There's good news: Congressman Raul Grijalva won't be running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jon Kyl. He also says there's a "distinct possibility" that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will mount a Senate campaign.
Grijalva, as you may recall, encouraged people to boycott all things Arizona after Governor Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 -- Arizona's controversial immigration law -- which was good for nobody, regardless of how you feel about the law. In other words, it was a dick move and news that this stooge won't be running for Senate is a relief, to say the least.
As for his assertion that there's a "distinct possibility" Giffords could potentially run for the seat: too soon, bubba.
The election is two years away, and while Giffords is making tremendous
progress after being shot "through the brain" during the January 8,
shooting rampage in Tucson -- speaking a little bit, eating, etc. --
she's got a long way to go before she'd even be able to consider running
for statewide office. And that's only if she makes a full recovery,
which we're all hoping for, but is not guaranteed.
Giffords running is wishful thinking for Arizona Democrats, as she's
probably their only chance at winning the seat in a Conservative state
like Arizona -- after the Tucson shooting, she definitely would have an
edge as far as name recognition (and sympathy) goes.
Whomever the Democrats choose as their nominee will likely have to face
Congressman Jeff Flake, a rare Arizona Republican who isn't nauseatingly
Conservative. Another potential GOP candidate is former TV pitchman,
and one-time congressman, J.D. Hayworth -- who is nauseatingly
Conservative, a trait that, sadly, is embraced by much of Arizona's
electorate. Both GOPers can raise a lot of money, and would likely
clobber a lesser-known Democrat in the general election.
Giffords is the Dems best hope, but she's got a long way to go, and
Arizona lefties can't be putting all their eggs in Gabrielle Giffords'
basket if they expect to have any chance at taking Kyl's seat.
