Any chance Raul Grijalva could be convinced to run for U.S. Senate?

[genius]

He's one of the only ten Representatives in the country to have a perfect (as in pro-Democrat, anti-neocon) voting record.

[NoodleBoy]

1. not likely-- and that record would be used against him during the election

[genius]

2. His record could only help him.

The only way Republicans and neodems win is because people don't know their voting records. Most Americans agree with Grijalva on all issues. It's just a matter of getting out the truth.

[NoodleBoy]

3. HE VOTES DEMOCRATIC PARTY LINE!! HE'S AN EXTREMIST!!

HE WOULDN'T REPRESENT ARIZONA, ONLY THE DEMOCRATS!

That's what we'd hear.

[blondeatlast]

4. We don't like it any more than genius does, but that's the political

reality of it.

I absolutely think Grijalva is the best AZ has, indeed, but he hasn't got a chance in a statewide race, thanks to Maricopa Cty/Phoenix.

[genius]

6. I understand Phoenix now has a Democratic majority.

That's what we heard during the lead-in to the Pres election. Was this incorrect info?

[blondeatlast]

7. Having volunteered for the past 20 years or so--we are ALWAYS

told that, but that doesn't ever seem to be the case come election time.

On paper, maybe, but the reality seems to be quite different.

[jillan]

11. I heard that it was a tie

before the election the papers were saying that it was a virtual tie.

Interesting how * took the state by such large numbers.

[City Lights]

12. I keep hearing people say that AZ is trending Democratic, yet bush

beat Kerry by 10 points and only beat Gore by 6. I still have days where I wonder if the vote was tampered with here. :shrug:

[demzilla]

13. Phoenix yes, suburbs no

Phoenix the city is more Democratic, surrounded by suburbs that, except for Tempe, aren't. All are in Maricopa County, which is overall Republican, though slightly less so than it used to be when Arizona was in the political dinosaur age (i.e, 10 years ago).

[genius]

5. Opposing war and supporting the people is extreme.

The people who don't like him can go back to Stalinist USSR.

[blondeatlast]

8. NB was being facetious, but that's exactly how it will play in the

local media.

Far too many Arizonans don't pick their candidates until the ARIZONA REPUBLIC (formerly the Arizona Republican--I'm not joking) endorses a candidate.

They always swing to the right, and they don't like to pick losers, so they do everything they can to make their unchosen candidate look bad.

We consistently elect the worst state legislature you can imagine. I mean they are this side of certifiable in many cases (I'm NOT exaggerating). It's a different world here, and the rules that apply in the east don't apply out here at all. I don't know why it is, but I've done enough time in local politics to have a grasp on it.

[NoodleBoy]

9. thanks

I don't understand how some people just don't seem to get that we can't elect our ideal people all the time.

[jillan]

10. a while back I heard he was going to.

Run against JD.

Wonder what happened?

[blondeatlast]

15. How? They are both Representatives, and in entirely different

districts?!

T\BTW, welcome to DU! Are you in the Valley or elsewhere?

:toast:

[demzilla]

14. He's not stupid

Unless there's a political earthquake in the country that also hits Arizona, the only Dems who can win here statewide are ones that appear "moderate". The only one that could conceivably beat Kyl is Gov. Napolitano, and she's not running. But watch her for a strong senate race sometime in the future.