3 GOP mayors asked to quit

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Scott Wong

The Arizona Republic

Arizona Republicans have begun to turn on some of their own for not marching in lock step with their party, and it all may have started because of a miscommunication.

GOP leaders from Legislative District 4 on Friday called for the resignations of three West Valley mayors, all registered Republicans, because of their endorsement of Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat.

Other current and former Republican officeholders also have crossed party lines with endorsements this election season in local and state contests as well as in an East Valley congressional race.

Friday's move by GOP activists underscores deep fissures in the Republican Party, political observers said. Conservative members hope to pressure those holding more moderate views to remain silent in deference to Len Munsil, Napolitano's Republican challenger.

City council, school board and other local elected offices traditionally are nonpartisan. But District 4 party leaders said they followed orders from Arizona Republican Party Chairman Matt Salmon in demanding the resignation of any GOP elected official who endorsed a candidate from another party.

On Friday, District 4 GOP leaders hand-delivered letters to the offices of Mayors Elaine Scruggs of Glendale, Joan Shafer of Surprise and Ron Badowski of Wickenburg, demanding that they step down for publicly supporting Napolitano.

"We're letting the public know that if you are a Republican, you should stand by your party or remain silent," said Lyle Tuttle, chairman of the Republican Party of District 4, which includes parts of Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise. "It's fine if they want to vote for someone else, but for them to endorse a non-Republican is not following the party line."

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1028mayors1028.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

"We're letting the public know that if you are a Republican, you should stand by your party or remain silent,"...

That really says it all, doesn't it?

[Fandango 1,439]

"We're letting the public know that if you are a Republican, you should stand by your party or remain silent,"...

That really says it all, doesn't it?

Why are you pretending to be suprised that this happens in either party? I mean really

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

"We're letting the public know that if you are a Republican, you should stand by your party or remain silent,"...

That really says it all, doesn't it?

Why are you pretending to be suprised that this happens in either party? I mean really

Regardless of the internal mechanics of either party, to officially put out that statement is embarassing. IMHO.

[mawilson 2,133]

"We're letting the public know that if you are a Republican, you should stand by your party or remain silent,"...

That really says it all, doesn't it?

Why are you pretending to be suprised that this happens in either party? I mean really

Regardless of the internal mechanics of either party, to officially put out that statement is embarassing. IMHO.

That's what makes them stronger, while the Dems are too busy bickering amongst themselves.

[Carol&Marc 0]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZrdYNe1co

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

I live in Phoenix and read this in the AZ Republic first hand. Didn't surprise me at all. What the article doesn't say is how crappy the Republican candidate is. On top of that Napolitano has been a REALLY good governor. She is (mostly) well liked AND doesn't exactly tow the Democratic line very close either. I am a fiscal Republican and LOVE her. Plus if you think about it, Arizona is a HARD CORE Republican state. She has to be doing something right to be elected...she is not only a Democrat but a lesbian too!

Anyway...my point is that the article is missing some important points.

Joel

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I live in Phoenix and read this in the AZ Republic first hand. Didn't surprise me at all. What the article doesn't say is how crappy the Republican candidate is. On top of that Napolitano has been a REALLY good governor. She is (mostly) well liked AND doesn't exactly tow the Democratic line very close either. I am a fiscal Republican and LOVE her. Plus if you think about it, Arizona is a HARD CORE Republican state. She has to be doing something right to be elected...she is not only a Democrat but a lesbian too!

Anyway...my point is that the article is missing some important points.

Joel

She's denied being lesbian, although her political enemies keep saying that. I honestly don't know, but in any case you are right - she is a moderate. Some people just can't see past Party lines.

[Carol&Marc 0]

Hey Steve maybe the government needs to pay you to post on VJ all day! get a life dude!