The state Senate president is going to get some financial help from a national political action committee in his bid to keep his seat.
Team America, set up by former Congressman Tom Tancredo and Bay Buchanan, who was Secretary of the Treasury during the Reagan administration, filed legal papers last week officially forming the Committee to Oppose Recall of Russell Pearce. The filing formally allows the committee to start taking donations and spending money to aid the Mesa Republican.
Matt Roberts, spokesman for the Secretary of State's office, said this committee is precluded from actually coordinating its efforts with whatever Pearce is doing on his own.
The committee, however, is not subject to the same limits as Pearce, who can accept only $424 from any individual. Donors to Team America are free to give any amount they want to be used to help Pearce.
But Roberts said it cannot accept any corporate or union money.
The move by Team America is not entirely a surprise.
Tancredo made a national name for himself as a foe of illegal immigration. And Buchanan had sent out an e-mail more than a month ago urging people to aid Pearce.
Roberts said, though, that any money Team America got before last Thursday - the day it formally filed its organizing papers - cannot legally be used to convince residents of Pearce's west Mesa district to keep him in office. He said state law precludes political committees from raising money before they have been formally set up under Arizona law.
He said, though, the committee would be free to return the funds to the original donors and ask them to resend them.
That, however, is not the case with any corporate funds it got.
In that fundraising e-mail, Buchanan claimed that because this is a recall election, "corporate funds are welcomed." Roberts said any corporate dollars Team America got to help Pearce cannot be spent in Arizona.
Calls to Team America seeking comment were not immediately returned.
All this presumes the recall election will take place. A group of Pearce supporters are asking a Maricopa County Superior Court judge to toss out all of the petitions calling for the election because of what attorney Lisa Hauser claims is the failure to comply with legal requirements.
A hearing is set for Aug. 8.
drrealitycheck posted at 5:39 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Arizona; the meth lab of democracy. Where else would a neo-nazi sympathizer be the most powerful politician in the state?
Rich posted at 6:08 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Now that Goliath is firmly established, we could all use a David.
Dale Whiting posted at 6:46 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
This does it for me. How about we starting a campaign fund called "Pearce for Dog Catcher"
DeadEye posted at 7:08 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Why isn't anyone talking about Pearce getting fired as MVD director for fixing tickets for a woman who got busted for DUI? What part of illegal doesn't Pearce understand? Pearce was also fired from his job as Arpaio's chief deputy. He couldn't get hired as a deputy sheriff with his record and now he runs the state.
Mike McClellan posted at 7:30 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
"Team America"? Wasn't that a film from the last decade by the South Park guys, "Team America: World Police"? Yeah, that's the one. Perfect. The film featured puppets making fools of themselves. Tancredo, Buchanan, and the Emperor of Arizona are the perfect cast for the sequel.
mwmike posted at 7:50 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Bringing in the Big Guns. Guess he doesn't have enough supporters or financial backers in his own district. AZ doesn't like outsiders. See ya Russ.
Slabside posted at 8:09 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
This is good news! Thank you Tom Tancredo and Bay Buchanan!!
NothingButTheTruth posted at 8:19 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
I told you this wasn't just a local Arizona issue. Pearce is a national figure who will one day be known as the father of an immigration change that is sweeping America. Pearce isn't under attack from a few dissatisfied voters. Some of you like to point to several issues that haven't anything to do with this recall, but since the truth doesn't sell well to the public, these other issues are stated instead to cloud the real issue of his steadfast threat to a democratic base made up of people who have no right to be in this country. You may say what you will, and I know you will, but as any thinking person can see, this recall is a direct result of the passage of SB1070. As the public begins to see this they will support Pearce because they overwhelmingly support SB1070 and repatriation of all illegal aliens. But hey, good luck anyway. You may want to make some substantial donations to La Ratza and several other national immigration rights advocates because they are lined up on the other side of the committee.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 8:29 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Yes isn't that interesting DeadEye how Pearce was fired as MVD director for fixing tickets for a woman who got busted for DUI and then was also fired from his job as Sheriff Arpaio's chief deputy and is now the de facto governor and dictates to the entire Arizona legislature. Don't forget that he's the number 1 Nazi in America and stole tens of thousands of dollars from the fiesta bowl. How could this be possible? Could it possible be that you have been spoon fed a very large bowl of BS? That's a more likely answer than anything else I can think of. But don't let that stop you from spreading all that around. It enriches the soil and the flowers grow better. lol
Slabside posted at 8:29 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
From the San Francisco Chronicle today:
"President Barack Obama called on Hispanic activists Monday to build a movement outside Washington to push for overhauling immigration, saying he can't do it by himself and Republicans aren't playing along."
And you liberal tools think Pearce is anti-American. Obama wants to give total amnesty to 20 million law breakers.
mwmike posted at 8:29 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
and where are your ancestors from?
NothingButTheTruth posted at 8:42 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
My ancestors are from England. Some of them fought in the revolutionary war, but I fail to see what that matters. It's not about race and it's not about ancestry. It's about the rule of law. It's about did your folks sneak in or were they legally welcomed in. It's about are you running around a criminal stealing other people's identification to work jobs American citizens need? Does that describe you or your family mwmike?
Slabside posted at 8:58 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
My ancestors are from England, Ireland and Germany. They entered America through Ellis Island LEGALLY. What's your point mwmike ?
jlmealer posted at 9:27 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
MEALER 2012.... http://mealer2012.com/immigration-solutions/
An Immigration Plan that works. And by the way folks... Pearce's 1070 gives undocumented workers 3 chances to get it right versus the federal law that makes them felons and immediately deported and never allowed to re-enter.
CooperG posted at 9:34 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
It's SO fitting that the group of outsiders uses the name of a South Park creator movie to promote Russell Pearce. It's a tragic comedy.
But how do the people of LD18 feel about all of these lobbyists from out of state making sure THEIR guy wins? So who would Russell owe his loyalty to then?
Not LD18.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:43 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Who do you owe your loyalty to Coop, La Ratza?
Slabside posted at 9:44 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
NBTT, I'm well acquainted with Chris Salafia's caustic rants. I believe his post has been removed. Keep up the good fight my friend. CooperG above is no better.
Slabside posted at 9:46 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
jlmealer, thank you for your input.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:58 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
No Slab it has not been removed http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/users/profile/csalafia/
evtrib posted at 10:18 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
We'll post the same warning here:
Mounting a campaign to get another user banned is considered cyberbullying and is, in itself, grounds for banning. Report comments if you wish, but turning threads into a personal attack won't be tolerated, no matter what the reason. Keep it on topic, please.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 10:31 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
Here is an example of what Pearce, myself and others are trying to fight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu6ok5ykyuQ&feature=share
evtrib posted at 11:42 pm on Mon, Jul 25, 2011.
The offending term is now banned and associated comments removed - thanks for your patience.
Mounting a campaign to get another user banned is considered cyberbullying and is, in itself, grounds for banning. The appropriate steps have been taken. Report comments if you wish, but turning threads into a personal attack won't be tolerated, no matter what the reason.
We trust that with this distraction removed you will now be able to keep it on topic.
Slabside posted at 12:54 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
evtrib, please expand on what is considered cyberbulling please.
Carolyn posted at 1:26 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Arizona needs to be RID of Russell Pearce once and for all. He is an arrogant, racist JERK who thinks he knows everything. I've observed him at the polls every time I've worked there, and he is simply abhorrent.
DeadEye posted at 5:52 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Look it up for yourself. Here's where you can read about Pearce getting canned by fellow Republican Mary Peters. Not all Republicans are crooks.
August 21, 1999 Arizona Republic
Arizona Dept. of Transportation Director Mary Peters announced the firing of Motor Vehicle Division Director Russell Pearce. The Attorney General's Office launched an investigation April 26 after receiving information Pearce was tampering with driving records.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 8:02 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
WELL............AS YOU CAN ALL SEE FROM THE COMMENTS ABOVE...SOMEBODY LIFTED A ROCK .......AND LOOK WHO IS SCURYING ALL OVER THE KITCHEN FLOOR............THE DEMOCRATS....THE INDEPENDENTS.....THE PROGRESSIVES.....THE SOCIALISTS....THE COMMUNISTS....THE OPEN-BORDER ACTIVISTS...THE "WORLD IS A VILLAGE" PEOPLE....THE "LA RAZA" SUPPORTERS...THE HISPANIC RIGHTS DEFENDERS...THE PRO-ILLEGAL ALIEN IMMIGRATION GROUPS ( MORMON, CATHOLIC AND THE W.W.J.C.H.D. GANG)....ALL TRYING TO LIE TO THE ARIZONA VOTER THAT ......
SENATOR RUSSELL PEARCE'S RECALL IS NOT ABOUT .....HIS BEING THE AUTHOR OR ......"SB 1070"......BUT BECAUSE OF A ....."ZILLION OTHER REASONS".
IF THAT WAS SO...THEN THE ...EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE...WOULD NOT BE "ADVISING"....INDEPENDENTS...GREENS....HISPANIC RIGHTS....AND EVEN ....DEMOCRAT CONTENDERS FROM GOING ON THE BALLOT TO CHALLENGE..............RUSSELL PEARCE.
THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT THIS NEWSPAPER AND THESE GROUPS WANT IS...........MORMON BISHOP JERRY LEWIS.
THEY DON'T WANT THE ....10,000 MORMON VOTERS BALLOTS TO BE ..."WATERED-DOWN"....BY OTHER CANDIDATES VOTES.
evtrib posted at 8:05 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Mounting a campaign to get another user banned would be the interpretation that applies here. Further comments about moderation will be deleted.
The matter is closed. Reopening it will get this thread locked and could result in account bans.
Cerulean posted at 10:23 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Russell Pearce,
I personally think you are a wussy little man. This article demonstrates that concept. I pray to those who can vote in your re-election bid - keep up the good fight and elect a man or woman who will represent your district and Arizona with with the mature qualities of a statesmen.
Pearce, you have done nothing productive for your district and you are a scourge to Arizona.
The Shadow posted at 10:31 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
So Pearce says the supporters of the recall are "liberals" from out of state. Humm, the registered voters of District 18 who signed the recall petition are anything liberal or else Pearce would not have won a number of elections. Now Pearce brings an out of state machine to support him. More than a little hypocritical, but then we're used to that from Pearce.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:08 am on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
DeadEye, the arizona republic is a liberal rag not unlike the trib and will bend stories so far out of proportion as to turn the truth to a lie. Pearce was discharged from the position of Director of the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division in August 1999 by Governor Jane Hull, who held him responsible for the actions of two subordinates who had irregularly altered the state driving record of a woman to remove a DUI conviction which they had been told was invalid, and which would have (in conjunction with another DUI conviction on her part) led to a mandatory license suspension. The two employees subsequently found that the record of conviction had not been in error, and informed Pearce of this fact in a meeting, following which Hull felt Pearce did not take appropriate action. What you say you read in the arizona republic and the truth have little in common
CSalafia posted at 2:20 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
@Slab - I find your claim of having my post on this thread removed considering...well... I hadn't posted on this one.
CSalafia posted at 2:28 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
I find it rather ironic, though not surprising, that for all of Peace's unfounded bellyaching about "outside agitators" running recall movement that his biggest support, financially, comes from an office complex in Virginia.
In_God_We_Trust posted at 2:56 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
National pro immigration agitators will be involved in this fight for Pearce's seat. It seems only right that both sides be involved as this is anything but just an Arizona fight.
AmericanPatriot posted at 3:30 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
CSalafia, the post where you used a sexual slur to describe the tea party appears to have been deleted. The issue is finished so leave it be.
CSalafia posted at 4:06 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
Very well.
AmericanPatriot posted at 5:05 pm on Tue, Jul 26, 2011.
I might add that the word in question is now officially not allowed to be used as are most filthy words not allowed.