A quick thought on Arizona 8th District and illegal immigration (Graf is dark horse)

National Review Online ^ | 3 Nov 2006 | Jim Geraghty

[axes_of_weezles]

A quick thought on Arizona 8th District and illegal immigration 11/03 01:43 PM The Corner has a good collection of links to news stories covering the House race in the Arizona 8th District — Democrat Gabrielle Giffords vs. Republican Randy Graf. It's Kolbe's old seat, one of the races every observer is chalking up as an automatic Democratic pickup.

I've indicated that Republican Randy Graf is my Super Mega-Shocker Special What-The-Hell-Are-You-Smoking-Jim Upset Pick for 2006; I just figure the illegal immigration issue is huge, stirs passions, motivates voters, and that a lot of people may support a Minuteman, a hardline view, but don't want to tell it to a pollster or others for fear of being called racist, nativist, etc.

And as a candidate the state GOP wasn't eager to see to win the primary, Graf was seen as unelectable and expected to get blown out by 20-30 points. So the fact that he's not getting blown out, and is in fact down 12, 10, 8 suggested to me that maybe there's something going on out there.

On the other hand, if Graf does get blown out as expected, staunch opponents of illegal immigration are going to have a challenge persuading the GOP that their position is an electoral winner. It's easy to see the mentality taking root, "If opposing immigration couldn't help stave off a blowout in Tucson, Arizona, it's not going to help much anywhere else..."

[axes_of_weezles]

Graf's a stalking horse.

Go Randy GO!

Arizona funds between 1 and 3 Billion in costs for Mexican illegal immigrants. The Feds will have to address this issue if he is elected.

Let the Dems and RINO's think he is still behind by 20 to 30 points.

[dirtboy]

I've indicated that Republican Randy Graf is my Super Mega-Shocker Special What-The-Hell-Are-You-Smoking-Jim Upset Pick for 2006

Ping.

[dirtboy]

ping

[aft_lizard]

Only problem besides Graf being unlikeable is that his district covers part of the communist stronghold of Tucson. Immigration is the only reason his polling is respectable.

[cripplecreek]

I found this video of a slick willy speech in Arizona the other day. At the end of it chuckles gets a giggle at the thought that conservative worry about terrorism and illegal immigration. It clearly shows the democrat belief that ignoring those things is the way to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzPbVAF80Cg&mode=related&search=

[axes_of_weezles]

Graf is not unlikeable. He is a personable person. He is approachable, and has invited questions to himself and the campaign.

The media is not allowing a fair presentation of facts and ideas, which is nothing new.

The problem is when so called conservatives like you parrot the distortions, and amplify them in DC.

Graf will do it without your support. This is the home run stretch. Just dont bitch if he gets elected and doesnt support some of your policies.

He is pro military, pro law, and an honest individual.

If you have questions on how personable he is, I propose you call and talk with him, he is probably at the campaign HQ
: (520) 887-2984

[c-b 1]

Where did you get the idea that Randy Graf is unlikeable?

Have you bothered to check it out for yourself?

[KAUAIBOUND]

Tucson is on the front line of the war on illegal immigration. My 19 yr old son will vote for the first time Tuesday, and will vote for Graf. The Az Daily Red Star and the left-leaning Too-Stoned Citizen have pilloried Graf for years because of his illegal immigration stance, and have created huge negatives in the minds of their brainwashed readers. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

My son lives near the University of Az and his neighborhood has pro-illegal immigration signs everywhere, which totally pisses him off. As for the Reconquista, I am a 4th generation Arizonan, descendant of a pioneer family, so I can state with absolute certainty that my family was there before 99.99% of those of Mexican heritage, so I have never bought the line that it was "their land" before the gringo arrived. It was the gringo who civilized the Southwest, something the Mexican government could not.

[HiJinx]

It was the gringo who civilized the Southwest, something the Mexican government could not do.

"Well said" Ping!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Go and vote for Graf!

The only ting I could do was send him a little money.
The only 2 people I sent money out of state was Graf and Irey but I should have sent money to Harris also.

[BIGLOOK]

The Spanish found no cities of gold in the southwest and ignored their outposts, leaving Santa Fe and other cities to wither. The Mexicans were just as disinterested in the region until the Yankee traders and the Missouri mules arrived and brought prosperity.

Same as in Texas and California, the Mexicans came chasing the new gold......the Greenback Dollar.

[Regulator]

If you have questions on how personable he is, I propose you call and talk with him, he is probably at the campaign HQ

When Randy was a state senator I emailed him routinely with suggestions. He always answered and he was always honest and forthcoming.

The guy embodies rock solid American virtues. If I had a campaign name for him it would be "Braveheart" - one man against venal corruption and invasion.

[conservativehistorian]

Many Graf volunteers have been canvassing neighborhoods in AZ 8 for over a month. I have been out three times, and a large majority of Republicans had already voted absentee. The response to Randy amongst these Republicans was almost universally favorable, so I do not expect very many Repubs crossing over for Giffords(D).

As an observation, The Arizona Daily Star's political reportage of this campaign is so biased, that it almost make the NY Times look neutral and fair.

[Borax Queen]

The only thing I could do was send him a little money.

Thank you for helping us out here!

[KAUAIBOUND]

The Mexican government thought so highly of the area that they sold Southern Arizona and New Mexico to the US for $10 million in the Gadsen Purchase in 1853. The money was supposed used by Santa Ana to buy new uniforms for his palace guard. And did you know that the US paid Mexico $15 million for the lands acquired in the Mexican American War? If that $15 million had been invested at 8% per annum, it would now be $2.1 trillion. Just another case of sound fiscal management by Me-hi-ko.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

Maybe someone could try to publicly ask Giffords which of the guest worker plans she supports, since I was unable to get an answer:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1731101/posts

Specifically, ask whether she wants just an increase in seasonal visas, or whether she supports the three year/six year "guest" worker schemes that allow them to apply for legal permanent residence at four years.

Or, just ask her how many millions of new legal/illegal immigrants would be too much for her.

[Jabba the Nutt]

"It was the gringo who civilized the Southwest, something the Mexican government could not."

You have to be civilized in order to bring civilization, something the Mexican government never has been.

[Regulator]

On the other hand, if Graf does get blown out as expected, staunch opponents of illegal immigration are going to have a challenge persuading the GOP that their position is an electoral winner

It shouldn't be a challenge.

Recall that Randy was promised about a million by the RNCC for his campaign which then reneged after the ludicrous David Duke smear by Giffords. Even the Star editorialized against her for that.

But he never got the money. He's close now based on the very real support he has due to his own efforts.

If he had gotten the money, Giffords would be DOA at the polls.

There is one man in America who is actually responsible for that sellout, and one man only. But God forbid we should mention his name.

Graf was screwed by the very party that should have carryed him on its shoulders, nothing else. Remember that.

[ShuShu]

The RNCC has a lot to answer for in this election. First they got involved in the primary when they should have butted out and let the people decide and then they abandoned Graf in a snit after promising their suppport.

I hope we teach them a lesson in this election! If Graf wins he can tell the RNCC to kiss his @$$, he's sticking by his District.

[grania]

Only problem besides Graf being unlikeable is that his district covers part of the communist stronghold of Tucson. Immigration is the only reason his polling is respectable.

Gosh, I'm wondering why anyone would post an opinion so contrary to what we've read here without any kind of documentation?

I also wonder about another assumption of yours. Lots of retired are moving to that Tuscon area. They don't want invaders using up medical services, babbling in some gibberish, making the streets unsafe, and changing areas they put their life savings in into ghettos. And you know what....they've got time on ther hands and they vote.

Add to that their President calling their peers vigilantes.

Now, what is going to happen if 100% off this group votes.

Why not stop the trash-talk and help our LP favorite son try to clean up the mess in Washington?