Tucson Citizen.com
Fort Buckley - A virtual outpost, from which Don Smith discusses conservatism, politics, and national security matters

Fort Buckley Concedes to Baja Democrats—Until Next Time

by on Jun. 12, 2012, under Uncategorized

Things did not go as I’d hoped this evening. It’s time to acknowledge the obvious.

Congratulations to Ron Barber, my new Congressman-to-be. I can attest, from personal experience, that Ron Barber is an earnest public servant.

In 2007, I was the southern Arizona coordinator for “Vets For Freedom,” an ad-hoc coalition of veterans and others who resisted calls to “cut and run” (those are my words) from Iraq.

We all know that Congresswoman Giffords opposed President Bush on the Iraq War. Nevertheless, she and her staff listened politely and fully to our views. Ron Barber, as her district office chair, was very easy to work with and very friendly. Even though we failed to change Congresswoman Giffords’ mind, Arizona Vets For Freedom was grateful for the courteousness and professionalism she, and Ron Barber, showed us.

Based on that experience, I feel confident that Ron Barber will serve CD8 faithfully and earnestly.

Having said that, I fully expect to try and unseat Ron Barber this coming November. I remain convinced that the Democratic Party has the wrong vision for America’s future.

No man is an island, especially in the House of Representatives. A Congressman makes up a very small piece of the House, and an only-slightly-bigger piece of his party’s contingent. I don’t see how any one Democrat can redirect the trainwreck that is the Nancy Pelosi-led House Democratic contingent. If southeastern Arizona really wants to be heard in Washington, we need a Republican voice up there to speak for us.

I also tip my hat to Baja Democrats for a well-fought campaign. You threw plenty of sharp elbows, but no real low blows. You are an able competitor, and your side has won the field today.

For now, Fort Buckley’s garrison will go on summer vacation. There are zeppolis to eat, sandcastles to build, fresh corn to grill and much beer and wine to drink. Labor Day, and the homestretch of the political season, will come soon enough.

Until then, slainte’

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 at 9:59 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

RSS feed for this post (comments)
  • BajaDemocrats

    Enjoy your summer, family & friends, and BBQ & beer, my very competent opposition, and thank you for the kind words. The fall will be here soon enough with more political battles to wage. As a Democrat, I should wish we face Jesse Kelly again – he’s such an easy adversary. But I’m an American first, southern Arizonan second, and Democrat third, so I humbly suggest you bring a better candidate next time. While I disagree with most of her political positions I can respect Martha McSally and admire what she has accomplished. There is absolutely nothing I respect about Jesse Kelly, and hope we have seen the last of him.

  • Fraser007

    Barber is a nice guy but no Gabby Giffords. I thought Kelly was not that strong. But we sure dont need another Obama rubber stamp. if Barber had not been wounded I dont think the Dems would have run him. The sympathy vote can only go so far. My bet is that they may look for someone else in Nov.

    • BajaDemocrats

       Kelly has too much baggage – he took a lot of extreme positions as a political novice trying to gain traction & attention in the 2010 GOP primary. And the internet & cameras never forget. But the filing deadline was May 30. For CD2 the only choices on the GOP side will be McSally & Kelly, if he decides to try for third time is a charm. On the Dem side their will only a choice between Barber and Dr. Matt Heinz.

«
»