Honestly, I was inclined to believe Congressman Mitchell was in serious jeopardy in the 5th CD of Arizona. This was Hayworth's seat, after all. However the debate on 2/25 has convinced the story is of "Harry Mitchell and the 5 dwarves". And weirdly enough no one in this debate went "full teabag". More including dramatis personae and the candidate introductions at the debate after the jump in the first of a two part series.
I'll introduce the principles and give you a brief characterization of the real-estate they are claiming:
SBS-Susan Bitter Smith, a local fixture in Tempe city government and former College Republican from the 1970's. Her campaign seems to be centered on the slogan "I know Karl Rove from the College Republicans".
DS-David Schweikert, MBA from ASU, seems to be running as "Hey I've got the connections of Harry Reid Mitchell but I'm conservative". The most personable of the 5 but he lost last time.
MS-Mark Spinks, ex-real estate entrepreneur, "I ran a real estate business that had a 100 employees but got wiped out. Vote for me." The clear loser of the debate on that message alone.
CS-Dr. Chris Salvino, ex-military and current trauma surgeon. "I'm an overachiever and I would be the only trauma surgeon in Congress. I'd be a citizen legislator which Madison thinks is pretty cool." I think he went half tea bag.
JW-Jim Ward, business man, "I turn businesses around, am the official Fox News Candidate and I'm going half tea-bag tonight."
The Intro was handled by the President of the ASU College Repubs (it was held in the W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU). The Pres of the College Republicans welcomed everyone, said they were selling constitutions for 1-2 dollars and essentially called Congress evil (in less harsh words) for HCR.
The format of the debate was a moderator asked questions (from the wingnut radio station 550 KFYI) and interspersed audience questions by index card.
First each candidate was allowed introductory remarks which I wrote down as fast as I could. I didn't take my computer because I was in a hurry and I didn't want them to know I was going to post this on the big Orange Satan. Italics are buzzwords that I took down but lack context for (I was writing 90mph)
Introductory Remarks
MS: Thank you for coming out since I know everyone is busy. Talks about real estate background and Restaurant background Arizona's been good to me. My goal is to give something back. Defeat Mitchell. Conservative in Congress. Congresspeople have lost track of who they work for. Understands middle class. Anti-capitalistic, anti-business approach bad. Youth good because base needs new blood and youths are all commies. Mitchell considers ASU base.
JW: Greets everyone The country is in crisis Don't wait until 2012, the Republicans need 41 seats to take back control. We do this one district at a time.We haven't got the job done here in the past (shot at Schweikert.) I'm not a professional politician but a business outsider who is asked to shake up establishments. I took on the culture at Nike and the liberals at Lucasfilm. I adopted 2 Chinese girls because America is the land of opportunity.However opportunities in this country are declining because of the government's intrusion into Capitalism. I'm endorsed by John Shadegg, and (convicted ex governor) Fyfe Symington as well as Fox News and other establishment figures. I want to earn your support.
DS: Did his MBA presentation in this room told stories of malfunctioning powerpoints. I grew up in Scottsdale and I bleed Maroon and Gold. I want to tell a fun story: tells a story about how he was a College Republican, got elected to the legislature at 28 and
6 weeks later 10% of the legislature got indicted. I have a few personal ethics rules that I've developed as a result: no coffee with lobbyists, I don't take lobbyist money in session, and I don't lobby people I used to work with. As a state treasurer, I understand money and if I may offend some people, everyone under 30 is screwed (I chuckled when he said this). In 12 years the number one expense in the budget will be interest on the debt. Central to my platform is defending the Constitution, defending states' rights and the battle to defend the constitution (I have it in my notes twice).
SBS: ASU student in the late 70's. George HW Bush was chairman of RNC. Karl Rove was calling around to start a chapter of the College Republicans at ASU. Karl Rove was also calling around to get a female vice-chair of the College Republicans. That was her. I'm committed to defeating Harry Mitchell. Harry is nice but I don't agree with him. Harry is clever because the Democratic leadership lets him vote against the budget then vote for the underlying appropriations. I can beat him.
CS: Trauma Surgeon. Military flight surgeon. Gave up planetary geology degree to stay in AZ set up trauma centers and run for Congress. There are four things I'm passionate about
- health care
- unemployment rate-reduce corporate tax.
- Economy $14 trillion debt.
- border security.
Citizen legislator. Medical background. Less than 3% MD's in Congress No trauma surgeons. Ran 2 trauma centers. National guard posting.
I can't transcribe anymore right now. I'm tired. Please don't flame me too hard or say "This isn't a diary". I'll be back with part 2 after a fifth of bourbon and a rousing game of Russian Roulette.