Once solid Republican south-west in play for election

[JoFerret]

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/politics/8715613.htm

PHOENIX - Gail Browne and Cathy McCracken have never met. They live in different cities, work in different jobs and have very different political opinions.

Yet they have one thing in common that may make them pivotal to the 2004 presidential campaign and for years to come. They're part of the surge of newcomers to Arizona and the Southwest that's turning once solid Republican turf into a competitive political battleground.

The most dramatic example of how much the Southwestern political landscape is changing is Arizona, home of the late Barry Goldwater - senator, one-time presidential candidate and founder of the modern conservative movement. Arizona isn't Goldwater's state anymore, in size or in political temperament.

Bill Clinton carried it in 1996, the first Democrat to do so since Harry Truman in 1948. Democrat Al Gore came within 6 percentage points of carrying the state in 2000 without spending a day there. Democrat Janet Napolitano won the governor's office in 2002. Sensing the chance for an upset, Democrat John Kerry is spending time and money in the state. President Bush is fighting to defend it.

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[fudge stripe cookays]

1. And losing hopefully...

thanks to folks out pounding the pavement like AZDemDist6!

Thanks to all the SW folks out kicking butt!

[AlCzervik]

2. I think the neo-cons will be the ruin

of DimSon. If there wasn't a war in Iraq i bet many of his former supporters would still be on his side. Even with all of his ludicrous domestic policies and tax-cuts for the rich, i still think they'd be there.

[mumon]

3. This is what the Repugs are fearing...

Hopefully, Kerry will look at demographics & try the South, too.

A not-too-informed conservative colleague was pinning his hopes on the census determining that "red" states were getting more electoral votes.

What the silly man hadn't counted on is the increase in electoral votes can only mean the "red" states are turning blue!

[symbolman]

4. Jesus

compared to the neoCONS and Bush CO, Goldwater looks like a freaking LIBERAL!!

They are NOT Republicans..

[fabius]

5. Bear Down Arizona! AZ for Kerry!

Ex Arizonian and Wildcat Alum here. Boy, I've been waiting for this a long time. In liberal West/South Tucson we felt like outcasts in a Repug state. Pounded a lot of pavement for maverick Democrats, incl. Mo Udall and Jim McNulty. It's awesome that AZ has a Democratic governor, even more awesome if AZ goes for Kerry. Dump the Chimp!

Goldwater wouldn't even vote for Chimpy at this point.

[5thGenDemocrat]

6. "Goldwater wouldn't even vote for Chimpy at this point"

Damn right.
John McCain is the heir and legitimate successor to Goldwater's Arizona seat in the Senate. There's more than a passing resemblance between AuH20 and McCain and I'll admit that I at least respect both of them -- which is more than I'll EVER say about Dickless.
John
Didn't say I'd VOTE for either of them -- but, then, I live in Michigan and that possibility's never going to come up.

[MisterP]

8. after the Gingrich Revolution, Barry complained that the Repubs

had moved too far right for him. To conservative for AuH2O!

[Leilani]

7. Although, both conservative

the South & Southwest seem very different in their politics.

The south is more dominated by fundies, & very conservative socially. The south west, Arizona in particular, seems more libertarian, like get out of my private life.

[Kimber Scott]

9. I'm a native Arizonan and I'd say

you're right. Live and let live. Stay off my property, unless you've come to visit.