As a liberal pinko traitor who believes that conservatism is the bane of this fine country I am working locally to make a difference nationally. Working with my local DFA group I want to see Rick Renzi removed as Representative for my district, which is Arizona CD 1.
There have been several Democratic candidates throwing their hat in the campaign ring. Jack Jackson, Jr the candidate most likely to win dropped out. His reason? Not raising enough money (see earlier diary by Nonpartisan).
Luckily, Jackson dropping out doesn't disappoint me. I personally know one of the other candidates running. Mike Cacciopoli (pronounced kuh-chop-uh- lee) is one of our local DFAers. Moving to Flagstaff last year, he and his partner showed up at our meetup and immediately fit in with our group. Long discussions over the state of the country and the corrupt Republicans running it led to Mike deciding not to sit back and watch the CD1 race, but to do his best to take down Renzi. He joined the fight.
I was flabbergasted. How can someone who has never run for office before just decide to become a politician? How could he expect to win with no name recognition, no cash reserves, and with absolutely no experience in campaigning? Mike only knew that he had to do something. I thought he was crazy, yet admired his guts. I watched poor Paul Babbit do a miserable job against Renzi in the last election and wanted someone with backbone and bite to take Renzi on this time around. I got it in Mike Cacciopoli - or as Renzi put it once, "Mike Cacciop a who?" Renzi is learning who! Mike isn't playing it nice and sweet. He is willing to call Renzi on his BS and his connections to Tom DeLay and Jack Abramoff.
With Jackson dropping out I hope Mike gets more support from the powers that be, but doubt it. An ex-New Yorker, Mike doesn't fit the usual Arizona suit and tie cowboy style. Of course, every time the state party recruits a candidate that fits the usual style they do poorly. Someone different will do nicely this time.
Mike for Congress