Arizona's Politics reported on the new pro-Latino SuperPAC called PAC+ and its plans to run ads opposing Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Arizona in 3 Arizona TV markets in English and Spanish.  We noted that their had not yet been an FEC filing for the ad and that the PAC had only raised $6,000 when it filed its first fundraising report (through March 31).  Today, the new group filed with the FEC, indicating that it has spent $28,700 on the ad.  Not a large amount, ...

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The National Republican Congressional Committee  ("NRCC") filed first, indicating that they were spending a little bit on 2 or 3 of their ads opposing Democratic nominee Ron Barber, and a little bit more on surveying and research;  the total spent today was $67,011.56, bringing the NRCC's total to 2/3 of a million dollars ($665,608.72).

Then, the House Majority PAC, a SuperPAC funded by labor unions and investors, filed its report, indicating that it was spending an additional $65,924.3...

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The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a new, "pro-Latino" SuperPAC is airing a new anti-Romney TV ad in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma markets.  "PAC+" has posted the new ad, slamming Romney on immigration policy, on YouTube, but has not yet filed a spending report with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC").  It uses Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to get viewers' attention.


http://youtu.be/uOQ56cJCzlE

The SuperPAC is a newcomer to the scene - having just...

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a "toss-up" state in the 2012 presidential contest, and important in the electoral college math for the Republicans.  Traditionally, that might indicate that the nominee might look to that state's politicians for a possible VP running mate.  Not this year.

The Public Policy Polling ("PPP") polling information on the Obama-Romney race that came out yesterday featured some very interesting information that has not appeared to make its way into most news coverage:  Arizona's three bes...

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American Crossroads is headed by big-name Republican operatives Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie, and has been funded by big-money contributions.  The mailer, which was paid for on Monday and late-filed/disclosed with the FEC yesterday, is probably hitting mailboxes in southern Arizona about now.  (If you have a copy of it, please e-mail it to Arizona's Politics at the address below.)

Outside groups have already spent heavily on both sides of this special election, and several more "Following...

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has published a front page (near top of home screen) article today refreshing accusations that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Richard Carmona visited his former boss in middle of night, banging on her door and screaming about an issue which they disagreed about.  Politico interviewed Cristina Beato for the article and she reiterated her allegations that Carmona had trouble working for a female supervisor, and that he had abused travel privileges.

Carmona's campaign acknowledged that he had...

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Arizona's Politics posted new attack ads from both sides airing in Tucson for next month's special election to replace retired Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  The totals for the National Republican Cogressional Committee ("NRCC") and the Democratic-philic House Majority PAC Super-PAC stood at approximately $300,000 and $128,000, respectively;  on Friday, both groups filed reports acknowledging that they have nearly doubled those totals.

The House Majority PAC - primarily funded by labor union...

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single largest ad buy of this campaign season this week, spending $100,000 in southern Arizona to support Jesse Kelly (R) in his special election battle against Ron Barber (D) in CD8.

The FEC filing on Thursday explains that the ad will run as early ballots hit mailboxes during the next 1 1/2 weeks (May 16-25).  The ad is titled "Jesse Kelly Will Repeal Obamacare", and repeats a lot of claims about the healthcare reform law signed two years ago that many Fact Checks - including on this site ...

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McCain (R-AZ)  talking with Democrats about reviving a bill that would regulate the flood of Super-PAC money and influence in federal elections, than the front page of the New York Times features an article about a proposal for a Super-PAC to go Super-Negative.  The pitch - by some of McCain's 2008 advisers - starts off slamming the 2008 GOP nominee as "often seem(ing) confused" and wrong for not allowing the independent expenditure campaign to run ads based on the relationship between...

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From Alexander Bolton's report on TheHill.com today, it would appear that this year's DISCLOSE Act (last year's was unsuccessful) is the basis for the discussions on how to manage the flood of outside money from wealthy individuals, corporations and labor unions.

Good-government advocates who worked with McCain in the 1990s and early 2000s had begun to think he’d given up on the issue. But McCain said Tuesday he could join Democrats once again to form a bipartisan coalition, even thou...

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Arizona v. United States SB1070 case last month.  Let's remedy that by putting up C-Span's version of it, matching the audio to pictures of the Justices and attorneys who are engaged at the moment.  (If it was Comedy Central or Craig Ferguson, they would no doubt make the pictures look like they are doing the talking, which would raise the entertainment bar even higher.)

Reading along with the audio is usually pretty helpful: here is a link to the Supreme Court's transcript of the ...

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We will do a Fact Check on both ads later, but here are the ads in order of their FEC filings.

First, the NRCC filed its notice on Friday, totalling $18,750.  As noted, the NRCC had already spent approximately $300,000 on this race (much of it pre-primary, attacking Barber while the Republican candidates were pummeling each other).



Next comes the House Majority PAC ad.  This SuperPAC is primarily funded by labor unions and wealthy investors (including the infamous George Soros), and is a...

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Earlier, we posted the text of the opening statement from Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, from his news conference this morning, announcing the filing of the lawsuit against Maricopa County, the Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.  Here is video of the latter half of that statement (the video begins at the 16th paragraph, beginning with "A hallmark of our..."):

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the MCSO released its attempted pre-emptive document yesterday, entitled "Integrity, Accountability, Community".  The Sheriff wrote in it that it is necessary because "perception can be more powerful than fact":

"I do not tolerate racist attitudes or behaviors. We at the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office do not foster a “culture of cruelty.” But because perception can be more powerful than fact, I want to address these concerns openly and focus on community-based goals and pro...

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Here are the complete comments from Perez to open up the news conference:

Today, the Department of Justice did something it has done only once before in the 18-year history of our civil police reform work; we filed a contested lawsuit to stop discriminatory and unconstitutional law enforcement practices. In our police reform work, we have invariably been able to work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies to build better departments and safer communities. Maricopa County, the Maricopa Coun...

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President George H. W. Bush Endorses Vernon" screamed the subject line and the headline.  The e-mail was in the form of a signed letter from Congressional candidate Vernon Parker, one of six currently vying for the Republican nomination in the new 9th District in Arizona.  Even though he worked for the President as a young man, the endorsement seemed a bit surprising.

The wording of Parker's letter - and the failure to attach the entire Bush letter - makes one wonder if the elder George...

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The shooter has been identified as J.T. Ready, a well-known border militia figure, reputed neo-Nazi and candidate for Pinal County Sheriff.  Ready's campaign Facebook page featured this post at approximately 3:44pm:

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(UPDATE: 3:00pm, May 2:  Though the DCCC has not responded to call or e-mail, the Center on Budget Policy & Priorities did some further checking - thanks! - and found the report that the DCCC was likely citing.  This is the new (and, hopefully) improved Fact Check.  The previous version can be seen here.)

The DCCC ("Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee") released an ad yesterday attacking Jesse Kelly, the Republican nominee in the June special election to replace retired...

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The DCCC ("Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee") released an ad yesterday attacking Jesse Kelly, the Republican nominee in the June special election to replace retired Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.  In it, they rehash three of t...

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Arizona's Politics detailed independent expenditure campaigns from the Arizona GOP - which likely received the funds from the Beltway - and the National Republican Congressional Committee.  Those IE efforts have totaled approximately $421,000. Yesterday, the DCCC ("Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee") spent a comparatively piddling $169,000.

Here is the ad that is now showing on a TV screen near you (if you live in the Tucson market):


A Fact Check will follow.  The NRCC ad recei...

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