Valley conservatives were surprised to read that they have a new political savior to rescue them from despair. The Arizona Republic writes it, so it must be true.
Dan Nowicki, the reporter who was assigned to deferentially tail John McCain throughout his presidential campaign, glowingly describes Rep. Jeff Flake as having “star power.” Flake is mentioned as a possible candidate for everything from U.S. Senator to governor, with his finger newly interjected into the state political intrigues as he supported Rep. Kirk Adams’ (R-Dist.19) successful bid over Speaker Jim Weiers (R-Dist.10) for the House leadership position.
Flake, who had no problem breaking his term-limit pledge to district voters, characterizes himself as a Republican straight-shooter, but veers off course frequently. It was Flake who encouraged his immigration lawyer, brother-in-law, Kevin Gibbons to challenge Rep. Russell Pearce during the last election cycle. Pearce, a strong advocate of laws to constrain illegal hiring, earned the wrath of the business community favoring a stream of low-wage illegal workers. In a repudiation of Flake’s behind the scenes activities, the voters who have the final say in elections, gave Pearce the overwhelming victory.
Because Flake has made his reputation cutting congressional “earmarks,” (the policy of elected Representatives directing federal dollars to their home districts) few of his constituents are aware of Jeff Flakes’ co-sponsorship of liberal legislation with Illinois Democrat Luis Gutierrez that would actually cost the taxpayers millions in giveaways to illegals in this country, through the “Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act” or STRIVE Act — the sole focus of which was granting tuition and other benefits while extending amnesty for illegal aliens living in our country. Watch this Lou Dobbs CNN video interview with Rep. Gutierrez, who is a master of the duck and dodge.
Read the AZ Republic’s sycophantic coverage of Flake here and prepare for more to come since the newspaper has obviously anointed its successor to Sen. McCain. There is bound to be fallout as Congressman John Shadegg, who is also thought to desire the job, angles for similar puff coverage. Shadegg has already insulted Arizonans who support border security in the liberal New York Times, calling them “xenophobic and intolerant,” for desiring immigration to be orderly and lawful.
The far left AZ Republic is now deciding what Arizona conservatives are excited about? They have this one wrong too!
Jeff Flake lied to us when he pledged he would never seek more than 3 terms in congress. Now that he is a D.C. insider he’s abandoned the idea of a citizen government-just like Shadegg.
It is entirely laughable to think Jeff Flake is ANY kind of a government spending hawk. Sure he’s laid off of earmarks–hurrah!–he’s average.
You’re too kind Seeing Red AZ. Flake’s planned spending through the STRIVE Act on illegal aliens residing in this country would quickly add up to billions, not millions. That spending would quickly surpass anything Flake has done for us on earmarks.
The Republic loves democrats, weak Republicans and anyone willing to throw open the border gates. Not surprised they are fawning all over Flake now. The paper has got it wrong again. Arizona conservatives have their sites set a lot higher than either McCain, Flake or Shadegg. Any one of those three would be a huge disappointment.
Let’s send Flake, Shadegg, McCain & Kyl their walking shoes & get REAL Conservatives to DC. We need to fight this fight & win.
Flake needs to be stopped. Once he showed his true colors on illegal immigration, he lost my vote. The only reason he keeps getting elected is due to the solidarity of the LDS vote.
Very interesting. He doesn’t like earmarks that spend tax dollars on American workers and jobs, but he LOVES giving millions to illegal immigrants. And they think he’s the new Conservative leader for Arizona? You have to watch those Kool Aide drinkers!
The Republic article says Flake has developed a close relationship with McCain. What an understatement that is! They are both in the deep pockets of business (campaign) donors supportive of the illegal workforce. The connective thread in all of these political schemes is illegal immigration with McCain and Kyl lurking in the background.
Flake’s “earmark” proposals have had little success, but endlessly talking about the concept appears to play well with the hometown folks. It’s all part and parcel of a calculated business scheme. That business is continual feeding at the taxpayer funded public trough.
What conservatives want him for their new leader in Arizona? No one that I know, since a true conservative wants our government to support law and order and our representatives to honor their oath to protect and defend the Constitution. There’s nothing in that document about subsuming our sovereignty for the benefit of the poor, uneducated people who stream over our borders. And we all are certainly tired of this maverick type of congressman who heeds nothing from his constituents–and won’t even attend Republican meetings anymore because he is afraid of someone asking him a tough question. He may be Mr. glamour boy to the media but his fiscal conservancy glitter has been greatly deminished by his pandering to the advocates for illegal labor.
If Jeff Flake is supposed to be the one conservatives look to for guidance, we’re in sad shape. First of all, he is a Libertarian NOT a true Republican. He once headed the Goldwater Institute which is a Libertarian think tank.
I have been disappointed by his type of Republican far too long. I now refer to myself as a conservative rather than the loosey-goosey term of Republican. It has no meaning anymore.
We have “Republicans” like Flake who talk a good talk at home and then chum up with Democrats in DC and forget all about the promises made to constituents. Pricey giveaways to illegals don’t exactly fall into line with his carefully honed image of fiscal responsibility. Where is any information about his backing such high dollar measures which benefit illegals on his website? Nowhere to be seen!
http://fora.tv/2007/04/26/Jeff_Flake_and_Luis_Gutierrez
Here’s Jeff Flake explaining to the ultra-liberal Brookings Institution how Arizona conservative Republicans have it all wrong.
On that CNN video link, Gutierrez shows his disdain for Dobbs by his lack of proper attire for the interview and his smug facial expressions. Why go on the show with that attitude?
Regarding the Kirk Adams – Jim Weiers blowup, there were betrayals by conservatives who were longtime Weiers’ supporters as they let their religion take precedent over their politics. Both Flake and Adams are Mormons. Several of the defectors have since privately stated they regret their votes for Adams, who they characterize as a hothead.
Would Congressman John Shadegg ever make such disparaging comments about his own district voters who have long supported him, in the Arizona press? Don’t count on it!
[...] days of declaring Congressman Jeff Flake the man to guide conservative Republicans out of the political wilderness, Nowicki commemorates the 100th birthday [...]
West Washington is full of it and knows very little of the House Republican Caucus.