Tucson lawyer John Munger, has surprised no one with his announcement that he is jumping in the crowding Republican pool for Arizona governor. He has been making the rounds of district meetings giving what is already becoming a tiresome speech, and the same one he offered to J.D. Hayworth yesterday.
Munger, 62, is employing the hackneyed “I’m not a politician” rhetoric. As a one-time state party chair, he appears mysteriously unaware that once a candidate files documents declaring candidacy, they become politicians. And what’s so bad about that? George Washington was a politician, after all. The issue is being a good one.
What Munger has been soft-pedaling is his concept of toll roads to beef up highway funding, an issue that has not gained traction with Arizonans. And although he has yet to put up a campaign website, his Imagine Arizona issues page is oddly devoid of substantively addressing Arizona’s porous border. When interviewed on Hayworth’s radio program, he gave the McClone response that we need to secure our border “first” — begging the question: “before what?” He opined that the main problem is Mexico’s drug cartels. While there is no dispute that the violence from these criminal organizations has reached crisis proportions for Mexico, spilling over into America’s border states, the problem that needs to be addressed is illegal entries, whether drug related or not.
And, covering all of his bases, he contributed $2300 last election cycle to both David Schweikert and Susan Bitter Smith in the Republican primary to unseat CD 5 Democrat Congressman Harry Mitchell. He also was co-chairman of the 2008 McCain for President, Arizona Campaign.
Munger has pledged, “I will bring the Republican Party in this state together again.” In the interim, like many other Arizonans, Seeing Red AZ is keeping our powder dry and waiting to see if this effort gets off the ground. As yet, Gov. Jan Brewer has not announced any plans to run to retain her seat.
Seeing Red AZ 
Good, informative post. Thanks. John Munger is a recycle who is trying to sound fresh and new. He is failing miserably. The fact that he is in McCain’s pocket is all I need to know. Count me out.
Although I was active in the GOP at the time, it’s hard to recall much about Munger as state party chair. It’s tough to run a party when you are rarely around. I heard him tell J.D. (yesterday) that he now has a residence in Phoenix and spends a lot of time in Phoenix. Then he slipped up and said he was “heading home” to Tucson. He sounds confused.
From the way things are shaping up for Brewer, with her own party unhappy with her tax plan, I’d be very surprised if she ran. Leaving is always preferable to being fired.
Munger spent a good part of his time addressing our district meeting on the topic of illegal immigration. Munger’s talking points came straight out of John McCain’s playbook. “The only problem we have with our unsecured border is drug runners.”
Munger’s push for six figure salaries for top public school teachers sounds a tad bit over the top for someone running as a fiscal conservative. I get the idea of higher pay for great teachers. Six figures? I’m not going to vote for that.
The only teachers who deserve higher pay are those who show actual results in the form of our children’s test results. The unions (AEA,NEA)that supports them are as left wing as it gets. I desperately want to get my children out of the government schools — and I will!
Right there with you, American Dad! At my son’s school, in the “Teacher’s” parking lot…90% of the cars there have “Obama” bumper stickers.
My son’s teacher keeps her political opinions to herself…but she had a “heads-up” from my son’s kindergarten teacher…who oddly enuff is a Conservative.
I heard this guy on J.D.’s show and was not impressed. I wanted to hear that he’d put National Guard troops on the Border, but nada. With more stories about illegals being smuggled into AZ, we need to crack down on the border and forget the Feds. Arizonans have to protect Arizona, period. The Feds, led by BHO and Nappy, are useless.
Paying teachers more is fine as long as we have results and a return to basics. Coming from a city that supports La Raza instruction in the schools, this candidate has little interest for me.
Toll roads? No thanks. ACTUAL border security? Yes! The McCain model stinks to high heavens. Ditto Kyl’s “temporary guest workers.” We have no need for
“guests” working here. We need American jobs for American workers. And when those “guests” have babies they are American citizens who are able to bring in their whole family. Enough of this insanity!!!
Uuuuhhh…Just a heads up. Toll roads are LEGAL in AZ., as of 01 Oct 09. New construction roads in Municipalities can be used as TOLL ROADS, per SB1320, signed by Gov Jan Brewer back in July, 2009. Solely Sponsored by Senator John Nelson (R), LD12…Litchfield Park, AZ. Oh, also, Points to all CDL drivers who are “flashed” by photo radar.
Counselor Munger sounds like a good friend of J-NO & McAmnesty’s. He goes, “before what?”…my Grandmother had a phrase for guys with answers like that. “Wise-Ass!” Then suddenly, that individual found himself on the floor, with her handprint on his face. That man needs to learn a little dignety, courtesy, & respect before steppin’ into this race. Of course, most of his kind, do as well.
Munger is another Pima County moderate who supports the “non-partisan” Tucson and Pima County elected officials regardless of party and only ventures north of the Gila when he wants to run for statewide office.
John, why don’t you work on bringing the Pima County Republican Party and elected officials into alignment with our Platform so you can bring something to the table of value.