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.
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