U.S. Conservative Politics

Does Governor Jan Brewer's Fight to Expand Medicaid Change Your Opinion About Her?

A few short years ago, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer became the hero of most conservatives and the villain to most liberals when she signed the anti-Mexican SB1070 bill into law. Now, with Brewer possibly staking her legacy -- as USA Today put it recently -- on the Medicaid fight, she's dividing righ ... More >>

Brett Mecum, AZ's Republican Superhero, Lands Job with State AG Tom Horne as Legislative Liaison

Brett Mecum, local Republican Party operative and dirt magnet, has landed a job as legislative liaison for someone with a reputation even more tarnished than his: State Attorney General Tom Horne. Mecum was fired as the Arizona GOP's executive director in May of 2011 for unknown reasons. But it was ... More >>

Tempe Wingnut Is the Ideal Man to Run the County GOP -- and Here's Why

Russell Pearce and Cohorts Plead for Amnesty, LD 25 RiNOs Give It To Them

Followers of disgraced, recalled ex-state Senate President Russell Pearce practically begged for amnesty Wednesday night in Mesa from their blood-rivals, the moderate GOPers they derisively refer to as RiNOs (Republicans in Name Only). And more than two hours into a tense, divided meeting of Republ ... More >>

Is Arizona GOP Chairman Tom Morrissey a "Birther"?

Arizona Republican Party chairman Tom Morrissey insists he is not a "birther."However, Morrissey says, "In my opinion, what I have seen from the president, produced as a birth certificate, does not convince me that it is a real document."See also:-Arizona GOP Chairman Tom Morrissey Says He's Not a " ... More >>

Arizona GOP Chairman Tom Morrissey Says He's Not a "Birther," but Obama's Birth Certificate Doesn't Seem Real

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's joke of an "investigation" into President Obama's birth certificate is still an issue.Now, even after President Obama's re-election, Arizona Republican Party chairman Tom Morrissey -- who insists he's not a "birther" -- says he does not believe the president's bi ... More >>

After Election Day, AZ's Far Right Now Has a Fight on Its Hands

Bill Montgomery Joins in on Useless Demand for Kyrsten Sinema's Client List as an Attorney

Over the past couple of weeks, the Arizona Republican Party, supporting Republican congressional candidate Vernon Parker, has demanded that Parker's Democratic opponent, Kyrsten Sinema, release a list of her clients as a criminal-defense attorney.The odds of that happening are pretty close to zero, ... More >>

Brett Mecum: Speeder, Alleged Stalker, Fired GOP Director, and Now, Water Board Candidate

Brett Mecum wants your vote for the Central Arizona Water Conservation District board. Never mind that he's no water issues expert. Or that he was fired in the spring of 2011 as the executive director of the Arizona Republican party. And naturally he'd prefer you forgot all about his many mini-sc ... More >>

Democrat Rich Carmona Races Toward the U.S. Senate

Joel Fox, Former Sheriff's Captain Used in Scheme by Arpaio Campaign, in Merit-Board Hearing Today

See Also: Joel Fox, Former Captain in Sheriff Arpaio's Office, Blames Stress for Lies to State Criminal Investigators See Also: Two of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Top Deputies Have "Love Connection" to SCA Scandal The stink from Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office wafts on: Joel Fox, the love-swollen former cap ... More >>

Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Brings Out Supporters; Protesters' Kiss-In Planned for Friday; Says Greater Phoenix Tea Party Patriot, "They Used to Have Something Called 'Hot Brown' and It Was So Good!" (Mm, Sinful)

See also: Chick-fil-A Flap Summed Up In Bizarre Taiwanese Animation Since Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy said his Georgia-based fast food chain opposed gay marriage, the company has been scorned by the mayors of Chicago, Boston, and Washington, parodied by trannies -- hell, even the fuckin' Muppets don ... More >>

DREAMers Score a Win with Obama's Immigration Initiative, But the War Is Far from Over

Russell Pearce Freaks Out in the Bunker in Downfall Spoof

Think Pearce will laugh? Yeah, probably notMy good friend Dennis Gilman was kind enough to upload this delicious new parody for me of the much-spoofed "raving fuhrer" scene from the 2004 German film Downfall, starring Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler.Long have I dreamed of having one of these Downfall spo ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Softer, Gentler Side, via the Video Stylings of Constantin Querard

Soft and cuddly this Mesa muttonhead will never beI sure hope recalled ex-state Senate President Russell Pearce doesn't bow out of the GOP state Senate primary in Legislative District 25, as some have been speculatin' in the blogosphere.Why? Well, because that would rob me of the immense pleasure of ... More >>

AZ Unite Women Rally Draws Hundreds to the State Capitol to Protest Against "War on Women"

A crowd assembled at the Arizona Capitol today to put legislators on notice that they're pissed. About 500 people voiced outrage toward recent laws passed in Arizona and around the county that restrict women's health and reproductive rights. AZ Unite Women organized the event in ... More >>

Joel Fox, Former Captain in Sheriff Arpaio's Office, Blames Stress for Lies to State Criminal Investigators

Joel Fox, a former captain in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, was "floored" when state criminal investigators showed up with a search warrant at his house on March 31, 2009. "I couldn't believe it," Fox said on the stand this morning, testifying in his attempt to get his job back. These were m ... More >>

Russell Pearce, Serial Liar, Endorses Mitt Romney, Tells the Truth for Once

According to a recent item in the Washington Post's Election 2012 Blog, recalled state Senate President Russell Pearce has endorsed Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential primary, more than a month after Romney won Sand Land's GOP contest. As a result, Romney immediately called a press ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Big Announcement on State Senate Run Comes March 19

I have just intercepted the e-mail blast below from 12-point loser, recalled ex-state Senate President Russell Pearce. According to the communication, Arizona's biggest bigot intends to make it official on March 19 regarding a run for state Senate in the newly-formed Legislative District 25.There's ... More >>

Brett Mecum, Fired State GOP Director, Working on State Senator Frank Antenori's Congressional Campaign

​Since being fired as state Republican Party executive director last summer, Brett Mecum has found work as a political consultant and is helping out on state Senator Frank Antenori's Congressional bid.Antenori's one of several Republicans seeking to fill the seat left vacant by Congresswoman Gabri ... More >>

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama Dead Even in Arizona, New Poll Shows

A new survey of Arizona voters by Public Policy Polling shows that President Barack Obama stands an even chance of turning Arizona blue in November.The poll shows Obama surging in our redder than red state, tying Republican Mitt Romney at 47 percent. Against GOPer Rick Santorum he does one point wor ... More >>

Arizona Republican Party Hate-Fest Video

Above is videographer Dennis Gilman's take on the state GOP meeting in January, which I covered in a previous post.As you'll see, a lot of Arizona Republicans, not unlike their national counterparts, define themselves by what they hate: President Barack Obama, minorities, gays, and the undocumented. ... More >>

Russell Pearce Nabs First Vice Chair, Ron Paul Dominates Straw Poll at State GOP Meeting

Ex-state Senate President Russell Pearce began slithering back into relevancy this Saturday during the Arizona GOP's winter meeting, held at Phoenix's Church for the Nations, where he was elected to the party's First Vice Chair position.Despite an embarrassing 12-point loss to fellow Republican Jerr ... More >>

Russell Pearce Scores GOP Chairman Tom Morrissey's Endorsement for First Vice Chair

Unless you frequent right wing blogs such as Sonoran Alliance or SeeingRedAZ, you may have missed the tidbit that disgraced ex-state Senator Russell Pearce has won the endorsement of Arizona GOP Chair Tom Morrissey for the unpaid position Pearce is seeking: First Vice Chair of the Arizona Republican ... More >>

Will Joe Arpaio's Endorsement Hurt Rick Perry?

Could Joe Arpaio's endorsement be toxic for Rick Perry?​As you've probably heard, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be in New Hampshire today where he's expected to endorse Texas Governor Rick Perry in the Republican presidential primary.Arpaio's nod could be a double-edged sword for Perry, ... More >>

Arizona Dems on Steve Pierce, Russell Pearce's Replacement as Senate President: Nothing Will Change "Other Than One Vowel"

Senator Russell...er, we mean Steve Pierce.​State Senator Steve Pierce was pegged by his Republican Senate colleagues to replace ousted former Senator Russell Pearce as the president of the Senate -- and Arizona Democrats aren't thrilled with the GOP's pick.We commented yesterday that Pierce's tak ... More >>

Steve Pierce to Replace Booted Senator Russell Pearce as State Senate President *WITH UPDATE*

Senator Steve Pierce will take over for ousted Senator Russell Pearce as president of the Arizona Senate.​State Senate Republicans confirm to New Times that GOPers have selected a replacement for ousted Senate President Russell Pearce following his historic loss in Tuesday night's recall election. ... More >>

Cortes-gate Unravels, and All Arizona Needs Is a Prosecutor Willing to Do His Job

Joe Arpaio Opponent Mike Stauffer to Run For Sheriff as an Independent

​Scottsdale Lieutenant Mike Stauffer, the man who hopes to unseat Joe Arpaio as Maricopa County sheriff, announced Friday that he's switching party affiliation to run as an Independent.It's probably a pretty good move -- Stauffer originally was running as a Republican, which means he would have ha ... More >>

Russell Pearce Supporter and Tea Party Chairman Greg Western Submits Sigs for Olivia Cortes

Tea Partier Greg Western, just after submitting signatures for putative vote-diluter Olivia CortesLike you needed more proof that Olivia Cortes' candidacy in the November 8 recall election in Legislative District 18 is all about "diluting" the vote and helping state Senate Russell Pearce beat challe ... More >>

John McCain Bashes Almost Everyone During Senate-Floor Tirade

John McCain yesterday compared Tea Partiers to Hobbits.​"The Mav" had quite the day for himself yesterday.Aside from calling Tea Partiers "hobbits" while addressing the Senate, Senator John McCain also managed to bash Nevada Senator Harry Reid, President Barack Obama, Reid's opponent in last year' ... More >>

Brett Mecum, Former State GOP Director, Takes Plea in 2009 Speeding Case; Completes Defensive Driving School

Brett Mecum, former executive director for the state Republican Party, lost his speeding case last month after a two-year court battle.​The criminal speeding case of Brett Mecum, former executive director for the state Republican Party, ended last month after a two-year odyssey through the court s ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Pal Thayer Verschoor to Take Over for Brett Mecum as AZ GOP's Executive Director, Sources Say

Thayer Verschoor​With the ouster of now-former Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party Brett Mecum, Thayer Verschoor, a veteran of the Arizona Legislature and short-lived communications director for the AZ GOP, is getting a promotion.Sources tell New Times Verschoor has been slated to t ... More >>

Ask a Mexican on the Tea Party and Making the Rich Richer

State Representative Jim Weiers Won't Explain Reported Role in SCA Criminal Investigation

  Image: www.jimweiers.com State Representative Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, told investigators that he didn't remember referring Sheriff Arpaio's men to GOP consultant Chris Baker, as Baker said he did.​We've given it the old college try, but State Representative Jim Weiers (R-Phoenix ... More >>

Congressman Jeff Flake's Senate Bid Gets Nod From Utah Senator Mike Lee

Congressman Jeff Flake wants to be Senator Jeff Flake.​Congressman Jeff Flake's bid to become Senator Jeff Flake is picking up steam -- and GOP senators are beginning to take notice, including Utah Senator Mike Lee, who endorsed Flake's candidacy today."Jeff Flake's record on fiscal conservatism s ... More >>

Get Ready for "Don't Tread on Me" License Plates, Arizona -- but, in a Perfect World, it Could Spell Trouble for Tea Partiers

www.bornagainredneck.com Coming soon to an Arizona license plate near you.​Arizona has license plates supporting breast cancer research, calling for child-abuse prevention, and for those supporting wildlife-conservation efforts, to name a few. Now, if two Arizona legislators have ... More >>

Representative Vic Williams Responds to New Times Critique of "Don't Tread on Me" License Plate Bill

Representative Vic Williams calls his "Don't Tread on Me" license plate bill a "technical placeholder."​Since our previous post about a bill proposed in the Arizona State Legislature that would amend the law regarding specialized license plates to include a "Don't Tread on Me" plate, one of the bi ... More >>

DREAM Act Demise: Republicans, the Enemies of Christmas

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski: Living proof that not all GOPer hate LatinosI've always wondered who the Republicans hate more: Latinos or gays?Now that the DREAM Act has failed a cloture vote in the U.S. Senate, while the effort to end Don't Ask Don't Tell succeeded, I guess we know.Naturally, I'm m ... More >>

Randy Pullen Out as Arizona GOP Chair

Glory days: Pullen being sworn in as chairman in 2009, after defeating Lisa Allen Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, has announced via Twitter that he will not seek reelection at the next state party meeting on January 22. This follows the news that Pullen had no ... More >>

John McCain's Not the Star of GOP Election Night Party, as Jan Brewer Works Crowd into SB 1070-Fueled Frenzy

James King Jan Brewer, to put it politely, is terrifying. ​As predicted, the U.S. Senate race between Senator John McCain and his Democratic opponent, Rodney Glassman, was a blowout.McCain clobbered Glassman by roughly 25 percent of the vote, which wasn't even enough to make him the star of ... More >>

Tater Tot: Ben Quayle's Smart. He Can Spell Potato. But He Wouldn't Be a GOP Congressional Nominee Without the Name Daddy Dan Made Infamous

Over the Rainbow: Matt Salmon's Son Wants to Make a Name For Himself in Republican Politics -- Only He's Gay

Gadsden Flag Shouldn't be Banned by Laveen HOA, Says ACLU

A Laveen HOA wants to ban a homeowner from flying the Gadsden flag​ A Laveen homeowner's association is wrong to prohibit the historic Gadsden flag from flying in front of a home, an ACLU representative says. "We believe that (HOAs) don't have the power to hijack people's free speech rights," ... More >>

Owen "Buz" Mills "Suspends" Gubernatorial Campaign

Owen "Buz" Mills​Arizona Governor Jan Brewer's life got a little easier today with news that her last remaining opponent in the GOP primary for Governor, Owen "Buz" Mills, is suspending his campaign.Mills announced his decision to suspend his candidacy today saying the focus of the campaign was no ... More >>

Dean Martin's "Major Announcement" Tomorrow Expanded to Include "Immigration Leaders"

Treasurer Dean Martin has a "major announcement."​Arizona Treasurer Dean Martin, currently running in the GOP primary for governor, announced last week that he would hold a press conference tomorrow where he would make a "major announcement" regarding his campaign. Today, Martin announc ... More >>

Flagstaff Tea Party Member Told to Cover Up Her Shirt by Poll Workers

Clint Bolick says a Flagstaff woman's First Amendment rights were violated when she was told not to wear a Tea Party T-shirt to the polls.​A Flagstaff woman was told she would not be allowed to vote if she wears her Tea Party shirt to the polls.And when Diane Wickberg called the Coconino Cou ... More >>

John McCain Campaign Loses Two Veteran Staffers Including Campaign Manager; Dang!

​Two of Senator John McCain's veteran campaign advisers -- one being his campaign manager, Shiree Verdone -- have left the campaign, the McCain camp announced Friday.After the "danged fence" ad, and what Dan Nowicki at the Arizona Republic is calling an "about face" on his stance on immigration, w ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s Command Staff is Caught Up in a Serious Criminal Investigation, Newly Released Documents Show

The Dirty Truth about "Clean" Elections