Can anybody give me input regarding Howard Shanker?

[troubleinwinter]

District 1.

[saracat]

1. The candidate to watch is Anne Kirkpatrick.

She is really great. She is a former legislator who resigned to run and I like her a lot. Howard is kind of blah and really can't generate any enthusiasm. I don't think he can be elected.

[troubleinwinter]

2. Yes. Thanks. I have checked her out and signed up with her.

I sent a couple of questions that are pertinant to me, also.

I want to replace that criminal Renzi with a Dem!

These House seats are important too. It aint all the president stuff.

Thanks again!

[apatge1]

7. Ann is Republican-Lite

I do not see how any Democratic voter or any voter who cares about the future would vote for Ann Kirkpatrick. It shows me that you never checked out Howard Shanker. If you did, you would be backing him. As a woman, I would love to vote and support a woman for this seat, but Ann would not be my choice now or any other time based on the answers I have heard her give about poverty, employment, and the total lack of understanding the idea of a "living wage". If she had her way, the prisons would be the answer for every problem.

[saracat]

9. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have met both candidates

and Ann is head and shoulders above Howard. She is warm , kind, experienced and presents viable solutions. Howard may be a nice man but he has no ability at all to connect with voters. And more importantly, he doesn't have a chance in H of winning. The people behind Ann are smart and experienced nad yes, know how to race money. Howard does not have what it takes to win. There is another candidate , Mary T, forget her last name, who is a stunning American Indian women. I believe she is a former broadcast journalist but I eliminated her , and she has a more promising campaign than Howard's , as she is pro life.

[apatge1]

12. Mary Kim Titla

At least have the courtesy to know the names of the people you are referring to. Big deal that a lady is stunningly beautiful if she is not correct on issues. She does not believe in women's choice so she is not a Progressive candidate of choice. Too bad you are so focused you cannot see the real issues.

Instead of looking at the package, look at what is in the package.

[saracat]

17. I said I could not vote for mary as she is "pro life" . Did you read what I wrote?

And I have met ALL the candidates and they aren't even in My district. I wonder if you have met candidates from districts other than your own? Jiminy Christmas, you are annoying. Sorry but I met and questioned all three candidates and I still support Ann for CD1. BTW, Ann is the only candidate I have ever received a thank you call from just for having come to meet her. And , tar and feather me if you wish, those kind of gestures are impressive.And as for mary's looks, I would not vote for her based on either the fact that she is pretty or an American indian or that she is a woman. I also do not support Mary just because she is a woman or do not support Howard as he is a man. I do not view any kind of sexism as a basis for support. I like Ann on the issues. I am sorry you disagree.

[apatge1]

18. Stop The Anger Please

Howard does thank people, he pulls chairs out for old ladies, he is gracious, returns emails, calls, and does send thank yous. I have met other candidates in other districts. But, since I am very busy doing volunteer work, that takes precedent over traveling around the state to meet and greet sometimes. I volunteer for the people I am an activist for and that is why I take things seriously. I am glad I am so sorry you find me annoying. This is a county of freedom of press, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly. I will continue to support these things that the Constitution and Bill of Rights ensure us.

You made the comment about Mary Kim being stunning. That kind of a comment is what is dragging politics into the mud. Issues, issues, issues. Don't cloud issues with sex, religion, or mudslinging.

I know for a fact that Mr. Shanker has given his own time and money to help the less fortunate without asking for political support, repayment, or anything other than kindness. Human touch instead of Joe Araipo wins my vote.

[apatge1]

5. Howard Shanker Is The Best Candidate

I cannot understand anyone thinking Howard Shanker is blah and that Ann Kirkpatrick is anything but republican-lite and a horrible candidate. She has been worthless in the State Legislature. She has one line. "I'll be tough on crime". When asked about what kind of jobs would she propose adding to this district, she replied service jobs, and teachers and nurses. Yavapai County is one of the poorest economic counties in the nation because about the only jobs here are service jobs. Give me a break. When asked about healthcare reform, she replied she does not support it. When asked about gay rights, it is a glassed-over stare. When asked about water, the biggest problem we will be facing here in AZ in the future, she has no answers. When asked about poverty, she answers she wants to have a better telecommunications network on the Rez. Gee, that is only because she could not complete a call with her cell phone when driving across the Navajo Nation. The Nation has satellite service and if she would have bothered to check, she might have had some real answers.

Howard is always available and is ready to help. I have talked to people he has helped personally, asking nothing back. He believes in "paying it forward". He is at every function he can attend around this district while still running all over the country representing his clients on important environmental issues. Ann, on the other hand, shows up for a minute or two at a couple of functions and always has to leave before there are questions. She quit her job as an elected official in order to devote her time to run for AZ CD1, yet, she is hardly ever around long enough to answer questions. She never remembers a face or a name. I have never yet seen Howard not forget a face and is there running while still maintaining his practice and representing his clients. You can't say the same about Ann.

I also resent the AZ Democratic Party pushing Ann Kirkpatrick as THE candidate. Staff members were running her around the state before one of them actually quit to join Ann's staff. Insider help from the party reeks in this race.

Howard supports women's rights. Howard supports Native American rights. Howard supports our Constitution. Howard supports our Civil Rights. Howard supports our Civil Liberties. Howard supports the environment. Howard supports labor. Howard supports healthcare reform. Howard supports humane immigration reform. Howard supports sustainability. Howard supports making education something much better than the "no child left behind" fiasco. Howard supports economic sustainability. Howard supports responsibility. Howard supports family rights. Howard supports children's rights. Howard supports the citizens, not the corporations.

Face it, we need a candidate with more than "I will be tough on crime". Poverty, unemployment, hopelessness leads to crime. Republicans love to be tough on crime while not addressing the issues leading to crime.

My vote goes to Howard Shanker.

[Bennet Kelley]

3. AZ-1 The Base Supports Howard Shanker

I have known Howard Shanker for over 20 years (we went to law school together at Georgetown). The race can be summed up by three simple points.

(1) Howard was urged to run by people in the district, not party insiders in Washington or Tuscon.

(2) While it is true that Ann Kirkpatrick is ahead in fund raising largely due to the support of Emily's List, the gap likely will narrow as Howard brings on some senior campaign personnel to ramp up his own fund raising.

(3)The important thing is that Howard is winning at the grass roots level. Howard has been working with the people of the District for years protecting sacred Indian land and communities from improper development. He is a gifted speaker who has done well in speaking with community groups - which is why Ann generally has avoided joint appearances since she is not a natural at retail politics.

Just like in the recent defeat of Maryland Congressman Wynn,this is a battle between the base and party insiders. The base supports Howard. He has been supported by ActBlue, Democracy For America and FireDog Lake. In addition, the base is beginning to resent the insider's anointment of Ms. Kirkpatrick.

This is what FireDogLake said about the race:

The Democratic side has drawn three candidates so far and could attract more. Mary Kim Titla is a former TV anchor who is outspokenly anti-choice. Ann Kirkpatrick is a former state legislator who seems to be the choice of the Insiders -- including the ones Inside the Beltway. At a closed door meeting last month of Democratic precinct committee members she was asked to explain her positions on the most consequential issues of the day. Her response -- regarding things like the occupation of Iraq and women's choice -- was that she had "people" working on position statements for her and that she would get back to them. And then there's . . . Howard Shanker. He doesn't need anyone working on position papers for him. Take two and a half minutes and watch this video of Howard making his own case. It's compelling.

http://firedoglake.com/2007/10/20/blue-america-welcomes-howard-shanker-our-first-az-candidate/

Simply read Howard's posts at Huffington Post(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/howard-shanker) and you will realize that this race is a battle for the soul of the Democratic party. As Howard put it - it is about whether we will once again become the party of boldness or continue to be the party of acquiescence.

In addition, if you read my columns on this site http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Bennet%20Kelley or Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bennet-kelley, you will realize that I speak as a political realist and not some idealistic neophyte. Not only do I strongly believe that this is a race that Howard can win; for the future of the Democratic party - he must.

[troubleinwinter]

4. Thank you for the response.

Interestingly, last night I finally turned my attention to this race. I emailed Shanker's campaign, and he answered me personall within minutes, twice, addressing my questions very directly and specifically.

He is scheduled to be in my very neighborhood in a week and a half, and I will go meet and hear him.

His website gave me quite a bit of information (though my questions were immediately and personally answered by him, and largely to my satisfaction)- Kirkpatrick's not so much.

I emailed K's campaign the questions also, but haven't recieved a response (course, it was Friday nite).

Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

I think it is fair to point out that you do not live within the district, or even within the state. I do think that our congress races are of concern to all of us, though. I recall several years ago my husband exclaiming, "I'm sending a check to Tom DeLay's opponent!" I asked who his opponent was, to which he relpied, "I don't fucking know, I'm sendin a check whoever it is!". And he did. I sent a donation to Debora Bowen's campaign for Calif. SoS, because election integrity matters to all of us.

So, thank you again, and I will look at both of these candidates.

[apatge1]

8. Thank You

If you care about the grassroots ideals and concerns, Howard is the best choice. He understands the problems we face and really cares. Ann is just another nothing candidate who has no answers to our toughest problems. She will get back to you about it after she asks her staff to find her stand on an issue. Please don't forgot Howard Shanker.

[apatge1]

6. Howard Is The One

I could not agree more. Howard is a gentleman, a great family man, has answers for tough questions and does not shirk a tough question. He researches the problem, asks questions, and comes back with the answers that make sense. He does not dismiss you like Ann Kirkpatrick does with a quick, cold handshake, a quick "hope you vote for me" and off to her next meeting. Howard cares. Ann cares about ladder climbing, standing on the shoulders of the citizens of Arizona. She is not the grassroots candidate. She is just the blah choice.

[saracat]

10. That is so unfair to Ann I cannot begin to fathom your position. Ann has been

personally returning phone calls from the beginning and she certainly takes the time to express her positions. She is an educator who really does care about people.it is her empathy that drew me to her.I have been impressed with the fact that she even remembers the names of people that she meets. I understand you may like Howard but this is really unfair.

I could say the same about Howard. I have met him several times and he has NEVER impressed me. He doesn't have much personality but i don't think that means he doesn't "care". I presume he does.

Ann is an experienced legislator.She not only "researches the problem and comes back with answers," but she "acts" on it. She is not a "social climber". That is extremely offensive.You might say the same of Howard. He might be considered a "social climber"' using the grass roots because he hasn't paid his dues with the electorate. I do NOT think that is so. I am only say this to point out how ludicrous and insulting your statement are to a perfectly decent candidate.

[apatge1]

11. Ann K

I don't agree with you. I resent the notion that she has paid her dues. That is no reason to elect a person. She did nothing worth noting when she served in the legislature. She goes along with the flow. I never said she was a social climber. She is a political ladder climber. I am not easily swayed by other people's opinion, but trust my own opinion. That is why I say people need to meet the candidates, ask tough questions and form their own opinion. Paying someone who has paid their dues by giving them an election as important as this is as rational as re-electing Renzi because he has experience.


Ann might be a nice person and I have no doubt she is, but she does not get my support based on the questions I have asked her and the empty answers she has given. She lets her staff research questions so she will have a position on that question. That is not the way I find answers to my doubts.

[NoodleBoy]

13. the difference between Ann Kirkpatrick and Howard Shanker's campaigns

are the differences between campaigns with any shot of winning and campaigns that only serve the purpose of whining that anyone who disagrees with the candidate is a Republican right wing plant.

What has Howard Shanker done as a "community activist?" Does that overshadow Kirkpatrick's prosecutorial career, or her willingness to serve in a legislature dominated by right-wing interests despite most people not caring about their state government?

Your repeated claims that everyone should meet every candidate before they vote are ridiculous, and to me sound like something someone without any real experience campaigning would say. In a district the size of Pennsylvania, how is it possible for everyone to meet every candidate? And why, when answering a question posed by a person who could be press or opposition research from the other side, would a serious candidate not defer to their staff?

In 2002, the far-left, "everyone else is a Republican" Democrat won the primary, and despite sinking millions of dollars into the race, which was up until then considered a lock for Democrats, he was smashed by a corrupt carpetbagger. Howard Shanker obviously doesn't have the money that that candidate had-- if he wins the primary, he will lose. But would it matter to you if a Republican won the race? Is it more important to you to have someone who agrees with you 99.9% of the time lose a race than someone who agrees with you 90% of the time win? Especially when the alternative to both is someone who agrees with you 10% of the time?

[apatge1]

14. Just Vote

I say she is Republican-lite because her first reply is generally to say I will be tough on crime. Again, I would address the issues leading to crime before I act like Joe Arpaio. We don't need someone who appeals just to the Sun City crowd. I do think it is ridiculous to think you cannot take the time to seek out a candidate to meet and talk with that candidate. That is what townhall meetings are about. That is what house parties are about. This is called grassroots. We need to find out individually what a candidate is all about before taking the party's directions as marching orders.

You can defer to your staff, but every event I have seen Ann K seems to defer all the time rather than have any knowledge herself.

I do not wish to have a Republican in AZ CD1. Since you have made up your mind and ridiculed my opinions openly, I will refrain from doing so in kind. Vote with intelligence based on issues, not lockstep orders from any political party.

[NoodleBoy]

15. is crime an issue-- or not?

Crime is always an issue. That's the second thing you've written that to me sounds like you've never been involved in a serious campaign before-- every winning campaign in this state has fighting crime at or near the center of their theme. To suggest that it only appeals to the "Sun City crowd" is to deny the problems we have on one side with meth labs and human trafficking, and on the other with polluters and developers running wild without restraint.

And quit suggesting that I support Ann Kirkpatrick because someone told me to. I will always support someone with real experience, as a prosecutor and as a legislator, over someone whose experience consists of running for CD1 and accusing other Democrats of being sell-outs.

So tell me, what's more sincere: supporting someone based on their experience, or supporting someone because you were browbeaten on the internet about what a shill the other person running is?

[apatge1]

16. Just Vote

Hey, my opinions do not reflect anything but my opinion of Howard Shanker. Do not even attempt to blame my opinions on him or his campaign. I have never heard a single negative word from him about any candidate or calling other candidates sellouts. Where did that come from on your part? I do not receive orders from Howard Shanker. As an individual, I am campaigning to get him elected as a Progressive Grassroots Candidate.

Experience counts but so do other factors.

Every campaign should be a serious one. To suggest otherwise is nothing I will argue about.

The issues leading to crime have to be addressed. To fill up the prisons without finding out what caused the crime is like putting out a small flicker of fire while ignoring the gas leak. We need to rehabilitate instead of making millions for private prisons. We need to address poverty as one of the causes of crime. As far as meth goes, I am willing to agree to death penalty for those involved but the death penalty never deters crime except for the one who is put to death. Crime is a serious issue, but what has been done about the crimes of this current administration. Experience? Tell me how experience has helped this administration do anything but grab power and destroy our rights by driving a campaign of fear. Now you tell me I should fear crime? I lived in Phoenix for 40 years without ever fearing to walk down any street in that city. I can't say the same now for anyone of color because of the immigration fear-mongering. Experience has giving the criminals in DC card blanc to do as they please. But, our prisons are filled with criminals and those people who are innocent who do not have the funds to win against aggressive prosecutors. We have more important issues than being tough on crime.

Browbeating. That is interesting. I encourage everyone to seek the truth, find out things for themselves instead of following a party's line and you say I am browbeating. I would say I am hoping we can think for ourselves.