In an article ominously, but I'm sure inaccurately, titled, "Senator Russell Pearce: Final Remarks," posted Nov. 10 on a local political blog, Senator Pearce provided his explanation of why he was soundly defeated two days earlier by his Republican challenger, Jerry Lewis.
Among other things, the senator confidently stated: "Pretty much all political observers acknowledge that I would have not lost the race in a normal election ... In a recall election, there is no primary ... In a normal election, he [Lewis] would have had no chance [against me] in the primary ..."
Senator Pearce is still trying to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the recent special election because he is annoyed that every registered voter was eligible to vote. In a closed Republican primary, where all prior Pearce victories have been determined, only Republican voters are allowed to vote.
This is a classic example of Denial, the first of several predictable steps grief counselors tell us are common in the grieving process after a severe personal loss.
There are a couple of ways you can tell Russell Pearce is stuck in the Denial phase.
Pearce's claim regarding a hypothetical primary election is contrary to the hard data. A recent independent poll and the double-digit margin of victory by Jerry Lewis raise doubts that a victory by Senator Pearce in a primary election would be a slam dunk. An ABC15/Arizona Capitol Times poll taken just prior to the election showed that among Republican voters in LD 18, Jerry Lewis had a slight advantage over Senator Pearce. Combine that with the embarrassingly small amount of money raised by Pearce from within his own district, and it doesn't take a Carville or a Rove to conclude that Senator Pearce may overestimate his current level of support among Republican voters in LD 18.
The conduct of Senator Pearce since the election has been disappointingly unpatriotic and boorish. Our society rightfully expects a minimum standard of decorum and respect for the political process from those who lose elections. Granted, this is unfamiliar territory for Pearce, who is not experienced in the awkward etiquette of political defeat, including the obligatory phone call to congratulate the victor and the graceful but painful concession speech.
We all watched Senator Pearce give his defiant "non-concession" concession speech on election night after the outcome was certain. The press was so confused by the speech they had to ask Pearce's media spokesman, former TV meteorologist Ed Phillips, if Pearce's remarks were, in fact, a concession. Having placed his wet finger to the wind, the dutiful Phillips covered for his boss, and explained that no matter how the speech sounded, it was intended to be a concession speech, and they should take it as such. In other words, "This is as much of a concession as you're going to get from the Senator, who is not real happy right now."
Compare the concession speech of Senator Pearce with that of Al Gore in 2000, who arguably had much more reason to be bitter in defeat than does Senator Pearce.
Here are a few quotes from Mr. Gore, whose comments transcend political party and ideology: "Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States ... Tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession ... History gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought ... Each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation. So let it be with us. I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country ... While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president."
Somewhere along his political path, Senator Pearce lost his vision of the "higher duty" described by Mr. Gore. Pearce wasted a golden opportunity on Nov. 8 to recapture that vision and behave like a true statesman by gracefully congratulating Senator Lewis, accepting the clear voice of the voters of his district, and calling on his "Patriots for Pearce" to join him in moving forward in a spirit of reconciliation and healing, rather than one of continuing rancor and division.
Once Senator Pearce gets through this first step of Denial, perhaps he will allow others to help him navigate the remaining four stages of grief, which are: Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and, finally, Acceptance.
• Brent Ellsworth is a Mesa attorney and resident of Legislative District 18.
bobunf posted at 2:18 pm on Thu, Nov 24, 2011.
"Russell Pearce has nothing to apologize for" ??
What about a truly inept political campaign filled with lies, cheating, stealing and dirty tricks.
Fake twitter account
Ridiculous name calling - like "Extreme Left wing Anarchists"
Frivolous and absurd lawsuit
The incredible fake candidate designed to deceive and swindle Latino voters
Adolescent sign stealing
Smear upon smear
Robo calls suggesting Latino Democrats write in a non-existent candidate - in other words - don't vote.
An apology is hardy sufficient to touch on the shame, arrogance and hypocrisy demonstrated in these actions on the part of all those involved.
And Russell didn't even call to congratulate Jerry Lewis. That's a rather huge lack of class.
Decent people can have disagreements about how to handle immigration policy. But not about the legitimacy of lying, cheating, stealing and an utter lack of simple courtesy.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 2:57 pm on Wed, Nov 23, 2011.
Russell Pearce has nothing to apologize for. He followed the Constitution of the United States and the Military Men and Women who throughout our history have defended American Citizenship. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died defending American Citizenship. Millions have been wounded for American Citizenship. Rusell Pearce was the "Father" of SB 1070 to strengthen Arizona Laws to enforce the Federal Laws declaring ...."Illegal Entry"....a Crime.
Maybe to a certain Religious Denominations or cults or whatever you want to call them....American Citizenship comes a distant 3-4-5 place to Church or cult affliliation but not to most patriotic Americans....who was it that said..."render unto Cesar what is Cesar's and to God what is God's"....well, Folks, "citizenship" is not God's realm...that's for sure.
But folks, if you won't even let your sons fight to protect America...when you won't even let you sons serve in the United States Military to defend American Citizenship...then how can you have the gall to recall a great patriotic American like, Russell Pearce, who did fight for what our Founding Fathers established.
Russell Pearce fought for Americans in the Arizona Legislature...he believed that the first sentence of the Preamble to the Constitution said it all...."WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES..."............not...."WE THE PEOPLE....IN....THE UNITED STATES".
Shame on the people (I won't call them citizens....they don't deserve the "honor")...who recalled a great American, Russell Pearce.
Let's hope that we see him (a "true" Republican) in the Senate of the United States....Arizona has had it's fill of ..."Pro-Illegal Alien Amnesty" ...R.I.N.O.'S (Republicans In Name Only).
VofReason posted at 12:12 pm on Wed, Nov 23, 2011.
This guy is a conventional conservative like Dale is a conventional conservative. Again, anyone proclaiming Al Gore as an example for anything just lost all credibility. Al Gore is the biggest huckster of all. He sells Global Warming like crack to foolish liberals.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:22 am on Wed, Nov 23, 2011.
P.S.
Brent and Russell have hit on a much overlooked feature of Arizona Politics. "In a closed Republican primary, . . . only Republican voters are allowed to vote." I know of several liberals who register as Republicans so that they can vote in the primary. They vote for the Republican most likely to loose to a Democrat! Since few Democrats run in contested primaries, it makes perfect sense. And I know of one conservative who has been registered as a Democrat since his college days. It works both ways.
We need to permit independents to take a primary ballot. At least partially open primaries are more respresenative of the masses.
Dale Whiting posted at 10:16 am on Wed, Nov 23, 2011.
commonsenseaintcommon,
Brent's been smiling that way for the 30+ years I've know him. And he is as conventional a conservative Republican as they come. I expect Russell knows Brent and knows that he speaks wisdom. The question is "Will Russell listen to those of us who reach out to him?" I just don't see him doing so. Cops are a very stubborn breed. Jan S., if you're still out there, why don't you add your voice?
VofReason posted at 12:58 pm on Tue, Nov 22, 2011.
Wow, recognizing Al Gore as the figure of decorum- that is rich.
Slabside posted at 8:37 pm on Mon, Nov 21, 2011.
commonsenseaintcommon, well said. Schroeder can go pound sand!
Chris Schroeder posted at 6:38 pm on Mon, Nov 21, 2011.
commonsenseaintcommon. It's real cute to personally insult someone while maintaining your anonymity online. Nice work champ.
Brittanicus posted at 4:07 pm on Mon, Nov 21, 2011.
THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE BILLIONS SUBSIDIZING ILLEGAL ALIENS? E-VERIFY! THE LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT.
Has everyone seen or heard about the typical American worker, lining up for jobs that are now open after the raids from ICE, leaving wide gaps in staff needs throughout the country. It is obvious to the most prudent of people that if illegal migrants and immigrants fearful of ICE arresting them are fleeing custody. Then business owners really have no choice but to advertise in the local press, or just hang out a hiring sign for legitimate labor? Finally Homeland Security, with the ICE division is sweeping down on criminal companies, who think they exempt from Immigration enforcement. The manifest lightening ICE raids began with the Postville, meatpacking plant in Iowa, when 390 undocumented immigrants were arrested and taken into detention. Soon after the lines grew in volume as Americans turned up for a job opportunity, These are not isolated incidents as other companies have been caught red handed, by the sudden appearance of ICE agents and creating more employment.
This can be accelerated by the ‘The Legal Workforce Act- widely known as E-Verify. It is very distressing that citizens and legal residents must fetch this to the attention of politicians, of a great many who appear to be uninterested to the plight of American workers--that the US government have ignored this illegal alien problem for decades, seemingly denying even the real population size or the massive costs to Americans taxpayers. It's proven that they just don't care, or that the interests of Washington lobbyists and the enormity of money flushed into their campaigns by corporations is more important to them than their constituents. Those who enter America illegally are come here for jobs, but are well acquainted in the public entitlement aid structure and are better adapted to use forged ID to get their share of taxpayer dollars--over a hundred billion of those dollars? This astronomical entitlement programs going to migrants and overstay immigrants is going to continue, unless politicians pull-the-plug by enacting the E-Verify law?
A Republican Representative In Decatur, Micky Hammon stated, "The truth is more Alabamians are working today thanks in part to our decision to crack down on illegal immigration." It is his name on the immigration bill that became law, the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act. Birmingham-area unemployment fell by nearly a full percentage point from 8.9% in September to 8% in October. Illegal alien families are leaving, so what other proof do the Congress need to show that immigration works if imposed?
The 'Legal workforce Act' like the tough policing laws in Alabama especially; also adopted in a similar fashion in Georgia, Arizona, Indiana and South Carolina, are producing surprising results of foreign nationals moving away to less inhibited states. Sanctuary States like California, Nevada, run by majority leaning Liberals will soon apprehensively find welfare costs will sky rocket. Is it no conjecture that the Democrats, Liberals and the elitist wealthy Republicans are getting uptight, throwing any piece of ambiguous information—whether the racial card or slurs in their newspaper columns of leftist media. In just the last few days was the fact that a German executive from Mercedes Benz Corporation was arrested in Alabama, evidently displays that the new policing laws are working.
I would expect nothing else in immigration enforcement but to uphold our laws. The same if the local police pulled me over for a traffic offense, and then I would be ready to display my driving license and insurance card. Both major parties are adamant in 'business as usual' so nothing changes for the career policy makers; that are why our country is slipping even deeper in to a recession. These privileged leaders only enforce laws, except where they are of an advantage to their interests. Of late it's 'Insider Trading' that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) majority Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and others hope this blemish will fades away in their Congressional record? Look at the seemingly cover-up in the Obama administration with the massive government guarantee for the ‘Solyndra's’ solar panel corporation that will cost taxpayers $500.million dollars bailed out once again by taxpayers.
The American people’s own advantage comes in future elections, when we have the opportunity to rid Washington of these rascals. Not only can we vote for more TEA PARTY selected leaders whose main agenda is to repack the US government Departments and return them to the control of the 50 states. Then additionally completely trash the Tax Code, which has been profoundly corrupted giving massive tax liberation of subsidies to thousands of corporations, business and well placed friends of legislators, while the rest of us have to pay the tax-man.
Nobody says we shouldn’t attract the highest skilled works, specifically in the Sciences, engineering and other technology. But within our country the most urgent need is for utterly zero-tolerance enforcement for all illegal aliens no options; that’s what the TEA PARTY believes?
Rep. Smith’s THE LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT’ (H.R.2885.) The ‘Ways and Means Committee led by Majority Speak John Boehner (R-OH) must adopt the Mandatory E-Verify Bill (H.R. 2885.) This would be a great start to cutting down on illegal foreign workers, in every occupation. Don’t be put off by screeners, just keep the barrage going till lawmakers know where you stand on this issue. Call this number at the Washington Switchboard 202-224-3121. Consider that Pro-sovereignty sites as NumbersUSA and hundreds of organizations such as American Patrol, Federation of American Immigration Reform, CAPS, Heritage Foundation and others have the answers on costs, surveys and analysis.
Attn: Be very aware that illegal aliens are compromising the integrity of our voting laws. Democrats, the far left are trying to introduce bills in Congress, so registration can be immediate. There have been many instances of ‘Voter Fraud’ that is still being investigated and prosecuted in numerous states. We must safeguard ‘citizen’s rights’ of voting, that the socialists are looking to depress as with the garbage called ‘Political Correctness.’
commonsenseaintcommon posted at 3:41 pm on Mon, Nov 21, 2011.
Wow, so the anti Pearce folks can go on and on and on about the election and the results but for Pearce himself to offer an analysis you act like the bullies you claim he is. You aren't even gracious winners although you are grating whiners. Oh by the way Brent, go take smiling lessons. Your sneer looks like you borrowed it from Snidely Whiplash. Lewis might not get the Republican Party's support in the next election and might have to run as independent. Wouldn't that be funny. Now stop sneering and get back to sucking up to the supporters fo the illegal criminal anti-Americans that sneak into our country to steal, rape, and kill.
Dale Whiting posted at 2:14 pm on Mon, Nov 21, 2011.
Nice to hear from you again, Brent.
Perhaps if Pearce was not so firmly surrounded by others in his political support network, [Machine Politics - Arizona style] those who have just been identified as "next" on the list of potential recall targets, Russell might be more likely to move on with his life. His career is not over yet. But if he does not move on, it easily could be over. Pearce will have a very hard time turning his back on his old support network. Many of us would reach out to Russell. But most of us are more concerned to see Lewis mature into the job of being a state senator.