Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009...10:01 am
A Little Fight
After the jump is a campaign e-mail I got from Democratic Attorney General candidate Felecia Rotellini. What is nice about it is that she’s willing to call out Republican candidate for Attorney General Andrew Thomas. To be fair to the other two Democratic aspirants, Vince Rabago and David Lujan, their campaigns are still embryonic so they haven’t made public statements such as this.
It should be remembered that Terry Goddard made Thomas’s record an issue in 2002 (he wasn’t in office yet, but had quite a paper trail). Not only did Goddard beat Thomas, but he got more votes than any other statewide candidate that year.
Today I attended a rally protesting the rogue prosecutorial actions of County Attorney Andrew Thomas at the Central Court Building in Phoenix.
My message was simple. It is time that we all take a stand against Andrew Thomas’ history of rogue prosecutions and attacks on the independence of the judiciary.
The actions of Thomas and Arpaio are chilling and must not be tolerated. Indicting elected officials who clash with them. Attempting to bully judges by bringing criminal and civil charges against them. Sending sheriff’s deputies to county employees’ homes for questioning on weekends. Equating legitimate opposition to a grand conspiracy. Thomas is manipulating the justice system to promote his own political agenda.
Enforcing the law and dispensing justice is a public trust. The people of Maricopa County are watching that trust erode right before their very eyes, with little that can be done to stop the political posturing, legal maneuvering and general insanity.
Thomas has formed an exploratory committee for Attorney General, where he would have a chance to bring his divisive approach to law enforcement and government to a statewide audience. The Attorney General represents the people of Arizona and counsels almost every state agency on how to interpret and apply the law that impacts everyone on a daily basis.
Considering his track record as County Attorney, can the people of Arizona really trust that he will serve them and will dispense justice in a fair and impartial manner?
The Arizona Republic recently asked in an editorial if there is anyone who can stop Arpaio and Thomas. Under our state constitution, it’s not the job of the Attorney General to rein in an out-of-control county attorney. But it is the job of the voters, and anyone who cares about the rule of law, to make sure that an out-of-control county attorney doesn’t become an out-of-control Attorney General.
14 Comments
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Rotellini is already running against Thomas. A smart move.
January 1st can’t come soon enough.
r.
December 22nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
You are far too lenient in excusing the other AG candidates from speaking out against the constitutional abuses of Andy Thomas. David Lujan has been “running” since last January and Vince Rabago has been talking about running for at least as long. Their failure to speak out against Andy Thomas is not because of their “embryonic” campaigns.
Felecia Rotellini says she’s putting commitment to service above politics in her campaign. Having the courage to speak out against Andy Thomas while others keep silent proves it.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Felecia Rotellini is virtually an unknown non-political candidate. It is this trait that makes her an attractive candidate to many voters. What people will find is that Rottellini is outspoken when something falls within her sphere of influence.
No one knows for sure what the outcome of Andrew Thomas accusations will be; however, judging by his past misguided decisions it is likely that Thomas’s recent actions will be viewed as a witch-hunt, that damaged the reputation of well-meaning judges, lawyers, and legislators. If this occurs, I expect Rotellini will become more vocal. She will likely be discrete; this is how the next Arizona Attorney General should act.
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
It’s good that lawyers, including Felecia, are showing some leadership in “outing” Thomas’ fascist attacks on those who dare to disagree with his beliefs. Keep at him Felecia, show the voters that the wannabe-Emperor has no clothes.
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:51 am
Sorry to burst your lib bubbles but Thomas or Horne could wipe the floor with those folks in the general.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:32 am
Bruce-
Yes Bruce…just like you were convinced that McCluskey was going to “wipe the floor” with Richard Fimbres.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:05 am
So, Bruce, does this mean that you approve of what Thomas is doing?
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Of course, Bruce approves. But I wonder if the victims of Thomas’ and Arpaio’s witch hunts were non-Latinos where would Bruce stand on the jack-boot actions of the Maricopa County brown shirts?
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Even Robert Robb editorialized against what the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John are doing.
I have a professional meeting in Scottsdale coming up later this year, and I’ve already decided that in protest of what’s going on in Maricopa County I will stay in an out-of-county motel, and only buy meals, gas and any other purchases either outside the county line or on reservation land.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Their lawsuits, threats, and efforts to intimidate are absolutely stunning. Stunning. One of the judges that has been sued has had Sheriff deputies posted outside of their courtrooms, court administrators have had all of their emails requested by the good sheriff, and then there was that masturbation ad that the good sheriff ran against his opponent in the last election. Just a little shot across the bow to say “don’t challenge me.”
Well the feds are challenging them both right now and the lawyers defending these judges are among the best in the state. Thank god for men like Jose Rivera who are willing to take this slime on.
December 24th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Oh…and if I am here to see it…I would love, simply LOVE, to see the primary between Horne and Thomas. Talk about wingnut city coming after Horne.
December 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Krajmajales:
It’s already started, let’s recall wingnut hitman Jason Rose’s twitter feed on December 9:
“What do tom horne and tiger woods have in common? Well, “traffic offenses” for one.”
(hat tip to zelph at AZNetroots.)
Yup, as we saw last month when they accused mainstream Republican Dede Scozzafava of being a ‘Marxist,’ it’s been a long time since Republicans paid any attention to Reagan’s ‘eleventh commandment.’ The vitriol they direct at each other is noxious in the extreme.
December 25th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Nice to see someone who wants the job, has some guts, and seems to care about what matters. Most of the elitist elbow-rubbers who run for office are in someone’s pocket. Rotellini clearly isn’t afraid of becoming the next target Her website says mortgage crisis, financial/identity fraud, consumer rights, human trafficking, and environmental rights are top priorities. Mine too.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I worked with Felecia Rotellini at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for many years. She has a well deserved reputation for legal excellence, energy, drive and is a caring person with consideration for the human dynamic. She is a no BS person, and means what she says. I am an R and I am supporting her whole heartedly, because she is NOT a business as usual “political” figure. She has principles, can articulate them, and will act in accordance with them.