Wednesday, July 1st, 2009...2:17 pm
James Francis McNulty, Jr.
The local Democrats put on one of their annual galas and that year’s emcee was Jim McNulty. It was my brother’s responsibility to make up that list of dignitaries and petty potentates that are in the room so that the emcee doesn’t accidently insult the fragile egos of former county row officers and quixotic legislative candidates. Just for fun, he wrote among the names “Jim McNulty, Former City Attorney of Douglas.” So, it came time to read the list, and McNulty said, “I am supposed to introduce a Jim McNulty who is listed as a former city attorney of Douglas. Let me point out that he did contract work for Bisbee and Benson, but never Douglas.”
He had a great sense of humor about himself, which will probably be the thing we all miss the most about him. I remember the stories he would tell about “This Irish politician…” with a wink that said that that Irish politician was likely as not him.
For those that have a shallow memory of Arizona politics over the last half century may only know McNulty as a single term congressman that was defeated by that other, better known Southern Arizona Jim. That would be ignoring the decades he spent in both Cochise County politics and the legislature, where he built a record reflecting his passion for the poor and forgotten. One has to remember that he was at one point thought of as the great Democratic hope to defeat Barry Goldwater. If not for the Ronald Reagan tidal wave in 1984, McNulty’s name would be as prominent in the annals of Arizona progressivism as Mo Udall. In my heart, he is anyway.
When McNulty first ran for what was then CD 5 back in 1982, I was a twelve year old following my mom around to Democratic Party events. McNulty was the first guy of any prominence to be interested enough to know my name (and to tell me from my brother as well). This was enough to get a twelve year old excited about politics. Yep. I’m Jim McNulty’s fault.
And proud of it too.
5 Comments
July 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
“quixotic legislative candidate”? I resemble that remark, Ted!
But seriously, though I never met the man I think I speak for many when I say I’m grateful for the role he played in your and Tom’s formation. My condolences to Mr. McNulty’s family and friends for their loss.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I rememer that victory party in ‘82. My Dad and I stayed until midnight hoping for a winner. The gerrymander had stacked the race to Kolbe’s advantage, but McNulty pulled it off. AWESOME! I was 8. His first session in Congress, as a freshman, built a consensus/coalition to stall a piece of legislation that the President was hoping for, but hurt Arizona. The President (Reagan) concentrated extra energy for Kolbe to avenge him. Totally unfair. My best memory was staffing him at Bob Stump’s funeral, all the members of Congress present extended warmth, admiration and respect to the former Congressman. On the drive back from Phoenix, he told me about working on his memoirs and about his experiences in Congress. All My deepest condolences to Jackie, Kevin and the rest of the clan. An Arizona treasure that will be sorely missed.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Jim McNulty was an honorable gentleman, in the great spirit of Mo Udall, his great friend. Jim and I shared many campaign workers in both ‘82 and ‘84. He made me feel as though my campaign mattered as much as his. Over many years, Jim visited my classes and won over students to future political activity. A good man has gone to his reward.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
By the way, McNulty successfully led an override of Reagan’s veto on that water bill. The first time in 150 years that a first-term congressman pulled off such a feat.
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 am
Jim McNulty. A good man. A patriot. Always stood up for Arizona as a state legislator and later in Congress.
I am sure he will have many interesting heavenly political discussions with Mo, Barry, Carl and the rest of the great Arizona members who have served us in Congress.
Bruce Ash
Republican National Committeeman