5th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Tedski,
I’m surprised you wrote this piece because it makes you look foolish.
First you took a shot at Chewning because he lost an election. Why don’t you let your readers know about your stellar election record? Isn’t Tucson’s premiere blogger also a political loser?
Second, you admit that this snuck up on you. Don’t you read Scarpinato’s political pieces in the Star? He mentioned Chewning’s candidacy and the ads. I guess that Tucson’s premiere blogger doesn’t have time to read the news. And, since you are close to Grijalva, why didn’t he clue you in?
Third, you admit you couldn’t find his papers on the FEC website. I found them. Why can’t Tucson’s premiere blogger figure out how to navigate the FEC website? Maybe navigating the internet requires more intelligence than writing snarky articles.
Finally, you admit that you haven’t seen an ad that has been on CNN and Fox News for two weeks. What! Tucson’s premiere blogger doesn’t watch news networks? I guess that Chewning isn’t running it on the Cartoon Network, which is why you missed it.
If you stick to the facts more, you would look less foolish.
September 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I’ve heard Dan Eckstrom is backing Chewning. Dan and Chewning know each other from Chewning’s work in the barrio. This could be more competitive than we think.
September 5th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Gosh Rusty…you are right…I missed Scarpinato’s column that week.
And yes, I lost an election. Golly, I am wounded. If you noticed, unlike Mr. Chewning, I’m not being heralded as the knight on the white charger to take down the dreaded Grijalva.
And yes, I just went ahead and checked again, Chewning is listed on the FEC site. For some reason, my initial search did not give yield his name. Still lists no contributions, however.
Nope…I don’t watch Fox News…that’s because I want to be well informed. I watch MSNBC.
Well, you did admit that I am Tucson’s Premier Blogger.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Wow, I always wondered who the seven people were that watched MSNBC, now I only have to figure out who the other six are.
September 5th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Yeah, it’s a pretty sad commentary there are only seven intelligent people out there … and none of them are Republicans.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Hey Tedski,
Thanks for the free press! Appreciate it!
Take Care.
-The Guard
September 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
I’m hearing political rumblings that Raul may have some upcoming troubles with the FEC in regard to his campaign spending. Chewning may win this one.
September 5th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Raul may have some campaign spending problems with the FEC. Check out:
http://azwatchtower.com/277/
September 5th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Are these charges true?
September 6th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Rusty,
A few things, true or not the kind of FEC violations you are speaking of amount to probably a minor fine. I am really reserving judgment as we don’t know if it is true, but I could hardly see this “catering” thing resonating to the voters one IOTA. The reason, unfortunately, is that there is so much corruption floating around at enormous levels that these types of efforts to get around the law look pretty piddly. Again, not saying that an alleged violation of the law is “nothing” but it will be nothing to voters and won’t do much of anything to get Chewning any name rec. at all, any real funds, and any chance whatsoever at beating the Grijalva machine.
Great that he is running. I like to see competition in all races. It is sad when there is no campaign to speak of and any campaign in CD 7 with the Grijalva name will only raise turnout in a heavily Democrat area of the state that most Republicans would like to see quite quiet.
I do hope Chewning drums a little up.
Best to you!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Kralmajales,
Come on guy! I know that you are trying to come across as a “thoughtful independent” but it isn’t working. You are a liberal and Grijalva fan (as one can see from your past comments). I also question “thoughtful” given you political analysis. Do you really think that, “Grijalva name will only raise turnout in a heavily Democrat area?” If you have ever taken a political science course, you know that the presidential race is what increases turnout. Not a hack Democratic congressman like Grijalva. Your analysis reminds me of a Pogo comic strip I read. In it, Congressman Frog was insisting that Pogo would be elected president by riding on Congressman Frog’s coattails. You are telling us that people will rush out to the polling places to vote for Grijalva and that will translate into votes for the Democratic presidential candidate. It works the other way around – presidential candidates help candidates down the ticket. You have just failed Political Science 101.
September 6th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Rusty, you seriously underestimate the loyalty of a majority of the Hispanic voters to one of their own. And I am not just referring to someone who has a Hispanic surname. (Mo Udall soundly defeated Roy Laos years ago in what is essentially the same district boundary-wise). Raul is well known and has done quite a bit. Presidential coattails have not historically impacted that district,which has been democrat for more than 42 years. (not sure if it has gone Republican).
Raul will turn the FEC issue in his favor and win easily. Look at how Jefferson did in his election bid,with more serious allegations hanging over him.
A carpet-bagging republican, (that is how he will be seen) will not stand a chance against the Grijalva machine
September 6th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
AZW88,
Gene Chewning a carpet bagger? He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital here in Tucson. While Grijalva is sucking down thousands of dollars of booze at the Democratic National Club in Washington, Chewning is working in the barrio with the poor every day (just a few blocks from Raul’s house). He sees more Hispanics and Native Americans in a day than Grijalva sees in a month. So, who is the carpetbagger? The voters are smarter than you think.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Ay, Rusty, Rusty, Rusty. You certainly don’t enhance what ever political analysis credentials you claim to have by tossing around names and invectives. Your partisan slam of Grijalva and dissing of others posting here, cheapens your words. And citing Pogo is no sign of political insight on your part. So if you want to be taken seriously, and I assume you do, how about offering some sound analysis sans the childish name calling. Can you try at least?
September 6th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Yes, I guess I’m engaging in partisan slams. But, only in the same fine tradition of our noble host Tedski, who is an expert in offering political analysis with snarky commentary. Maybe it just doesn’t bother you as much as when it is directed at Republicans. I noted you didn’t complain when Tedski wrote the piece, “Wow, His Name Already contains most of Jackass” or other pieces that can be hard on Republicans. Maybe you should look into the mirror and ask yourself if it is the partisan slams that bother you or the partisan slams against Democrats
September 6th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Sorry. My last missive was directed to Toto and his/her comments. I forgot to add the salutation, which may have confused some readers
September 6th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Rusty, I said that they would label him a carpetbagger.
September 7th, 2007 at 11:22 am
You’re right, Rusty. Please forgive me. Ted is a partisan leftie hack with a blog site. You wouldn’t stoop so low. I’m glad you honor the value of decency and fairness. How about running for office? We could use more people like you who remain above the partisan fray and refrain from childish rants. We overlook and forgive Tedski because he’s an entertaining and informative blogger.
September 7th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Hahahahaha– saying that a Republican will beat Raul Grijalva is as stupid as saying a Democrat will beat Jeff Flake, especially when the best the Republicans have got is “OMG Rowl rented out a bowloing alley!!!1!!!1″
September 7th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Rusty,
I can assure you that I did not fail Political Science 101 (smile)…
I agree that Presidential elections raise turnout, I would never claim otherwise,..that is obvious. Your reaction to my statement cannot possibly be anything either sheer 1) ignorance or 2) I touched a nerve with a truth you know all too well. I am betting you are smart and that you believe the latter.
One thing that you disregard in your followup post is the vigorous and loyal support that Congressman Grijalva has in his district. I have seen a lot of political organizations in my time and this one is pretty remarkable. When that machine has a cause and is well oiled, it is pretty damned hard to stop and the support runs very very deep.
No race in his district DOES mean lower turnout than a real race. He collects less in money in those years and generally uses every penny on GOTV. When there is excitement…there is even more GOTV. He HELPS Presidential candidates in his district…believe you me. Any real race that Grijalva will have will drag out not only those interested in the Presidential election but those who are hardworking supporters of Grijalva. These worker folks don’t only vote, they drag voters to the polls. They show up at polling places to sway voters. I have seen it. It is as impressive to Democrats as it is scary as hell to the GOP.
There will indeed be a high voting turnout in District 7 in a Presidential election…it will be even higher if Grijalva has a challenger…especially one that concerns voters enough to send in funds and wage a GOTV war. Not sure that Mr. Chewning will have that effect, but then again, maybe I am wrong. Work hard for him and see if I am right.
By the way, I am indeed an independent…I have never pretended to be otherwise. Independents can lean in any direction they like. I have also never pretended that I was anything but a former republican and someone who could scarcely ever support the party again. The party has clearly changed…but I think I have changed a lot more.
Take care.
September 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Kralmajles,
We’ll have to agree to disagree. CD 7 has a traditionally lower voter turnout than most other districts in Arizona. You can prove this one yourself. Although CD7 and CD8 have the same population (at least as of the time of the census), see how many voters vote in an election in CD8 and note that it is much higher than CD7. Obviously Raul isn’t boosting turnout by any noticable level
Take care.
September 9th, 2007 at 10:41 am
That makes my point Rusty, I think you will find that he raises turnout when he has any effective opposition. Not sure if Chewning will be enough to mobilize folks…Drake sure wasn’t a threat.