The following comment landed in the Data Port's mail box with a date of June 27, 2006. It seems to have been tied to a very much earier post, why I don't know. At any rate what the writer ...wearetribal... says seems spot on so I am posting it here.
I see lots of attacks here...all of them lacking the ring of truth. Not a single one tells us where they found this or that evidence against Gabby.
Look, Gabby is just 35 years old. Sure, there may be some person out there who is 35 and has a better resume. But they are not running in District 8. No one who is running has a better resume, regardless of age.
Who is this anonymous and why are they anonymous? Clearly they are with one of the other campaigns, posting the same smears all over the blogosphere, and clearly they are dishonest. Gabby only went to private schools? She graduated from the same high school I did, and our family of six lived on less than $10,000 a year. Pretty sure I was never at a private school. By the way, that high school was University High where you have to test as top 3% just to get in. So she is actually known to be "one of the brightest on the block." Her older sister, a friend of mine in high school , is plenty bright also.
So, she is great at making connections and anonymous thinks that is a bad thing? That is one of the main skills she needs to get things done when she is elected. Clearly she has more of that crucial skill than her opponents.
And please folks, remember that there is a general election. I am not suggesting that you vote for the candidate that "can win." I have never believed in crystal balls myself. I am noting that a wise candidate who is planning ahead might very well avoid saying things that alienate the slightly more than 50% Republicans in the district. Maybe that is why Gabby is avoiding extreme statements.
I am a Green Party member and a volunteer for Gabby. I am a lifelong activist and a supporter of Gabby. I co-founded Students Against the Gulf War, owned the store Peace Works on 4th Ave, and I presented an academic paper at the Symposium on the Psychology of War despite not having a college degree (I was too busy doing activist work in college to finish). Gabby has read my paper. I could list twenty more examples of my progressive credentials...free clinics for migrant farm workers, a new neighborhood park, the bike racks on 4th Ave...etc.
I do not just support a candidate on a whim. I volunteered for Wellstone in '88 and Harkin in '92, as well as Nader in 2000. Now I volunteer for Gabby. If you think Gabby is not "progressive" enough for you...well are you more progressive than me? Really?
Think for yourself, always, but please ask yourself why this anonymous has to come here and lie to you. Get your own facts and then decide.
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13 comments:
Gabby doesn't need to attack Patty or anyone else because she is the only person in the race with a record to run on, leads in fundraising, turned in the most signatures and is wrapping up all the major endorsements from all segments of the Democratic Party with the exception of the far left.
Front-runners get attacked. Patty has name ID because of years on the tube, but everything noted above is going against her, so she has to do what she can to hike the negatives for Giffords. The theme of her offensive will be that Gabby is some kind of closet Republican or DLC puppet because that is the best way in this climate to arouse primary voters.
The others are fighting for third place. I think that the Latas people are good at raising their voices loud enough to create the illusion that there are more of them than actually exist, but this is a two-person race.
I am a Democrat and a PC, but confess that I was once in the GOP. So the hell what? Are we going to grow as a party without converts from the Republicans or from the ranks of independents? The reason independents are the fastest growing segment of the electorate is because the two parties are increasingly seen as co-opted by shrill partisans who favor political expediency over the common good.
Gabby won me over because she is principled, non-ideological, results-oriented, down to earth, humane and reasonable. My hunch is that the voters are weary of the two parties selecting nominees from their fringes.
This is what the Republicans are headed for when they pick Graf, which they will. The Aiken thing has already blown over, Graf's supporters are diehard and the others in the GOP race serve merely to split the anti-Graf vote.
This is still a district where the Republicans lead in voter registration, but we have a rare shot at picking up the seat because of Graf's likely nomination. Giffords is the sort of common sense Democrat who has won elections around this country (Napolitano, Kaine in Virginia, etc.) in recent years and she can win CD8 because of those qualities. The only arguments I have heard raised against her have been either of the "more Democrat than thou" variety, or hyperbolic analyses of certain votes she cast in Phoenix.
Primaries are "family fights." We will doubtless come together on September 13th behind our nominee. I don't begrudge anyone their right to employ the tactics they need to use to win, but we need to be honest and factual in our politics because the other side is listening carefully. Don't forget, it was Al Gore who first used Willie Horton against Mike Dukakis during the '88 primaries!
Kralmajales,
There is something about your analogy that bothers me, but I can’t quite verbalize it, so let’s move on.
First of all, I think that the CD8 Democratic primary is still a three way race. I know that the Giffords Fans and some of the Weiss Fans think Jeff Latas is out, but I do not agree. I strongly suspect that Giffords and Weiss count him in as well. So, here’s my point. Latas, Giffords, and Weiss are in this race to win. I think we can all agree that some candidates stay in a race knowing they cannot win, but may influence public policy by showing they have support. In this race, Latas, Giffords, and Weiss are in it to win.
The real race is just starting. That is because most eligible voters have paid very little attention to anything related to these candidates or this race. This may be very hard for Giffords Fans to accept, but 7,000 petition signatures and however many endorsements have not even made a blip on the screen for the majority of eligible voters, most of whom will not even vote in the primary.
Now, how do you suppose either Latas, Giffords, or Weiss can differentiate himself/herself from the other two candidates to the extent that the average Joe Blow disengaged member of the dumbed down electorate will drag his sorry ass to the polls and vote for him/her?
Well, the Giffords handlers are promoting her as the experienced legislator, the one with the war chest and “broad support”, the one who can win a tough race against a Republican. Not a bad strategy. Remember, this can’t be too complex or it won’t work. However, EXPECT IT TO BE CHALLENGED BY THE OTHER TWO CANDIDATES WHO ALSO WANT TO WIN. Therefore, Gifford’s legislative background, a major selling point for her, will be scrutinized by the challengers and seeming irregularities (such as the clean elections issue) will be brought to the attention of the electorate. I just can’t make the leap that you do and call this “dirty politics.” Giffords has ample opportunity and resources to defend her previous legislative decisions.
There is a huge distance between challenging a candidate in a legitimate and ethical manner and playing dirty politics. Quite frankly, I sincerely doubt that any of these candidates will cross the line. They are all very decent people.
Liza...
Good comments. The Data Port political junkies have been focusing on the Weiss/Giffords campaign.
Latas has his supporters, I know, but what has happened to his campaign? His web site seems static, and there are no recent blog entries.
Has Latas decided to fly under the radar, or has he landed someplace?
Some very strange things may yet happen in the campaign.
Art
George..
No apologies needed. Have you noted Giffords's two latest endorsements? AFSCME and the Arizona AFL-CIO?
You're a Latas guy, so let me ask the same question I asked Liza. His campaign has been very quiet, is he still in the race? I imagine so but I haven't seen any new material on his blog or web site.
Have I missed a press release?
An enquiring mind wants to know.
Art
George..
No apologies needed. Have you noted Giffords's two latest endorsements? AFSCME and the Arizona AFL-CIO?
You're a Latas guy, so let me ask the same question I asked Liza. His campaign has been very quiet, is he still in the race? I imagine so but I haven't seen any new material on his blog or web site.
Have I missed a press release?
An enquiring mind wants to know.
Art
Art,
I've noticed the same things that you have about Latas. The website has been pretty static except for "events" and he hasn't posted a story on Kos since April, I think. So, I've asked around because I know several of his die hard supporters. His campaign is alive and well and I'm wondering if "quiet" is partially by design. One thing we all know for sure is that he has to run lean and mean so that means volunteers and freebies. I really miss him on Kos and I wish he would post but he probably just hasn't got the time right now.
I've certainly noticed that on this and a couple of other blogs that Latas is starting to disappear from the discussions. I'm not so sure that's a bad thing, for the time being.
Sirocco,
I read some of what Patty Weiss had to say about this clean elections issue and it was all on the level, as I recall. You know, we have to stay close to what the candidates themselves are saying because their unofficial supporters can say absolutely anything. And, of course, we aren't doing math or science here so everything is subject to individual interpretation. That's just the way it is.
Kralmajales.
I'm laughing at your last post because I've been thinking that a good ol' slugfest between Giffords and Weiss would be great for Latas. However, these women have too much class for that so I'm not counting on it.
Your point about name recognition is absolutely spot on. Latas needs it and he needs it soon. That is most definitely his biggest challenge, in my opinion. I do believe that his military record will distinguish him from the other two candidates, but not until people hear about it.
Liza,
You may indeed see a good ol' slugfest between Giffords and Weiss.
No doubt you all know about "Gabby, Gabby, Gabby" in Willcox.
OK, fine, but what happened in Willcox wasn't enough for Patty, so next day she published a story at kos blasting Giffords, then issued a statement on her website which was replicated at Congress Watch claiming Giffords challenged her to a debate, and then delivered a hardcopy letter to the Giffords HQ "accepting" the "invitation."
Then Patty has her new Communications Director post the video of the Willcox exchange.
Not sure what others think, but videotaping people and posting it online like that.....eeewwwhhhh!
If, and I repeat, IF, this is a preview of coming attractions, every tiny fiber of Giffords record, statements, background, eye color, boyfriends, wardrobe, car she drives (already happened), house, is going to be scrutinized and spun.
It may have been Kral that said this only makes her stronger for the general. Hmmmm. Very plausible, but there is the counter that it gives goodies to the Republicans. Al Gore sparked the Willie Horton against Dukasis.
Sorry, Liza, I think Latas campaign is all but finished, but folks are being "kind" because he is a good guy. The next round of FEC reports will be most telling.
A bit squeamish?
Perhaps. Folks have told me I am "too nice." I suppose these video posts are part of the new reality and I am betraying my age a little. When I first saw the thing, my ethics meter twanged, in particular when I think about how they can edit and show this piece or that.
I was actually rather neutral until this debate thing, where Weiss camp infuriated me. I am convinced they deliberately and intentionally twist data. If the Giffords campaign is doing this also, I haven't seen it at all.
Howard Dean last night pretty much said what some of us are thinking, referring to Kolbe's replacement as "Congresswoman." Then he said, "Ooops."
As promised still support Patty on 9/13 if she prevails, but recent events have soiled my enthusiasm.
Through a business associate heard that Giffords is filming ads, apparently at some interesting desert locations.
The real race is only beginning.
Outlander...
Since you are a newcomer, perhaps you have not noticed the Yellow Dog Democrat
symbol. Ain't no one more Democratic than a Yellow Dog Democrat.
Art
Will concede that this posting of edited videos is now "fair game" and we're likely to see more of it.
But I don't have to like it.
And what's good for the goose.....
The twisting and spinning is blatent. The fabricated "invitation" REEKS of it.
I also struggle regarding when to respond to what. Does responding give credibility? Does failing to respond allow bullshit to gain traction?
Here's what Latas sent out in email:
"Of 1,692 likely primary voters canvassed at their doors or on the phone, a full 32% are supporting Jeff, 8% are supporting other candidates, and 59% are undecided."
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