Giffords, Graf blast each other's pasts

Mr. Graf in one of his TV ads prominently displays a pregnant woman, but when a bill came forward in the Arizona Legislature to crack down on people who beat and abuse pregnant women, he voted against that bill," Giffords said at one point, referring to a bill Graf opposed that she said increased penalties for abusing pregnant women. Meanwhile, Graf criticized Giffords over government spending. "We have some differences of opinion. I'm for lowering taxes, Ms. Giffords is for increasing taxes. I'm for smaller government and less programs. She wants to increase government programs. It's a clear difference," Graf said. But Giffords said she supported tax "incentives." "We should give tax breaks, but the right and responsible tax breaks," she said. "We need to focus and prioritize." The candidates clashed over what to do in Iraq. Giffords, Quick and Nolan all agreed that troops need to leave Iraq, though they presented different specifics on how that should be done. Nolan called for an immediate withdrawal in a way that will not harm troops.

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Comments on this Story Giffords, Graf blast each other's pasts It was a trip down memory lane for Republican Randy Graf and Democrat Gabrielle Giffords at a congressional debate Tuesday night.

Only show comments that are at least:

1. Comment by Gene M. (#5430) — October 17,2006 @ 11:08PM Rating: 4 Thumbs Down This comment is below your threshold. (View Comment)

Hmmm? Giffords Speaks, ... although not in English. After all, she doesn't support English as our "Official" Language. Hmmm? Giffords says "She's not for AMNESTY". She just wants to make sure here FAT CAT, DEEP POCKET MONEY BAGS "Handlers" get to keep their SLAVES, ... 'err she meant "workers". These poor people should have ALL the SAME RIGHTS that other Americans have. After, ... What? Come on now Gabby, tell us, AFTER WHAT? She can't. IT'S AMNESTY!!!!!! Giffords supports AMNESTY. She can spin it until the cows come home, ... SHE SUPPORTS AMNESTY!! Well, ... she certainly has the vote of EVERY ILLEGAL COYOTE!

2. Comment by Gene M. (#5430) — October 17,2006 @ 11:32PM Rating: 3 Thumbs Up Ooops! They let it slip. There could be a TV news producer about to be fired. Yes, it slipped out. The Double Secret Story, ... Giffords has DROPPED 16 Points since the primary!!! Hmmm?? The Gloating Giffords Group sat upon a 22 point lead right after the primary. Tonight, ... it's down to 6 points and falling like a stone! Hmmm? Maybe Gabby could tell us all again about her "Plan" for our Solar Panels!! I can't wait.

3. Comment by James J. (XeviousBlue) — October 17,2006 @ 11:45PM Rating: 3 Thumbs Down This comment is below your threshold. (View Comment)

Immigration, schimmigration. There's a hell of a lot more at stake in this election than border policy. Fact is, Randy Graf and his GOP ilk have sat silently by as corporate America reaped the benefits of low-wage illegal workers. The Dems aren't much better on this issue, since both parties are under the sway of big business. Nope, it's all the other issues that should decide this race, contrary to what the xenophobic simpletons like Gene would like to portray. This election is about pulling our nation out of the swamp that our evangelical Bush junta has gotten us stuck into. It's about getting out of a pointless, immoral war that has cost as many American lives as 9/11 itself, whose shaky justification has had as many changes as the opening credits of The Simpsons. It's about doing something about our nation's failed and corrupt healthcare system which the private sector has proven itself utterly incapable of doing. From NAMBLA to the KKK (Graf's buddy David Duke), the GOP has proven to be a big tent that most Americans don't want to be a part of. Time to join the reality-based community folks. Vote Democratic on November 7th.

4. Comment by Tyler M. (#5061) — October 17,2006 @ 11:53PM Rating: 2 Thumbs Up

Randy Graf looked the most Congressional in the debate. Gabby looked weak and shrill. Maybe that’s how her handlers wanted her to look. Randy showed great presence and confident in his answers. And Gabby is hiding from her own words and views. Tell me one time that Randy has hidden from something he has said. Gabby does it everyday. And once again, Gabby dodges the Prop 103 question about English as the official language. A person who cannot be open and honest with the voters does not deserve the trust of the voters. Anyone who votes for Gabby at this point is ok with being lied to and deceived.

5. Comment by Robert M. (Robert Morrow) — October 17,2006 @ 11:53PM Rating: 1 Thumb Up

Randy Graf is in the #1 race in the USA for conservatives in 2006. If Randy Graf wins, it will send a huge MESSAGE that we want to STOP illegal immigration. Randy Graf is closing hard and this race is going to be a DEAD HEAT in 2 weeks. It is a classic conservative vs. liberal race. Randy Graf is the conservative endorsed by the NRA, the Minutemen (God bless all they do), the Eagle Forum, the Club for Growth, Concerned women of America, anti-tax folks, pro-life, patriots, etc. If you like that then get to WORK for Randy Graf. Call 520-887-2984 and go to www.votegraf.com And if you don't go to work you will get Gabrielle Giffords who is for AMNESTY, give-aways to illegal aliens, she is for Spanish ballots, was a board member of the anti-GOD ACLU that has done so much harm to the USA. Giffords is taking money from radical homosexuals, radical feminists like Emily's List, radical teachers at the NEA, unions and blood sucking trial lawyer vermin. Worst of all, Giffords is a UN lover who takes money from Citizens for Global Solutions ($3,000)a group that is dedicated to destroying the sovereignty of the USA. CSG is the PAC of the United Nations' madhouse. That is the group that laughs and claps when Chavez calls Bush the Devil and says he can smell his sulphur. In sum, Giffords is an open borders, UN-lover with an "F" from the NRA. WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED! Call 520-887-2984, help Randy Graf and get active and help preserve and defend this country. God Bless America!

6. Comment by Maggie S. (#6179) — October 18,2006 @ 12:17AM Rating: 0 Thumbs Up Gabby looked great, she had thoughtful answers and pointed questions. There is more at stake in this COUNTRY than immigration - so get off your butts over that, this is a country of immigrants, after all, the 300th Million person to populate this place will be of Mexican descent or an immigrant!

7. Comment by Manny B. (MHB) — October 18,2006 @ 1:02AM Rating: 1 Thumb Up

GRAF IS GOING TO WIN. :)

8. Comment by Matt F. (#5013) — October 18,2006 @ 1:53AM Rating: 0 Thumbs Up

Just say the phrase "House Speaker Pelosi" a few times... You'll find a vote for Graf comes very easily afterwards.

9. Comment by Lilia L. (#2952) — October 18,2006 @ 2:38AM Rating: 2 Thumbs Up I find it interesting that Ms. Giffords says she is for securing the border and protecting the American people but she voted against Proposition 200 (which the people of AZ voted by a great majority to have) and she voted against every bill that the people of this state wanted to protect us and our children from hordes of unknown people invading this country. Another point is I have just read that Ms. Giffords was on the ACLU Board. She speaks out both sides of her mouth! What a shame.

10. Comment by Ross J. (#5973) — October 18,2006 @ 2:50AM Rating: 0 Thumbs Up

Just say the phrase "Denny Hastert Sex Scandal Cover-Up" a few times. Although the long-term prospects for the Democratic Party would probably be better if a few more fools like Graf infiltrated what's left of the Republican Party in Congress. In a way, it's too bad that Giffords is a shoo-in for what once used to be a "contested" district. The Democrats are going to take the House anyway, so one more vote isn't going to make that much difference. The Idiot Fence people deserve a chance to see their boy trivialized not only by the Democratic majority, but by the lame-duck Republican in the White House. They will be so upset that they will drag the party somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan. Reasonable voters will have just one choice in 2008, and it's not going to be the party of Graf and Kolbe (R-Unavailable).

11. Comment by Ross J. (#5973) — October 18,2006 @ 3:25AM Rating: 2 Thumbs Up Since the Star insists on making the newspaper a Kolbe-free zone and the candidates insist on making this race a Kolbe-free debate, some readers may not be aware of this update from this morning's Washington Post The Washington Post has learned of a potentially inappropriate incident involving Kolbe and a male page. The man recently told the House clerk's office and the FBI about an encounter with the Arizona Republican that occurred about five years ago when he was 16, according to someone familiar with the man's account. The page told authorities that he was "uncomfortable with a particular social encounter" that involved physical contact when he and Kolbe were alone, the source said yesterday. 12. Comment by Michael K. (#4877) — October 18,2006 @ 5:32AM Rating: 1 Thumb Down Well Ross J. these barbs are easy to say just like Barney Franke, Ted Kennedy that side of the list goes on and on and you can throw in Clinton. Point is it is the man not the party on either side that condones that behavior. I really doubt either one of these candidates would put up with that kind of crap, although I don't know Giffords. It is the issues that need to be hashed out and the candidates' position. Didn't see as much of that as I would have liked because there is a huge philosophical difference between these two. I am not mentioning the other two candidates because this is between Graf and Giffords. Talking about past involvements and I want to hear about things like the ACLU and the issues that are really affecting CD 8. She claims to be a small business owner and I would like to hear about that. I have heard she inherited a tire company and ran it into the ground after firing much of the key force her father had used to build it up. When Graf runs on principle over politics that would be something the constitute can hold him to and make him accountable for this slogan at the next election. Don't make this election the guarantee of a job for the next 22 years make these guys come back and show you where they have been addressing the interests of CD 8 and the United States. This doesn't mean giving away the farm to people who do not deserve it but how the opportunities are eased for people to succeed if they want to take the advantage. 13. Comment by Dean M. (deanmiller1) — October 18,2006 @ 5:41AM Rating: 1 Thumb Down In response to #5 Robert Morrow: Get out and work for Randy Graf, indeed. If you are interested in walking precincts, contact the Graf campaign at 887-2984 and let them know. They will get the message to me. As the bumper sticker says, "Annoy a liberal. Work, succeed, be happy!"

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