KJLL 1330 AM radio talk show host John C. Scott spoke first calling McCain a “bright star” to look up to, as “an Arizonan to be proud of.” Then Cindy McCain thanked the supporters (about 150 people) for their help, saying her husband always “puts his country first.” Senator McCain then introduced freshman Senator Brown, thanking him for his military and public service, and saying that Brown’s upset election was “heard around the world.”

Senator Brown spoke eloquently about how he had always admired Senator McCain for many, many years, and that he had called Senator McCain to offer help in his re-election here in Arizona (not the other way around). He asked the supporters present to be the “truth squad” for Senator McCain, since he was a man of “integrity and character and believed in America.”

Finally Senator McCain spoke again about the situation in Washington, D.C. with health care reform, the $12 trillion national debt, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and how he had supported the Surge in Iraq because “he rather lose a campaign than lose a war.” He said he was confident that he could still be an effective voice in D.C. and that he “loved a good fight” (meaning his upcoming primary challenge).

U.S. Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts

Having been a legislative aide on the Capitol Hill personal staff of U.S. Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI), I knew what these Meet and Greet events would be like. Hundreds of loyal Republicans and others were in the crowd, including former state GOP Chair Mike Hellon.

Prior to this event, Senator McCain, his wife, and Senator Brown had watched the U of A vs. USC basketball game at McKale Center, then attended a private reception at the Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm Street. (The Arizona Wildcats won 86-84, in double overtime.) One of Senator Brown’s daughters plays basketball for Boston College.

Senator McCain has been in office since January, 1987 and he is facing a Republican primary challenge from former CD 5 Congressman J.D. Hayworth (served 1995 to 2007) http://www.jdforsenate.com/. There are Democratic challengers as well– former Bell Gardens, CA Mayor Rudy Garcia, http://arizonaonthemove.com/ or first term Tucson Councilmember Rodney Glassman, http://www.rodneyglassman.com/ (who will face off in the August 24 Arizona Primary). Glassman’s committee is still in the exploratory stage.

Note: Both Massachusetts U.S. Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown are graduates of Boston College Law School, which I also happen to be an alumna of. Kerry was the 2004 Democratic nominee for U.S. President.

NOH8 logo

Over 3,000 people so far have had their photos taken as models with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by the passing of Proposition 8 in California and similar legislation around the world, with “NOH8″ painted on one cheek in protest. (Regarding that logo “NOH8″, the “H” stands for “Hate”, as this is a “No Hate” campaign and the “8″ stands for Proposition 8).

Background info from the website, www.noh8campaign.com: “On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response."

The NOH8 Campaign is a "photographic silent protest” created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and his West Hollywood partner Jeff Parshley, as they wanted to bring publicity for the need for marriage equality for gays/lesbians. Parshley has stated that the duct tape over the mouth represented the 48% of Californians who favored marriage equality, and yet were “silenced” when Prop. 8 passed.

Perhaps two of the most famous NOH8 models have been Cindy McCain (2nd wife of Arizona U.S.Senator John McCain, who is up for re-election in November, 2010) and their daughter Meghan McCain. Congratulations to these McCain women for their courage to stand up for equality in marriage and civil rights for the GLBT community.

Cindy McCain photographed by Adam Bouska

You too can contact info@noh8campaign.com, to inquire about having your face duct taped and added to this campaign.

Check out the website for their online Store, to purchase the usual campaign paraphernalia: t-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, and even tattoos, with the “NOH8″ logo, pictured above.

Sidenote: U.S. Senator John McCain will be bringing newly elected U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) to Tucson tomorrow for 2 events at the Arizona Inn, and the Manning House. Information on his campaign website above.