Who is behind the recall of Russell Pearce?

Great post by the folks over at Thoughts on Mesa:

Who is behind the recall of Russell Pearce?



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Salmon Denounces President Obama

Salmon Denounces President Obama’s Call for Israel to Return to Its Indefensible 1967 Borders
"As an ally it is wrong for us to advocate a policy that will jeopardize Israel’s security"

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman Matt Salmon denounced President Obama’s proposal that Israel return to borders its famous former Foreign Minister Abba Eben, called "Israel’s Auschwitz line". Salmon says, "Until now, no US President has advocated Israel return to the 1967 borders – borders that the Prime Minister of Israel reiterated yesterday would put Israel’s security at risk. The President cannot say he will do nothing to undermine Israel’s security and then advocate a policy that the Prime Minister of Israel says would undermine Israel’s security."

Yesterday, President Obama outlined a Palestinian state based on Israel’s borders before the 1967 Six Day War, requiring Israel to give up control over all of East Jerusalem including the holiest sites of the Jewish people – the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. The President made clear in his speech that were Israel to try to retain these historical Jewish sites, Israel would have to give up land that has existed from Israel’s creation in 1949. Such a position has never before been advocated by a sitting U.S. President.

Salmon said, "It’s astonishing that the President is suggesting something that would break the written commitment given to Israel in 2004 by President Bush that specifically indicated that Israel could keep at least some of the territory that Israel won in the defensive 1967 war, territory that Israel vitally needs for its security. "This move not only puts Israel’s security at risk, it hurts U.S. interests as well."

Salmon continues, "President Obama is also doing it at a time when the Palestinian Authority has formed a union with the Bin Laden supporting Hamas. Such a policy thus destroys the momentum achieved by putting the terrorists on the defensive after the killing of Bin Laden. Telling a U.S. ally, Israel, to give more land to a Bin Laden supporting entity is just flat out wrong."

Salmon has been a long-time, strong supporter of a safe and secure Israel. When he was in Congress in 1999, at the time First Lady Hillary Clinton called for the establishment of a Palestinian State. Salmon then pushed a bill through the House that Congress would never recognize a Palestinian state unless our ally Israel agreed to it first.

Salmon concluded, "The day after the bill passed, Israel’s then-Prime Minister Netanyahu personally phoned me and told me I was a statesman and a hero for Israel."

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Paid for by Salmon for Congress

Statement from Governor Jan Brewer: Fiesta Bowl

Statement from Governor Jan Brewer
The Fiesta Bowl

“Wednesday’s announcement that the Fiesta Bowl will maintain its Bowl Championship Series standing is good news for supporters of the Bowl and great news for Arizona. The Fiesta Bowl is a signature Arizona sporting event and critical economic driver for our travel and tourism industry.

“It’s wonderful that the Fiesta Bowl will maintain its status. But it remains important that Bowl leaders continue to implement reforms and improve oversight so that the alleged financial and other improprieties of this episode are never repeated.

“In that regard, I’ll continue to work with a special panel I convened to assist the Fiesta Bowl in this effort. Our work is not yet complete. But word of the BCS’ endorsement is encouragement that the Fiesta Bowl is on the right track.”

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Former Congressman John Shadegg Endorses Matt Salmon

"[Matt] recognizes that growth of government constricts this nation's fundamental value of individual liberty."

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman Matt Salmon announced today that Former Congressman John Shadegg has endorsed his bid for Congress. Shadegg was elected to Congress in 1994 alongside Salmon as part of the "Republican Revolution." He is a long-time fiscal conservative who has fought for lower taxes and against government waste. Shadegg was also a leading advocate in Congress and in the National Conservative Movement for limited government.

Shadegg said, "I worked with Matt Salmon for many years in Congress. He recognizes that growth of government constricts this nation's fundamental value of individual liberty. He is a solid conservative and I know he will fight to reduce government spending, bring federal tax relief to hardworking Americans, and re-establish state and individual rights. Courage is a rare thing in Washington and Matt Salmon has proven time and again he has it. He has proven that he will work to change Washington without Washington changing him. I support Matt because we need someone who knows his way around and won't be intimidated by the old bulls and the power elite. You won't need to bet on Matt because of his rhetoric you can count on him because of his actions."

"I am truly thrilled to receive the support of Congressman Shadegg," said Salmon. "He is a great statesman and was truly a model for fiscal responsibility while he served in Congress. I cherished the time I was able to serve with him and pledge to continue his commitment fiscal conservatism, lower taxes and limited government."

About Former Congressman John Shadegg
John Shadegg, a native Arizonan, grew up in the shadow of Barry Goldwater, one of our country's and Arizona's most revered statesmen. Shadegg's father, Stephen, was Senator Goldwater's campaign manger and speechwriter. From these two men, Shadegg learned that the most important thing in politics, and in life, is integrity. Throughout his fourteen years representing Arizona's Third Congressional District, Shadegg has remained true to his principles and acted in the best interest of Arizona and the nation, regardless of consequence.

About Matt Salmon
Matt Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge. A proud fiscal conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office. He is a lifetime member of the NRA with an A+ rating and also earned a 100% rating by the National Right to Life. He was also the proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s "Top National Elected Official" award.

Kirk Adams Announces Impressive Finance Team for Congressional Campaign

Broad-based conservative coalition stretches across Arizona

Mesa, AZ – Kirk Adams announced an impressive finance committee today, releasing an extraordinary list of dozens of business, political and community leaders from all across the state who have committed to ensuring he represents the East Valley in Congress.

This stunning broad-based conservative coalition represents an array of prominent leaders who have built the Arizona of today. Even more striking is that the announcement comes just a week after the former House speaker jumped into the race.

These leaders join Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl in supporting Adams. Kyl is the campaign’s Honorary Chairman.

“I’m truly honored and humbled to have the support of so many individuals who have literally transformed the state with their leadership and hard work,” Adams said. “We have a long way to go, but such broad and tremendous support gives me great confidence that we are on our way to victory.”


SEN. JON KYL
Honorary Chairman

Finance Committee Members:

•Joe Abate
•Hon. Stan Barnes
•Dr. Craig Barrett
•Michael Bidwill
•Wendy Briggs
•Drew Brown
•Jim Click, Jr.
•Jerry Colangelo
•Jerry Coleman
•Beth & Chad Coons
•Majority Leader Steve Court
•Nan & Webb Crockett
•Eric Crown
•Hon. Bob Fannin & Dr. Lisa Fannin
•Anita & Ross Farnsworth, Sr.
•Michael Preston Green
•Amy & Derrick Hall
•Scott K. Henderson
•Paul Hickman
•Karen & Bob Hobbs, Sr.
•C.A. Howlett
•Mike Ingram
•Don Isaacson
•Ivan D. Johnson
•Hon. John Kaites
•Randy & Ken Kendrick
•John K. Mangum
•Norman McClelland
•Kelly & Jim Norton
•Dr. Eric Novack
•Suzy & Scott Perkinson
•D. Michael Rappoport
•Jordan Rose
•Heather & Dr. Paul Sandstrom
•Hon. Fife Symington
•Arizona Speaker Andy Tobin
•Steve Twist
•Dan Withers

About Kirk Adams:

•Adams, a husband, father and a small businessman, is a lifelong resident of the East Valley. After building a successful property and casualty insurance business, Adams was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2006.

•After only one full term in the House and at age 35, Adams shocked the political world when he challenged and beat the incumbent Speaker of the House – making him the youngest Speaker in Arizona’s history.

•In his three years in the top leadership post in the House, pushed more than $3 billion in spending cuts through the House. Adams’ Jobs Bill resulted in the largest permanent tax cut in Arizona history. He even took on the public-employee unions, authoring and passing a top-to-bottom reform of the state pension system to free taxpayers from ever increasing liabilities. And as Speaker, Adams helped ensure the passage of SB1070 and make sure it was defended both in the court of law and against the liberal media and national boycott groups.

•Adams has pledged to bring the same conservative principles and tough decision-making he exhibited as Arizona Speaker of the House back to Washington to cut spending, shrink government and secure our border.

Arizona Highway Patrol Association to Honor 28 DPS Officers Killed in Line of Duty with Memorial Ceremony

Annual event will take place TODAY, May 2nd

(Phoenix, AZ) –The men and women of the Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA) will pay their respects to 28 Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers who were been killed in the line of duty. The Annual AHPA Police Officer Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for today at DPS’ main headquarters in Phoenix.

It is relieving to AHPA that they will not be adding another name to the memorial this year. However, other police agencies in Arizona, and countrywide, have recently experienced the loss of a hero. The names of 316 fallen police officers are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. In 2010, officer fatalities increased over 40% nationwide from the year before. In Arizona alone, law enforcement experienced a 500% increase in police deaths. Yesterday, the community lost a Buckeye police officer that was killed during an altercation.

Governor Janice Brewer, DPS Director Robert Holliday and AHPA President Jimmy Chavez will speak at the ceremony. Special performances by aviation professionals, Miss Arizona Kathryn Buckley, the Arizona music group Arrowheart and law enforcement bagpipers will add powerful sounds and visuals to the commemorative day. This annual memorial, that arrives one week before the nationally recognized Police Memorial Week, not only honors the officers, but also the sacrifices of their families. This ceremony is a solemn reminder of the dangers DPS officers face every day as they protect and serve the citizens of State of Arizona.

The ceremony will take place on today, 9:00 a.m. at the AHPA Police Memorial Statue located at 2102 W. Encanto Boulevard in Phoenix. To schedule an interview, to receive raw photos or video footage from the event or for further information, please contact Stacey Dillon by phone at 480-225-4809 or email stacey@psamedias.com. Interviews can be accommodated before and after the event, as well.
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About the Arizona Highway Patrol Association (AHPA): Founded in 1958, the AHPA's mission is to promote the positive role of Law Enforcement Professionals, and to protect and secure rights and benefits for their members through effective representation with local, state and national governments. You can visit their website at www.ahpa.com.

Kirk Adams announces campaign for Congress

Senator Jon Kyl endorses Adams, will serve as Honorary Chairman

Mesa, Arizona – Kirk Adams is excited to announce today his campaign to represent the East Valley in Congress, pledging to bring the same conservative principles and tough decision-making he exhibited as Arizona Speaker of the House back to Washington.

“I’ve taken on the unions, the lobbyists, the career politicians and the voices of stagnation here in Arizona, and I intend to take them on in Congress,” Adams said. “We can’t afford to kick the can down the road anymore. We need someone who will fight to cut spending, reform entitlements, secure our border and return to the founding principles of our Constitution before it’s too late.”

Adams is also proud to have the support of Senator Jon Kyl, who is endorsing Adams and will serve as the campaign’s Honorary Chairman.

“Senator Kyl is a mentor and a hero of mine, and I’m humbled and thrilled to have him as part of this campaign,” Adams said.

Senator Kyl, a national conservative leader, said Adams is the candidate he trusts to fight for the East Valley and conservative principles.

“Kirk is exactly the kind of fresh, conservative leader we need to send to Congress to stand up for our principles. He’ll make an outstanding congressman. My only regret is that I won’t be there to serve with him when he’s elected,” said Kyl.

Adams, a husband, father and a small businessman, is a lifelong resident of the East Valley. After building a successful property and casualty insurance business, Adams was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2006 hoping to craft conservative policies to make Arizona a better place for his family.

But he soon found himself frustrated by the failed attempts of the Republican majority to stop the liberal policies of Janet Napolitano and the Democrats. So, Adams decided to run against the veteran Speaker of the House after only one full term in office on a pledge of more aggressively pushing a conservative agenda and bringing more transparency to the Legislature.

Adams shocked political observers, when at only 35 years of age, his long-shot bid was successful – making him the youngest Speaker in Arizona’s history.

In his three years in the top leadership post in the House, Adams turned the tide. In the aftermath of Janet Napolitano’s spending spree, Adams negotiated and authored the first structurally balanced budget in at least five years – and without any accounting gimmicks or debt financing. In total, Adams pushed more than $3 billion in spending cuts through the House.

Adams’s Jobs Bill resulted in the largest permanent tax cut in Arizona history. Adams even took on the public-employee unions, authoring and passing a top-to-bottom reform of the state pension system to free taxpayers from ever increasing liabilities. And as Speaker, Adams helped ensure the passage of SB1070 and make sure it was defended both in the court of law and against the liberal media and national boycott groups.

“Our country is at a turning point,” Adams said. “If we don’t return to the founding principles of our Constitution and make tough decisions now to drastically cut spending and reform government, we will soon be living in an America we don’t recognize. I’ve got the record to prove I’m not afraid of taking on the old guard, the liberals and the media in order make the tough decisions necessary to save our country.”

Congressman Trent Franks Endorses Matt Salmon

"Matt brings the kind of leadership Arizona needs and I look forward to working with him."

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman Matt Salmon announced today that Congressman Trent Franks has endorsed his bid for Congress.

Franks said, "I have known Matt Salmon for many years. He is a solid fiscal conservative who has unparalleled experience in balancing budgets and protecting the taxpayers. Matt is a staunch defender of the unborn and a champion for second amendment rights. He has the experience, understanding, and skill to be a driving force in Congress. Matt brings the kind of leadership Arizona needs and I look forward to working with him."

"I am honored to receive the support of Congressman Franks," said Salmon, "He is a champion for limited government and reducing the burden on taxpayers. He has worked tirelessly on children’s issues and protecting the innocent. I am proud to call Trent my friend and I hope to soon call him my colleague."

About Congressman Trent Franks
Congressman Franks is serving his fourth term in the United States Congress, representing the Second District of Arizona. He serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee, where he is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commercial Law and Administration. He is an active member of the Republican Study Committee and is an Executive Committee Member of the Tom Lantos Congressional Human Rights Commission, co-founder and co-chairman of the International Religious Freedom Caucus. Congressman Franks also serves on a host of task force and caucus groups, including the House Working Group on Judicial Accountability, the Education Freedom Caucus, the House Working Group on Waste, Fraud and Abuse, the Liberty Caucus, the Human Rights Caucus, the India Caucus, the Anti-Terrorism Caucus, and is co-founder of the Israel Allies Caucus (IAC).

About Matt Salmon
Matt Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge. A proud fiscal conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office. He is a lifetime member of the NRA with an A+ rating and also earned a 100% rating by the National Right to Life. He was also the proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s "Top National Elected Official" award.

Salmon Announces Bid to Return to Congress

"East Valley needs experienced leadership representing our interests in Washington."

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman Matt Salmon announced his bid today to return to Congress to represent the same area he served nearly a decade ago. Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge. A proud fiscal conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office.

"I want to return to Congress because I believe that, now more than ever, the East Valley needs experienced leadership who will represent our interests in Washington," said Salmon, "Over the past few years, we have watched as our taxpayer dollars have grown government and bailed out Wall Street."

Salmon was named a "Watchdog of the Treasury" all six years he was in office. He also earned the "Taxpayer Hero Award" from the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste. Salmon’s pro-business policies also earned him the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce each of his six years and six consecutive honors as a "Friend of Small Business" from the National Federation of Independent Business. Matt Salmon played a pivotal role in balancing the first federal budget in a Generation, and understands what it takes to build the economy and create jobs.

"Government debt and Congressional inability to control spending is the greatest crisis facing America today. We have mortgaged not only our children’s futures but our children’s children’s future. We must reform our entitlement state, revamp our tax code to conform to today’s economy and live within our means," said Salmon.

"Matt has been a great public servant and a longtime friend of Mesa," said former Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives Mark Killian, "He is a man of integrity and understands the importance of having good values when representing the people. He understands what it means to serve and how critical projects such as Williams Gateway, Falcon Field, and transportation improvements are to the long term economic health of our region. Matt Salmon brings immediate experience and credibility to Congress on his first day."

Salmon is a lifetime member of the NRA with an A+ rating and also earned a 100% rating by the National Right to Life. He was also the proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s "Top National Elected Official" award.

"I have known Matt for long time," said Chairman of the Arizona Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, "As a Congressman, he did a lot of good work for the people of his district and the entire East Valley. He is a man of his word and someone we can count on in Washington."

"Matt isn’t about making speeches; he’s about getting things done," said Bobby Harris, the former Police Chief of Chandler, "He has a successful legislative track record and was instrumental in the passage and signing of legislation such as ‘Aimee’s Law’ which pushed for truth in sentencing laws and no early parole for rapists, molesters, and murderers."

Aimee’s Law was supported by a large number of organizations and victims’ rights groups including National Fraternal Order of Police, Law Enforcement Alliance of America, Kids Safe, Justice for All, National Association of Crime Victims' Rights, and the Women's Coalition. In 2000, Salmon was also instrumental obtaining the release of U.S. based academic researcher Song Yongyi who was being held in China on spying charges.

Salmon’s campaign will be co-chaired by Former Arizona Speaker of the House Mark Killian and Arizona State Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce.

Breaking down Jeff Flake's first commercial

Jeff Flake has already launched his first commercial for US Senate. Here it is below:



As we mentioned before, he is going to have a few problems with his bid, none of which he really addresses here. His commercial starts with blury pictures of Arizona before going to a crystal clear shot of Washington DC. Which seems more in focus?

Then later, he does a far away picture of Phoenix with a quote that says "Conservative's Conservative" which you would think would be from an Arizona newspaper, but no, its from the Dallas Morning News... and its from five years ago. The same Dallas Morning News that has opposed the effort in Texas to pass an Arizona style law.

His next kudos comes from Arizona, right? Wrong. It comes from the New York times calling him a true reformer. We looked and the only instance we can find of that appears to be said by David Brooks, who is a huge Obama fan and penned a column called "Run Barack Run." Isn't his commercial titled, "Run Jeff Run?"

"Run Jeff Run" is also a quote in the commercial from the Club for Growth. They're from Arizona, right? Nah, they are a PAC in Washington. But their conservative right? Yes, but they still don't fix Flake's fundamental immigration problem. In fact, Tancredo takes aim at them as pro-amnesty libertarians. What about Flake's contributions from Nathan Sproul?

Finally at the 39 second mark, we get a quote from the Arizona Republic. From 2007. Has he done anything in the past few years? The quote says, "A national symbol of that commitment to principal." That quote comes from this Robert Robb opinion talking about Flake getting the boot from the Judiciary Committee basically for being an idealogue. While that might be attractive to some, is that really what Arizona wants? Someone so committed to principle that they are brushed out of the way?

The commercial ends with the same pictures Flake has used the last few times around in front of some barn which clearly is not in Mesa. It is fitting really, since he hasn't really done much for Mesa anyway.