The daily is trying to set up an underdog scenario. The editorial board is no doubt hoping for an article to refer to on November 5, 2008 — the day after election day, showing that their Republican-turned-Democrat underdog was able to defeat the incumbent sheriff of Maricopa County.
The problem is that the newspaper, so intent on defeating Sheriff Joe Arpaio, has to deal with the fact that he remains immensely popular and has out raised his opponent Dan Saban by $350,000 in campaign donations.
Presenting those facts with their twist requires a bit of fancy footwork and imaginative creativity. So, the resourceful minds placed the article they eventually hope to refer to on the inside back page of the Valley section, just above the obituaries. Grieving family and friends of the recently deceased will be looking for something other than this story.
The genial smiling face of challenger Dan Saban, who was unable to gain the endorsement of the Buckeye Police Association where he served as chief, is juxtaposed next to a scowling photo of Joe Arpaio.
That same police association has endorsed Arpaio.
But the main thrust of the article is the carefully inserted sub-header which in Arizona Republicese identifies why Saban is unable to generate support: Challenger: Some backers are afraid to anger sheriff.
Saban says supporters “admit they’re intimidated by the prospect of contributing to his campaign and angering Arpaio.” The inference is the sheriff has a goon squad at the ready to rough up those who contribute to the party-switching Saban.
The real goon squad is the Republic which hammers the sheriff daily, sparing no amount of ink in the attempt to usher him out of office.
July 4, 2008 at 5:24 pm
You guys are good! Once again Seeing Red called the Republic out for their crudely blatant attempts to manipulate elections.
I was “seeing red” way too often when I still subscribed. Letting go of that was better than I could have imagined. I think I’m healthier!
July 4, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Even if Arpaio wasn’t as popular as he is, Saban carries too much baggage that was reveled during his last campaign.
The fact that the police force he supervised when he was chief won’t support him tells quite a story.
Saban is damaged goods. Most of us wish Sheriff Arpaio well. He’s doing exactly what he pledged to do when he first ran. You can’t ask much more than that. That commitment is a rare commodity.
July 5, 2008 at 6:46 am
The newspaper wants him out. The people want him in! Who do you think will prevail? Especially with the Republic’s numbers plummeting and its influence in the toilet. Why do you think they’ve abandoned all subtlety?
July 5, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Sheriff Joe will prevail. As long as there are illegals flooding into our country, as long as there are Spanish billboards in Phoenix, as long as anonymous companies keep advertising for HR professionals who “must be bilingual in Spanish/English”, who do you think AMERICANS are going to vote for?
July 5, 2008 at 8:53 pm
SherriAZ:
You said it exactly right! Who can disagree with your well reasoned thoughts? I applaud you - and of course, Sheriff Arpaio!
July 6, 2008 at 11:34 pm
“Goon squad” is exactly right. That’s what the “Republic” has been for over two decades. The great harm that the daily has wrought on our communities and state is incalculable.