I have previously made known in this space my objection to Kos naming Ruben Gallego, Candidate for Congress in Arizona's CD07, as one of his Fighting Dems. I have detailed here his Radically Pro-NRA Record and the sharp contrast to the Anti Gun Violence Record of his Opponent, Anti-Arpaio Champion Mary Rose Wilcox. Hard to call that Progressive, I think.
But what happened last night in Phoenix truly takes the cake. Gallego, apparently desperate for last-minute Campaign Cash after being outraised last month by Mary Rose by some $31,000, just had a $100/person Fundraiser with former Arizona Governor Fife Symington---that's right, the same guy who left office in shame following convictions for Fraud, and who famously referred to the "Immigrant Invasion" and steadfastly refused to reinstate the MLK Holiday in this state.
Hard to believe, huh? Well, lest you doubt this bizarre bit of news, here http://www.azcentral.com/... is the link to the piece on azcentral (Arizona Republic) with all the gory details about Ruben and his new Buddy.
Pretty hard to take. For me, and for many Voters in Arizona's CD07, a Progressive Majority-Minority District centered on Phoenix' South and West Sides, and including Guadalupe and Tolleson, Gallego's Radically Pro-Gun Stance was bad enough. I mean, he didn't have much at all to show for his brief stint in the Arizona Legislature, but it looks like doing Wayne LaPierre's bidding was at the top of his priority list. Not only did he vote for and support a whole laundry list of Pro-Gun Measures (http://www.dailykos.com/...), in sharp contrast to Mary Rose Wilcox' long support of Gun Buyback Programs and other Gun Safety Measures, he even carried a 9mm into the State Capitol even as he professed to support banning weapons from State Buildings!!!
Mary Rose, herself a Gunshot Victim, has been steadfast in her support of Gun Safety, and rightly points to Gallego's hypocrisy. The B+ Rating Awarded to him by the NRA would be coveted by many Repugs. Not only that, this record stands in sharp contrast to the Political Traditions of this District, comprised largely of Latinos and African-Americans, where Political and Social Progress, in fits and starts, has come from adherence to the Nonviolent Traditions of Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, both giant figures with local connections. I drew attention to the stark differences in these two approaches in another Diary: http://www.dailykos.com/....
And now, as the Campaign is in its final stages (Arizona does much of its Voting through early Mail-in Ballots), Gallego sneaks in a Fundraiser with the Anathema of a Former Repug Arizona Governor who referred to the "Immigrant Invasion" and absolutely (and proudly) refused to reinstate the Martin Luther King Holiday first signed into law by Democratic Governor Bruce Babbitt, only to be rescinded by the Bizarre (and also run out of office ) Governor Evan Mecham. So at least Ev and Fife had a couple of things in common. Fife Symington was never confused with any Moderate Republican. He gleefully slashed State Funding for Education and other critical issues, and generally, before his demise, pursued a hard-right agenda up and down the line.
And this is the guy that Ruben hops into the sack with at the last minute???
Mary Rose has pursued a different course, true to her long tradition of hard work and faithful service to her Constituents and the Communities in her County Supervisor (and before that, City Council) District. On the County Board, it has been Mary Rose, the lone Democrat on the Board, who has stood up, for years, to Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his record of Injustice and Racial Profiling. For her troubles, she was hounded by Arpaio and harassed day and night, ending in 44 of the most specious and politically-based felony charges ever. Even the Judge was shocked as she dismissed these charges. Now Mary Rose has been cleared, having paid a heavy personal and financial price, and Joe, on the other hand, in under Federal Restriction & Scrutiny. This woman has guts and perseverance!!!
This outstanding character, and her experience and expertise in getting important things done have been noted in some pretty important places. Just this week, former two-term LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came to South Phoenix to lend his full-throated support to his longtime friend and ally. She has also been endorsed by incumbent and former Chair of the Hispanic Caucus Ed Pastor and other members of the Caucus. Perhaps most significant, Rep. Luis Gutierrez, the Mero-Mero in terms of Comprehensive Immigration Reform on the Hill, traveled to Phoenix for a full day of events with Mary Rose to say that, with her first-hand experience, he needs her by his side as they seek to not only complete CIR, but to do it right. Ruben has been largely MIA on this critical issue to the District.
Mary Rose brings a lifetime of dedication and service in this Congressional race. Ruben brings his connections to Wayne LaPierre and Fife Symington.