Pullen for the Party

McCaffrey on The Republic's "Live Talk" today

LIVE TALK

1. In Arizona today, what do you regard as the main differences between Republicans and Democrats?

MCCAFFREY: Arizona Republicans are getting the job done. We're working to protect the border which the governor failed to do, protect Arizona veterans which the governor failed to do, and protect our children which the governor failed to do. Next, we'll try to keep the Democrats in the legislature from raising taxes to pay for the crisis the governor's budget proposal would lead the state into.

2. Democrats are doing a bit better than Republicans in registration lately in Arizona, but both parties continue to lose voter registration share to Independents. Why do you think your party is not getting as many registered voters?

MCCAFFREY: Through the first six months of this year, GOP registration fell 2% and Democrat registration fell 2.9% while Independents gained 9.8%. In September, Republicans out-registered Democrats in Maricopa County and we believe that trend will continue and expand. While Democrats with their 11-percent approval rating in Congress don’t appear to have learned their lesson from past mistakes, Republicans have returned to their core principles of smaller government, lower taxes, stronger families, safer communities, better education for our children, and a secure border. Independents and, I hope, conservative Democrats, will again find a welcome home back in Arizona’s Grand Old Party.

3. Why do you think Independents largely vote Democrat in 2006 and appear to be strongly leaning that way in 2008?

MCCAFFREY: First, independents moved to leftward in 2006 not as a shift toward the Democrats in Arizona, but as a protest vote and a wake-up call for Republicans to hold true to Republican values, predominantly on fiscal issues like taxes and spending. Independents and conservative Democrats rejecting their own party are now responsible for the Democrat Congress having recently earned its 11-percent approval rating (the lowest in history). The challenge now for Republicans is to earn back those swing voters once more – like we did between 1994 and 2004.

4. Why do you think Democrats did so well in Arizona in last year's election, particularly in picking up two Congressional seats with the election of Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords? What are GOP strategies to retake them?

MCCAFFREY: First, I wasn't in Arizona and started at the state party on March 1, but it appeared to be something of a perfect storm: Democrats masquerading as Republicans, unhappy Independents, and a Republican Party that needed to find its way again. But three important factors to remember: this wasn’t a vote *for* the Democrats, these remain heavily GOP districts, and the freshmen Democrats now have a long, difficult record to explain and defend.

Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords have voted with Nancy Pelosi 89% and 92% of the time, respectively. For record-breaking budgets, against securing the borders, for secret union ballots, for the largest tax increases in history – for the liberal Democrat agenda they neglected to campaign on.

5. Republican Rep. Rick Renzi's decision to not seek re-election in the sprawling 1st Congressional District has thrown that race wide open. How do you win this seat, which has been held by Republicans despite a voter registration that favors Democrats?

MCCAFFREY: The first district is a classic swing district with a Republican edge because of several factors. The voters have been served well by Republicans in the US House and US Senate and the same reasons to vote Republican yesterday apply to voting for a qualified Republican candidate tomorrow.

6. Are GOP scandals threatening the core of Republican supporters? And is the Iraq war weighing heavily on GOP candidates this year?

MCCAFFREY: Scandals certainly had an impact in 2006, but we've always been good about learning from our mistakes. Democrats may promote their own congressmen who are caught by the FBI with $90,000 in corrupt money hidden in their freezer (Harry Mitchell voted for him), but we don't. We take these matters far more seriously, and voters recognize that.

Today, Arizona Republicans take extra care in our candidate recruitment and we teach extensive campaign finance and ethics at our campaign schools. Going the extra distance to prevent others' past mistakes is an important step to cleaning up government.

As for Iraq, the tide is turning very clearly in our favor. The President has just announced that our force in Iraq will be reduced by an entire brigade before the January. Even the left-leaning Washington Post is writing articles about how Al Qaeda in Iraq and the insurgents have been dealt “perhaps irreversible blows in recent months”. All this is detrimental to the Democrats and MoveOn.Org’s “America Can’t Win” election strategy.

The fact is, America can win and we will. That might not be how Nancy Pelosi or CNN wants to brand the war on terror, but that doesn't stop it from being the truth.

7. Immigration sharply divides the Republican Party. Until that issue is settled, how do you create a unified party going into an election? And are you afraid of losing the Hispanic vote, given the perceived racially charged rhetoric coming from the ultra-conservative right?

MCCAFFREY: First, 80% of Arizonans support border security. It’s hardly a divisive issue. The American people want to be secure. It’s the primary responsibility of government, and government isn’t doing its job. It’s about competence.

The Democrat Party loves trying to make this a racial issue. The critical distinction to make is a vast majority of Hispanic Arizonans are concerned about the guns, drugs and gang violence permeating the schools their children attend, too. The problem for the Democrat Party being morally-bankrupt and scaring people toward liberalism is that at the end of the day, Democrats still haven’t helped anyone.

8. Some social conservatives are saying they cannot vote for a pro-choice candidate such as Rudy Giuliani. If pro-life Republicans won't vote for a pro-choice nominee, why should pro-choice Republicans vote for a pro-life nominee?

MCCAFFREY: When it’s all said and done, I think you'll look back at this election cycle and see there were very few single issue voters.

9. I keep hearing about Arizona being a key state. In fact, all of the Southwest could play a major role in deciding who's elected president. For instance, if a Democrat wins the Southwest, he or she wouldn't need Florida or Ohio. What's your take on the Southwest?

MCCAFFREY: I think Southwest voters are no-nonsense voters who tolerate less of the politics and look for candidates with real solutions. Silliness like Democrats suggesting their congressional staff need to be vaccinated before going to NASCAR events or the Superbowl here in Arizona next year doesn't sit to well with bright, free-thinking voters in the Southwest. Results matter here.

10. Is having George Bush a plus or minus for GOP candidates? Most seem to be disassociating themselves from the president.

MCCAFFREY: Would you prefer a Democrat in the White House right now? Can you imagine the budget Hillary Clinton would be signing into law as your readers read this (assuming they could still afford their newspapers – and assuming you could still afford to print)? Seriously, though, 2008 is an open seat and I think you've seen candidates from both parties eager to talk about the need for change. What's will be interesting is if voters who are expecting more this election cycle buy into Senator Clinton's "I'm a DC-insider, I get it, I've got the DC experience" campaign.

11. Is there even such a thing as a Goldwater Republican anymore? His name is often evoked, but his principles less so.

MCCAFFREY: There is indeed a Goldwater Republican, and I would ask all those who read this to do two things: head to a bookstore or the library and take a look at Senator Goldwater's The Conscience of a Conservative. The first time I read it, I was shocked at how the conservative message hadn't really changed. Goldwater gave rise to a conservative movement which elected President Reagan, who set the stage for the 1994 Republican Revolution. Together, they put forth the notion that we can bring fundamental change to government. Real change, however, usually takes time – and that's not easy to accept in this age of 24-hour news cycles.

12. Which politicians or public policy experts do you admire? Why?

MCCAFFREY: I grew up with Ronald Reagan who said "What I'd really like to do is go down in history as the man who made Americans believe in themselves again." I grew up in politics with the Republican Revolution of 1994, and admired former Speaker Gingrich and those with him who tried very hard to change the way Washington did business: John Kasich, Dick Armey, John Boehner.

As Gingrich put it: "I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it." For me, it's not about amending the tax code; it's about scrapping the code and starting fresh with something fair for everyone. It's about proving that no matter how big our nation is, government can indeed be reined in to again work for the people.

And, of course, as Victor Hugo said: "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come." That idea is change, and I think many of the answers are being brought forth from our reinvigorated Republican Party.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/aztalk/forum/articles/1017forum_livetalk-CR.html

PULLEN HIRES FINANCE DIRECTOR

AZGOP adds Washington State fundraiser to its ranks

PHOENIX, AZ – The Arizona Republican Party announced today the appointment of Amilyn Davidson as Finance Director. “Amilyn brings to the Arizona Republican Party a proven track record of very successful fundraising, “ said Sean McCaffrey, Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party. “She will be a good fit for our team and will be instrumental in helping Arizona Republicans win elections.”

“I am really excited to be back in Arizona where I grew up,” said Davidson. “I look forward to being part of a successful team and helping the Republican Party win elections throughout state.”

An Arizona native, Davidson has extensive experience in politics and has campaigned for a wide variety of candidates. Most recently, she served as the PAC coordinator for the Washington State Restaurant Association. Previously, Davidson had served as the Finance Director for the Washington State Republican Party and the Finance Director for Dino Rossi for Governor campaign, in which she helped Washington State Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Dino Rossi raise more than $6 million dollars.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum, at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

-30-

PULLEN ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF POLITICAL TECHNOLOGY

California Republican operative joins the AZGOP

Phoenix, AZ – Garrett Archer was announced today as the new Director of Political Technology for the Arizona Republican Party. “Garrett comes to us with a wide range of political and technology related experience,” said Sean McCaffrey, Executive Director of the Arizona Republican Party. “Politics and campaigning is an ever evolving process, and Garrett has the background and skill set to keep the AZGOP ahead of the curve and utilize new technologies to help Arizona Republicans have a very successful election cycle.”

“I am thrilled to join the Arizona Republican team and look forward to working with Chairman Pullen as we work to make 2008 a great year for Republicans,” said Archer.

Archer has a wide range of experience which makes him uniquely qualified for the position of Director of Political Technology. He has previously served as the Information Technology Coordinator for the California Republican Party in which he administered a statewide technology network that incorporated 48 field offices across California.

Archer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum, at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

-30-

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT - PULLEN TO MITCHELL: "DESERT IS NO PLACE FOR A TRAINED SEAL"

PHOENIX, AZ – “Harry Mitchell has proven to be little more than Nancy Pelosi’s trained seal,” said Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party at a press conference yesterday, drawing attention to Harry Mitchell’s (D-Tempe) flipped flopped vote on the floor of the House of Representatives causing mass chaos.

Mitchell initially voted with Republicans to send the Agriculture bill back to committee on August 2, 2007 because of the provisions in the bill allowing federal funds for the employment and housing of illegal immigrants. However, when it was clear that the Republicans were on the verge of victory, Mitchell suddenly switched his vote, sending the chamber into political upheaval.

Standing at a podium, with the Arizona Republican Party seal prominently displayed, Pullen made his comments with an oversized picture of Harry Mitchell to his right with the caption “November 2006,” an oversized photo of a seal balancing a ball its nose on his left with the caption “August 2007,” and a banner with the words, “Because the Desert is no place for a Trained Seal,” behind him.

Pullen went on to describe several of Mitchell’s votes in Congress including his vote to strip away workers privacy rights in the union formation process, his multiple votes to surrender in Iraq, and his support of egregious pork barrel spending.

“Mitchell has clearly demonstrated that he is out of touch with his constituents and the people of Arizona. Ninety percent of the time, Harry Mitchell votes with San Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi – and against his Arizona district. Ninety percent of the time, Harry Mitchell puts politics ahead of his own campaign promises. This isn’t the same Harry Mitchell I’ve known in the past.”

Yesterday, Mitchell’s spokesman responded, “Nobody in Democratic leadership ever talked to the congressman, period.” [link]

Pullen rejected this assertion from Mitchell’s office. “Either Mr. Mitchell is a trained seal and voted against his Arizona constituents because Nancy Pelosi asked him to, or Mr. Mitchell did it because he instinctively puts the political games of his Democrat Party leaders ahead of the jobs and futures of Arizona farmers without even giving it a second thought. You tell me which is worse. Either way, the vote was wrong – but it’s certainly being rewarded because next week Speaker Nancy Pelosi herself is coming to raise money for Mr. Mitchell’s re-election. Six months of party-line votes and he got his fundraiser with the Speaker. Congratulations, Mr. Mitchell, it’s clear you’ve earned it,” Pullen said.

The YouTube video of last Thursday’s House debacle can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y08iTaGcm0. For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770 or at bmecum@azgop.org.

-30-

Why I am a Republican - Part 2

by Randy Pullen

My fellow Arizonans, my fellow Americans, I believe our state and our nation stand today at a crossroads in history. The rhetoric in the media of recent years describes us as a politically divided nation, almost equal in number of Republicans and Democrats, with our party nominees (and in fact our parties themselves) competing for those few undecided voters remaining in the middle.

Today I reject that notion because two very important things have happened.

First, our next generation of Republican leadership from city halls to court houses to state houses to the White House has largely united in one voice behind our belief in both America and the American people. We have shown our faith in the American dream for all, and we are putting forth real, common-sense ideas on how to transform those dreams into reality.

Though our Democrat opponents and many of our liberal friends in the media often ballyhoo when Republicans disagree, this much is true: today’s Republican Party has refocused itself as the party of ideas and courage, and as the party of a bright future for Arizona and for America.

Here in Arizona, our leaders have said with unwavering resolve that it is no longer acceptable for our state’s brave veterans to suffer under a system of neglect and incompetence. We have not just exposed the wrongs of our government but are busy crafting solutions to protect our veterans and honor their past service.

Our Republican leaders have identified the failings of our state’s bureaucracy charged with protecting our most vulnerable children. We have confronted an unwieldy and defensive bureaucracy and demanded accountability and change – which now seems clear will come because of the resolve of our Republican lawmakers here in Arizona.

We have, and continue to, reach out to community leaders and business organizations to seek real-world ideas and innovative means with which to further spur Arizona’s economy to create new jobs, new opportunities and new futures for families in every county and corner of our state. We confront head-on the environmental challenges of water, effective land use, and responsible growth to protect the natural wonders of our state and the quality of life of our neighbors and friends.

And our Republican elected officials at the local and state level are leaders in education, seeking to transform our schools to places of true learning where the hopes and dreams of children may be nurtured. Arizona is a leader in education innovation with charter schools, performance testing, and tax credits; all Republican ideas. Each step we take for education reform promises a brighter future not just for our state, but for each individual child whom we are determined to serve as if he or she were our own.

Our Republican leaders today do these things not simply because of the jobs they have been elected to, or the oaths of office they have taken, but because of the tremendous dedication they have for the positions they have been elected to hold and the commitment they share to the people they serve. They are men and women with ideas working closely with doctors and teachers, parents and small businesspeople, senior citizens, veterans, families and individuals from every walk of life in a great partnership toward a stronger Arizona.

Second, I reject the equally divided notion put forth because of the direction taken by today’s Democrat Party. Special interests and 15-second sound bytes now take precedent over governing, where politics impedes progress at almost every turn for Democrats.

A recent Gallup Poll showed the Democrat majority in Congress has now driven public confidence in Congress to an all-time low of just 14-percent – lower than before Republicans wrested Congress from the Democrats in 1994 and lower than during the Watergate era. One would have to go back to the Continental Congress in 1780 to find a lower confidence level.

Today, the Democrats in Congress have no charismatic president to lead them off on quixotic journeys into misguided domestic policy. Today, they have achieved their 14-percent approval rating all by themselves. Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi proudly negotiates with state-sponsors of terrorism, placing in jeopardy not only Israel (our closest democratic ally in the region), but undermining nearly single handedly America’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East in our crusade to stamp our terror. Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid routinely declares that America has lost it’s war against terror in Iraq, giving aid and comfort to the enemy while our brave men and women in uniform fight to protect a fledgling democracy from brutal Islamic fascists and keep their reach from extending to America’s shores once again.

The new Democrat Congress has already called for the largest tax hike in American history, has broken it’s promise on ending the secrecy behind the practice of spending billions of dollars on “earmarked” pork-barrel projects, is set to repeal the Bush tax cuts (that have spurred strong economic growth for six years), have broken their promise to address skyrocketing gas prices, and are set to introduce massive new tax hikes that will reduce investment and cost thousands upon thousands of jobs across America.

While Republicans have learned the lessons of mistakes made in the majority (and, mind you, there were many, many victories and achievements to be proud of, as well), Democrats have reaffirmed their allegiance to the Liberal Left. Not only in matters of Iraq and the war on terror, but in domestic and economic policy, as well. Those who bought and paid for their campaigns and election efforts in 2006 are being handsomely rewarded – only it isn’t the American people, it’s the liberal special interests, which will ultimately reap the benefits.

The Democrat leaders in Congress are banking their entire political fortunes on the defeat of their own nation, and the Democrat candidates for President have become pessimistic naysayers with poll-tested scripts and no original ideas. Republicans, on the other hand, continue to show why we are the party of ideas and principles. We offer better choices to a greater number of voters – a majority of whom we believe will find a home within our ranks.

AZGOP WELCOMES A NEW AMERICAN AND A NEW REPUBLICAN!

Julie is a single mother, who was brought to America by her father when she was eight years old. She married young and worked to make her life better. She had two little girls, then found herself a divorced, single mom who wanted a better life for her children. She is their sole support as the lead manicurist for Saigon Nails in Green Valley and is buying her first home. She has not taken aid and proudly is head of her household.

Last year, Julie mentioned to LD 30 Republican Chairman Patti O'Berry that she was longing to be an American citizen. She knew that Patti was a Republican, as they had many political discussions. Julie had been waiting a very long time and was getting anxious and worried about the length of time involved in the citizenship process. Patti offered to call and write Senator Kyl on her behalf. She did so and his staff responded. They did what they could, but as the months continued to go by, it still did not seem like Julie was any closer to fulfilling her dream.

One day, when Julie was doing Patti's nails, they were discussing the Immigration Bill. Julie expressed her fears that "all the citizenships would be given away to illegals", before she could get hers. Patti assured her that would not happen and that she would again contact Senator Kyl on Julie's behalf. Patti made the call to Senator Kyl in early May, with wonderful results in June.

In the middle of June, Julie was notified that she would be taking the oath of citizenship on June 29th at 1p.m. Julie invited Patti to attend. Patti had become, what Julie dubbed, her "American Mom." To make the event even sweeter, Julie's mother Ni arrived in Tucson for a two month visit with her daughter. Ni did not know until she arrived that she would witness her daughter become a United States citizen.

Following her oath of allegiance and the signing of her citizenship papers, Julie's first act as an American, was to register to vote, yes, as a Republican....

***

Pictured above from left to right: LD 30 GOP Chair Patti O'Berry, Mimi, Julie, Daisy, and Ni

AZGOP GRASSROOTS ACTION ALERT - JUNE 28, 2007

Dear Friends,

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for standing up for what you believed in. Thank you for proving that our grassroots voices can be heard. Thank you for supporting our party with your emails, letters, calls, and even contributions and support.

Here in Arizona, we are pro-legal immigrant. We very strongly believe in the American dream and the hope and blessings of liberty for all legal immigrants. We are, after all, a nation of immigrants who came to this land in search of a better life, prosperity, freedom, security and peace. But we also believe in the Rule of Law and hope our Congress will begin by securing the borders. Only then can we seek to reform our immigration system by not having made more unfulfilled promises to the American people, but having actually gotten the job done.

Today, because of you, we can begin to talk about real border security and urge Congress to pass legislation that will truly secure our borders and make America safe and free from gangs, drug dealers, human traffickers, and terrorists. Together, we will continue to work to keep America’s families safe, secure, and free.

Friends, while we’ve taken time over the last several weeks to have a healthy discussion and debate over immigration policy, it’s time for our great party to come together and stop Janet Napolitano, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Gabrielle Giffords, and Harry Mitchell from enacting their extreme left wing agenda on the American people. On the horizon we see taxes hikes, uncontrolled pork spending, limits on free speech, and socialized medicine. YOUR Arizona Republican Party stands as the last, best hope to stop the Democrat’s liberal march in its tracks!

Today, I am calling for the party to stand together and fight the Democrats on the local, state, and national level. We have a tremendous amount of work ahead, but with your enthusiasm, support, and most importantly, your voice; our great party will win election after election in every corner of Arizona. Together, we can elect a veto-proof majority in the state legislature. We can win important mayoral, council and county offices around the state. We can play an important part in retaking control of Congress in 2008. And, we can make sure that Arizona votes to send another Republican to the White House next year.

So join me as we prepare to fight in the Democrats in every precinct, in every town, and in every county across Arizona. We have 501 days until Election Day 2008… Let’s make them count!

Sincerely,
RANDY

ASH ELECTED AZGOP NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN

Prescott executive committee meeting a huge success

Prescott, AZ – “This is a tremendous honor, I pledge to be part of this amazing team, working to elect Republicans across our state and to advancing the Republican message of lower taxes, limited government, and personal responsibility,” said Bruce Ash, newly elected National Committeeman for the Arizona Republican Party.

Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, said “I think Bruce will do a tremendous job and I look forward to working with him as part of our Arizona Republican team. Bruce and I, and all the rest of the Arizona Republican Party, will be working night and day to win back control of Congress, win a veto-proof majority in the state legislature and ensure that Arizona elects a Republican to the White House in 2008.”

Ash, 55, is a native of Tucson and is currently the President and CEO of Paul Ash Management, a successful real estate management and acquisition firm. Paul Ash Management was founded by Bruce’s father and Bruce has been involved with the company since 1973.

Ash, is very active in his local community. He has been a past board member of United Way in Tucson, is active in Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, is a current board member of the University of Arizona College of Public Health, and has been a national board member of United Jewish Communities, among others.

Politically, Ash has served on the Bush/Cheney 2004 Finance Committee, the Kyl 2006 Finance Committee, the Graf 2006 Finance Co-Chair, the Kolbe 2004 Finance Committee, and the McCain 2008 Exploratory Committee. He also presently serves as a precinct committeeman and state committeeman for the Arizona Republican Party

A 1975 graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Finance, Ash is married to the former Jane Moret. They have two adult sons.

Mr. Ash succeeds State Party Chairman Randy Pullen as National Committeeman from Arizona.

For more information, please contact Brett Mecum at 602.957.7770.

-30-