Key Democrats jump off Lieberman bandwagon in Arizona

<<<<< -------- >>>>>


KEY STATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ABANDON JOE LIEBERMAN IN ARIZONA

Arizona State University College Times
18 JULY 2003


Rep.Ben Miranda, Rep. Steve Gallardo, Young Democrat House Minority Leader John Loredo and several others have recinded their pledges to support Joe Lieberman for the Presidential race for 2004.

Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox and other smaller activists have pledged to stay aboard though until Joe Lieberman withdraws from the race.

Many of these young Latino leaders have jumped onboard with either John Kerry or Dennis Kucinich as of late. Reasons given ranged from "weak on Latino issues" or "not electable in Arizona". State Democratic Governor and Attorney General Terry Goddard have refused to endorse anyone in the primary until the last weeks but Napolitano and others have hinted that the real showdown in Arizona will be between Sen. John Kerry of Mass or Governor Howard Dean of Vermont.

The Governor was taken back by some of the more "colorful" activists at a recent Dean dinner for the State Democratic Party; Napolitano stating "I've been fighting a lonely fight for twelve years in this state and I have never seen any of these people in my life. Where were they last November?"

Critics cite Dean and Kerry's lack of minority support in Arizona's burgeoning Latino community for the lack of a clear frontrunner. Which is why ultra liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich is a late frontrunner for the race who has wide-spread appeal amongst the very liberal Mexican population of Tuscon and Phoenix.

XXXX

SAid that none of the candidates have much of a record with hispanics, but Kerry was best suited to becasue he has the best overall records for supporting and sponsoring civil rights legislation that helped minorities.

I think it stinks to endorse someone and just becuz it appears they aren't doing as well as they thought they would suddenly jump ship. I would hate it if it happened to a candidate I supported. I mean Joe hasn't changed--he is what he always was. Did these lawmakers suddenly look at the polls and say, "oops, my mistake."

that's exactly what they did

it is sad my friend...very sad.

and when they endorsed him, they expected him to help defend the party. Ripping other primary candidates' ideas only recieves limited Democratic support, after four years of shrub.

Critics cite Dean and Kerry's lack of minority support in Arizona's burgeoning Latino community for the lack of a clear frontrunner. Which is why ultra liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich is a late frontrunner for the race who has wide-spread appeal amongst the very liberal Mexican population of Tuscon and Phoenix.


These people recognize who really has their interests in mind.

partiularly NM--he had just a couple of weeks ago a rally in Santa Fe which attracted about 3,000 people and his meetups in both states are well attended and growing. For example Pheonix is in the top 25 cities for Dean Meetups with 529 members. Tucson has 316. Albuqurque has 264 and Santa Fe, 174.

he is picking up many of the Flagstaff peace activists....gaining lots of interest in Prescott as well...Sedona also has an active growing group...

Peace
DR

:hi:

And has gotten some great endorsements.

******

Friday, July 18, 2003
Edwards Calls Bush Use Of Student Aid Formula A 'Formula For Disaster'
PHOENIX, AZ - In a speech at the Arizona Education Association Leadership Conference, Senator John Edwards (D-NC) today criticized the Bush Administration's change to a student aid formula that would cut $270 million from the federal Pell grant program and deny 84,000 college students financial aid.

"Any financial aid formula that blocks 84,000 students from going to college is a formula for disaster," said Edwards. "When working families and students are seeing their college tuition increase by thousands of dollars, this president's solution is to cut Pell Grants by $270 million, and that's wrong."

-snip-

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=161

Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Edwards Picks Up Arizona Endorsements
RALEIGH, NC - The Edwards for President campaign announced today that three members of the Arizona Legislature, State Rep. Leah Landrum Taylor, State Rep. Wally Straughn and State Sen. Richard Miranda, have endorsed John Edwards for president.

"John Edwards is the right candidate for Arizona and the right candidate for the Democratic Party," said Landrum Taylor, assistant minority leader of the Arizona House. "If our Party is going to win back the White House, we need to do something new. Edwards has the policy ideas and vision that will make a difference for people in Arizona."

"I'm backing Edwards because I like his ideas about veterans' issues and health care," said Straughn. "He's leading the charge on issues that matter in Arizona and that is important to me."

Edwards has visited Arizona two times since his January announcement and plans to return on June 28 for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Conference.

Said Miranda, "Senator Edwards stands apart from the pack. He is a dynamic leader and offers a clear message that resonates with communities across the spectrum."

Arizona's Democratic presidential primary is scheduled for February 3, 2004.

"I'm honored to pick up the support of these three Democrats," said Edwards. "Arizona will play an important role in selecting the next Democratic nominee, and endorsements like these show my campaign in the state is off to a great start."

http://www.johnedwards2004.com/page.asp?id=118

taking these officials seriously if I were a constituent of theirs. This is just plain pathetic. As pointed out above Lieberman didn't change merely his fortunes did. These people are fair weather friends and I would never trust them to fight for any unpopular position.

except for Mary Rose Wilcox, all of those mentioned except for Rep. Miranda are term limited...so they'll either graduate to the Senate or disapear.