[Baynative]

Of course this is only for discussion because:
1.) Arpaio has not announced
2.) Flake is the real contender due to Arpiao's polarization factor and...
3.) The Senate seat will (by sentimental default) go to Gabby Giffords if she recovers even mentions the idea of running.

[Ev Reeman]

Hooray for Sheriff Joe!

[Anti-Bubba182]

Number three is plausible. Sentiments can be a fine thing, but that should not decide who is a Senator.

[AU72]

Would love to see him go up against Nepolitano.

There won't be enough popcorn to go around.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

And Arpaio is in his 70’s, correct? I’m no ageist but I think that’s a little too old to be starting off in the Senate. I’d love to see his brand of fire and brimstone brought to Congress, but I don’t think it’s practicable. Also on Gabby Giffords, sadly she’ll be lucky to be mentally and physically able to hold onto her own house seat. She still has a long road to recovery.

[Lysandru]

I positively hate the talk about the Senate seat going to Rep. Giffords "by default."

She seems all right as far as Democrats go, but getting shot is not a qualification for a seat in the U.S. Senate. This sort of talk illustrates a real problem in our political system today-- the power of celebrity over ideas (I'm talking to YOU President Obama!).

The worst part is that the talk is actually probably close to the reality.

Then again, in 2012, who wants to be defending Obamacare?

[Reagan69]

How cool would that be !!!

[Thrownatbirth]

The DUmmies are beside themselves at the thought of Gabby running for Senate, regardless of any residual disabilities. They think she could beat Jesus.

Classy bunch.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I don’t know if I buy #3. Nov. 2012 is a long time away, and people have short memories.

[tennmountainman]

Jump in Joe.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

I like Sheriff Joe, but he is a little old for that job. We need a young conservative who will be around for awhile.

[woweeitsme]

And the Democratic machine will be sure that Giffords is on the ballot.

[kidd]

Isn’t Jeff Flake pro-amnesty?
In which case he would be equally polarizing.

I doubt Gabby Giffords will have the stamina to run. She has a lot of recovery to go.

I wouldn’t count JD Hayworth out yet.

[CodeToad]

Yay! He might be more effective as Sheriff but good luck to him!

[Dengar01]

I agree with choice number 3. I would love to see either JD Hayworth or Sheriff Joe run but if Gabby Giffords runs she wins in a landslide due to sentimental factors.

From what I've read is she was a Republican so she is probably a RINO / DINO although she'll be on a crusade for gun control.

But what about Jan Brewer? I think she'd make a fantastic Senator.

But JD, Sheriff Joe, Gabby Giffords and Brewer would bring national attention to the border. Even though Giffords is a democrat she is for protecting our borders and enforcing the law.

[Roninf5-1]

A real patriot like Arpaio doesn’t have a chance. This is the same state that sent Juan McLame back the Senate after years of undermining the nation. Expect another Establishment Globalist RINO to join him.

[animal172]

The seat is hers for the taking. Wouldn’t matter if she were a vegatable. We have become a society that is obsessed with feelings. That gives her the advantage. Geesh, I’m in a foul mood today. Sorry.

[newzjunkey]

It'd definitely go to Giffords if she wanted it. Might it go to her husband if he did? It's something to think about given the space shuttles are (supposedly) retiring this year.

As much as I might admire Sheriff Arpaio, he's 78 now, which is just too old to be jumping into the U.S. Senate.

[dragnet2]

The Senate seat will (by sentimental default) go to Gabby Giffords if she recovers even mentions the idea of running.

I've got an unpopular opinion here....Giffords will never recover to the point she will be able to maintain or perform any credible work...

Very sad, but just the way it is...IMO.

[Niteranger68]

The Senate seat will (by sentimental default) go to Gabby Giffords if she recovers even mentions the idea of running.

More so if she doesn't recover. (See the "Carnahan Effect")

[Recovering_Democrat]

OMG, you mean GG isn’t being anointed the next Senator??!