Early voting becomes more popular
Yesterday, July 27, 2010, 8:38:26 AM

Early voting for Arizona's Aug. 24 primary election begins Thursday

81 Congress members back Ariz. on SB 1070
July 21, 2010, 5:00:00 PM

PHOENIX — Eighty-one members of Congress, including two from Arizona, want the federal judge hearing a challenge to SB 1070 to know they don't believe the law is pre-empted by federal statutes.

The Arizona Latino Republican Association will become the first Hispanic organization in the country to actively oppose the Department of Justice's lawsuit against the state of Arizona's new immigration law.

Why Not Just Pay For Them? 
A billion here and billion there ...
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Editorial – July 20, 2010

President Barack Obama on Monday took to the bully pulpit to again rail against Republicans for playing politics with unemployment benefits.

Plaintiffs poised to challenge Arizona's immigration law
July 20, 2010,  | Alia Beard Rau
ACLU lawsuit law has 24 plaintiffs, 14 groups.

SB1070 Challenger Has Questionable Past
July 20, 2010, The Phoenix police officer who has filed a lawsuit to block SB 1070 made headlines once before, raising questions about his ethical judgement.

Unemployment benefits expected to be reinstated with $34 billion bill
The Hill
Vicki Needham
July 18, 2010

After a six-week wait, unemployment benefits are expected to be retroactively reinstated next week for more than 2.5 million Americans who have been out of work for at least six months.

Donations top $1.1M for Arizona legal defense
Friday, July 16, 2010

As Arizona defends itself in court against seven lawsuits — including one filed by the U.S. Department of Justice — challenging the state’s new anti-illegal immigration law, people across the country are opening their wallets to show their support.

Obama's ratings tanking in Arizona thanks to SB 1070 lawsuit
July 19, 2010,

Three months after Barack Obama became president, 51 percent of this state's voters gave him the thumbs up.

Lieutenant governor could replace secretary of state in Arizona
 July 18, 2010,  | Casey Newton

Arizona voters will head to the polls in November, to elect a secretary of state for what could be the last time.

Viewpoints: Having it both ways: Federal prerogative vs. states.
Sacramento Bee

Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, charges that the Obama administration has shown little regard for state sovereignty.

Three Million Imaginary Jobs
The White House says the stimulus worked beyond even its hopes. Seriously.
Wall Street Journal
Editorial
July 15, 2010

It may be that the last people in America who believe that the $862 billion economic stimulus of February 2009 created millions of net new jobs are Vice President Joe Biden and the staff economists in the White House. Yesterday, President Obama's chief economist announced that the plan had "created or saved" between 2.5 million and 3.6 million jobs and raised GDP by 2.7% to 3.2% through June 30. Don't you feel better already?

Alabama joins brief backing Arizona's immigration law
AP
July 14, 2010

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has filed a legal brief on behalf of nine states supporting Arizona's immigration law.

Americans Disapproving Obama May Enable Republicans
Washington Post
John McCormick
July 15, 2010

July 15 (Bloomberg) -- Americans disapprove of U.S. President Barack Obama's handling of almost every major issue and are deeply pessimistic about the nation's direction, offering a bullish environment for Republicans in the November congressional elections.

Why Obama loses by winning
Politico
John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei
July 15, 2010

The imminent passage of financial reform, just a couple months after the passage of comprehensive health care, should decisively end the narrative that President Obama represents a Jimmy Carter-style case of naïve hope crushed by the inability to master Washington

Running Clean in LD 26 and LD 27
July 14, 2010, 5 hours ago | InsideAZPolitics

Check out Carolyn Classen's blog at Tucson Citizen here.  We call out especially the video of Democratic (LD27) and Republican (LD26) Clean Elections Commission debates.

Time for Obama to make sacrifices
Politico
Gov. Tim Pawlenty
July 14, 2010

Later this week, the White House budget office is due to produce its midyear report on the nation’s fiscal health.

If history is any guide, the administration will try to paint a rosy picture, but the truth is already obvious: Washington under President Barack Obama is not just broken — it’s broke.

Officials skeptical of health reform
Huntington Herald Dispatch
Beth Hendricks
July 14, 2010

Uncertainty.

The overwhelming choice for the word of the evening during the public forum on health care reform at Marshall University' Memorial Student Center Tuesday night. A large crowd, from medical students to retirees, listened intently to experts' analysis and opinion on how the reform bill will impact families, small businesses, health care professionals and the state of West Virginia as a whole.

Ducks a hearing, Obama does end run around Congress
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Op-Ed
July 14, 2010

As with many constitutional provisions, "recess appointments" have come to be used in ways the founders didn't intend. Presidents now use them to get a desired appointee into office over the objections of recalcitrant legislators.

GOP senators float amendment to stop Arizona lawsuit
The Hill
Jordan Fabian
July 14, 2010
 
Two Republican senators announced Wednesday they will attempt to amend legislation to prevent the Obama administration from suing Arizona over its controversial immigration law.

Poll: Support for Arizona immigration law hits 57 Percent
Daily Caller
Stephanie Condon – CBS News
July 14, 2010

Public support for Arizona’s controversial new immigration law has increased slightly, a new CBS News poll shows, with 57 percent of Americans characterizing the law as “about right” in the way it addresses the issue of illegal immigration.

Obama's Approval Rating on Economy Drops
CBSNews.com

Economists have declared the economic recession over largely over, but most Americans don't share their optimism, and they are increasingly blaming President Obama for their money woes.

President Obama’s math leaves us broke
Boston Herald
Michael Graham 
July 13, 2010 

“I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits, either now or in the future,” Barack Obama swore to us during the health care debate. Some 2.5 trillion dimes later, it’s clear the president had no idea what he was talking about.

McCain, Kyl endorse Brewer

Republican Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl are endorsing Gov. Jan Brewer in the Republican primary race for Arizona governor

Top Dem: Congress could still tackle immigration this year
The Hill
Michael O'Brien
07/13/10 08:51 AM ET 

 
There's still a chance that Democrats could move immigration legislation this year, a House Democratic leader said Tuesday.

Confidence in Obama reaches new low, Washington Post-ABC News poll finds
Washington Post
Dan Balz and Jon Cohen
July 13, 2010; A01

Public confidence in President Obama has hit a new low, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Four months before midterm elections that will define the second half of his term, nearly six in 10 voters say they lack faith in the president to make the right decisions for the country, and a clear majority once again disapproves of how he is dealing with the economy.

Governors Voice Grave Concerns on Immigration
NY Times
Abby Goodnough
July 12, 2010

BOSTON — In a private meeting with White House officials this weekend, Democratic governors voiced deep anxiety about the Obama administration’s suit against Arizona’s new immigration law, worrying that it could cost a vulnerable Democratic Party in the fall elections.

Obama's policy time bombs
Politico
Chris Frates and Ben White
July 11, 2010 07:28 PM EDT 
 
 
President Barack Obama has long boasted about the transformative change he’s bringing to the country.

Holder: U.S. may take further legal action against Ariz. immigration law
Washington Post
Lyndsey Layton
July 11, 2010; 1:09 PM

Attorney General Eric Holder said Sunday that if the federal government fails to stop Arizona's controversial immigration law from taking effect, it may launch a second legal challenge to combat any racial profiling that takes place.

Liberals analyze their Obama 'despair'
Politico
Abby Phillip
July 10, 2010 05:38 PM EDT 
 
For many liberals, it is the summer of their discontent.

Brewer confident immigration law will stand  
The Swamp-Chicago Tribune
Mike Memoli
July 9, 2010

BOSTON, Mass. -- More than 40 governors are attending this weekend's National Governors Association meeting, but few are attracting more attention than Arizona's Jan Brewer.

Enforcement at heart of immigration lawsuit

On paper, Arizona's controversial new immigration law is not that different from the federal version.

Arizona Realtors back 78 statewide and legislative candidates

The Arizona Association of Realtors endorsed 78 statewide and legislative candidates the group says promote issues important to homeowners, Realtors and the real estate industry.

Deficit hits $1 trillion in June for second straight year
The Hill
Walter Alarkon
07/08/10

 
The federal deficit surpassed the $1 trillion mark in June for the second straight year, but it's on pace to be slightly lower than last year.

It's "Tea" time in Douglas as the city prepares for its first Tea Party meeting .

DRIVING THE DISCUSSION NATIONWIDE…

In yet another warning sign for Democrats as we move towards the midterms, a new Gallup Poll today shows that President Obama’s approval rating among Independents has dropped to just 38 percent. Over the past year, Obama has lost support among all party groups, though the decline has been steeper among independents than among Republicans or Democrats…. During the same period, his support has fallen nine points among Democrats (from 90% to 81%) and eight points among Republicans (from 20% to 12%).

Crucial independent voters abandoning Obama, now under 40%, lowest ever
Los Angeles Times’ Top of the Ticket
Andrew Malcolm 
July 7, 2010

Two new polls this morning augur ill for President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats who control Congress.

House GOP to make jobs a priority
The Hill
Molly K. Hooper
07/07/10

House Republicans intend to make the economy and jobs a major part of the new Contract With America they hope to unveil in September. 

G.O.P. Congressman Emerges as Obama’s Annoyer-in-Chief
NY Times
Mark Leibovich
July 7, 2010

WASHINGTON — As a sign of the pride Representative Darrell Issa takes in annoying the Obama administration, consider his account of a recent exchange with Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman and now the White House chief of staff. In describing the episode — a chance encounter outside the House gym — Mr. Issa smirked and raised his middle finger.

GOP set to take record number of governorships?
Hot Air
Ed Morrissey
July 6, 2010

So far, the midterms look to be a good year for Republicans in Congressional elections, which have caught most of the media attention.  However, as Eric Ostermeier argues at Smart Politics, it looks as though the Republican Governors Association may have a banner year for new membership as well.  The University of Minnesota scholar believes that the GOP may win more elections on this level than any time in the past 90 years:

A new Rasmussen survey reveals that 60 percent of Americans – including 65 percent of Independents – want the Democrats’ massive health care overhaul repealed: Sixty percent (60%) of voters nationwide favor repeal of the recently passed health care law, including 49% who Strongly Favor repeal… Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans and 65% of voters not affiliated with either major party favor repeal; 56% of Democrats oppose it

Obama Decried, Then Used, Some Bush Drilling Policies
Wall Street Journal
Neil King Jr. and Keith Johnson
July 6, 2010

Less than four months after President Barack Obama took office, his new administration received a forceful warning about the dangers of offshore oil drilling.

Justice Dept. expected to sue Ariz. on immigration, citing 'preemption' grounds
Washington Post
Jerry Markon
July 6, 2010

The Justice Department has decided to file suit against Arizona on the grounds that the state's new immigration law illegally intrudes on federal prerogatives, law enforcement sources said Monday.

GOP county board votes to endorse Montgomery in county attorney’s race
July 1, 2010, | seeingredaz

The Executive Guidance Committee of the Maricopa County Republican Committee voted Thursday night to endorse Bill Montgomery for Maricopa County Attorney over appointed incumbent Rick Romley and Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn, a divorce lawyer.  Montgomery is a former deputy county attorney.

The bylaws require 60% of the members voting in the affirmative. It was an 18 – 8 vote, with the chairman not voting and 3 abstentions.

Romley was appointed to his old post in mid-April by the Board of Supervisors for whom he had been working. The vacancy occurred when Andrew Thomas resigned to run for Arizona Attorney General.

District 20 Republicans team up against Waters

Jul 2, 2010
District 20 Republicans team up against Waters, District 20 Republicans team up to oust incumbent Democrat.

DRIVING THE DISCUSSION NATIONWIDE…
The Cook Report’s Jennifer Duffy writes in National Journal that the current political environment heavily favors Republicans heading into November: Instead of having the upper hand they enjoyed for four straight years, Democrats are underdogs heading into November. Even the most pessimistic Democratic strategist would not have predicted this scenario a year ago. For that matter, neither would have the most optimistic Republican… What Democrats could not have predicted is that the voters who handed them a Senate majority in 2006 and helped them add to it in 2008 would be so unhappy with their leadership at this juncture. According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll taken June 17-21 of 1,000 adults, just 22 percent approve of the job Congress is doing, and only 45 percent say that President Obama is doing a good job…

Weekly jobless claims rise unexpectedly
The Hill
Vicki Needham
July 1, 2010
 
More Americans than expected filed initial jobless claims last week, as job creation remains stubbornly sluggish.

A new survey by Gallup shows that independent voters prefer Republicans by a wide margin: By an average 10 percentage-point margin since March, 45% to 35%, independent registered voters have consistently preferred the Republican to the Democrat when asked which congressional candidate they would vote for in their district. Independents' preference for Republicans has been generally consistent over this time, with the gap in favor of Republicans increasing slightly since March, from 8 to 12 points.

Obama pans 'ill-conceived' laws on immigration while calling for reform
The Hill
Sam Youngman
07/01/10  

 
President Barack Obama put the onus on Republicans on immigration reform Thursday, noting that former President George W. Bush supported the same approach he now does.

Arizona boycott response: Fed reforms, legal status for some migrants
July 1, 2010

The state’s business leadership has come up with their answers to boycotts of Arizona over the controversial new illegal immigration law; they want federal reforms, including some kind of legal status for illegal immigrants already in the country.