More On Steve Chucri, In Case You Didn't Get The Memo Before

We vetted Steve Chucri before.

Steve Chucri is running for one of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisor positions, along with Randy Parraz's wife, Lilia Alvarez.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which way the Board would lean should they both win the election. 

We've learned by now that the Board of Supervisors meetings is where Randy Parraz and his ilk like to go and stage their feigned anger protests against people like Russell Pearce or Joe Arpaio.  You know, because they create and enforce laws that crack down on illegals.

Like this time.

And this time.

And this time.

And who can forget one of the FIRST times?

( Don Stapley caught at the Parraz Election night party at the Wright House in Mesa either before or after he showed up at Lewis' party.)

Did we mention that while Chucri was the President of the Arizona Restaurant Association, the ARA PAC donated to Jeff Flake's brother in law, Kevin Gibbons, when he attempted to run against Russell Pearce in 2008?

And that he is on the board of the Arizona Tourism Alliance who came out with an official statement on SB1070:

The Tourism Industry is deeply concerned about the repercussions that will result from the debate around Senate Bill 1070. Arizona tourism is currently in a very fragile state of recovery and the negative perceptions surrounding this legislation are tarnishing Arizona’s image and could easily have a devastating effect on visitation to our state.

The Tourism Industry was not part of the development of this legislation, but unfortunately is certain to experience the unintended consequences of the economic backlash. As we’ve seen many times in recent years, tourism is being used as leverage for a political issue with no direct connection to our industry.
Instead of driving our state’s economy even further into decline and punishing the 200,000 families who rely on tourism for their livelihoods, we proudly ask all Arizonans’ to support the diverse and global workforce that comprises the Tourism Industry and to invite friends, family, associations and businesses to visit and experience Arizona firsthand.


Chucri then went on record as having said this about SB1070:

"The Arizona Restaurant Association says business was better than expected in 2010 -- up more than $80 million over the previous year. But, President Steve Chucri wondered if it could have been better without 1070."

And this:

"Similar fears are being expressed in the restaurant industry. Steve Chucri,  president of the Arizona Restaurant Association, said some local restaurants are already feeling the affect of the new law.

"I can tell you I know that there have been cancellations of conferences," he  said, adding that that has an indirect impact to local restaurants.

Even though those who work in the restaurants are likely to be legal  immigrants, Chucri said "there's always been a sense of uneasiness since 2007,"  when the state passed a law that cracks down on employers who hire undocumented  immigrants.

"To take one's business license is serious action. When you saw that in 2007,  so many things happened. There is one thing clear: there is a need for  immigration reform in the nation," Chucri said. "When is Washington going to  wake up and answer the call?"

 (What about if our own state Senator, Raul Grijalva, hadn't called for a BOYCOTT on HIS OWN STATE? Where was his outrage over Grijalva's instigations and potential damage to the industries he represented?)
It also sounds like Mr. Chucri is still dwelling on the lawsuit he filed as President of the Arizona Restaurant Association against the State of Arizona over E-Verify in 2008.  Which is funny because just recently, Chucri said of Don Stapley, who is embroiled in legal troubles of his own,

"It's hard to ask for someone's vote, all the while suing them.  I think there's a fundamental disconnect."

Exactly how much of our tax dollars were spent defending the lawsuit Chucri filed against the state?  And now he's asking for us to vote for him too?

Shortly after E-Verify passed, Chucri alluded that the law created an increase in race-based attacks:

But other restaurant owners also have seen an increase in race-based attacks, said Steve Chucri, president and chief executive of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association, one of several business groups suing to block the employer sanctions law from taking effect on the grounds that the law is unconstitutional.

Adding it all up, it's pretty clear that Chucri isn't too fond of E-Verify and it's not looking like he's a big fan of SB1070 either.  Again, how will he be able to stand up to the pressure that awaits him should he win the election?  Will he agree to the leftist propaganda if they parade the "Arizona Accord" in front of the board?  Will he pacify the Parraz group?  The DREAM activists?  Will he vote to deny funding for our Sheriff that is intended to go towards illegal immigration enforcement as was already done by the board?


Chucri said,

"When is Washington going to wake up and answer the call?"

Is Washington the sole authority on how we can protect our citizens from those who choose to enter our country illegally?  That sounds like the same argument that the leftist "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" crowd takes.  Which sounds an awful lot like the shameless argument the DOJ used in front of the Supreme Court over the constitutionality of portions of SB1070.  It's WASHINGTON'S fault!  States don't have the authority to enforce immigration law!

We'll, we'll just have to see about that next month when the Supreme Court rules in favor of Arizona and SB1070.

Steve Chucri: Be Careful What You Wish For

Don Stapley needs to go. 

But, who should replace him?

Steve Chucri has announced plans to run against Don Stapley but before we trip all over ourselves with glee, it is important to look at his past associations to see if we would just be trading really bad with just as bad.

Jeff Moorad (AZ Dbacks); Mac Magruder (Chairman of Wake Up AZ and McDonald’s franchise owner); Ray Arvizu (Arvizu Advertising and Promotions); Jason LeVecke (AZ Employers for Immigration Reform; owner of Carl’s Jr. franchises); Steve Chucri (CEO of AZ Restaurant Association)

(A refresher course on Wake Up Arizona can be found HERE)

Chucri is currently on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.

He is also the President of the Arizona Restaurant Association. 

The AZ Restaurant Association was one of the organizations mentioned in a previous entry who was a plaintiff in the lawsuit against the state of Arizona over employer sanctions laws in 2007.

  Chucri was the President of the ARA at the time of the lawsuit.

**UPDATE**It appears that AZ Central has scrubbed the article with the Chucri quote below titled

Sanctions law spurs racial profiling, lawyers say

Discrimination rising for Hispanics, some say

Daniel González
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 30, 2007 12:00 AM .

(However, they can not control cache memory.)

 

 

But other restaurant owners also have seen an increase in race-based attacks,said Steve Chucri, president and chief executive of the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association, one of several business groups suing to block the employer-sanctions law from taking effect on the grounds that the law is unconstitutional.

Supporters of the employers sanctions laws showed their disapproval of the lawsuit in their own way.

Chucri donated to Kirk Adams' Campaign in 2008  and again in 2010.

He supported Tony Bouie along with several familiar names we have discussed in the past (Kirk Adams, Jason LeVecke, Mac Magruder, Farrell Quinlan).

To quote Thomas Paine:

Every man who acts beyond the lien of private life, must expect to pass through two severe examinations. 

First, as to his motives;

secondly, as to his conduct. 

 On the former of these

depends his character for honesty;

 on the later for wisdom.

Pizza, Por Favor?

Pizza Patron

Dallas Pizza Chain Giving Free Pizza For Ordering In Spanish

A local pizza chain that made waves in 2007 for accepting Mexican Pesos for payment has come up with a new way to generate some buzz for itself, offering free pizza to anyone who orders in Spanish.  Dallas-based Pizza Patron will be offering free pizza on June 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to anyone who places their order in Spanish.

The promotion was announced in a company press release as a way to honor the “positive force of change immigrants have made in communities throughout America.”

Ah, yes.  Jason LeVecke, owner of the Pizza Patron and Carl's Jr. franchises.  Friend of Steve Chucri and other open borders groups.  Donor to Jeff Flake, his brother in law, Kevin Gibbons, and Kirk Adams.

We've discussed LeVecke before.

Jason LeVecke is the grandson of Carl Karcher, founder of Carl's Jr. restaurants. You may have recognized his name from the previously discussed Arizona Marcha website. Along with Jeff Flake, (who LeVecke donated $4600 to his 2008 campaign) LeVecke was also a speaker at the Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform forum on May 30, 2007. You can listen to his arguments for supporting amnesty (aka- "comprehensive immigration reform") here. He encouraged those in attendance to call or email their federal state representatives and tell them "you want comprehensive immigration reform but not with employer sanctions". He also encouraged them to become supporters of AZEIR.

The current spokesman for AZEIR is Todd Landfried. 

LeVecke is another "Republican" who has testified and fought against E-Verify in 2007/2008. As the owner of over 150 fast food restaurants, one might guess that not being able to hire illegals at low wages probably affects his bottom line.

Not only did he fight against the employer sanctions law enacted in 2008 but he also actively campaigned against Russell Pearce.

In more ways than one.

1. LeVecke was behind the PAC Wake up Arizona! which was organized alongside Mac Magruder (owner of McDonalds franchises in Arizona) to fight the newly enacted employer sanctions laws. LeVecke's group MJKL alone donated $9500 along with Wake Up Arizona's over $38k contribution to a PAC called Stop Illegal Hiring which was set up to help pass the proposed "Stop Illegal Hiring Act" or prop 202 back in 2008. Its name is intended to confuse. It was actually a law which would lessen the already enacted employer sanctions laws and required Arizona to wait until the Federal Government took action first against an employer before the state would be allowed to do anything. Prop 202 failed at the ballot box. Because Wake up Arizona is a 501 (c)6, they are not required to file campaign finance reports.

Wake Up Arizona was also a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against the State of Arizona (Napolitano, Goddard and Garriott) in an effort to stop the employer sanctions law. Other plaintiffs included:

Chicanos Por La Causa, Somos America, Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform (AZEIR), Chamber of Commerce of the US, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Farm Bureau Federation, Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association (Steve Chucri), Associated Minority Contractors of America, Arizona Roofing Contractors' Association, Arizona Landscape Contractors' Association and Arizona Contractors Association.


2. He also contributed to other PACs who would then fund Pearce's challenger, Kevin Gibbons (Jeff Flake's brother in law). Sound like a familiar strategy?

LeVecke donated to the Mesa Deserves Better PAC which exclusively donated for the purpose of "advocating defeat against Pearce".

Other political contributions which LeVecke made went to:
Kirk Adams
Rich Crandall
Kyrsten Sinema 
Phil Lopes (outspoken former progressive member of the state legislature)

In June 2009, LeVecke attended an ImmigrationWorks USA Conference in Washington DC to speak about immigration. In his speech he said,

They will tell you it is entirely appropriate for states and local government

to enforce national immigration laws. If it was intended that states enforce

national immigration laws then why is it states do not have the

right to issue visas, or allow more people in legally, or institute their own

guest worker programs? If we continue down this path of states and local governments passing immigration laws and getting involved in enforcement, we will have a patchwork of different laws across this country making it

impossible for multi state employers to manage.

That certainly sounds familiar. 

"President Obama says it would be chaotic for states to create their own immigration policies...."

Jerry Lewis:  "We cannot be the federal government's agents in doing the job that they have to do."

Chuck Schumer:  If the Supreme Court upholds the Arizona law, Schumer said, he will introduce legislation to bar Arizona and other states from enforcing immigration law without the direct consent and supervision of the federal government.

Jeff Flake:  "The federal government puts local officials, whether they are law enforcement, city council or the mayor's office, in a horrible position, having them choose between setting up a day labor center so you deal with local concerns about property values and whatever else, or trying to enforce federal immigration law when you don't have the training and resources, and in some cases, the authority to do so. It's really a difficult problem and I don't think it's going to be solved in a piecemeal fashion. That's why I advocated a comprehensive approach."

Lisa Navarrete, spokeswoman for the advocacy group National Council of La Raza, says "For people to get offended or upset at this seems a little bit silly. It doesn't preclude anybody. Anyone can say, 'por favor.'"

La Raza?  "The RACE".  Telling US not to be offended?

It's not the words 'por favor' that is offensive.  It's the deep-seeded intention behind it that is the problem. 

Kirk Adams And Fellow Bill Co-Sponsor Phil Lopes

We have mentioned the Guest Worker Bill that Kirk Adams co-sponsored in 2008 along with fellow Representative Phil Lopes and a slew of other leftist/Progressives in the legislature.

There has been talk about how Progressive Rep. Lopes was while he was in the House.  Let's take a closer look at just HOW Progressive former Rep. Lopes really is....

Aside from his being the Coordinator of the Tucson Progressive Democrats of America.....

(Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform

 the Democratic Party and our country.)

One video of former Rep. Lopes shows him speaking at a Tucson Progressives Conference in April 2011.  He says,

We want to try to move the Democratic agenda in our

Progressive, Liberal direction. We have

1.  Co sponsored the End the Wars Peace march

2.  Co sponsored the Solidarity MLK march

3.  Worked with Moveon.org on their event supporting the Wisconsin workers

4.  Peace Fair/Parade honoring Cesar Chavez

5.  Again with Moveon.org, we did a protest of Bank of America

6.  Wrote a letter to Pima County Board of Supervisors opposing their action to remove retirees under sixty-five years of age from their HMO plan

7.  Co hosted with the Arizona Advocacy Network to save Arizona Clean Elections

8.  Participated in events related to the Senator Pearce recall

He then introduced Senator Grijalva who at one point stated that there would be a Congressional Progressive Caucus tour which would go to cities around the country and

talk about the budget, talk about jobs and beat up on the opposition......so we're gonna make crow.

This was a video of Rep. Lopes at a recent Progressive Democrats of Arizona Caucus in January 2012.  Also in attendance were Fred Barlam (with Randy Parraz's group Citizens for a Better Arizona and donor to Jerry Lewis), Carolyn Cooper (also with Parraz's group), and Todd Landfried (Spokesman for Arizona Employers for Immigration Reform and Jerry Lewis supporter).

He offered advice to those in attendance.  He said,

How do we energize, motivate our 800 plus members?  There's one thing we can all do relatively easily and that is when you have a parade of candidates coming up here, think about the issues that are important to Progressives.  Think about Medicare for all.  Think about publicly financed elections.  Think about clean energy and clean air and think about getting out of Afghanistan....the better question should be
 'WILL YOU VOTE FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL...SINGLE PAYER?' 
 DEMAND AN ANSWER!

Good advice.  I think those who have the opportunity, should ask the same of Republican candidates, including Kirk Adams, Jeff Flake, Steve Chucri and Don Stapley. 

WILL YOU VOTE AGAINST ANY COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM BILLS? 

WILL YOU NOT SUPPORT ANY FORM OF NON-BINDING IMMIGRATION COMPACT OR ACCORD?

Kirk Adams... And His Little Friend, Too

We've already exposed the fact that Kirk Adams:

1.  Donated to a PAC which then made donations to liberal Democrats throughout the Country.

2.  Has members on his Campaign Finance Committee who donated to liberal Democrats.

We know he obviously has the blessing of Jon Kyl.

But, what about people like Jeff Flake or John McCain?  They seem to be awfully silent with an endorsement.  Why?

After all, Jeff Flake's former staffer, Chad Heywood, is Kirk Adams' Campaign Manager.  Even a novice in politics can recognize that doesn't just "happen".  Discussions take place in advance of these political shifts.  Especially when it has to do with who would be a good "replacement".   Adams donated $500 to Jeff Flake's US Senate campaign in October 2011.

(Adams also donated $500 to Ben Quayle's campaign in September 2011 and who, in turn, glowingly endorsed Adams for Congress.  You know, the weasel  guy we said we would remind you about because he has decided to run for Congress against Rep. Schweikert in a district of which he doesn't even reside?  Well, we're taking the opportunity to remind you again.....)

And McCain?  At the very least, one would think he might have an interest in who he would be working closely with in Washington.  John McCain was happy to receive Kirk Adams' endorsement for reelection in 2010.  McCain even put Mr. Adams' glowing endorsement on his Facebook page in March 2010:

 U.S. Senator John McCain’s re-election campaign today announced that 35 current and former Arizona state legislators, including House Speaker Kirk Adams, have endorsed Senator John McCain for re-election to the United States Senate.

“There is no greater champion for Arizona than Senator John McCain,” said House Speaker Kirk Adams. “No one is working harder than Senator McCain to fight the liberal agenda in Washington, and to promote low-tax, pro-growth policies that will get Arizona’s economy back on track. Arizona needs John McCain in the U.S. Senate so he can continue his strong advocacy for our great state, and fight for the conservative principles to which he has devoted his entire career.”

“I am pleased and honored to have the support of Speaker Adams and so many fine Republican leaders,” said Senator John McCain.

Two months later, Adams donated $700 to the FRIENDS OF JOHN MCCAIN PAC.


Is Adams trying to distance himself from McFlake?  Surely he knows that those names tend to leave a bad taste in people's mouths and can't afford to risk losing their potential votes.  He also must be aware of the need to distance himself from the appearance of collusion.

However, it appears that while McCain hasn't FORMALLY endorsed Adams, he has been a financial supporter of Adams since at least the end of last year.

Gilbert Watch uncovered a video which exposes an interesting timeline of events.

It points out that on December 28, 2011, McCain's COUNTRY FIRST PAC donated $5000 to Kirk Adams for Congress. 

The COUNTRY FIRST PAC recruits big name and big money donors such as Jason LeVecke who contributed upwards of $15,000 in 2009.  Remember LeVecke?  He is the Carl's Jr Franchiser.  He also spoke at an Employers for Immigration Reform breakfast with Flake in 2007 as well as was part of the lawsuit against AZ over E-verify along with Maricopa County Board of Supervisors candidate, Steve Chucri, President of the Arizona Restaurant Association.  The LeVecke family also donated $20,000 to the FRIENDS OF JOHN MCCAIN PAC in the 2010 election cycle.  The same year Adams made his $700 donation.

Two weeks after the $5000 campaign infusion from the COUNTRY FIRST PAC, Adams spoke at a Red Mountain Tea Party event and was asked if John McCain endorsed him.

Adams' scripted response?  "John McCain has not endorsed my candidacy."

Recognizing the need to be more to the point, the question was changed to ask, "Is John McCain SUPPORTING you?

His response?

"You know what?  I don't know.  I hope he is."

And then, very politically savvy Adams, bridged the response to say, "I want the support of EVERYBODY in the state and in my district."


Is Adams receiving so many $5000 checks that he overlooked the contribution that came from McCain's PAC?

On March 15th, Kirk Adams held a $1000 per plate fundraiser at the Bistro Bis in the Hotel George in Washington DC with "special guest"... John McCain.

A little tidbit about Bistro Bis...It is the #3 Washington restaurant for politicians and lobbyists (wait, LOBBYISTS?).  

Now, one would THINK that a big money fundraiser with a special guest like John McCain would be something the Adams campaign would want to brag about.  He has pictures of himself with Jon Kyl on his campaign sites.  One would also think that Mr. Adams would have already sent out an email blast along with a new campaign video and pictures touting the event and his big money  name supporters.  After all, his campaign sends out emails every other time some no-name person who we're supposed to know and care about, endorses Adams.

Oh, wait.  We aren't supposed to KNOW about this fundraiser.  Because, Adams doesn't KNOW if McCain "supports" him or not.  He just HOPES he does...

Of course, McCain's COUNTRY FIRST PAC also donated $5000 to Jeff Flake in June 2011.  Shortly after he announced his run for US Senate.

You do the math.

Robert Graham And Prop 121: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

THE GOOD:  Prop 121 was defeated 63% to 33%.

We watched the debate on Tuesday night between Robert Graham and Doug Little, two candidates who want to lead the Arizona Republican Party.
 
In the debate, Mr. Graham stated about the No on Prop 121 campaign, "I raised the money.  I was very instrumental in putting together the message, the targeting."
 
Bill Montgomery, the front man for "No on Prop 121" said back in July,"the other person involved in marshaling opposition to the initiative is former GOP Congressman John Shadegg." 

THE BAD:  Was it a poor use of resources and funds?

Regardless of who wants to   gets to take credit, it was pretty clear that Prop 121 was headed for defeat almost from the beginning.  Prop 121 was unpopular amongst not just Republicans but also Democrats, Libertarians and even members of the Green Party. 
 
 
For example:

Political Parties united on Prop 121
October 1, 2012

They don’t agree on much, but a plan to create “top two” primaries has Arizona’s major and minor political parties on the same page – or at least close to it.  Their responses range from outright opposition from Republican, Libertarian and Green leaders to noncommittal dislike from the Arizona Democratic Party.

The state Democratic Party hasn’t taken an official stand on the measure, but Executive Director Luis Heredia said there is little support for it.

 

Leaders of Arizona’s Libertarian and Green parties argue that the initiative would make it virtually impossible for their candidates to make it onto the general election ballot.

 

“There is a reason we have partisan primaries in Arizona,” said Angel Torres, co-chair of Arizona’s Green Party and a candidate for state House in a Phoenix-area district.

The day after this article was posted, Mr. Graham put out a youtube video opposing Prop 121.  The credit at the end of the video states it was paid for by "GrahamforArizona" and encourages viewers to visit the Saveourvote.org website. 

Graham for Arizona?

Another "thank you to the grassroots" video published on November 15th also showed "paid for by GrahamforArizona."  Was Graham's personal $5800 donation to Save Our Vote on August 17th used to create these videos with the intent of using them later as campaign material?  Graham conveniently announced his run for Chairman about 10 days prior to the release of the first video.  Graham responded to a question at the recent debate saying that the only money he spent on his State Party Chairman campaign was his own $4500 to cover the cost of t-shirts, buttons and signs. 

So who paid for the GrahamforArizona youtube videos?

His "targeted message" was seen a total of 1,100 times. To put this into context, there were 1,340,286 votes cast opposing Prop 121.  Not exactly a "targeted" audience.


Lake Havasu's News-Herald
October 17, 2012

Arizona State Senate, Dist. 5, candidates Republican Kelli Ward and Democrat Beth Weisser ...agreed again in opposition to Prop 121 citing reasons that everyone should have a voice, no matter the popularity of their political party affiliation.


During this same time, an article in the Tucson Sentinel said,
 
An obscure political group based in the Valley injected another $350,000 this week into the effort to defeat Proposition 121...
 
In all, Americans for Responsible Leadership has donated $450,000 to Save Our Vote, accounting for nearly all of the latter's fundraising reported to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.
 
Americans for Responsible Leadership also contributed $500,000 in mid-September to No New Taxes, No on 204...That contribution accounts for nearly all of that group's funding listed with the state.


In the recent debate, Mr. Graham stated that "he" raised the money for Prop 121 between September and November.  According to the article above, by mid-October, $450,000 had been donated to Save Our Vote by the Americans for Responsible Leadership which lists Graham as a Director since July 2011. 

Also, the article tells us that at least $100,000 to oppose Prop 121 and another $500,000 in opposition to Prop 204 had been received within the first 2 weeks of September.  This leads us to assume that Mr. Graham was able to somehow raise at least $600,000 in just two weeks time while also running his own company AND attending vigorous weekend-long MBA classes every other weekend at the Thunderbird School of Global Management.  

It becomes even more unbelieveable   impressive when we are told that he personally was able to raise $1M to oppose two propositions in less than a month while doing all of the things listed above PLUS attend a required Thunderbird study abroad in India during mid-October.  An amazing feat from someone who didn't raise a dime in the five months he ran for Governor. 

He must have found some new connections friends with deep pockets...


And finally just before the election, there was STILL very little support:

Western Free Press
October 26, 2012
 
Both major parties are opposed to the initiative, as are third parties...Only 37% of Arizona voters said they would vote in favor of open primaries in the latest Rasmussen survey.

 

THE UGLY:   Where did the money go?

Let's look a little closer at the donations from the Americans for Responsible Leadership PAC to the Save Our Vote campaign. 

The first thing we noticed was that the treasurer is our familiar friend, Hieu Tran, from the Republican Victory Fund/Republican House Victory fiasco as well as other endeavors such as Steve Chucri and Bob Worsley's campaigns.
 
We also discovered that less than $8000 of the $575,000 received came from individual donors.  The rest came from the Americans for Responsible Leadership PAC.
 

Now let's take a look to see where the money was spent:

$3,500 for website design

$2,000 to Hieu Tran for bookkeeping

$15,000 to Sign King for signs

$70,000 to Americans for Responsible Leadership for mailers


Reasonable expenses.  Here's where it gets less "grass-rooty":


$18,000 for sign installation (the signs cost more to install than they did to make? Couldn't this have been a grassroots, ground game effort instead of paying one guy to install signs?)

$40,000 to Jess Yescalis for consulting (Yescalis owns a fundraising firm that is connected to Sean Noble's Center to Protect Patient Rights who was involved in the money "laundering" accusation in California.  Noble was John Shadegg's former Chief of Staff.  Remember, it was Shadegg who Bill Montgomery cited in July as the other person involved in "marshaling opposition.")

$208,000  to Larry John Wright for "advertising." Mr. Wright has been busy over the last year producing videos for other candidates such as Bob Worsley and Jerry Lewis.   We were only able to locate one TV commercial created for Save Our Vote. 
 
The Chairman of Save Our Vote is Tony Bradley who formed a consulting company in 2009 called Roundtable Strategies.  Mr. Bradley's company was paid by the Save Our Vote campaign for communications and mailers.  Bradley consulted on previous campaigns for Paul Gosar, Amanda Reeve (LD 28 House candidate who was one of the few candidates directly supported by the ARL PAC...and lost) and Phoenix City Councilman Bill Gates. 


One of the debate questions asked on Tuesday night was, "Will you take a pledge that you will not pay a penny to a political consultant that is not a paid full-time employee of the Arizona State Republican party?"

Graham responded by saying, "We want to be frugal.  We want to be smart.  We want our dollars to stretch as far as we can.  Now remember, we're part of the Republican party, right?  We're supposed to do that.  When it comes to consultants, it's interesting to be asked to make a pledge like this because in my organization I PERSONALLY have gone to consultants and asked for help on how to be better with organizational skills...so to pledge that you won't use consultants is like a pledge that you won't get expertise (sic) advice at some time.  I'm not saying that we're going to go line the pockets of people...so I'm not going to take the pledge."

Doug Little responded by saying he feels the political consultant community in Arizona is toxic for our party and was willing to take the pledge.



How capable IS Mr. Graham if he admits to relying on expensive political consultants for advice on how to do the job that many grassroots people already know how to do?

 

 

 Other races which the ARL donated directly to included, ironically, $11,500 in the primary election to help union-supported Andy Tobin defeat Lori Klein.  Another $21,000 to help Amanda Reeve and Kate McGee and a measly $800 to "help" Frank Antenori. 

On August 15th, the ARL donated $7500 to the Republican Victory Fund.  Between August 16th and the primary election, the RVF spent over $40,000 to support Rich Crandall over John Fillmore.  Almost 1/4 of the money used during that time period came from Robert Graham's Americans for "Responsible Leadership" PAC. 

Did we mention that in the debate, Mr. Graham claimed he would never endorse one Republican candidate over another in a primary election?  Did he bother to ask where the money would be spent before he sent in the donation?  Or did he know?

 

 

Finally, there was a $5,300 head-scratching donation by the ARL that went to support Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah during the primary race when he ran against TEA Party backed candidate, Dan Liljenquist.

While Mr. Graham refused to answer the debate question regarding which slate he supported during the Maricopa County Republican Committee race two weeks ago, it would appear that he did manage to set up a table at the County meeting to advertise his book  candidacy. 

On a completely different topic, it would appear that Mr. Graham has ventured into the "green" demolition business by creating a new company called Green Steel along with his ARL PAC buddy, Eric Wnuck.  They quickly came across their first project this last fall in New Hampshire of all places to "recycle" an old paper mill which they purchased, sight unseen.  We wonder if they both know the former New Hampshire GOP Executive Director, Stephen DeMaura who is the current director of Americans for Job Security.... because that would be a very small world!

The Closest We'll Get To A Cardon/Flake Debate

On July 30th, AZ Central held an online "debate" between US Senate candidates Jeff Flake and Wil Cardon.  Despite numerous attempts by the Cardon campaign to initiate a face-to-face debate with Flake, sadly, it appears this is the best we're going to get from a wanna-be "representative of the people".

Some of Flake's brief answers are very telling.  Our comments will be in red.

Question:  Why do you want to be a US Senator?

Cardon:  Issues are jobs, economy.  My skill set fits better.  AZ needs people who are consistent.

Flake:  Because I think government is too big.  My record backs that up.

Question:  Lot of ads on TV.  Cardon- your ads emphasize job creation.  What's difference between your experience and Flake's?

Cardon:  I'm not going to Senate to mimic McCain/Kyl.  Going to replace them.  Businessmen have real-world experience making  payroll.

Flake:  Experience does matter.  Lot of times I don't vote with biz cmty.  Difference pro-biz and pro-free enterprise.

 

 

Question: Cardon- How do Subway hirings square with stance on immigration?  What would resolve status quo with illegal immigration?

Cardon:  Theoretical answers don't work.  Increase border patrol, then troops at border.  Finish building the fence.

 

 

Question: Cardon- Does a fence solve everything?

Cardon:  Fence doesn't solve everything, but starting point.  Also need to enforce laws on businesses.

Flake:  ICE docs indicated Subway employees were illegal. 

Cardon:  Company I have a 2% stake in was fined for incomplete paperwork.  Flake has not been in private sector for at least a decade.

Flake:  I've been in private sector longer than in government.  Had to work hard without inherited wealth.  (According to Flake's bio, he began his career working for a public affairs firm in Washington DC in 1987 before moving to Namibia to be the Executive Director of the Foundation for Democracy.  Then in 1992, Flake moved to Arizona where he was named Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute.  Who knew working in a public affairs firm in DC, living in Namibia and directing the Goldwater Institute would be considered the "private sector".  So his "private sector" experience was 13 years.  He's been in Congress for 12.  And is Flake actually slamming wealth?)

 

 

Question: Flake- Why did you change your position on immigration?

Flake:  Worked long time on comprehensive immigration solution.  "It is a dead end" until we get better border security.  (See the numerous entries we've done on Flake's evolving comprehensive immigration stance.)


 

Question: Flake- How do you define better border security?

Flake:  Yuma sector has operational border security: so if cross, have reasonable expectation of catching them.  It's a precise definition.  (Sounds like he must know Rep. Russ Jones.  Jones said the same thing when he explained his vote on SB1070.   We also broke down the issues with the Yuma sector.)



 

Question:  Assume we get that level of border security, what should we do then?

Flake:  Bigger problem - once catch ppl, what do with them?  Logjam is in federal court system.  Must deal with that, and w/real worker needs.  After secure border, need a more robust guest worker program.  I like the Strive Act.  It's not amnesty.  (Still admitting he likes the STRIVE Act?  The one he partnered with radical Luis Gutierrez?  Still more concerned about finding jobs for those here illegally than fixing the 9% unemployment rate of LEGAL citizens?)

 

 

Question:  Border is secure, what do we do now?

Cardon:  Need to fix legal system, so don't have to wait a decade to become a citizen.  Private sector can do it much cheaper than gov't.  Private sector could admin legal immigration system.  Most people overstay their visas.  They should check in.

(Flake doesn't respond.)

 

 

 Question:  What about the people who are already here illegally?

Cardon:  Until you control border and can inventory how many illegals are here, can't address a solution.

Flake:   That's a dodge answer.  We need to think about what you do w/ppl already here.  (What happened to securing the border?)

Cardon:  A dodge is being in Congress 12 years and not doing anything about the problem. (BINGO!)

 

 

Question: Cardon- Why continue to work with Flake if so upset that he broke the term limit pledge?

Flake:  Re term limits:  I didn't take pledge with intention of abandoning it.  (Bull.  You used it to get elected and hoped three terms later that people would either forget or feel like we NEEDED you so badly that you just HAD to keep running.)

 

Question:  What's the problem with Dodd-Frank?

Cardon:  It's Obamacare for business

(Flake didn't answer.)

Question:  What's your first step in reforming onerous regulatory environment?

Cardon:  Listen to ppl with real-world experience.  Review every regulation and have up, down vote on every one.  We also can reform onerous regulations with sunset requirements.

(Again, Flake didn't answer.)

Question:  Both of you oppose Affordable Healthcare Act.  How do you realistically deconstruct it?

Cardon:  Intro incentives to get preventive care, for docs to offer effective medical care.  That includes tort reform.

Flake:  Obamacare will be repealed or fall of its own weight.  The faster we can repeal, the better.

Question:  What about more popular measures of Affordable Healthcare Act?  Would you repeal ban on preexisting conditions, etc?

Flake:  No, those measures must go.

Cardon:  Affordable Healthcare Act will fall on its own weight.  Allow private market solution.  More choice if keep market free.  15/100 Senators have been in business before.  Ppl outside of real world can't solve real-world problems.

 

 

Question: Cardon- You said you want to replace McCain/Kyl.  Outside immigration, what are your disagreements w/ them?

Cardon: Disagree with McCain/Kyl bailouts, TARP.  I disagree with their results.   Ppl should be judged by results.  McCain/Kyl not focused on AZ issues.  But I'm not trying to get in an argument with them.  Want to replace every career politician.


 

Question: Why do you think you can do a good job in Senate with no political experience?

Cardon:  Can do job w/out political experience because lawmakers haven't been doing a good job.  I'm not bound by their paradigms.

Flake:  I've been criticized for not signing letter to advocate for Boeing.   Not job of Senator to be chief marketer for state.  Job of US Senator isn't to pick favorites but to offer favorable environment for biz.  (It's not the job of a Senator to advocate for businesses in our state?) 

Cardon:  A Senator's primary responsibility is to citizens.  Should call co's to lobby for relocation.

Question:  One of Flake's criticisms is unwillingness to advocate for AZ biz.  Will you continue that posture?

Flake:  Specific biz hurt have been by transportation inequities.  Problem was earmarks.  All we need now is conducive regulatory environment.


 

Question:  Cardon- You disagree with that.  So where do you draw the line?

Cardon:  Take Kyl's approach: once $ is appropriated, you fight for money for your state.

Question:  What say to general election audience about why you should be elected?

Cardon: Vote for me b/c we need people in Congress with different way of thinking.  Biz experience is necessary.

Flake:  Send someone to Senate who has record of standing up to important issues, incl debt/deficit.  I've shown ability to be effective. (By "important issues" he means partnering with leftists on Comprehensive Immigration Reform bills)


 

Question:  Both- With 20% of the GDP being spent on healthcare-what can be done that improves quality and cost?

Flake:  First, give individuals the same benefits corporations currently enjoy, to be able to purchase health care with pre-tax dollars.  Second, force insurance companies to compete across state lines.  Third, make it easier to create Health Savings Accounts.  That's a good start.

Cardon:  Our health care system is broken.  We need to start with tort reform and by inserting market reforms into the health care system.  Allow doctors to practice the most effective medicine not have the requirements of government dictate care.  Allow insurance companies to compete across state lines.

 

 

Question:  Considering the burden of our National Debt, and considering the traditional Republican praise of personal responsibility, why aren't Republicans calling for surcharge on income taxes to pay down the debt instead of tax cuts which drive the country into a deeper hole?

Flake:  We'll never solve our fiscal crisis by assuming that individuals are taxed too little.  Rather, government is spending too much.  We need economic growth, and that won't come by raising taxes.

Cardon:  Why have career politicians allowed us to come this far.  There is a simple rule in the real world.  "Spend less than you take in."  Let's start with that and then let's cause the private sector to grow.  That is the way out of this fiscal crises.

Question:  What are your positions on the future of both the unmanned and manned space programs?

Flake:  I think that government needs to partner with the private sector more than it has done in the past regarding space programs.  This will make these programs more affordable and effective.

Cardon:  We have grave problems right now with the economy, a lack of jobs, an un-secure border and many others.  I believe the space program is important but is not the focus we need to take right now.  Otherwise,  there may not be a space program in the future at all. 

 

 

Question:  What's your stance on medical marijuana?

Flake:  I'm not a fan, myself. (How about answering the question and not whether you would personally use it?)

Cardon:  I oppose the legalization of marijuana.  Those needs can be provided through different delivery systems.  The FDA and government is the problem to many of the woes of drug approvals.




Question: Flake- Why aren't you a fan of medical marijuana?

Flake: I just don't want to go down that road.  (Why won't you tell us your opinion on the legalization of medical marijuana?)

 

Question:  What would EACH of you say is the biggest DIFFERENCE in your  political views with Jon Kyl?

Flake:  I'm a big fan of Senator Kyl.  But one difference is that I believe that Americans should be allowed to trade and travel with Cuba, he doesn't. (Still a dictator sympathizer?)

Cardon:  I disagree with his choice for the US Senate in this race.  I believe that the old guard and career politicians are not the solutions going forward.  I am not running for the endorsements of John McCain or Jon Kyl.  We need to enter a new era where statesman and problem solvers represent us, not people who have been in government the longest.   As Reagan said, "Government is not the solution.  Government is the problem."

 

 

Question:  Why do you both feel it's necessary to attack each other rather than spending the time talking about issues?

Flake:  I'd certainly rather talk about issues, but this is a campaign and you have to draw a contrast between yourself and your opponent.

Cardon:  If you look at each of my ads they have discussed immigration, conflicts of interest with lobbyists and spending tax payer dollars and higher energy taxes.  I have told Jeff that I will remove all ads and political material using his name if he will do the same and ask the Washington special interest groups spending millions to act accordingly.  I am hopeful he will agree.  I certainly want to change the discussion to issues and not name calling.

 

Question:  Would you consider running for a second term if you were elected?

Flake:  Sure. (And another.. and another.. and another...)

Cardon:  That would depend on the job I did.  I would judge that by the results not the rhetoric.

 

 

Question:  How do you feel about Sheriff Joe Arpaio?

Flake:  I'm running for the Senate, and I've got enough on my plate without getting involved in other races. (Nice dodge.  Too busy to support Arpaio who is being demonized for trying to uphold our state laws...the same state Flake wants to represent in Washington, but not too busy to endorse, say, a Maricopa County Supervisor candidate like Steve Chucri?  We might also remind our readers that Jeff Flake's old staffer, Chad Heywood, is one of Kirk Adams' A-TEAM members.)

Cardon:  I believe our local law enforcement officials are doing the best they can with difficult issues unfairly burdened on them by the Federal government not doing its job.  I applaud Sheriff Joe and anyone else, including our border patrol, who fight the establishment in enforcing and helping keep "the rule of law" in our country.

Question:  What is your stand on denial of individual health insurance policies to those with pre-existing conditions?

Flake:  If individuals are allowed to access health care services only when they are sick or injured, there is no reason for anyone to have insurance.  If  insurance companies are required to accept all pre-existing conditions, insurance is no longer insurance.

Cardon:  We need to open up insurance markets for companies to compete across state lines.  We need more market reforms.  I believe with these changes and with tort reform the free market will provide answers rather than government for problems like pre-existing conditions.  I believe we should not require people to purchase a private product as a  cost of citizenship.  I would like to see those who represent us do the same.  BTW, I also believe that those in the Senate and House should live under the same laws we do.  If they pass Obamacare, they should live under Obamacare.

 

 

Question:  How do each of you feel about the Tea Party?

Flake:  I think the major accomplishment of the Tea Party movement is that it has brought our nation's lack of fiscal responsibility to the fore.  It has been a crucial element in getting the House of Representatives to pass a responsible budget.  Now, if we can just get the Senate and President to go along...

Cardon:  I believe the Tea Party in general is on the right path.  The principles and beliefs of the Tea Party regarding less taxation, less government regulation and that we need to return to the Constitution regarding the governance of this republic are near and dear to my heart.  I think that, as the lies in the ads running against me display, saying one agrees with everyone in large organizations is problematic.  I don't support higher taxes and I don't want anything put on anyone's car.  Those are lies.

Question:  Could you each sum up your thoughts on how we can improve education (K-12 and beyond) in America?  Obviously, we have to be competitive on a global level, but how do you propose we do that?

Cardon:  Give back more authority to the local administrators of education.  Have those who work in the schools hire the teachers.  Demand merit based pay and transparency and accountability.  Demand and incentivize parents to become more involved and take more responsibility for their children's education.  In short, do the same thing with education that I believe needs to be done with most of the Federal government- namely, give control back to local levels and the people in the "real world."

 Flake:  The federal government doesn't have a good record when it comes to education reform.  States like Arizona should be allowed to move ahead with their own reforms, as they have done in the past two decades.  Charter schools have increased quality and accountability considerably.  This reform didn't come from Washington.

 

Question:  Which team would you cheer for:  Wildcats or Sun Devils?

Flake:  First half, ASU, second half, UofA, reverse order during the next game. (Such a politician answer.)

Cardon:  This is a brutal one.  Both of my parents were born in Tucson and my family has had four generations at the U of A.  My mother bleeds red and blue and her license plate is 31-27 (I'll let you look that one up).  I attended classes at ASU and have three siblings that went there.  I attended Stanford and played football for Bill Walsh.  I'm rooting for either team unless they are playing Stanford.

 Question:  What have you done to stop wasteful spending in Washington DC?

Flake:  For years I went to the house floor and challenged earmarks.  It didn't win me many friends (in fact it got me kicked off a committee by my own party), but in the end, sanity prevailed and the House and Senate declared an end to the practice.

Cardon:  I am fed up with professional politicians and believe we need an Arizona businessman or woman in the Senate who lives in the real world.  I have been raising a family and working in the private sector.  I have not been a career politician in Washington DC.  I have fought the fight from the private sector, but that is why I am now running.  It is time for new leadership and a new era.

 

 

Question:  What's the toughest part of campaigning?

Cardon:  Having your opponent be backed by Washington special interest groups with no ties to Arizona and spend millions of $ to attack you with lies.  Every ad they have placed has been a complete fabrication and personal attack.  It is sad to see the effects and how evil these Washington special interest groups are.  I do not want to see our next Senator be beholden to them because they spend more money ($2 out of every $3 right now) to run only negative attack ads.  I love being out on the trail and meeting people every day.  There are more positives than negatives.  I'd love to see an end to the negativity of the attack ads.

Flake:  Fundraising.  It takes money to get your message out, and it takes a lot of time to raise money.  Balancing the campaign with doing my job in Washington and trying to be a good husband and father is not an easy task.  My wife is a saint.

Question:  What are your feelings about the Dream Act and illegal immigration?

Flake:  We've got to secure our southern border before moving on to other immigration issues. (Nice dodge, again.  We'd still like to know how Flake feels about the Dream Act.)

Cardon:  I oppose the Dream Act and believe that we have to control our border.  Politicians have promised us that for years but have not delivered.  We are a compassionate nation but we are also a nation governed by the rule of law.  My football coach in high school, Jesse Parke, taught me many poems and quotes.  One of those is, "The world is not interested in the storms you've encountered but did you bring in the ship."  I'd like to see our representatives solve the problems with controlling our border so we can get the focus on fixing a broken legal immigration system.  WE are all immigrants and this country is built on legal immigration.

Some people never change. 

But, people can MAKE a change! 

No more Flakes in Washington!