AZ Republic endorses Harry Mitchell over "bombastic bully" Hayworth

Many of us have been saying it for a long time: that JD Hayworth is a bombastic, divisive demagogue whose behavior actively destroys comity, consensus and progress. Meanwhile, his opponent in Arizona's CD-5 race, Harry Mitchell, is a man of sterling reputation with over 30 years of demonstrated public service.

Finally, it's become so obvious that even AZ Republic has come out and stated it clearly. In an article today entitled "Mitchell over the bully", they have resoundingly endorsed Harry Mitchell for Congress.

And in the same article, they pull no punches in telling it like it is where JD Hayworth is concerned. You have to read their endorsement. Some key passages, refreshing in their candor, express why they don't like Hayworth:

The biggest problem in Congress is extreme partisanship, and Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., is among Capitol Hill's worst offenders.

...It is high time to hit this matter squarely: J. D. Hayworth is a bully. He may not yet have reached the point where you can't take him anywhere, but you certainly can't take him to a calm, civil discussion.

...It isn't The Republic that has changed since 1994, when Hayworth was first elected to Congress. It's Hayworth. He no longer reflects the 5th Congressional District, which, while solidly Republican, has a progressive and moderate complexion.

...During this past term, Hayworth has devolved from a windy and sometimes cartoonish politician into an angry demagogue who has shamelessly and divisively exploited the immigration issue, arguably the No. 1 concern of Arizonans.

...It is Hayworth's increasingly combative demeanor and high-octane partisanship that is more troubling.

Hayworth has been in Washington for more than a decade and by now should have demonstrated some growth in office.

,,,The 5th District needs a representative who is eager to work with others, not an unrepentant partisan.

Hayworth's bombastic rhetoric and obnoxious behavior have gotten him into his toughest political fight yet.

...The 5th Congressional District needs a bridge-builder, not a bomb-thrower.

The AZ Republic endorses Harry Mitchell with the following comments:

Mitchell, a Democrat, has served this community for more than three decades, as a city councilman and long-time mayor of Tempe and most recently as state senator. He is a consensus-builder, respected by community leaders and supported by high-profile Republicans in this race.

...For his part, Mitchell may not be the political saint idolized by some of his loyal boosters. Nobody is that perfect. Still, it's hard not to be impressed by his public-service resume. He was Tempe mayor from 1978 to 1994 (and a council member for eight years before that). He oversaw the revitalization of Mill Avenue, which had become somewhat seedy by the 1970s.

Mitchell was elected to the Arizona Senate in 1998 and rose to the leadership rank of assistant minority leader. He offers a better future.

If elected, we hope Mitchell flashes back to his days as mayor, when he had to constantly work with competing interests to get results. He will need those skills in Washington where his constituents will demand that he reach across the aisle with other centrists.

The 5th Congressional District needs a bridge-builder, not a bomb-thrower.

The Republic recommends the election of Harry Mitchell.

Finally, we have one of the big, mainstream media sources - interestingly one that has generally supported Republicans in the past - making observations about Hayworth's destructive behavior that many of us have all been saying for some time: that he's an obstructive bombastic, divisive bully.

And the AZ Republic recognizes the qualities of Harry Mitchell, whose record of public service demonstrates integrity, civility and collaboration across the political spectrum to get things done.

It's particularly key for Arizonans in CD-5 to note something very important: it appears almost certain, from every estimation, that Democrats will win control of the House of Representatives in November.

When that happens, would voters prefer to be represented by a divisive windbag that has rhetorically painted himself into a partisan corner of the minority party? Or would they prefer to be represented by a well-respected member of the Majority party, who has a reputation of integrity and bipartisan collaboration?

The decision is easy for me, and evidently pretty clear to the AZ Republic, too. Recent polls show the two candidates are statistically tied, so Harry needs your support. Please vote for Harry Mitchell for US Congress.


Update: Some other blogs are weighing in on the AZ Republic's endorsement of Harry Mitchell as well:

1. Random Musings.
2. AZCongressWatch.
3. DailyKos.
4. Rum, Romanism and Rebellion.