Clinton and the Mitchell race, part deux

A few more links relevant to Clinton's Tempe visit and developments in the AZ-5 race between Harry Mitchell and Hayworth.


1. Clinton's magic still effective on crowd
The Arizona Republic

Arizona's Democratic Party got a shot of adrenaline Thursday at Arizona State University. Thousands of students and community members packed the school's grassy Hayden Lawn to see former President Clinton.

2. Hayworth: Humble Victim of that Liberal Arizona Republic
Rum, Romanism and Rebellion

Over at Espresso Pundit, Greg Patterson has been responding to the Arizona Republic's scathing endorsement of Harry Mitchell. He takes issue with the characterization of J. D. Hayworth ☼ as a "bully." The gist of what he is saying seems to be that Hayworth is being attacked for his ideology and stance on illegal immigration.

3. RIDE THE BLUE WAVE! Clinton Rocks.
Shooting in the Dark

"I loved it," said Xavier De Castillo, 39. "I'm a Republican, and these were the kinds of words I came to hear that reaffirm a change is needed."

De Castillo voted for the current president twice, he said, but the central Phoenix man isn't voting Republican this time. "I really believe this time around the Democratic Party is the way to vote, straight down the ticket," he said.

4. Republican Rebels of '94 Now Face Their Own Revolt
Wall Street Journal

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. -- Twelve years ago, J.D. Hayworth and 72 other Republicans rode into the U.S. House of Representatives on a wave that washed out Democrats after four decades in control, ushering in a "Republican Revolution" to cleanse Washington.

Now Mr. Hayworth is at risk of being swept out in much the same way. After six years in which Republicans controlled the White House as well as Capitol Hill, voters' revulsion with failed promises, dysfunction and scandals threatens big losses for the party on Tuesday.

...[Hayworth] took credit for leading the successful mutiny against last year's House rules changes for Mr. (former House Majority Leader Tom) DeLay. But Democrat Mitchell, among others, recall Mr. Hayworth's televised defenses of Mr. DeLay at the time. Mr. Mitchell has seized on that to underscore what he says is Mr. Hayworth's complicity in the worst of the Republican leadership's excesses. Amid supporters at the "Cookies From Home" store in Tempe, he said, "If you like the way things are in Washington, J.D. will give you more of the same."