It's now been five days since we first contacted Congressional candidate Matt Salmon's campaign seeking an explanation as to why he would accept an endorsement from Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a man he once claimed to not only dislike, but also doesn't respect. Salmon -- five days later -- still refuses to explain himself.
New Times has dredged up several comments made by Salmon about Arpaio. In short, as of 2005, Salmon's feelings towards America's self-proclaimed "toughest sheriff" are as follows: he doesn't like him, he doesn't respect him, he doesn't think he's "playing with a full deck," and he compared him to Barney Fife.
Click here for more Arpaio bashing, courtesy of former Congressman Salmon.
That said, Arpaio endorsed Salmon's candidacy last week. In the press release announcing the endorsement, Salmon says the following about the man for whom he has no respect:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been a tireless advocate for the safety of Maricopa County citizens for almost two decades. He understands how important it is to protect our national borders against illegal immigration and he knows I will make that a top priority in Washington. I am grateful for his confidence in my ability to represent the best interests of our communities.
Salmon's campaign spokesman Adam Deguire has flat-out refused to respond to New Times' multiple requests for an explanation of the switcheroo.
Just this afternoon, we sent Deguire yet another email requesting an explanation. Again, he didn't even give us the courtesy of a response -- and we're pretty sure we know why: there is no explanation -- no explanation other than simply saying Salmon has no principles and has caved to Arizona Republican politics in order to get elected, that is.
If you'd also like an explanation as to why a Congressional candidate, who once said he had no respect for Joe Arpaio, would now refer to the sheriff as a "tireless advocate for the safety of Maricopa County citizens for almost two decades" now that he's running for Congress, email Deguire at [email protected].
