You are invited to a “Conservative Cruze” Saturday September 22nd.
The Tucson Tea Party would like to invite you to participate in a series of events on Saturday, September 22nd.

We are not going to rally at a stadium, amongst ourselves. These types of events are great for ginning up energy. However, the strength of our numbers is seen by no one but us.

How can we share our message with others who might not be paying close attention to our strong conservative voice?
We have to be seen and heard in a very visible way. A Tea Party way. A non-violent and safe way.

Imagine hundreds of auto’s prominently displaying a conservative message traversing major streets in Oro Valley, Marana, Tucson, and Pima County. We can do this. You are invited to “dress up” your auto, classic car, dump truck (Yes, we may see a dump truck!lol.), or your motorcycle, pickup truck, or “street legal” hot rod. We will be hosting events in 4 locations in Pima County. You can show up, and show off, your vehicle at any or all locations. We will have speakers at three of the four locations, including 104.1 FM’s Jon Justice and James T. Harris.
Each event is timed such that all of us, Yes, all of us, can move from each location to the next. Sort of a “political poker run”. Sort of a political version of a classic car cruise. Decorate your cars, show your creativity, send them a message! We are not going away! We are here to stay.

Here’s the itinerary…………….

9:20 am- Northwest Tucson/CD1 candidate signs will be available for pickup at the Oro Valley Market Place, near the Red Lobster. This is simply a meet up location for those Tea Party members who would be willing to move from this location, to our 1st full event stop in Marana. We will pass out driving directions to all of our stops, at this location. We will be traversing Oro Valley, and Northwest Tucson. No speakers will be at this location.
We would like you to consider beginning your event day here, to show our vehicles and send a conservative message to voters in this area, as we travel to……

10:20 am- We will host an outside event at “Boston’s Restaurant” located next to the theatre complex at the Arizona Pavilions Mall at 5825 West Arizona Pavilions Drive in Marana. Featured speakers will include Jon Justice, Jonathon Paton, Al Melvin, and others. Boston’s will open early for our rally and be available to serve your refreshments and snacks from their menu if you would like to “grab a bite”. We have plenty of parking. Candidate signs will be available also, should you wish to display them on your vehicles. We will provide you directions to our next stop, as we travel thru city center and Raul Grijalva’s district on our way to our next location…..

12:00 pm-We will host an outside event at the Shriner’s Hall located at 450 South Tucson Boulevard Tucson, Az. Featured speakers will include James T. Harris, “WarriorSchools” Jeff Prather, and several political candidates running in this area. The Shriner’s will have refreshments available for purchase. After our speakers are done we will be traveling thru CD 2 (Ron Barber’s turf), legislative districts 9 and 10, and ending at our final location…………….

3:00 pm- We will host an outside rally at the brand new “Hot Rod’s” Restaurant Old Vail – 10500 East Old Vail Rd, Tucson 85747. You will again be treated to James T. Harris, and have an opportunity to hear from one of our most fiscally conservative State Senators, Frank Antenori, along with other speakers. Frank has done an outstanding job limiting the spending of our state government, and faces a challenging election this fall. We would like to see “show our Tea Party colors” on the East side of Tucson, and in support of Frank. This is a very important leg of our itinerary. Hot Rod’s is a fabulous place to end our afternoon.

What is your involvement????????

Decorate your vehicles! Dress them up so that they are noticed. Send a message. You are the citizen activists that Andrew Breitbart so vividly described to us. Get motivated. Get involved. Spread the word. We will ask candidates to have their signs available at each of our stops.
The most important part of this event is YOU, traveling with us, thru our city and county, spreading a message of conservative values!

Participation ribbons will be awarded to every vehicle that completes the journey to “Hot Rod’s”. Vehicles will be judged and fun trophies awarded, at Hot Rod’s, in the following categories:

-Most “eye catching”
-Most “patriotic”
-Most “supportive of a candidate”
-“Oldest” vehicle decorated with a conservative message

Tune in to 104.1 FM next week to hear more about this event. We look forward to seeing you this upcoming Saturday.

Note: We are not a parade event. If more than 300 vehicle’s show, we advise our attendees of several routes to travel to our next destination, for maximum visibility and so as not to impede the normal flow of traffic. All traffic laws and signals must be followed. All vehicle’s must be “street legal”.

Jonathon Paton will be opening up his campaign office this Thursday evening September 20th to Tucson Tea Party members that would like to create signs for their vehicles. Contact Greg Harris for directions 520-990-1903. We are trying to find an east side location for making signs. We will advise you if, and when we locate a place.

“Once more unto the breach, my dear friends”. We hope to see you next Saturday.

Your Tucson Tea Party

Cruise along in your classic car, regular vehicle/auto, hot rod, or motorbike on this “Conservative Cruze”.

former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum

Former Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (served 1995 to 2007) will speak in Tucson at a free Tucson Tea Party event at the Sabbar Shriner’s Temple on Wednesday February 22. Doors open at 10 a.m. at 450 S. Tucson Blvd., south of Broadway. The event is expected to run till 1:30 p.m.

Santorum is on the ballot for the Arizona Republican Presidential Preference Primary set for Feb. 28. Early voting on that primary began on February 2 and reports are that 20% of registered Republicans have already voted. 23 Republicans are listed on the AZ Secretary of State’s ballot, including former 2008 U.S Presidential candidate/former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who is currently running again in this year’s Republican Presidential nomination run-off. Also running: Congressman Ron Paul from Texas (CD 14 since 1997), who also ran in the Presidential race of 2008, and former Georgia Congressman Newt Gingrich (CD 6 from 1979 to 1999). Governor Rick Perry of Texas has withdrawn from the race, but his name will be on the ballot.

Trent Humphries, Co-founder of the Tucson Tea Party was on KUAT Channel 6 AZ Illustrated’s political roundtable on Feb. 17 discussing this upcoming visit (click here.) Humphries ran unsuccessfully for LD 26 House in the Republican primary of 2008.

For more on the Republican Preference primary view AZ Week for February 17 (click here), discussing the GOP Presidential debate (to be nationally televised) on Wednesday Feb. 22 in Mesa.

From: www.tucsonteaparty.org:

Date: April 30th, 2011
Time: 9 am until 12 noon

Location: Reid Park Band Shell (DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center)

Speakers: Andrew Breitbart, Dana Loesch, Dr. Larry Schweikart, AlfonZo Rachel, Jim Hoft, Bill Hennessy and special musical performances by Jadi Norris.

Both Dr. Schweikart and Andrew Breitbart will be on hand for book signings at various times during the event.

Food and drinks and new designs of TTP’s infamous red shirts will be available for purchase that day.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and make sure to bring water and sunscreen.

More info: tucsonteaparty@yahoo.com or on their webisite above. Who they are:

The Tucson Tea Party is a venue for people who are against the over $12 trillion dollars in government bail-outs, stimulus packages, loans, entitlements, and guarantees since September 2008. We hope to provide an opportunity for those opposed to these gratuitous bailouts to find their voice, and use it. We come together to send a message to our elected officials that, if they voted for any one of these measures, we will vote them out of office!

We believe that the government is taking America away from the ideals that have made it great. We believe in individual liberty and responsibility, a small federal government whose constitutional powers are limited.

We do not believe that the government has the right to take your money in order to bail out big financial institutions, delinquent borrowers, or make it harder for you to earn your own living.

Not to be confused with Pima County Tea Party Patriots (click here).

Most of those who spoke tonight:
1. James Kelley (“The Cholla Jumps” blogger)
2. Mikki Niemi
3. Bud Foster, KOLD 13 reporter
4. Ally Miller, Pima County Tea Party Patriot organizer
5. Steve Kozachik (Ward 6 Councilmember)
6. Michael Tony
7. William Beard
8. Sherese Steffens, Pima County Tea Party Patriot organizer
9. Lillian Lopez Grant, neighborhood activist
10. Barney Brenner, candidate for District 3 Pima County Supervisor in 2008
11. Dick Bayse, Pima Assn. of Taxpayers
12. John Kromko, Pima Assn. of Taxpayers
13. Joe Sweeney, recent Republican candidate for CD 7 U. S. House
14. Ken Scoville, historian

Several speakers called for an investigation by the F.B.I. of any criminal behavior, and a state investigation by Attorney General-elect Tom Horne. The Pima County Tea Party has called for such a criminal investigation today (click here). Some speakers did emphasize the need to move forward in developing downtown, despite this negative report.

For Arizona Daily Star reporter Rob O’Dell’s original article on this audit (click here). In yesterday’s Star article O’Dell wrote:

The audit found that the city’s Rio Nuevo downtown redevelopment district was beset by mismanagement and a lack of financial oversight and internal controls that left a majority of its projects incomplete after more than $230 million was spent.

The audit, conducted by Crowe Horwath of Los Angeles for the state auditor general, said much of Rio Nuevo’s money was spent on planning or projects that stalled.

Unfortunately what was revealed tonight was that the recent audit released at the end of October was only a “financial analysis” and not a full audit (financial statement, performance, or forensic). And the Rio Nuevo Board heard tonight from Crowe Horwath representatives that a full forensic audit may cost in the neighborhood of $1 million, since it would span several years.

The Pima County Tea Party Patriots will be holding a protest rally about this “Rio Nuevo Waste” prior to the Tucson City Council meeting on Tuesday December 7, 4:30 p.m. at Mayor/Council chambers, 255 W. Alameda.

Pima Association of Taxpayers is holding a meeting on “Rio Deceivo” at the Woods Library on December 16, 3455 N. 1st Avenue, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Rio Nuevo board has to prepare a “response” in 10-12 days based on tonight’s public hearing for the legislature.

For more: read O’Dell’s article in the Star about this public hearing attended by about 80 people: http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_3a598e2d-e572-5eae-93a6-39b4f3c6d969.html

Nov. 2006:
Gabrielle Giffords 55.20% 116,043
Randy Graf 41.09% 86,386
(14.11 percentage point difference)

Nov. 2008:
Gabrielle Giffords 56.00% 151,556
Tim Bee 41.61% 112,612
(14.39 percentage point difference)

Nov. 2010:
Gabrielle Giffords 49.93% 117,389
Jesse Kelly 46.08% 108,327
(3.85 percentage point difference)

Why was this 2010 race so close? Probably due to the rise of the Arizona Tea Party & Tucson Tea Party, the national economic crisis, the Republican Party anger over the passage of Federal Health Care legislation (aka “Obamacare”), the furor over the constitutionality of S.B. 1070 in Arizona, continued immigration problems at the border which includes CD 8, etc. And voters appeared tired of incumbents this year, who seemed responsible for the nation’s economic woes.

This was definitely 2 term incumbent Congresswoman Giffords’ toughest race, and she prevailed by only 4,156 votes out of a total of 283,978 votes cast in CD 8.

Her previous opponents in 2006 and 2008 were experienced politicians. Former LD 30 Rep. Randy Graf served 2 terms in the Arizona state house, and former State Senate President Tim Bee served 8 years in the Arizona State Senate, also from LD 30. So they were both somewhat well-known figures in LD 30, a part of Congressional District 8.

Then her third opponent was Jesse Kelly, a young Marine who had served in Iraq, with no political experience, yet he came the closest to winning. I heard Jesse speak at a number of forums, debates and events, and he had a dynamic, fresh personality that attracted voters, and he took advantage of the changing political times of this campaign year.

When I spoke with Randy Graf after the CD 8 debate at the University of Arizona Grand ballroom on October 18, he merely told me that in comparing his race in 2006 to the 2010 race, that “times have changed.” Indeed, it has. Read Randy’s review of that debate from his new online Arizona News-Telegraph by clicking here (from his PoliGRAF column).

Voter registration numbers in CD 8 from Pima County Recorder’s Office :
Democrats 114,523, Republicans 126,054, Libertarians 2499, Greens 719, independents 98,328.

The fact that CD 8 Libertarian candidate Steve Stoltz got 3.93% of the vote -11,174 votes) obviously shows that he drew votes from outside his party of only 2499 registered voters. Apparently Gabby got her 114,000 Democratic votes plus 24,000 other votes (likely the independents). Kelly got his 126,000 Republican votes but only 8,000 others. (But that’s only based on the assumption that all registered voters in CD 8 voted, and they didn’t.) Voter turnout was 55.65% statewide.

For a breakdown county by county in CD 8, check the Arizona Daily Star analysis this morning in their paper edition, page A5. They say that Kelly won in Cochise & Pinal Counties, with Giffords carrying Pima and Santa Cruz. Pima County voter turnout was 65.54%.

Regardless, attracting the “Independent voter” does matter in CD 8. Giffords said at her HQ volunteer appreciation party on November 6 that her win was due to a “broad based coalition” and her dedicated volunteers.

Wonder which Republican in Southern Arizona will challenge Congresswoman Giffords in 2012?

4 p.m. Tucson Tea Party, Doubletree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way (south of Broadway)

7 p.m. Pima County Republican Party, Doubletree Hotel, 445 W. Alvernon Way

7 p.m. Pima County Democratic Party, Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel, 880 E. 2nd Street (east of Euclid Avenue)

For a recent survey report on the Arizona Tea Party, click here.

And what about parties by the Green Party of Pima County and Pima County Libertarian Party? Does anyone know?

And where will the “Independent” candidates like Harley Meyer (CD 7 U.S. House), Gene Chewning (LD 27 House), Ted Downing (LD 28 Senate),and Dave Ewoldt (LD 28 Senate) go to party? I guess if they win, they will be throwing their own parties. Ewoldt does have a campaign headquarters at 2602 E. Grant Rd.

UPDATE: Ewoldt is having a free bbq/potluck BYOB party at his headquarters tonight starting at 5 p.m. See comments below.

(By the way, the only Independent politician in Southern Arizona — as far as I know — was Ward 2 Councilwoman Carol West, who was elected as a Democrat but changed to Independent before her term was up.)

Hope you find something to celebrate about on General Election Night.

Propositions 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 203, 301, 302 are state-wide, while 400 and 401 are from the City of Tucson.

http://ondemand.azpm.org/videoshorts/watch/2010/10/27/1642-election-2010-the-propositions/

In a quick review of the City of Tucson booklet’s “The Choice is Yours” statements regarding Proposition 400 & 401, here’s a list of the people/groups supporting and opposing these two props:

– In favor of Prop. 400 (proposed increase in City sales tax by .5%):
Jeff Rogers, Chairman & Martin Bacal, Corresponding Secretary for Pima County Democratic Party

–Against Prop. 400
Kent Solberg, LD 27 House candidate (Green party)
John Kromko

____

– In favor of Prop. 401 (huge increases in Mayor/Council salaries, more power for Mayor & City Manager, & other Charter changes):

Peter Likins, President Emeritus of UA

Laura Penny

Lea Marquez Peterson, President & Bill Holmes, Past President of Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

David J. Cohen, Treasurer, “Tucson Charter Change Coalition for Prop. 401″

Trent Humphries, Organizer of Tucson Tea Party

Jeff Rogers, Paul Eckerstrom, & Curtis Dutiel

Michael Guymon, Executive Director & Steve King, President of Metropolitan Pima Alliance

–Against Prop. 401:

Steve Leal, Susan Willis, John S. O’Dowd, Brian Flagg, & James Hannley, Treasurer, “Protect Local Control: No on Prop 401″

My previous blog on 400:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/08/10/core-tax-town-hall-regarding-proposed-city-of-tucson-sales-tax-increase-on-august-11/

My previous blog on 401:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/community/2010/09/03/committees-for-and-against-proposition-401-mayorcouncil-salary-increases-and-other-city-charter-changes/

Secretary of State’s information on the propositions (click here).

League of Women Voter’s guide on the state-wide propositions (click here).

Vote wisely on November 2nd, as the choice is indeed yours.

The first question inquired as to “when the respondent had first learned about the Tea Party. Most respondents had been aware of the movement for some time; 74.6% of respondents had learned about it over a year ago and another 22.0% had heard of it within the last year.”

The second question focused upon “how respondents first learned about the Tea Party movement.” The answers were radio (43.2%), TV (37.4%), and online news sources (23.3%).

“In question three respondents were asked “whether they supported, were against or had no preference for a stated position. The results of this question showed very strong agreement among respondents over six issues. These positions centered on small government, limited government expenditures, universal health care, lowering taxes, cap and trade tax on carbon emissions and easing immigration restrictions.”

Question four then sought “to establish which of these political issues from question three ranked the most important to Tea Party members.” The top three issues were government size (76.0%), fiscal restraint (56.9%), and immigration (54.6%).

Question five inquired “whether there were issues that individuals involved in the Arizona Tea Party movement felt should not be addressed by the movement. The majority (73.5%) felt that there were not any issues that the movement should avoid.”

Question six was about the level of government the Tea Party should focus on, with 67.7 % picking the federal government.

Question seven inquired about “more general, abstract themes of political involvement.” For example respondents were asked to rate statements such as “The existing political parties fail to adequately represent the American public”, with results of 60.5% strongly agreeing, and 28.6% agreeing.

Question eight asked about the internet to keep members involved, with 73.8% saying it was very important. Question nine asked about the “importance of public rallies & protests”, with 72.9% finding them very important.

Question ten inquired about political involvement, with 99.3 % being registered to vote, 98.8% saying that they had voted before, and 80.5% had contacted their representatives in the past.

“Question eleven asked respondents what the Tea Party should do in the future. Most respondents (57.7%) felt that in the future the Tea Party should be an independent association without candidates for election. The next most popular option was integrating with the Republican Party (18.1%), and the least popular option was integrating with the Democratic Party (0.1%).”

Conclusions of this survey:

The results of this survey gave a rich image of the emerging Arizona Tea Party
movement. The respondents showed that individuals involved in the Arizona Tea Party movement have been aware of it since the early days of the movement. These individuals mostly earned about the movement through traditional media sources, although after becoming involved, most respondents found the internet to be an important means of staying informed. Individuals involved in the movement showed strong agreement over political issues, especially those ranked as top three most important issues by respondents: small government, fiscal restraint and immigration. A majority of respondents felt the federal government deserved most of the Tea Party’s attention and that the Tea Party should not avoid any political issues.

Respondents strongly identified with the movement; 81.1% described themselves as passionate about the movement and 86.5% felt that the existing political parties could not represent them as well politically as the Tea Party movement. Although a majority agreed that politicians fail to take public opinion into account, respondents still felt strongly about the impact of their political participation, as 71.1% disagreed with the idea that they could do little to influence political outcomes. Respondents also showed strong political involvement both before and after joining the Tea Party movement. Almost all were registered to vote and almost all had voted prior to becoming involved. Strong majorities of respondents had also contacted their representatives in the past and donated money to campaigns. The areas that saw the greatest rise in political involvement among respondents after joining the movement were attending protests and rallies, as well as volunteering for campaigns. In total, these findings illustrate the Arizona Tea Party to be a cohesive and dedicated movement. While still too early to analyze their overall successes to date, the November 2010 elections will no doubt illustrate the impact of their growing influence in Arizona politics.

Demographics of the respondents: 97.8% currently registered to vote (74.2% Republican, 23.8% Independent, 2% Democrat); 55.5% male, 43.6 % female; 18.6% aged between 30 – 49 years, 44% aged between 50-64, 32.3% aged over 65 years. As for race/ethnicity, the question about this was “removed from the data set due to a low response rate, as well as out of respect for respondents whose comments indicated discomfort with the question.” And there was apparently no question about religious membership, if any.

Michelle is an Arizona native from Peoria, who graduated from the ASU West with a BS in Political Science and a BA in American Studies. She will graduate in December from the London School of Economics and Political Science with a Masters of Science in Public Policy and Administration.

For more information about her survey and seven page report, contact Michelle at michelle.cardwell at gmail.com

Readers: any comments on this survey? Does this sound like members of the Tucson Tea Party?

The local Sonoran Desert Chapter Conference of the Arizona Junior State of America (JSAZ) was held today at the Joel D. Valdez Main library downtown from 10:15 to 4:30 p.m. The event was mostly organized by 14 year old Conference Director Caleb Rhodes (home schooled). Welcome remarks were made by their elected JSAZ Governor Theo Jones (also home schooled) and their Program Director Karen Prosser.

Local political candidates for the November 2010 election who were invited to speak today were Ruth McClung (R), CD 7 U.S. House candidate; Rodney Glassman (D), U.S. Senate candidate; 3 candidates from LD 27 House of Representatives – Sally Ann Gonzales (D), Robert Compton (R) and Kent Solberg (G); LD 29 House candidate Pat Kilburn (R); and David Nolan (L), U.S. Senate candidate & founder of the Libertarian Party.

So a cross- section of candidates from four different parties were represented today to indicate to these high schoolers the range of political party viewpoints in Tucson. The Constitution Party, Tucson Tea Party, ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), and both Jan Brewer for Governor and Terry Goddard for Governor campaigns were also included in the lunchtime Political Fair.

Their afternoon Thought Talks were entitled” Should the U.S. Implement a National I.D. Card? (moderated by Theo Jones), followed by “Laissez-Faire or Socialism, what is the role of government in the economy?” (moderated by Ashlen Smith)

In the student-run Junior State, and at The Junior Statesmen Summer Schools and summer Symposia, participants learn statesmanship as they engage in political discourse. They cultivate democratic leadership skills, challenge one another to think critically, advocate their own opinions, develop respect for opposing views, and learn to rise above self-interest to promote the public good.” (all quoted statements from their website, www.jsa.org)

Local chapters of Junior State of America exist at 3 private high schools in Tucson: Salpointe Catholic High School, St. Gregory’s College Prep School, and River of Life Christian School, plus for those home schooled.

They are planning a JSAZ Fall State Convention for 2 days (October 30-31) at the Phoenix Hilton Suites Hotel (10 East Thomas Road) for interested high school students & teachers. Cost is $60 per person which includes one night at the hotel, guest speakers, debates, “provocative thought talks”, Halloween Dance & prizes for best costume. Register online at www.jsa.org. For more info call Karen Prosser at 1-800-334-5353 (Junior State West Headquarters in San Mateo, CA).

“Since 1934, the nonprofit Junior Statesmen Foundation (JSF) and the Junior State of America (JSA) have helped over 500,000 student leaders acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be active, informed and responsible citizens, voters and statesmen. (They) are committed to developing a diverse cross section of young leaders throughout the entire country.”

This sounds like a wonderful opportunity for high schoolers to become active leaders in politics, civics, learn about how government works at all levels, meet actual candidates & politicians, debate current issues, etc. Reminds me of the “debate clubs” we used to have back in high school.

JSA is non-profit and non-partisan, so tell your high schoolers about it today, or their American Government teachers to start up a chapter, if your high school doesn’t have one. And attend that Fall State Convention in Phoenix.

The scheduled 2010 speakers include:
–Jon Justice – Talk Radio Host
–James T. Harris — Talk Radio Host
–Stephen Kruiser — Comedian / PJTV Personality
–Stephen Green– Vodka Pundit/ PJTV Personality
–Starlee Rhoades — Goldwater Institute
–Dr. Lee Vliet — Arizonans for Health Care Freedom
–Eric Ruden — Tucson First Coalition
–Tanner Bell — Arizona Policy Institute
–Dr. Dave Mason– Radio Personality

Musical entertainment will be by Jadi Norris and band. Participants are urged to wear red “tea shirts” (available for sale on their website).

Hundreds and hundreds of tea partiers attended last year. From their website, www.tucsonteaparty.org:

“The Tucson Tea Party is a venue for people who are against the over $12 trillion dollars in government bail-outs, stimulus, loans, entitlements, and guarantees since September, 2008, to come together and find their voice. We come together to send a message to our elected officials that, if they voted for any one of these measures, they had better be prepared to collect unemployment in 2010! We believe that the government is taking America away from the ideals that have made it great. We believe in individual liberty and responsibility, a small federal government whose constitutional powers are limited, and the pursuit of happiness.

We do not believe that the government has the right to take your money in order to bail out big financial institutions, delinquent borrowers, or make it harder for you to earn your own living.

The government is spending future generations into debt slavery. If you care about your future and the future of your children, join the Tucson Tea Party.”

El Presidio Park is at 160 W. Alameda, between Tucson City Hall and the historic 1929 Pima County Courthouse.

It’s tea time!