Posted on 11/24/2009 6:47:43 PM PST by SandRat
PHOENIX The best bet for Republicans to keep the governors office would be to choose Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio as the partys nominee, a new statewide poll shows.
According to Rasmussen Reports, a head-to-head race between incumbent Republican Jan Brewer and presumptive Democratic nominee Terry Goddard would result in her ouster. The survey of 1,200 likely voters earlier this month found 44 percent of those asked favor Goddard, currently the states attorney general, against 35 percent who said they would vote to give Brewer a term of her own.
Also, 9 percent wanted someone else, with the balance undecided.
Treasurer Dean Martin, who has said he is considering entering the fray, does somewhat better, in a statistical dead heat with Goddard at 40 points for the Democrat and 38 for Martin.
But the 77-year-old Arpaio picked up the backing 51 percent of those asked, against 39 percent for Goddard.
Arpaio has gained statewide attention for his high-profile crime suppression sweeps, which the sheriff has acknowledged have as at least part of their goal to apprehend those not in the country legally. And Arpaio continued those sweeps even after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescinded the agreement it had with him to let his deputies check the legal status of those they contact.
That stance has not hurt his popularity: 64 percent of those questioned said they back Arpaios efforts to work around federal law about who is empowered to detain illegal immigrants.
Conversely, Brewers popularity may be hampered by opposition to hiking the sales tax, a cornerstone of the governors plan to balance the current budget. Neither Arpaio nor Goddard has taken a position on the levy.
Arpaio said Monday the results are not surprising.
I dont want to be egotistical, he told Capitol Media Services. But I knew where the results would come out.
But Arpaio, who was re-elected in 2008 to another four-year term and would have to resign to run for governor next year, was not making any commitments.
I have the capability of raising the big bucks (for a campaign) very easily if I ever decided to run for governor, he said. And Arpaio said that, given his high name identification, he would not need to make a decision until next spring. The deadline for filing nominating petitions is May 26.
Arpaio has toyed with the idea at least twice before, backing away each time. The sheriff said that, given his age, it is now or never.
This will be my last hurrah if I wanted to address those problems the state has, he said.
The survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
He’s got my support 100%! I say he should go for it!!!
I have been familiar with him for darn near 20 years. He needs to remain Sheriff. He understands his calling.
Sheriff Joe for President, but I will settle for Governor.
Where do I send a check?
Obviously the man plays an important role (nationally, I might add) in his current position. Are we best served by having him operate in a known identity as Sheriff? As an out-of-stater, I’d have to believe the answer is yes.
To you Arizonians, has he ever enumerated any of his positions outside of the arena of law enforcement?
“To you Arizonians, has he ever enumerated any of his positions outside of the arena of law enforcement?”
Yes, in his book. He is a staunch conservative.
Don't know who's gov now. He seems like a business-like straight-forward, common-sense type of guy.
He endorsed Napolitano. I remember the TV ads.That’s enough for me.
AZ would be a a great state if that were to happen. I hope Joe goes for it.
Two years experience as governor by 2012, then on to the White House. Sounds right to me.
Not VP but Homeland Security, he’d KICK BUTT and take names from border to border.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.