Arizona's political trifecta

I'm back

I came back from vacation this week for the Political Junky’s Trifecta of Arizona Politics.

Not one, but two debates between a pair of MAGAnaut extremists and two fine normal human beings! -And a campaign rally featuring Governor Tim Walz in a high school gym.

Bliss.

A Harris high.

History.

And I’m exhausted from daring to hope, following the news like a bloodhound and spending my waking hours, staring into the cloudy crystal balls of polls and entrails and tea leaves knowing it will not end at midnight on November 5^th, on election day, ready beyond ready to turn the page on Donald Trump..

Juan Ciscomani or Kirsten Engel

Congressman Juan Ciscomani, the MAGA incumbent holding Gabby Gifford's old seat in congressional district 6 represented his parallel Fox News universe while Kirsten Engel, a highly qualified, pragmatic, normal human being represented reality, the world where evidence matters.

Juan Ciscomani is prettier than Kari Lake in that MAGA plastic, churchy weird way. Kirsten,  a mom, is a serious person of note, an impressive educator, environmental lawyer and former lawmaker  thus she answered all the questions directly.

When it came to voting on a bill Ciscomani said, “Trump never called me.” That’s because he didn’t need to call you, because you were so dependable. Juan can’t cop to his fidelity to Trump. He can’t give up conning the centrist district into thinking he’s a moderate. He’s an extremist. It’s  time to turn the page on all of them.

Juan still thinks men like him should be free to determine the limits of a woman’s reproductive rights. Any woman who votes for him is voting for a party that takes rights away from women.

Here’s my favorite objection to Cisco Donny. Thanks to Arizona Daily Star reporter Emily Bregel, we’ve learned he’s a huge hypocrite on immigration. Ask his family. Click here: rep-juan-ciscomani-tucson-arizona-brother-in-law-blasts-border-positions-seeks-details-familys-migration-pathway-from-mexico/article

Come November see to it Ciscomani is out of a job. He’ll be fine. I hear there’s a Patriot’s Academy that needs a crossing guard.

Kari Lake versus Ruben Gallego

She lied, she stepped on his responses and she reminded me of that moment years ago when Arizona watched then Senator Martha “I’ve gone MAGA mad” McSally lose her shit on the debate stage when she was frustrated by Kyrsten Sinema’s android cool attitude on the debate stage.

When cornered on her crazy election bullshit her response was “Can we talk about water?”

The “Mohammed Ali of liars”, Mrs. Lake ducked, weaved and dodged questions about her crazy claims that she’s the Governor of Arizona and that the election was stolen. Like the Cisco Kid she wouldn’t cop to her delusions. Drop her into the dunk tank of history, Arizona. Let the voters of this great state, on election day confirm this candidate’s very own words: Arizonans know bullshit when they see it. What happens when we flush? We win.

“Arizonans know BS when they see it”

-Kari Lake, 2022 Governor’s Race Concession Tweet

Governor Tim Walz at Palo Verde High

Most of the folks attending the rally, packing the high school gym, were ordinary working class folks, party volunteers and Harris fan boy news junkies, like me, who get constant texts from “Act Blue” and other Democratic Party links because they donated a shilling or two to a candidate. I answered the one that said ”Would you like to register to attend this event?” I did not reply “mind your own damn business.”

I jumped like a jumping cholla at the chance.

Walking towards the high school gym four hours before the event, I saw people walking in streams towards the back of the school where I saw a line forming and vendors selling Harris merchandise; flags, and buttons and hats.

In spite of the midday heat people were in a festive spirit. I liked visiting with the people in line behind me and ahead of me. Everyone was very friendly. I was reminded that Tucson is the kind of town where everybody looks vaguely familiar.

“Have you seen any Trump signs in your neighborhood.”

“I live on a cul de sac with three neighbors who all have Trump flags... and signs… and banners in their yards.” 

Others reassured us, in their neighborhoods Harris signs were popping up all over.

I shared that I've put up more Kamala Harris merchandise in my yard than I put up Christmas decorations. I have filled my front yard with many signs, flags and banners. I would string red, white and blue Christmas lights if they sold them. I would buy a giant inflatable Tim Walz rom Walmart if China manufactured them. The perimeter of my front yard is covered with small American flags, creating an invisible force field of patriotism.

Never been to a rally of this size before. Waiting in line outside the event among hundreds of my fellow Tucsonans I felt reverence for the multicultural multiethnic diversity that thrives in our very old Pueblo. The “e pluribus unum” ideal made flesh. Southern Arizona is beautiful. Every color, age, gender and creed would be reminded by our Party’s leadership that our diversity is our strength. Out of many we are one.

Scanned by the very serious Secret Service, we filed into the high school gym, quickly filling the old wooden bleachers. Walz wasn't due to speak for hours. While waiting for Governor Walz people amused themselves by chatting, laughing, chanting party slogans and people watching. And some joyfully took to dancing to the piped in rock. A folkloric and mariachi band appeared. High school kids so happy to be performing at this event. They shimmered, they finished and people on the floor began to hold hands form a circle and dance.

Democrats know how to party while waiting for a speaker.

Walz’ plane was on the ground! He’ll speak soon! Good. These wooden bleachers are killing my old ass. Walz spent the morning in Phoenix. Hanging with Ruben Gallego and speaking of war heroes, John McCain’s son Jim, a country over party patriot who is vocal about his support for the Harris Walz ticket. Balls like Liz Cheney’s.

Finally, the program began. Political notables took to the stage and spoke of the virtues of the Harris Walz ticket as workers handed out Harris Walz signs to wave. Speakers reminded us “the road to the White House goes through Pima County.”

Note to you, dear reader: That makes your vote important. Southern Arizonans are the Blue Wall that will tip Arizona blue on election day.

Then the main attraction, America's Mr. Fix-it, Gus Walz’ dad, the dad of all dads, the top pop of all pops, the one, the only King of America’s State Fairs and Governor of Minnesota, the candidate for vice president of the United States: Tim Walz was introduced. He crossed the stage to the podium and the crowd cheered and cheered and cheered.

You can’t hear a speaker like Coach Walz, an experienced classroom teacher and not think of those sunny educators in your life who shaped you, who inspired you. Walz is part “Friday Night Lights” and “Room 222” with a side of “Green Acres” and a dash of Ed Asner, sprinkled with “Tool Time”. The idea a guy like Tim Walz, a teacher, a renter most his life who drives a beater Ford Scout, could challenge billionaires to pay their fair share in taxes would get a revolutionary thumbs up from Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and Tom Paine. The ghosts of our democratic “no man is above the law” revolution would be pleased.

Walz gave his “greatest hits” stump speech with remarkable energy after a long day on the road, asking the crowd to get out the vote in Arizona, to volunteer, to knock on doors, to work phone banks. Sleep when you die. Harris and Walz want Arizona.

Like Mayor Romero said at the same podium moments before If you do anything just do one thing. Talk to five neighbors, friends, relatives or complete strangers about this election. Convince five to vote. Follow up on election day to see that they followed through. Five.

I thought I’d do something that takes advantage of my strengths as a theatrical producer and a sign painter. I’m going to organize some street sign waves in the remaining days before the election. There's more to come on that in an upcoming column.

Awe swept over me again as I walked to my car in the dark under the stars, absorbing a truly democratic moment among energized, laughing, chattering Democrats. We’re going to win. We’re going to win. We’re going to win.

What a dream. Daring to dream of turning Arizona blue.