Principle challenged former AZ U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe dies

Bizarrely compared to Republican heroes

Former Rep. Jim Kolbe, elected to congress in 1984, after losing to Jim McNulty in 1982, has died of a stroke at age 80. A Republicrat from Tucson, he is eulogized with accolades befitting a truly noble man…which the long-term congressman was not. Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bronson lavished Kolbe with praise in a tweet, claiming he “was old school Republican in the mold of Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower – a friend of business and the environment.”

Omitted was the 1980’s scandal in which the openly gay Kolbe was embroiled, causing him to leave congress when it was revealed he was soliciting sex from male congressional pages as was his Massachusetts democrat colleague Gerry Studds. Former House Clerk Jeff Trandahl told ABC News that Arizona Congressman Jim Kolbe was one of a small number of “problem members.” This exposé detailing Kolbe’s predilection for young teen boys appeared in the Washington Post Oct. 9, 2006. Kolbe retired within two months of the report being published.

Longtime Arizona political observers will remember Kolbe was forced “out of the closet” by the ever-so-compassionate Gay DC Media… who threatened him after he announced his “yes”vote for the Defense Of Marriage Act.

After leaving Congress, Kolbe served on the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations under democrat President Barack Obama. An open-borders advocate and supporter of in-state tuition for illegals, pro-abortion Kolbe left the Republican Party and became a registered Independent in 2018 after the election of Donald Trump. He endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

Memo to Pima County Supervisor Sharon Bronson: Neither Teddy Roosevelt nor Dwight Eisenhower were known to be sexual predators, nor did they endorse far leftist democrats or their ideologies. Confusing Jim Kolbe with either of them is beyond foolish.

Jim Kolbe was married to Sarah Dinham, a UofA psychology professor for 15 years. He later married Panamanian native Hector Alfonso in 2013.

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AZ Republic signals its print demise

Back in April, Greg Burton, executive editor of the failing local newspaper announced, “To make the best use of limited space in print,” they would be “updating some of the puzzles and features, with the most significant change the elimination of TV listing.” Burton admitted, “We know that doesn’t serve all readers. If you prefer printed listings, we offer TV Weekly magazine by mail at an additional cost.” It then goes on to list what is being changed and switched, in a frantic effort to stay afloat digitally, which doesn‘t entail the costs associated with printing and distributing hard copy editions. It’s clear Burton views the remaining subscribers as mind-numbed dolts.

The desperate, far-left newspaper which fully launched its decline following its Hillary Clinton presidential endorsement over eventual winner Donald Trump, then proceeded to editorially whine that it received countless subscription cancellations and death threats,” though how a newspaper can be threatened with physical harm was never defined. Its actual commitment to ethnic diversity and inclusion overtakes any obligation to disseminating balanced news. Jobs have been eliminated and subscriptions have significantly plunged. The Arizona Republic is a Gannett publication, and Gannett is in deep trouble as Northwestern University declares: “With local journalism in crisis, Northwestern University has assembled a team of experts in digital innovation, audience understanding and business strategy. The goal is incorporated in a hodgepodge of platitudes including this gem, “reinventing the relationship between news organizations and audiences to elevate enterprises that empower citizens.“ The message then concludes with a facetious salute: “Thank you for subscribing and supporting local journalism.”

The newspaper recently announced it is “published 7 days per week, excluding Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.” Apparently it has detected there will be no news to report on those days. Other media sources are committed to keeping a flow of newsworthy information, though the local newspaper is closing shop.

Despite occasional efforts at resuscitation, facts clearly demonstrate newspapers are relics of the past — collapsing due to their unwavering commitment to the left that has driven rational readers away.

Far-left CNN is suffering the same fate. It is reported to be laying off staff and slashing $3 billion worth of costs over the next two years.

AZ dem colludes with Republicrat in self-promotion scheme

Two former politicos interject themselves into area in which they have no influence

Being out of the spotlight poses a challenge for former office holders who were smitten by their own images and what they regarded as brilliance pouring out of their mouths. All they had to do to get publicity as elected officials was have their lackeys call the news media to hear their latest spews intended to keep them in the public eye prior to the next election.

Former Attorney General Samuel Pearson Goddard III, used the less stuffy name “Terry” a contraction of Trey or the Third to bring him down to the level of the common folks whose votes he needed to succeed his father who was governor. But the onetime Phoenix mayor found higher office eluded him. His fellow democrats thought him haughty and Republicans regarded him as a joke when he challenged Fife Symington for governor ridiculing the fact that he was also a “third” who attended a private eastern prep school, as did Goddard. Symington easily won that race.

Democrat Goddard has now aligned with what should be an unlikely new political partner…unless you take the time to follow his odd political meanderings since leaving office. Terry Goddard’s new team member is Richard Romley, also a believer in chummy nicknames. As “Rick” Romley, the man who won office as a Republican, has now been able to reveal himself as the democrat he has always been — excluding the expediency of garnering GOP votes to vault himself into the Maricopa County Attorney‘s Office.

Now the duo of Rick and Terry are pressuring Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre to consider criminal charges against the Cochise County supervisors who recently refused to certify the county’s election. Neither Romley nor Goddard have any standing in how other elected officials in other Arizona counties opt to handle a potential ballot recount, though they can bluster and whine to garner attention. Their emailed letter can be read here.

They each need a cup of hot cocoa and an early bedtime. They also should come to terms that neither they nor their views hold any rational consequences. Many Arizonans have no idea who these two has-beens are and care less about their views.

Kari Lake files lawsuit against Maricopa County, elections officials

Unprecedented Election Day mayhem must be addressed

On Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, Arizona’s Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake’s campaign sued Maricopa County and its election officials, demanding they respond to her campaign’s public records requests regarding malfunctions on Election Day — before the county certifies its vote canvass on Monday. The Republic Brief (not to be contused with Frosty Taylor’s popular local Maricopa County Republican Briefs) carries the report, including a copy of the lawsuit filed by lawyer Abraham Hamadeh, alleging “gross incompetence and mismanagement of the General Election by certain election officials.”

Previously, on Nov. 22, 2022, reporter Kari Donovan wrote: “BREAKING: Kari Lake Delivers Message To Arizona and All Americans On “Botched And Broken November 8 Election.”

On Nov. 23, Kari Lake appeared on NEWSMAX:

.@KariLake on filing a lawsuit against election officials:

"We have a case that we're putting together that I believe is going to be shocking." pic.twitter.com/XaFlvQEqYr

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 23, 2022

Another McCain seeking a political perch? Spare us

When your name is incendiary and you have political aspirations, it becomes imperative that nothing is left to chance to control the damage before tossing your hat into the ring. That would be the only reason James “Jimmy” Hensley McCain is sending out Thanksgiving wishes…a new cordiality, in which he has never previously engaged. His emailed missive, given cover under the auspices of the McCain Institute Foundation, also includes a solicitation for funds with instructions “to consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice.”

Dear Friends,

As our family prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, I wanted to take the time to thank you for supporting my Dad through the years. As we continue my Dad’s fight to advance freedom, prosperity, security and human dignity for the benefit of all, we would be grateful to have you join our efforts.

One of Dad’s favorite holidays was always Thanksgiving. Some of my best memories are him on the deck, frying turkeys and enjoying the day with family and friends. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Best wishes,

(Signature)

James H. McCain

An all caps DONATE HERE tab is included, followed by the following paragraph, making it clear he is not expecting small donations:

The McCain Institute Foundation is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law and may be subject to disclosure. Please consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice.

McCain Institute Foundation

AZ University presidents get massive salary increases, tribes get free tuition

The Arizona Board of Regents appears to go to great lengths to keep the public informed, but don’t be conned by a multitude of “pursuants.”  The key words are, “the board will call the meeting to order and immediately convene in executive session.” That translates to “cloak of darkness.”

According to a lengthy report in the local newspaper, Arizona’s university presidents at ASU, UA and NAU all will get steep pay increases granted by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), who unanimously approved the salary increases and contract extensions based on their annual performance reviews. The report states, “Regents raised no questions or comments prior to their vote.” The term of a regent is eight years, twice as long as the governor who appointments them.

Arizona State University President Michael Crow’s base salary (excluding numerous perks and bonuses) is now $809,846, up 5% from $771,282 a year ago. University of Arizona President Robert Robbins will receive $792,241 in base salary, Northern Arizona University President Jose Luis Cruz Rivera will get a base salary of $576,800, up a hefty 12% from when he assumed the position just six months ago. Crow, who was appointed in 2002, is among the nation’s highest paid public university presidents. Arizona’s governor, who runs the entire state, is paid $95,000 — minus all of the perks paid to the university presidents. Governors are limited to two consecutive four-year terms in office.

In addition to their salaries, the university presidents also receive housing and vehicle allowances, numerous benefits, retirement contributions and the opportunity for hefty bonuses each year based on “achieving various goals for their universities.” All of their contracts were extended.

Regents “approved payouts for achieving some of those goals and set new goals for each of the presidents and the university system over the next year and next several years,” ensuring the money stream keeps flowing.

ABOR members previously discussed the contracts in closed-door executive session “because they are employment and salary issues.” The public, whose taxes fund these excessive salaries, and cash strapped students, often working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet, as their tuition and fees rise yearly, are unable to be privy to the details of those conversations.

The latest absurdity comes in the form of NAU’s announcement that it will begin providing free tuition for members of any of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes. The University of Arizona already has such a program in place as does Arizona State University. Guess whose tuition will be raised to cover this extremist separatism?

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer revealed as anti-GOP leftist

Fake Republican Richer makes us poorer

Today we take our readers directly to the source — The World Tribune — which does an exemplary job of exposing the astonishing duplicity of Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. Headlined, “Top Maricopa County vote counter addressed conference organized by anti-Kari Lake group,” Joe Schaeffer‘s report is a must read for any political truth seeker.

Known by the preposterous name, ‘Principles First,’ the group’s Preamble begins with these words:

“For some time now, the conservative movement has been in the throes of an identity crisis. Fealty to party and politicians has completely obscured the values that give substance to our public associations. Today in America, who you support has become more important than what you believe. As a result, the terms “conservative” and “Republican” are now mere team names that have lost all meaning.”

It has become increasingly clear that duplicitous Stephen Richer, openly viewing conservatives as in the midst of an “identity crisis” is not the conservative Republican he campaigned as.

The local newspaper’s former sob-story reporter, magically turned politically astute, expressed shock that Seeing Red AZ would view Richer as the phony he is. We expect honesty from those who opt to call themselves conservatives, a concept the left is unable to grasp.

In 2021 Richer went to CNN to peddle his fakery. The leftist network was all too happy to print his editorial, “GOP Arizona official: Why I had to speak the truth after Trump’s falsehoods.” Obviously, we have not provided a link.

Displaying his dedication to the office he ran for and the people he campaigned to represent, Richer using his personal account, tweeted:

@stephen_richer

Replying to @schwanderer

“I don’t care if not re-elected. I can do other stuff with my life.”

It’s time we granted this duplicitous fraud his “stuffing” wish.

Has Been and Never Was hammer AZ GOP leader Dr. Kelli Ward

Proof no good deed goes unpunished

In a bizarre case of a lopsided internecine war — when unity should definitely prevail — Arizona Republicans are ringside at a political bout. Matt Salmon, a former congressman, former state GOP chairman, twice former gubernatorial candidate who waited until the last week prior to the primary election to withdraw from the 2022 race, (ensuring his name remained on ballots) now takes the bizarre step of beating up on a woman. Not just any woman, mind you. Dr. Kelli Ward, who was elected to two-terms as a state senator and twice elected as Arizona Republican chairman, is also an osteopathic physician…as is her husband, Col. Michael Ward, D.O. who served tours of duty in war zones and was the flight surgeon for Arizona’s Air National Guard. She continued to practice medicine in emergency departments in Lake Havasu City and Kingman, Arizona, during her time in the senate. There is no question they believe in giving back to their communities and state.

But missing-the-spotlight Salmon is heaping blame on GOP Chair, Dr. Kelli Ward, irresponsibly holding her accountable for Republican losses in the recent General Election. He previously exchanged appreciative platitudes with Karrin Kunasek Taylor Robson, likely hoping for her win — followed by a job. Neither materialized. 

Salmon, always full of himself, will never hold public office again. Kelli Ward is deserving of his praise for her efforts on behalf of Arizona Republican Party candidates. Instead, the man who left the party leadership position under similar conditions assigns her guilt. 

Karrin Kunasek Taylor Robson lavished praise on Salmon for his decision to exit the race, believing his decision cleared the way for her to singly challenge Republican Kari Lake. We know how that turned out.

On April 14, 2022 we posted, “Karrin Kunasek Taylor Robson: AZ Gov candidate, re-invents herself.” If you missed it, it provides an in-depth insight. Beware! She’s got the wealth and time to reinvent herself yet again.

AZ Gov’s race called for dem Hobbs, though 50.4% to 49.6% is hardly a mandate

Real Clear Politics has the final count in Arizona’s governor’s race.

See the razor slim numbers HERE.

This photo and statement were found in our email. Our thanks to the originator.

Schizophrenic, failing AZ Republic can’t navigate election snafus

The local newspaper headlines, “Election Day saw few major voting problems,” (actually using the word “problems” instead of the left’s trendy favorite “issues.”) Yet the front page (and jump page) admits “County’s voting site printer problem evenly spread.” Then lapsing back to “issues” it lists, “Polling places with equipment issues.” That report goes on to name 70 such places. You read that right…70!

It took four reporters to cover this debacle.

The same edition runs an ad titled, “Attention Subscribers”:

“Access the newspaper you know and love online with the eNewspaper!” The dying publication which is desperately attempting to stay afloat, is unable to afford publishing or distributing hardcopy editions.

It won’t be long before there will be no options.

This December 6, 2014 article in the Harvard Political Review was right on target with its prediction, “The Future of Print: Newspapers Struggle to Survive in the Age of Technology.”

By Nov 25, 2019,The Phoenix Business Journal headlined, “Analysis: Arizona Republic’s circulation decline among steepest for Gannett papers.”

In 2019, Seeing Red AZ, wrote, “AZ Republic: homeless vagrant on borrowed time,” which continues to be read years later.