GOP wingnut in Ariz. endorses reinstatement of "Operation Wetback"

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/10/23/ap3110784.html

Randy Graf is a tough-on-immigration Republican in a district that is fed up with people pouring illegally across the border and hasn't elected a Democrat to the House in two decades.

Yet Graf's national party is turning its back on him, the retiring Republican congressman he wants to succeed has disavowed his candidacy and he's finding trouble getting traction beyond the most secure GOP voters - and a border militia that's backing him.

Voters such as Sue Malusa, a mother of four from Tucson, think Graf and his supporters go too far. Graf is backed by the Minutemen, self-appointed border-watchers. Malusa will vote for a candidate who supports "a humane and fair way of controlling the border," she said. "That's important."

Arizona's 8th District, which stretches from Tucson to the Mexican border, has returned moderate Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe to office for 22 years, faithfully backing him even after he revealed in 1996 that he was gay. snip

Graf made waves last week defending a state lawmaker who endorsed reinstatement of a 1950s federal deportation program called "Operation Wetback" and sent supporters information from a white separatist group.

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Forbes, huh?

Looks like the GOP is going all out gangbusters to 86 this guy. I saw a piece that his opponent says she supports the McCain/Bush position and it's going well for her. But, McCain came in and stumped for Graf. :shrug:

[tyedyeto]

2. A little more about Graf's ties to the Minutemen...

One of those is that of "Minuteman 2 Congress”, candidate Randy Graf in Arizona’s 8th district. The hand-picked Simcox candidate leads in the polls right now to run as the Republican candidate for the seat vacated by incumbent Jim Kolbe. Graf's ties to the minutemen go back to the groups inception over a year ago, when he was one of its initial members. Minutemen PAC has strongly supported Graf throughout his candidacy. From Graf’s website comes this:

Randy Graf is a Minuteman. He enthusiastically answered the call when the Minuteman project was formed in April 2005. He was there on the first day in Tombstone, Arizona where he lent a hand to the Project’s organizers in ensuring that registration and orientation went off successfully. He was a part of the month-long event on the border. And he was there as a featured speaker at the celebratory closing event of the Project.

Now is the time to take the Minuteman Project to the next level and it is time to send a Minuteman to Congress to represent American citizens who want something more done about illegal immigration and the lack of border security. The Minuteman Project can’t go on forever. We need to have the federal government take over and do the job that they are obligated to do.Randy Graf is ready and able, the target has been identified, and the goal is achievable. To do it, this Minuteman needs YOUR help and continuing support.

http://migramatters.blogspot.com/2006/08/minutemen-move-to-become-legitimate.html

Edit to add... he is no longer leading in the polls :woohoo: