Sometimes it is best to not say whatever is on your mind. It can be hard for us political types, and those of us who feel passionately about certain issues. I find it difficult as one who works by day at a non-partisan, non-profit organization, is the Vice Chair of a local Democratic Party organization in my spare time, and may one day seek public office to always speak freely. But nobody has yet asked me to give up any hats that I wear as a result of my mouth (or typing skills).
Today's column in the Arizona Daily Star by Maria Weeg, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party, is one of those times when my party should have been silent. The Democratic Party is claiming that, because Arizona law prohibits elected officials from campaigning for another office until they are in the last year of their current term, that state Senate President Tim Bee (R-Tucson) is violating the spirit of the law by having an "exploratory" committee to run for Congress. First, the local media in southern Arizona have already editorialized on the issue, agreeing with the Democrats that Bee should resign to run. For the state Democratic Party to add its voice to the argument makes that argument seem less genuine. Moreover, Tucsonans would much rather listen to their local media than a state organization that is based in Phoenix.
One problem with so many talking political heads is they spend so much time talking that they have no memory. Alfredo Gutierrez leveled this same accusation against then-Attorney General Janet Napolitano when both were seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2002. Gutierrez said that Napolitano was skirting the law by setting up an exploratory committee before she could legally run. Where were the Op-Ed columns from the Arizona Democratic Party then? If it is okay for Governor Napolitano to do it, why is it not good for Senator Bee?
And here is the heart of the issue: Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot. This year, Senate President Bee worked hand-in-hand with Democratic leaders in the Senate to craft a bipartisan state budget. This was the first time in years the Democrats were allowed in the process. This was a sharp contrast to the partisan budget battles over in the House. Now Arizona faces a deficit of several hundred million dollars. Would the Arizona Democratic Party prefer a more conservative, more partisan Senate President to take office now and help Governor Napolitano identify cuts to state services? Perhaps the state Party would prefer a Senate President Verschoor or Huppenthal. While I support the new leadership of the Arizona Democratic Party, as a Democrat and former Southern Arizona resident, I believe the party should be more strategic in this campaign. They should not be on record saying that the first Senate President from Southern Arizona in 30 years shouldn't be allowed to finish his term. His comments supporting the President's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, on the other hand, is an issue that affects thousands of real Arizonans, and not just political parties.
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I agree with you on all of your points. What I think makes this even more disingenuous is the fact that two sitting house members have also set up exploratory commttees (Anderson in CD5 and Pearce in CD6) and both have indicated they will not resign their house seats if they run for congress. There has been no outcry against these two, and the CD5 race will be just as contentious as CD8.
I also believe that Dems are better off if Bee stays in office, not just because of the reasons you point out, but also because staying in office will greatly hurt his ability to campaign until the session ends.
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