For the activists behind the recall of state Senate President Russell Pearce, there’s no such thing as too much publicity.
Except when it comes to who they plan to run against Pearce.
The high-profile recall effort considers a candidate’s identity a secret, leaving voters in the dark for now as to who might challenge a national icon in the immigration debate.
Any candidates are unlikely to reveal themselves until a recall election has been confirmed, said Randy Parraz of Citizens for a Better Arizona.
“There’s no sense in giving Pearce any heads up on what’s going to happen,” Parraz said. “It takes a certain amount of courage in this climate to take on a sitting Senate president.”
Potential challenger Andrew Sherwood ran against the Mesa Republican in 2010 and said he’s thought about stepping forward in the recall in legislative District 18. But Sherwood said it’s a given he — or others — won’t announce until it’s certain an election is on.
Sherwood, the Democratic precinct chairman of District 18, said he can only speculate about who will emerge.
“I sort of know a couple people who know a guy who knows a person. It’s like six degrees from Waldo,” Sherwood said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Political observers generally agree on the type of candidate who would be a formidable candidate in the strongly conservative west Mesa district. It’s generally thought Democrats will sit out the election because they do so poorly there. Also, opponents will likely rally behind a single opponent to avoid having multiple challengers split the vote.
Likely, the opponent would need to be conservative and a Republican with some track record of civic engagement.
Some believe it’s important to be Mormon, like Pearce.
But Tom Rhodes, a former board member of the Mesa Unified School District and District 18 resident, discounts the religious component because he keeps being told there’s no Mormon voting bloc.
The candidate has to be highly visible and solidly conservative, he said.
“There aren’t many moderate Republicans, at least as far as I can tell,” Rhodes said. “I think it’s going to need to be a Republican, somebody who is at least fiscally conservative. I don’t know that being socially conservative is all that important.”
An election has been all but certain for two weeks, when the Maricopa County Elections Director Karen Osborne verified more than enough signatures on recall petitions were valid. It takes 7,756 votes to trigger an election, and 10,361 were valid as of Tuesday. The office has until Aug. 1 to complete verification. The election will fall in November or March, depending on how quickly the counting is done.
Pearce has won eight consecutive elections for two-year terms in his district, a point his supporters tout. The recall is more a function of using paid signature gatherers than a sign of voter dissatisfaction, said Matt Tolman, chairman of Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall.
“I don’t see a viable candidate out there who can win against Russell,” Tolman said. “All it’s going to do is enhance his position.”
Tolman views the recall as an abuse of Arizona’s constitutional provisions for removing elected officials. He argues that recalls are meant for unethical or illegal activities, adding Pearce hasn’t been charged with anything. Opponents are pinning Arizona’s budget woes and deep spending cuts on one person, he said.
“People don’t want to realize we’re in this mess because of the economy, not because of anything Russell did,” Tolman said.
Recalls are more common in cities and school boards because it’s much easier to collect signatures that trigger a recall. The only other state-level politician in Arizona to face recall was Gov. Evan Mecham in 1988, but his impeachment and conviction caused the recall to be cancelled.
About 60 percent of recalls have failed in Arizona, said David Berman, a professor emeritus at Arizona State University who has studied local politics. Opponents in a recall needn’t be starkly different to succeed, he said.
“If you’re going to be successful in a recall campaign, you have to appeal to some of the people of the person you’re opposing,” he said.
Recalls have become more common nationwide in recent years, but it’s usually conservative activists who trigger recalls against politicians for things like unpopular tax hikes. This recall runs counter to that, as Pearce is celebrated by the tea party movement for cutting government spending.
The recall could be a pushback against the sharp conservative turn Arizona took two years ago, Berman said.
Pearce will emerge stronger if he wins in a landslide, Berman said. But a small Pearce victory would signal growing dissatisfaction with the conservative icon and what he stands for, Berman said.
“Maybe the tea party people are being challenged, finally. Maybe they’re going too far. I think this has broader significance than just Russell Pearce,” Berman said. “If he wins just narrowly, it’s a bad sign (for him) because if you’re having a referendum against the tea party movement, the last place the liberals will win is in his district.”
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6548 or ggroff@evtrib.com
rouse2 posted at 5:20 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
i can not imagine anyone stupid enough to run against him in a recall. their political hopes would be dashed forever over a lost cause. anyone who runs will be portrayed as scottsdales candidate trying to force himself on mesa, and would be despised in republican politics everywhere and forever.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 5:51 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
The.....DEMOCRATS HAVE A ...."WINNER IN THE WINGS"
Yes, they do and they don't even have to purchase new Election Signs...they can use the old ones from 2010...........ANDREW SHERWOOD FOR ARIZONA SENATE.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Employed as a ..."PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER" (no...."79 Week Unemployment Slacker" here.
2. Mormon (well maybe if the Democrats are lucky).
3. Went to ....ASU (go Sun-Devils...or have the "Political Correctness" Left-Wing Liberals at ASU changed that to.....SUN-WICCANS ???).
4. Member of the MLK Foundation while at ASU (MLK = Martin Luther King, Black Activist in the 1960's & 1970"s).
5. Member of various ...ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS while at ASU...(do I see a cute kitten or puppy on some Campaign Brochures ???)
6. DOES NOT SUPPORT = SB1070 (that should make the Mormons vote for him).
7. Is not a ...BIRTHER (he doesn't feel .....ANY NEED...for a United States Presidential Candidate to ........PRODUCE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE....PERIOD).
8. Supports Abortion (oh well, surely the Roman Catholic Bishop of Phoenix can turn a ..."BLIND EYE"...if it gets this guy elected. As for the Mormons...the Temple Big-Shot will give a ..."RECOMMEND").
9. Believes in ...MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS (see..."blind eye" allowances in Qualification #8).
10. IS FULLY SUPPORTED BY ALL THE ...ARIZONA & CALIFORNIA BASED...HISPANIC/ETHNIC/LA RAZA RIGHTS GROUPS (Border Fences....we don't need no...STINK'IN FENCES).
Accuracy posted at 6:04 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
Who can defeat Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce if it comes to a recall?
Certainly not Democrat Andrew Sherwood, or Libertarian Andrea Garcia, who ran against him during the 2010 Election, in District 18.
Left-liberal Randy Parraz (head of Citizens for a Better Arizona "recall group"), will try to, but not succeed. Parraz ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in the 2010 democratic primary, and will try again in 2012.
listenertoo posted at 7:56 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
Randy Parraz does not live in Dist. 18. Surely there is someone who would be willing to step forward.
"Tolman ... argues that recalls are meant for unethical or illegal activities, adding Pearce hasn’t been charged with anything." True, but today it was reported that the Fiesta Bowl has billed Pearce for the $37,000 dollars worth of tickets and junkets he accepted, and he is the only person in the legislature who has still not paid up. Why does Pearce not address this? It may not be illegal (although that is far, far above the $500 gift limit), but the ethics are problematic.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:10 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
Who can defeat Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce if it comes to a recall?
For starters, Snow White or any one of the seven elves!
Slabside posted at 8:30 pm on Tue, Jun 28, 2011.
"For starters, Snow White or any one of the seven elves!"
Hands down, probably the stupidest comment I've read in quite a while.
Pearce will not lose his position so the question is moot.[wink]
listenertoo posted at 7:18 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Slabside,
You wrote, "Pearce will not lose his position so the question is moot." This is not a sarcastic question, but how do you know this? Is this just conjecture? I live in District 18 and my very conservative friends and neighbors, at least privately, have had it with Pearce. The comment I hear is, "He is not the person we elected in 2010." Also, his not owning up to the Fiesta Bowl tickets shows a sense of entitlement that my LDS friends feels reflects badly on their community.
Also, it is extremely unlikely that anyone would put out his or her name for the recall election until it is scheduled. Pearce has already said he would challenege the signatures (at what cost to all the taxpayers of this state.) If the recall is "moot" as you say why would he do that?
I can understand that Pearce appears to believes that admitting any errors in judgement makes him look weak, yet the opposite is true; it would make him look human, and a much more sympathetic person.
As Rich so wisely pointed out in another posting, politicians are elected to serve. When I have called the offices of Pearce (or even Court or Ash) my calls are not returned. My call was about how we could work together in the community. Rich also pointed out the egos often get in the way, and Pearce has never lacked confidence.
I have pointed out before that Pearce needs a public relations person (he would have to pay for that himself) who would advise him to quit acting in such an arrogant manner. He actions show disdain for the people who elected him.
Slabside, if you are privy to other information that would be worth sharing, please do so because you and I are hearing very different things. Do you live in District 18?
CooperG posted at 8:04 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Groff blew the story, again, and reports hype about the recall.
"The recall is more a function of using paid signature gatherers than a sign of voter dissatisfaction, said Matt Tolman, chairman of Citizens Who Oppose the Pearce Recall."
Please, Garin, that's your punchline? Only a third of the signatures were obtained by paid gatherers. The other two-thirds (66%) were by volunteers and LD18 residents. Why you insist on giving Pearce a pass on these distortions isn't surprising, it's just so intellectually lazy.
You see, one-third is two-thirds less of three-thirds, which means it's a lower number by 33%. But one-third cannot be interpreted as being less than two-thirds unless it isn't reported and allowed to be implied, through poor writing or editing (you may have had it right but the editors have a bias), that it's more than one-third. So the reader doesn't get the full story. So, instead of giving the reader the full story, you've only given them one-third of it.
And in the Pearce mindset of politics, one-third is apparently enough of a majority to mislead the voters.
I know these web pages can be edited, so if you want to post an update to the story that makes clear the distortion, I'm sure the more-informed reader in LD18 would appreciate knowing the facts.
azconan posted at 10:00 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
This is a no brainer. Simply go the the Mormon Church near this district. Find an upstanding, church going, conservative Mormon businessman and thats your man. One that might want to focus on somthing other than immigration issues. Pearce has done NOTHING for this state other than push his racist agenda. NOTHING, no help with housing, no help with taxes, no help with the budget, no help with education, NOTHING but racist immigration policies. His families been in jail while he takes care of his personal agenda. He stole thousands from the Fiesta Bowl and he is ntohing but a terrible good old boy politician. Go find a local Bishop. Like it or not its a HEAVILY Mormon district. Its going to take a republican conservative to win and preferably a Mormon.
Im not saying their church views have to be invlolved but it sure helps come election time. Lets get Arizona back on track. We are being crushed with debt, bad education, taxes, unemployment, housing and jobs and its time to worry about THOSE issues first !
Accuracy posted at 10:09 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Slabside posted: "Pearce will not lose his position so the question is moot."
You’ve got that right! Because there is clearly the divide between social liberals and constitutional conservatives in District 18.
Through Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce’s efforts to stop illegal immigration – "Legal Workers Arizona Act” – the state received support from the U.S. Supreme Court which upheld this law requiring businesses in the state to use a federal database to verify employment.
A clear signal that Arizona's 2010 law, SB 1070, is also going to be upheld. “SB 1070 is constitutionally sound, and that will be proven when the U.S. Supreme Court takes up this case and makes the proper ruling," Pearce said. "This battle is a battle of epic proportions. It is about a state’s right to enforce the laws of this land and protect its citizens from those who break our laws."
With some definite answers from the Supreme Court on what provisions of the Arizona immigration laws are constitutional, Pearce's position will be recognized again.
azconan posted at 10:23 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Once again ACCURACY and Pearce's supporters have ONE issue to point to. Immigration. NOTHING else. No jobs, no budget, no education, NOTHING. Immigration and thats it. How about his failure to obey the law? How about stealing from the Fiesta Bowl? How about his history with his kid stealing from the DMV while HE WAS in charge of the DMV? How about this terrible record on ANYTHING but immigration. HE will be recalled , he is bad for District 18, bad for Arizona, and bad for this COUNTRY !
Butters posted at 10:27 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Listenertoo, I live in District 18 and have voted for Senator Pearce many times whether for state congress or senate. Your story might sound good to you but it's a lot of BS. Of all the voters that I know of in my district who have supported Senator Pearce, and there are many, not a single one has waivered on their support and have ALL stated they will vote for Senator Pearce in a recall.
There's a reason as to why we elected Senator Pearce, HE GETS THE JOB DONE. We're NOT interested in electing a sugarcoater dog training PC treehugger, or a pretend conservative weenie by the name of Scott Smith. We want ACTION, not lip service. Our district is showing signs of a declining population of illegal aliens, but we still have a long way to go before anyone can say they are totally gone. Don't believe me? Take a close look at the continuing to decline Mesa School District enrollment numbers. The decline started in January of 2008, when the NOW UPHELD BY THE U.S. Supreme Court, Employer Sanctions Law went into effect. It continued when SB 1070 took effect. This isn't California, especially Los Angeles, and we aim to keep it that way.
Listenertoo, District 18 is a conservative district. If you don't believe me then I guess you'll have to find out the hard way when the recall election KEEPS Senator Pearce in office and shows you that you couldn't fool a majority with your false statements that Kool-Aid drinking illegal alien supporters control our area, because you don't. If we wanted a weeny in office we could al
azconan posted at 10:55 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Butters, and hows the old job market going in your district? I own a business in the district and I can tell you its awful ! Notice any closed businesses? See any vacant homes? Know any neighbors underwater on theirs? See any issues with declining city services? Notice new retailers popping up? The answer would be NO your racist ! Yes you notice brown skinned people are leaving. Thank God for that. I mean once theyre all gone our home values go through the roof. Our businesses flourish. Jobs will appear from thin air. It will be Nirvana. Thanks goodness for Russell and you, his supporter ! Now get off your unicorn and slide down your rainbow and realize this guy is doing NOTHING for this state!
NothingButTheTruth posted at 11:13 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Pearce has won eight consecutive elections for two-year terms in his district, and in all that time he hasn't changed much. Pearce is celebrated by the tea party movement for cutting government spending, and for going after illegal immigration and the later is why the pro illegal activist targeted Pearce and that will insure his reelection for many years to come. No democrat can ever win here, and any republican running against Pearce will be despised for their efforts. All in all. this recall is a very nice political statement of the liberals hatred for Pearce's efforts to decrease the number of illegal aliens that are sapping our government resources. I hope this election comes sooner than later so we can get back to what is important.
listenertoo posted at 11:18 am on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Butters,
"If you don't believe me then I guess you'll have to find out the hard way when the recall election KEEPS Senator Pearce in office and shows you that you couldn't fool a majority with your false statements that Kool-Aid drinking illegal alien supporters control our area, because you don't."
Please tell me exactly what false statements I made? I see nothing about being an "illegal alien supporter control in our area" in my statement, but that must be your assumption about anyone who disagrees with you. Please disagree but making things up is odd. Why in the world would you do that? It is sad that you must use name calling. I know what I have been told by my friends. You don't. You may disagree but it is really strange that you would tell me I was wrong. How on earth would you reach that conclusion. Butters, your attacks of me and making things up make it difficult for what you have said to be taken seriously.
If Pearce is all you say, then he will win, but I stand by my opinion ( and others here seem to agree with me) that he is not serving (Rich's word) the people of District 18, and he he not serving enough of them that a recall against him has been launched, and that is a fact.
The recall will surely tell if you are right. I have lived in District 18 since back when Southern was still a two lane road. I
Butters posted at 12:11 pm on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Azconan, please get your head out of the sand. When you do, drive around the WHOLE VALLEY, including north, south, east and west sides of the Phoenix metro area. West valley is worse shape than the east valley is. Many of the empty storefronts in our district our empty for one of three reasons, they were businesses that catered to illegals, in a strip mall that went downhill because of businesses that catered to illegal aliens, or were a victim of a bad economy and or poor management.
Remember LJ's Pizza that recently closed? Know why? Because the area they were located in has been in decline since it was overrun with illegal aliens and hard working, law abiding American Citizens will not frequent areas full of undesirables. There was even a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Parlor on that same side of the street. People weren't afraid to walk down the street at night in that area and patronize the businesses that were there. Those days are long gone.
Perhaps you should direct your comments about a decline in city services to Scott Smith. Ask him why we have a city manager who has a bigger than ever top staff to manage fewer workers, instead of allocating that budget money to provide city services. Ask Scott Smith, why he wants to WASTE $10 MILLION DOLLARS of taxpayer money to narrow Southern Ave. in the Fiesta Mall area. Senator Pearce has nothing to do with the way this city is being managed, so stop blaming him for what is out of his control.
Listenertoo, GET REAL!
AmericanPatriot posted at 1:14 pm on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
You guys can argue whether Pearce has been a good or bad politician for his district all day long and it wont come to a hill of beans. The pro illegal activists want their election so we have to pay for it even though the outcome is very predictable. Now Pearce is not going down without a fight, so we will also have to pay for that too. All that money down the drain and you still wont see anything change because the will of the people is on Pearce's side. The illegal immigration issue is important in that if we can rid ourselves of them unemployment will go down, tax revenues will go up, and the burden these illegals place on taxpayers in welfare will be gone too. Riding our state of the illegals will have a positive result in less crime and more monies available for the legal citizens of Arizona. Pearce has all of Arizona's well being to consider and not just his district.
listenertoo posted at 1:57 pm on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Butters, you did not answer. "Get Real" is not an answer, this is not 7th grade. Also, District 18 is in the East Valley, not the whole valley.
LJ's Pizza went under because it was poorly managed, after Moser, Sr. retired. It hasn't been the same for the past 16 years.
AmericanPatriot is right about the cost of the election. We, the taxpayers are footing the bill for that. All this could have been avoided had Pearce been responsive to all of his contiuents, not just his supporters.
Pearce's handling of this is bad and the nastier his supporters are the more it shows that they are not so sure of his re-election. Pearce may win, but I doubt if it's a landslide (estimates are that a landslide is 66% or above), if it is, I will step up say that Pearce's supporters were right, but as of right now, over 10,000 valid signatures in District 18 have said they want a recall election.
All I am asking is that whoever represents District 18 be someone who represents all of us. Did Pearce's oath say that he would only represent those who support him? Does a doctor only treat people who are well? No. Does an attorney turn down a client because she believes he is guilty? No, the lawyer defends her client to the best of her ability and a public servant is just that, a servant, not a bully.
AmericanPatriot posted at 2:22 pm on Wed, Jun 29, 2011.
Pearce is responsive to ALL the people of Arizona listenertoo. He may be a senator from district 18 but he represents ALL of Arizona.
I'm familiar with the petition drive and can tell you that many were willing to sign any petition just to help the petition gatherer earn another buck. A buck per signature was why I've signed many petitions even though I knew the prop they were for didn't stand a chance of success.
listenertoo, you say all you're asking is that whoever represents District 18 be someone who represents all of us? All of district 18? Are you serious? How could a conservative republican ever hope to represent the needs and wants of a liberal democrat? All I hope is that they would at least represent the needs of a majority of Arizonians, and I believe Pearce has done that job admiralty.
Poorman posted at 7:52 am on Thu, Jun 30, 2011.
Gee i wonder now that its come out that all sorts of other legislators have gotten tickets and other free perks to the games,i wonder if they will be recalled like certain folks are trying to do to Pearce. Ya! right,if thay would happen and it won't there won't be anyone left in the legislature.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 2:16 pm on Thu, Jun 30, 2011.
It isn't about free tickets or no jobs or all he does is make immigration laws or about the bad economy or business failures. It's all about SB1070, and if you can't at least admit it then maybe you really are either stupid or a liar. That is what he will be running on along with his very successful Legal Arizona Workers Act, and that is why he will win.
Moderation posted at 12:53 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
The illegal immigration issue is important in that if we can rid ourselves of them unemployment will go down, tax revenues will go up, and the burden these illegals place on taxpayers in welfare will be gone too. Riding our state of the illegals will have a positive result in less crime and more monies available for the legal citizens of Arizona....
American Patriot have you ever taken a basic economics class? Really you believe this bull??? Try this draw in big business with tax incentives and a good local work force and boom the economy grows. I oppose illegal immigration and believe in enforcing our borders. This argument is like worring about broken finger on someone when they been shot in the head. I want Pearce to pull his head out of his "illegals are responisible for all our problems" and actually address real issues. Like trying to bring in business and create an enviroment where we can grow. Not pass legislations that results in more legal costs for the state because of legal challenges then this recall election. You are just so full of it! Come on what is your education back ground on economics and business besides Fox news! Next you will tell me secure the border and cancer is cured!
Cactuscrusader posted at 12:59 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Pretty tired of Matt Tolman's shenanigans too. #1 Pearce enabler and the one who allows things like "sanctuary city" and other such terms are thrown about during LD18 Republican meetings are being held any time someone wants to say something that is moderate and makes sense. That small extremist group within the district are holding the more reasonable District 18 members hostage because they hold the treasurer's purse strings.
What they don't know is that Republican campaign advisers met behind Pearce's back during multiple election cycles trying to get him to lose because he is bad for the Republican brand. So is Tolman and those who support this narrow minded, nativist, hostile platform for Arizona. It is a counterproductive, destructive policy to have loose gun policy, seemingly racist policy and the impression of secessionist police state fantasy going out on the news wire when a large amount of the State's economy is based on international tourism and the desire to pull in multi-national conglomerates for business. Getting the state branded Alabama 2010 is not a victory or anything that should be supported in any way.
It's still up for debate whether Pearce did anything illegal. He has tried on multiple occasions to push through unconstitutional law, he has been indirectly related to the senseless deaths of at least two people on the transplant list (along with everyone one else that voted that program be trimmed before other less life threatening options).
District 18 GOP need to decide who is going into the future and who is going to be stuck in the past. They need some courage, they need some sensibility and they need to tell people like Pearce and Tolman we don't need your limited vision of Arizona policy any longer, we need to think global, inclusive and think about what is best for the diverse population of Arizona!
AmericanPatriot posted at 7:01 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Moderation, you always have plenty of complaints about our government, but do you ever pose any suggestions about what they can do to bring business into Arizona or increase employment? No, you don't. How do we create an environment that will increase employment? About Pearce you and others try to paint him as having a one track mind specifically towards eliminating illegal immigration, but do you really think that the president of the senate only works at trying to eliminate the illegals? Are you really that naive as you sound? If Pearce sponsors just bills concerning illegal immigration do you really think that is all he works on? If he never sponsored another bill ever would you think he just sits on his hands when the senate is in session and refuses to talk? That's about as stupid as if I was to tell you that all Rep. Raul Grijalva does is conspire to return Arizona to Mexico when we all know that he only does that on the weekends lol. Some of you people are really just tools of a libertard propaganda machine, and really you just sound so stupid doing that.
AmericanPatriot posted at 7:04 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Cactuscrusader, does that include illegal aliens, and an open border policy?
AmericanPatriot posted at 7:22 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Last I heard there are roughly 800,000 people collecting unemployment insurance. As a conservative figure I would guess there are around 100,000 people working in Arizona who are not US citizens. Totally eliminating all illegals from Arizona would decrease the unemployed roles by 12.5%. Not only would that decrease welfare expenses but revenues would also be increased. Crime would no doubt also decrease as unemployment goes down. Neither I nor Pearce nor anyone else can say that the elimination of all illegals will cure all our ills, but it sure would be a better boost than this obamanation's trillion dollar stimulus.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 8:03 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Moderation, I happen to know for a fact that Patriot doesn't have cable in his home and never watches TV news except when he wants a good laugh. If there's anything he and I agree on, it is that all the major news outlets are compromised in ways you would simply not believe. Anyone who thinks there's any substantial difference between FOX and CNN is so enthralled in propaganda that it's surprising that most don't drown.
Juxtapose posted at 8:31 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Whether Pearce gets the boot or not matters little. The costs for counting votes and handing out ballots is a non-issue. If Arizona is to the point where Democracy is having problems because of financial issues That is a major issue.
We can argue all day whether or not he will win or lose. No one in Arizona could have prevented the economic crash, believing the contrary is a pipe-dream. This recession is bringing governments to the knee's around the world. And a lot of the problems center around corruption and fraud. Don't take my word for it search the internet for "housing bubble fraud."
Our local government officials are nothing more than political pop stars, and our entire government is a giant theater act. Its all smoke and mirrors folks.
Enjoy the bliss of believing your vote and "your" representative government can really "get the job done" or bring about real "change" its all bull-s-h-i-t wake up.
listenertoo posted at 8:49 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Cactuscrusader,
You speak the truth. Those of us who live in Dist 18 know what you say is true. As of today over 10,000 signed the recall. We are sick of this school yard bully, and we also know that bullies always get rheir due. I look forward to your insightful posts.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:37 pm on Fri, Jul 1, 2011.
Yes listenertoo, his comment was insightful. It demonstrated just how single minded Pearce's detractors really are. You all seem to think immigration is the only thing Pearce has concentrated on because that is all the libertard press talks about. Cactuscrusader says Tolman and those who support this narrow minded, nativist, hostile platform for Arizona, and that is about all he really has to say. So immigration control is all that you can really say is why you want this recall election, and that is all any of you know because you all read the same libertard newspaper. And you call Pearce narrow minded?
listenertoo posted at 6:54 am on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
BTW, that's the second time I have been accused of saying something about Pearce's stance on immigration. I never mentioned it once.
Pearce's supporters use bullying and blustering tactics as does their hero, and here's the problem, it does not garner respect. For the same reason that Michele Bacmann has surpassed Palin is that Bachmann is not a bully (her knowledge of history is sketchy) and she has proven her work ethic. I don't agree with her policies, but I do respect her.
Anyone who has read about Sarah Palin knows she is paranoid and bent on revenge towards anyone who criticizes her. One of her tricks was to employ staff to comb the blogs and comments of the newspaper for negative comments. Palin wrote her own glowing letters to the editors and then had someone else sign the letter, which is what has more than likely happened in this post, and it has happened more than once.
So, I'll try one last time, and since I know Pearce reads and more than likely is his own most rabid supporter here I'll suggest again that he make an effort to include all his constituents whether he agrees with them or not. That is what he was elected to do. He needs to own up to his mistakes. It makes him look like an actual human being with a heart. His current behavior does not show strength. He looks more like a curmudgeon than ever.
Russell, a lot of folks in Dist 18 think you should be fired. Your supporters think you are doing fine, but you represent all of us. We employed you. Your job evaluation right now is not good. Show the rest of us that you value all of us.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 9:55 am on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
Ok listenertoo, he's a bully and didn't return your phone calls, so vote against him. How people perceive his job performance seems mostly to center around his involvement in controlling illegal immigration. If I seemed to include you in that group please accept my humble apology. Your displeasure I see is about him being a bully and not returning your calls. Concerning his involvement in controlling illegal immigration, his performance has kept Arizona's economy from suffering the same fate as California. The California economy and its system of public finance has been destroyed by illegal immigration. Big bucks liberals on Wall Street arranged for a $1.3 billion short-term, low interest loan so Los Angeles can keep its doors open. California is circling the drain, but with Senator Pearce's leadership we have prevented that from happening here.
listenertoo, you should reread Cactuscrusader's comment. It reeks of ACLU, progressive socialist, open border, globalist code.
"narrow minded, nativist, hostile platform for Arizona. It is a counterproductive, destructive policy to have loose gun policy, seemingly racist policy and the impression of secessionist police state fantasy"
Cactuscrusader is narrow minded. Nativist? Pearce is not against all immigration, just illegal immigration? It's counterproductive and destructive to have an anti illegal immigration stance? Oh and of course that must be racist too. Impression of secessionist police state fantasy? That's just so much BS.
"we need to think global, inclusive and think about what is best for the diverse population of Arizona"
What does global, inclusive mean except open borders? He suggests that controlling illegal immigration is not good for the DIVERSE population? He hints that Pearce is a criminal, a racist, and maybe a murderer. This is clearly written by someone who hates Pearce for helping to enact SB1070, and seeks a globalista society where Mexico takes back the land taken by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. A reconquista for sure.
Smithier posted at 5:22 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
@ NothingButTheTruth
That's so interesting that you took the time to respond to listenertoo and prove his point. You are obsessed with Immigrants.
Loved it when you wrote that listenertoo CLEARLY "seeks a globalista society where Mexico takes back the land taken by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. A reconquista for sure." I literally LOLed.
Also, no one should bring up the cost of a recall election with out also bringing up the cost of having to defend all the anti-constitutional garbage Pearce has legislated.
He is an embarrassment to this district with his Neo-Nazi associations and generally sleazy behavior. He needs to go. Just because we are conservative here doesn't mean we're wingnuts.
Signed,
Former Pearce voter of LD18 (28 years) who helped collect recall signatures.
NothingButTheTruth posted at 6:19 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
And finally we have the nazi hunter, Smithier to teach us all about who the real evil people are. How so very typical of Pearce's detractors. The cost of enforcing the rule of law is too too much to bare for nazi hunter Smithier. Also you are so typical of your kind in that you are so confused about the difference between immigrants, which we all certainly are, and illegal aliens that sneak into our country in the night to take that which they have not earned. Anti-constitutional? Almost all of what has been enacted concerning illegal immigration has indeed passed the courts as totally constitutional and the rest will also be found constitutional as soon as the US supreme court rules on it. Where I stand, in district 18, Pearce is the pride of the entire state of Arizona. LOL all you like Smithier, Pearce will be here for a long time to come. The only reason you see me as obsessed with ILLEGAL immigrants is due to the fact that people like you are so hateful of Pearce for helping to start the ball rolling in this country to finally do something about the high cost of paying for the illegals to stay here by enacting SB1070. After all, isn't this recall all about SB1070? Of course it is.
Smithier posted at 7:21 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
Shine on, crazy man.
See you at the polls.
AmericanPatriot posted at 8:09 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
Smithier, don't you mean see you at the polls you Nazi conspirator? lol
Very funny man you are you are.
"He is an embarrassment to this district with his Neo-Nazi associations and generally sleazy behavior" Man that was a funny line. Made me laugh for a while. So which Neo-Nazi associations were you alluding to anyway? The Mormon Church? lol
Smithier posted at 8:54 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
Common knowledge- also his recently incarcerated son (who was with his 9 day old baby girl when she somehow suffered a skull fracture) has a large nazi tattoo on his chest.
An example:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/2011/01/03/video-russell-pearces-deep-neo-nazi-ties-exposed/
Googling "russell pearce neo nazi" brings up more than 66,000 links.
Smithier posted at 9:21 pm on Sat, Jul 2, 2011.
I should point out his son is in jail for DUI, not his daughters head injury.
Link:
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Sen-Pearces-son-arrested-for-11th-time-on-probation-violation-116373784.html
You'll notice they crop the photo to hide the tattoo...
AmericanPatriot posted at 9:04 am on Sun, Jul 3, 2011.
I thought we were talking about Pearce and you bring his children into your insulting attacks? How ethically challenged of you. I don't believe anything you have to say on the subject, and neither would I believe anything a liberal rag like the Tucson newspaper you mention have to say. You libertards will do anything to paint Pearce as anything but the hardworking Mormon that he is. Common knowledge my @$$. It's just a common lie you people will try to paint anyone who's politics you disagree with.
In_God_We_Trust posted at 9:41 am on Sun, Jul 3, 2011.
My good friend Russell can be strong in his opinions and he knows how to bulldog his bills through the system. That’s the nature of politics. But he is not a bully. He is not a racist or a neo-Nazi. Isn’t it interesting that the Left always plays the race card when they are losing the argument. He’s a defender of the rule of law, the Constitution, and America.
The real problem is not Russell Pearce – it’s the destruction of our state due to the open border, criminals flooding in from cartel-ravaged Mexico, and the burdensome cost to government that illegal immigration brings with it.
The real threat to Arizona and America is the creeping philosophy of radical groups like MEChA and LaRaza that are stealing the American birthright from our children. The real threat to Arizona is the 35,000 people massacred in the last three years in Mexico by the gangs, cartels, and terrorist groups and, if we think this is just going to go away, we are sadly mistaken.
The citizens of Arizona have been demanding that elected officials do something to correct the problem with our open border. The elected official who stepped up and took on this problem first and foremost is Senator Russell Pearce. The public supports that. When other Republican or Democrat Legislators have not supported bills that attempt to curtail illegal immigration, the public reacts. The pressure on legislators comes from the citizens who expected them to do their part and vote for those bills. Polls show that the citizens of Arizona and the U.S. overwhelmingly support what we have done to try to correct this problem. That’s why Senator Pearce is now being targeted by the media and Left-wing organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Targeting honest, decent politicians is nothing new, shocking as it is when it happens. Attacks on Senator Pearce are only the most recent in decades of examples. Here in Arizona, it happened to Evan Mecham, who was subsequently exonerated, and Jeff Groscost, who was subsequently exonerated, and now with Russell Pearce, to name just a few. The Left chews and rips on our good people until they hit the jugular and take them down. Unfortunately, the Right sometimes unwittingly helps in the “kill” when we abandon these good people who are under attack.
These times require that we be ever vigilant and well-informed. And more than anything else, we need to stand up for the good guys when they come under attack. So, I’m here to say that I stand up for Russell Pearce. I know him to be a man of integrity, a man of character, a man whose word is his bond and who can be trusted. I hope you will all stand with me and ride out these outrageous attacks on him and lend him your support in whatever way you can.
Masterrogue666 posted at 2:11 pm on Sun, Jul 3, 2011.
Smithier: The sins of the father are not the sins of the son. The same is true that the sins of the son are not the sins of the father.
If RP's son is a "Nazi", it doesn't mean RP is. Your "logic" is faulty. However, since you went there, the truth is know as to why you don't like RP. Those that play the race card where is isn't due only show their lack of knowledge, and have no true points to bring to a debate.
Also, when you claimed they "crop the photo", that is inaccurate too. I checked both your links. I saw no tattoo on anyone's chest. In the second, HE WAS WEARING A SHIRT! That isn't a form of "cropping". I could see what could have been the head, and part of the wings, of an eagle. Did you know that there's also an Eagle on Mexico's flag?
NothingButTheTruth posted at 2:34 pm on Sun, Jul 3, 2011.
Looks like the head of the American eagle found on the dollar bill