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Jim Kolbe (RINO-AZ) Snubbed by Bush/Cheney Campaign
South East Arizona Republican Club Website ^ | 13 August 2003 | Todd Evans

Posted on 08/13/2004 12:19:45 PM PDT by Spiff

Along with the rest of the Arizona Republican Congressional Delegation, Jim Kolbe may serve as a Co-Chairman of the Bush-Cheney '04 Arizona Leadership Team. However, he was not anywhere to be found at the jam-packed Dick Cheney rally held in Tucson on July 31st. He wasn't on the stage and he certainly did not speak despite the fact that the rally was held in Tucson which includes most of Jim Kolbe's constituents. J.D. Hayworth spoke despite the fact that Hayworth's district is all the way up in Maricopa County.

When Vice President Cheney spoke he did mention the Arizona delegation. However, he reserved the least praise for Kolbe when he said:

I want to thank my good friend Alan Simpson for being with us today. (Applause.) The good news is whenever Al Simpson and I campaign together, we always win the election. (Applause.) It's an honor to be here with Congressman J.D. Hayworth. And I want to mention your congressman, Jim Kolbe.

I want to "mention" your congressman? No compliment, no praise - nothing. Just a strained mention.

Was Kolbe at the George Bush Rally held in Phoenix this last Wednesday night (Aug 11)? He wasn't on the stage. Kolbe did not speak. And, in fact, he received the ultimate snub when President Bush didn't even give him a weak mention like Cheney did. Here's what the official Bush/Cheney website says that President Bush said at the rally:

I'm proud to be traveling with a great American and a fine citizen of this state, a person who served his nation with distinction and honor -- John McCain. (Applause.) I want to thank his wife Cindy for joining us, as well. She's a class act, good lady. (Applause.)

I also want to thank my friend, Jon Kyl, the other Senator from this state. You got two fine United States Senators from Arizona. (Applause.)

I want to thank my friends from the congressional delegation, Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, J.D. Hayworth, Jeff Flake, for their leadership. (Applause.)

President Bush listed the entire Arizona Republican Congressional Delegation except for Kolbe! Not even a single mention. He said he was thanking his friends - is Kolbe no longer a friend of the campaign or George Bush? Is his "leadership" no longer appreciated?

Why would that be?

Could it be that Kolbe is on the outs with President Bush and his campaign because Kolbe opposes the President's support for the Federal Marriage Amendment to protect traditional marriage and define it as a union only between a man and a woman. The once-married now openly gay Kolbe has been outspoken in his support for gay marriage and since he announced that he defined himself by his homosexual behavior his voting record has reflected support for the radical gay agenda. Kolbe's new voting habits have even been lauded by gay publications. He's told his constituents in Tucson that he looks forward to the day when gay marriage is considered to be "normal".

Kolbe is also a supporter of the Log Cabin Republicans - a group of so-called Republicans who promote the radical gay agenda within the party. He's spoken at their convention and he relies upon campaign funds from the organization. The Log Cabin Republicans oppose President Bush and plan to cause problems at the Republican National Convention later this month. Looks like a conflict of interest to me.

There may be other explanations offered to explain the falling out between the Bush/Cheney campaign and Jim Kolbe. Everyone wants to tiptoe around the elephant in the room and avoid making Kolbe's homosexual lifestyle an issue. It has become an issue now only because the President, nearly every Republican, and most of the people in the United States prefer that marriage be defined as a union only between a man and a woman. The once-married now openly gay Kolbe is at odds with Bush, Cheney, the Republican Party, and the rest of the country on this issue. Could it be that Bush, Cheney and the campaign don't want to be associated anymore with Jim Kolbe? It certainly looks that way from where I'm standing.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: cochisecounty; gaymarriage; gwb2004; jimkolbe; kolbe; logcabinrepublicans; marriage; radicalgayagenda; rino; snub; tucson
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To: Captain Peter Blood

There is not enough room under the Republican "big tent" for both sodomites and conservative Christians. The sooner the GOP realizes that and tells one or the other group to take a hike, the smoother things will run.


21 posted on 08/13/2004 12:58:09 PM PDT by applemac_g4
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To: Happy2BMe

Yea. He's light in the loafers.


22 posted on 08/13/2004 1:00:17 PM PDT by Cobra64 (Babes should wear Bullet Bras - www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Captain Peter Blood; LifeTrek

Jim Kolbe: Leading our Families into Oblivion

Paul Rollins
SEAR Club Columnist
Jul. 26, 2004 12:00AM

Today, as I was eating dinner, my wife handed me a postcard from my friendly Congressman, Jim Kolbe. It appears he finally got around to scheduling Town Hall meetings in Cochise County. The post card announced three Town Hall meetings in August however the post card said it was paid for by Kolbe 2004. I found that fact particularly interesting because Town Hall meetings provide a forum in which the public can interact with their representative. They are visits of official business, so, it begs the question: Are these Town Hall meetings or campaign stops?

Some food for thought.

Anyway, as I was reading the post card, I spied a short statement on the front of the card underneath a picture of Kolbe, which read, “Experience. Integrity. Leadership for Arizona Families.” The next thing I knew my wife was performing the Heimlich maneuver on me because I had choked on a forkful of enchiladas.

Leadership for Arizona Families? Kolbe can not be serious.

Unfortunately his is very serious, but the facts show that Kolbe’s record in regards to safeguarding the family is among the most disgraceful among any active Republican politician. His record even makes some Democrats look good. He has continually undermined attempts to protect traditional marriage, embrace traditional lifestyles, and protect the innocent unborn.

First and foremost is the simple fact that Kolbe shamelessly embraces a homosexual lifestyle. I am continually amazed at how voters, especially Republican and conservative voters can turn a blind eye to this most egregious fact. How can we expect someone with such twisted personal affinities to be one-hundred percent committed to protect sacred family values? Kolbe said that being gay is “as irrelevant as the fact that I am blue-eyed, right-handed, and balding." Kolbe also said, “That I am a gay person has never affected the way that I legislate”

But, reality tells us something much different. The fact that Kolbe is gay has everything to do with his voting record on social issues. Even gay publications admit that Kolbe “became more supportive of gay and lesbian rights issues than [he] had been while closeted.” The point here is that we, as voters, are tolerating someone who embraces a deviant way of life to represent us in congress. We are allowing him to vote his conscience on our behalf. We are putting our voice, our values, and our children’s future in the hands of someone who lives a lifestyle so very different from yours and mine.

Secondly, Kolbe has shamefully and consistently voted to support the repulsive practice of abortion, including the heinous procedure of partial birth abortion. He supports abortion on the one hand, while claiming to safeguard family values on the other. Kolbe wants his cake and he wants to eat it, too. Sadly, not an opportunity has passed Kolbe by where he has not sought to support the murder of unborn children. Consider the following regarding Kolbe’s votes on abortion and the unborn:

This record on abortion clearly shows Kolbe’s blatant disregard for the conservative values that prevail in Cochise County. We are permitting a man to represent us who does not even respect the sanctity of life in its most innocent form. If Kolbe can permit such injustice to continue, what other kinds of vice is he willing to embrace?

Lastly, Kolbe is an enemy to traditional marriage. This past week saw the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly pass legislation barring federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex marriages that may be sanctioned in other states. He has voiced his opposition to an amendment to the Constitution which would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Interestingly enough, before Kolbe admitted to his homosexual lifestyle, he did vote for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); however he recently showed his contempt for that legislation with his vote of last week.

Marriage has been the foundation of society for thousands of years. It was designed by God as the basis upon which children could be brought into this world. Its purpose is to provide a foundation of love and support in which to raise the future of our country in correct principles of love, responsibility, and service to our country and our fellow man. But Kolbe has proven, through his voting record, that he holds in contempt this most sacred institution and will not stand up to defend it.

I have to ask the question. Why would Kolbe vote this way if his chosen lifestyle did not impact his voting? It clearly does, and the more time we give this man to represent us, the less representing he will actually do.

Kolbe says that he is providing leadership for Arizona families. I guess he is right. He is leading our families right into the ash heap of history. He is deliberately misleading voters with his campaign post cards in order to swindle them out of a vote come September. Many local voters are surprised to learn of these most important truths. His record is there. Go and research it. Find out how different Kolbe’s values are to yours.

Gratefully we have a candidate which offers us a ray of hope. Randy Graf is challenging Jim Kolbe this year for his seat in congress. Randy Graf truly would provide the kind of leadership that Kolbe only feigns to impart. Randy Graf has proven his support of marriage, life, and traditional values.

As for me, I’ve recovered from choking on the enchiladas, but not from distaste of having to endure Jim Kolbe’s indifference toward the important things of life. As conservatives, let’s work together to ensure we do not suffer another term of Kolbe misrepresenting us in Congress.

Paul Rollins is second vice president of the South East Arizona Republican Club and regular contributor to www.searclub.com. Paul can be contacted at paulrollins@mstar2.net

23 posted on 08/13/2004 1:01:44 PM PDT by Spiff (Don't believe everything you think.)
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To: LifeTrek; Captain Peter Blood
It’s Time for Cochise County to be represented in Congress
Paul Rollins - SEAR Club Columnist
7.9.2004

It’s Time for Cochise County to be represented in Congress



Paul Rollins
SEAR Club Columnist
Jul. 5, 2004 12:00AM

In 1776, John Adams said that representative government “should be in miniature an exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason and act like them.” Unfortunately for voters of Cochise County, our representative government has failed us. Jim Kolbe, the man charged with thinking, feeling, reasoning, and acting as we do instead performs all of these as if he were representing a district of downtown San Francisco.

The conservative base in district eight, which Kolbe claims to represent, has been rallied to action due to years of extreme social liberalism and softness on key issues, such as immigration and traditional family values. Conservatives are weary of Kolbe’s refusal to represent the majority that gave him the power he now abuses. Five key issues, long ignored or impugned by Kolbe, will ultimately cost him his seat come November. They are as follows, in no particular order:

Kolbe Rejects Efforts to Safeguard Traditional Marriage

Kolbe has consistently opposed efforts to protect traditional marriage by promoting an amendment to the constitution, which would slam the door on activist judges bent on overturning the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). DOMA effectively defined marriage as a heterosexual union between a man and a woman and was passed overwhelmingly by Congress in a strong show of bipartisan support for the protection of traditional marriage. It has become evident that a constitutional amendment protecting marriage is the only sure way to ward off the enemies to our traditional and proven values.

Kolbe refuses to support the constitutional amendment approach because, says he, it will “limit the rights of one group of Americans. Never before has it been proposed that our Constitution be used to limit the rights of citizens rather than expand those rights. We must not start down such a dangerous path now." The real danger, my friends, is to continue with Kolbe down this path, fraught with the horrific social consequences of the alternative marriage lifestyle.

Kolbe Will Not Represent Cochise County

In order for representative government to work, the people must be…well, represented. The simple fact remains that as of late, Jim Kolbe must be reminded that Cochise County is part of his congressional delegation. A recent schedule put out by Kolbe’s staff shows various Town Hall meetings in Tucson, Marana, and Green Valley. What about Town Halls for Cochise County? There are no Town Hall meetings scheduled so far, however Kolbe’s office recently informed SEAR Club President Todd Evans that Kolbe is “planning to have one [a Town Hall meeting] towards the end of August,” because the congressman is super busy, or something like that. In any event, Kolbe’s recent actions are highly skeptical given that he normally always schedules these events in Cochise County at the same time he schedules meetings for Tucson, Marana, etc. Walter Kolbe, Jim Kolbe’s brother, stated in a letter to the editor of the Sierra Vista Herald in February 2004, “Regrettably, Jim Kolbe is a congressman and not a representative. The difference being a representative represents the wishes of a majority of his constituents, while a congressman represents himself.” It is time for Cochise County residents as well as others from Cochise County to stand up demand that we are represented.

Jim Kolbe's position, statements, and votes encourage illegal immigration

Kolbe has consistently opposed efforts to close our border in order to stop the flow of illegal immigration. The dirty laundry list is long and undistinguished. Consider the following facts:

  • He has repeatedly opposed any bill to put our military on the border.
  • He continues to support amnesty plans such as HR 3142 and HR2899, both of which Kolbe co-sponsored, that would grant amnesty for illegal aliens by providing them a 3 year H-4B visa. Said Kolbe of his misguided plan: “Real immigration reform must also include a way to remove the incentive for crossing the border illegally. We need to institute a temporary worker program that will allow needed workers with U.S. jobs awaiting them to cross in a regular manner. I believe my legislation [HR 2899] will relieve the incredible illegal flow that is so devastating our well-being." Since this statement and others like it, immigration along the Arizona border has increased an astounding 60%. It appears that Kolbe’s refusal to take a tough stand is all the incentive illegal aliens needed to overrun our state.
  • He has voted in favor of sanctuary policies, which forbid public officials, including police officers, from reporting illegal alien activity to the border patrol or other federal agencies.
  • He has also opposed mandatory workplace verifications designed to keep employers from employing illegal aliens.

    The current immigration problem in our state is costing Arizona taxpayers a whopping $1.3 billion per year. The devastation of private property and the disgraceful trashing of our national forests have taken their toll and Cochise County voters have had enough. Clearly, Kolbe has not heard us nor chooses not to represent us in this important issue.

    Jim Kolbe Supports Abortion

    Since 1973, abortion has claimed the lives of over 44 million babies. A holocaust that dwarfs the horrors of even World War I and II combined. Kolbe’s extreme pro abortion stance has included such disgraces as voting against banning partial birth abortion every time such legislation has come up for a vote. Furthermore, Kolbe voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence, a bill which would have made it a federal crime to harm a fetus while committing other crimes. It is evident that Jim Kolbe holds in contempt the lives of millions now dead and millions more babies who will yet die. His is a disgusting voting record that proves Kolbe’s enormous insensitivities toward core human principles.

    Jim Kolbe is an Avowed Homosexual.
    If ever there is a point where we are not represented, this is it, considering less than 3% of Americans consider themselves to be homosexual. Kolbe, who was forced out of the closet following his vote for DOMA in 1996, said, I’m not bitter about this, but I think it’s unfortunate for our society that things have to happen this way,” he said at a news conference…This, should be as irrelevant as the fact that I am blue-eyed, right-handed, and balding." Kolbe assumes that just because he does not wear designer clothes or feign a lisp that we should not worry about his sexual orientation playing a part in the representation of his district. “That I am a gay person has never affected the way that I legislate,” Kolbe said. “The fact that I am gay has never, nor will it ever, change my commitment to represent all the people of Arizona's 5th District.” SouthernVoice.com, a gay and lesbian online newsletter recently claimed that since Kolbe came out of the closet, he “became more supportive of gay and lesbian rights issues than [he] had been while closeted.” His voting record and statements since he was outed has proven this. The plain truth is that any individual who has sunk to the moral low of homosexual behavior is far more likely to support radical positions on social issues as the aforementioned points in this article have clearly shown.

    Voters of Cochise County: After twenty long years of playing second fiddle to Jim Kolbe’s special interests, it is time we showed him the door. Gratefully we have an alternative in Representative Randy Graf, who stands firmly for family values and tough border protection policies. Let’s exercise our God-given right to choose our representation so that finally our voices can be heard.
Read More South East Arizona Republican Club News

24 posted on 08/13/2004 1:07:42 PM PDT by Spiff (Don't believe everything you think.)
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To: NewRomeTacitus
The cold shoulder has to be for not supporting the marriage ammendment.

Yes, I bet so.


From the article:

Could it be that Kolbe is on the outs with President Bush and his campaign because Kolbe opposes the President's support for the Federal Marriage Amendment to protect traditional marriage and define it as a union only between a man and a woman. The once-married now openly gay Kolbe has been outspoken in his support for gay marriage and since he announced that he defined himself by his homosexual behavior his voting record has reflected support for the radical gay agenda. Kolbe's new voting habits have even been lauded by gay publications. He's told his constituents in Tucson that he looks forward to the day when gay marriage is considered to be "normal".



25 posted on 08/13/2004 1:11:34 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: Spiff
Kolbe plotted with the Democrats to try to push through an amendment to the relief bill after 9/11 that would give benefits to gay partners. When some Republicans stood against it they said it was because of this attitude that we will be attacked again.

I believe this was their first order of business in the house after 9/11.

26 posted on 08/13/2004 1:14:34 PM PDT by Jim_Curtis (Liberals lie at the premise, accept their premise and you can only lose the argument.)
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To: Captain Peter Blood

"while we won't agree on every issue, if Jim Kolbe supports the War on Terrorism and a Conservative economic agenda, i.e. Tax Cuts and Less Regualtions, etc., I just don't care what his personal love life is."



If he was pro-life and opposed gay marriage, I wouldn't care about his personal life, either. But Kolbe voted against the PArtial-Birth Abortion Ban, against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Laci and Conner's Law) and is actually to the left of John Kerry in that he supports gay marriage. I don't think someone who is such a liberal extremist on social issues should represent the GOP from a district that Bush carried by 2% in 2000 and that he will likely carry by a larger amount in 2004.

Kolbe has a Republican primary opponent in state representative Randy Graf, who is a true conservative. I think conservatives should do the right thing and support Mr. Graf in the primary, since our party must be true to its basic principles, and if opposition to partial-birth abortion and gay marriage aren't among them, I don't know what is.


27 posted on 08/13/2004 1:21:01 PM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: Spiff

If that's the case then I agree with you he has to go then.
By the way what is this rape trial I saw mentioned in conjuction with Kolbe?


28 posted on 08/13/2004 1:21:11 PM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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To: Non-Sequitur

"Who is the Democrat running against him?"



It doesn't matter, since Kolbe's real opponent is conservative state representative Randy Graf. But since you asked, the following are the three candidates for the Democrat nomination, as per Politics1.com:

Eva Bacal (D) - Tucson School Board Member & Assistant Attorney General

Jeff Chimene (D) - Computer Consultant & Community Activist

Tim Sultan (D) - Ex-Congressional Aide & Ex-Technology Firm Executive


29 posted on 08/13/2004 1:24:18 PM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: Captain Peter Blood
By the way what is this rape trial I saw mentioned in conjuction with Kolbe?

A joke, I'm sure. Someone made a crack because Kolbe's name is similar to Kobe Bryant's.

30 posted on 08/13/2004 1:24:28 PM PDT by Spiff (Don't believe everything you think.)
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To: Spiff
The White House indirectly spurns a sitting GOP congressman because he's too liberal.

Too bad such a standard didn't apply to Arlen Specter.

31 posted on 08/13/2004 1:25:15 PM PDT by LincolnLover (LSU Tigers: GEAUXING for Another National Title in 2004!)
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To: Spiff

Well I have misspoken on Kolbe. I wasn't aware of his full record. He is more RINO than I had thought.
I guess you have already had a primary so what is the alternative in the upcoming election for replacing him?


32 posted on 08/13/2004 1:25:45 PM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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To: Captain Peter Blood
I guess you have already had a primary so what is the alternative in the upcoming election for replacing him?

The Primary is on 7 September. Kolbe's opponent, conservative, pro-life REPUBLICAN Randy Graf needs all the help he can get. He's facing an entrenched 20-year incumbent who has a HUGE campaign warchest. More info about Graf can be found at www.graf2004.com.

33 posted on 08/13/2004 1:27:28 PM PDT by Spiff (Don't believe everything you think.)
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To: AuH2ORepublican

Are all the candidates currently living in Arizona? Just curious.


34 posted on 08/13/2004 1:29:07 PM PDT by Non-Sequitur (Jefferson Davis - the first 'selected, not elected' president.)
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To: Spiff
I'm proud to be traveling with a great American and a fine citizen of this state, a person who served his nation with distinction and honor -- John McCain

I thought there was no bigger RINO in the Republican Party than John McCain,but apparently I was mistaken,Arizona has another named Jim Kolbe. Somewhere sometime down the line, will someone tell me, other than the hellishly cruel treatment he endured in Vietnam (for 7 years I believe,which is admittedly far beyond comprehension for any human being to fathom) other than that, what good has he done for the Republican Party as a whole? I ask that only because I turn the channel whenever he comes on the TV. On the other hand, at least you in Arizona have elected Republican Officials, whereas we in Calif. are stuck with 2 crass leftist Senators named Boxer and Di Fi.

35 posted on 08/13/2004 1:50:31 PM PDT by Pagey ("How did Hillary Clinton to become a Senator"?Have you ever asked yourself that question?)
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To: MeekOneGOP; little jeremiah
"he looks forward to the day when gay marriage is considered to be "normal"

One more reason, on top of all the stuff Spiff cited, to send the guy packing...all the way back over the rainbow. The homosexual lobby is extremely well organized and uses vicious tactics to promote their agenda. Getting Kolbe booted out would be quite a setback for them.

36 posted on 08/13/2004 1:53:28 PM PDT by NewRomeTacitus
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To: NewRomeTacitus
bump!

37 posted on 08/13/2004 2:13:40 PM PDT by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: Non-Sequitur

"Are all the candidates currently living in Arizona?"



LOL. Yeah, I don't think there are any carpetbaggers there. But then again, I don't think that Kolbe was ever married to Jeri Ryan. : )


38 posted on 08/13/2004 2:17:51 PM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: Happy2BMe

Happy2BMe wrote:

"Is kolby queer?"

Actually, yeah, he is. But he used to be a "breeder".


39 posted on 08/13/2004 2:24:24 PM PDT by HouTom
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To: applemac_g4

Careful about emptying that "big tent" too soon. You might be standing by yourself one day.


40 posted on 08/13/2004 2:28:08 PM PDT by HouTom
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