I had to post this based on the poor reporting I have witnessed in South Eastern Arizona. Finally, we have a reporter that has dug deeper then the news releases that the growing field of AZ-8 Congressional candidates often put out with there hyped up dribble and shallow sound bits. Emil Franziis a conservative columnist with a radio show in Tucson. I have to give him much credit on this one, he is speaking the truth and I thought everyone should have the opportunity to hear this. He wrote the following column about Jeff Latas, a retired UASF Lt Col now running for Congress in this now crowded race.
Emil Franzi's Inside Track, 22 December 2005
Jeff Latas for Congress
Lt Col Latas had registered with the FEC prior to Jim Kolbe's retirement announcement. He was getting good numbers, then Kolbe quit. The flood gates opened and now all those who were too worried about a possible lose to Kolbe entered the field. This race is up to its neck in candidates. I think I may be the only AZ resident not running.
The last three weeks this has been a media celebrity popularity contest instead of an issue based race where we the people should hear and understand the solutions the candidates have to offer. Lt Col Jeff Latas got my attention before the media hyped celebrities entered the race. I heard him speak, and he has my vote. Others I have talked with feel the same. His message wasn't about his military experience, but how to fix the problems we the people are having in this country. He speaks with authority and conviction. This is the candidate we need in Congress and given a chance, He will win decisively. This is my chance to let you see what this Republican had to say about my choice for congress.
Bet on Latas as the Democrat Dark Horse
OPINION: EMIL FRANZI'S INSIDE TRACK
Emil Franzi's Inside Track, 22 December 2005
Those familiar with WWII or movies like "Patton" know that the British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery was a giant pain in the kiester. Arrogant, demanding and self-centered, many urged the British equivalent of Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall, Field Marshal Allanbrooke, to can him. "Brookie" always responded with "yes, but Monty can read a battle."
Would that we had political reporters around here who could. That's illustrated by the current shallow commentary about the candidates jockeying for Jim Kolbe's seat in congressional district 8.
The media are enamored by the names they know that most of you don't, which includes any hack who's won an election for anything. Some inside the political Green Zone have all but nominated state Sen. Gabby Giffords on the Democrat side. Others poured inordinate attention upon the possible Democrat candidacy of former TV anchorwoman Patti Weiss and the announced entry of TUSD Board member Alex Martinez. They even posted Martinez's false claim to be the only candidate with Washington D.C. experience like it was one of the government handouts they regularly print without question. The only Democrat running so far capable of winning the seat is glossed over and called "the retired Air Force pilot."
A Tucson resident since 1978 - enough to qualify as a Homeboy - Jeff Latas worked his way through Pima College and the University of Arizona as a ranch hand and in construction. He's an ROTC grad and flew F-15s in the first Gulf War, garnering a Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. He's not just "a retired pilot," he's a genuine war hero.
Latas also served a lengthy Pentagon hitch and retired a lieutenant colonel. He's intelligent, personable and knowledgeable about issues, standing generally to the left of most of the mushmouthed centrists he's running against in the Democrat primary.
Hey, dim bulbs, Oro Valley's Jeff Latas is a nightmare for those Republicans who are smart enough to "read a battle."
I won't be able to vote for him unless the GOP nominee is a complete stiff. In checking out his website - www.jefflatas.com - he's way too far over for a basic right wing nut like me, but he'll have plenty of appeal to the left of center Democrat primary voters in CD8.
As you would expect from a decorated fighter pilot, Latas isn't afraid to tackle issues. He'd just LOVE to be the MoveOn.org candidate. He opposed the invasion of Iraq, wants universal health care, and would like us weaned from oil from anywhere over the next 20 or 30 years. He's not saying much a regular liberal Democrat can argue with and he says it well.
This Congressional race will take far more money than many of those poking around at it grasp, including those in the media. Nothing got cheaper from postage and printing to air time, and voter populations keep growing. (The same folks who whine about that a lot simultaneously sponsor measures that raise the costs even more, like allowing independents to vote in primaries and stretching election day out over 30 days via Voting at Home.)
Latas knows that a primary fight will run between $300,000 and a half million, with the general election probably exceeding $1 million even if the usual over-priced consultants aren't given free reign.
He also knows that kind of money won't be raised by anybody in this district from this district and that out of state contacts are vital. There's a national network designed to support candidates like him and if they haven't found each other, they will.
Jeff Latas is 47, lives in Oro Valley, is married with two children and flies for Jet Blue.
I'll go on a limb right now and call Latas the winner of the CD8 Democrat primary. On behalf of the Republican I will probably vote for, I hope I'm wrong.
In the meantime, Jeff, thank you for your service. America was a better country when more folks from both major parties running for stuff had proudly worn our uniformText to go inside the quote.
I have also received through the grapevine that Lt Col Latas is part of a group of veterans running for congress now formally organizing. I heard this group will be called "Veterans for a Secure America." It is a spin off from the Fighting Dems and now is going to be a formal organization of candidates to create support for their common causes. I say yes to this group and hats off.
I also hope I can get you Kosters to help my choice of candidates, Jeff Latas.
Visit Jeff's web site:
Jeff Latas for Congress
He needs your support to beat, not only the big money candidates, but the media who are only interested in the celebrity status of a race. I want our nation to get real people in government, not the fictional movie stars and news anchors.