Here's a hideous thought: Senator Sheriff Joe

[cali]

Poll: Sheriff Joe Leads AZ-SEN Primary Race
Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 14, 2011, 5:50PM


It's too soon to crown anyone Arizona's next Senator -- but on the same day Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) announced his intent to run, a new poll of Grand Canyon state Republicans shows Sheriff Joe Arpaio leading the field to replace the retiring Sen. Jon Kyl (R).

Arpaio has not announced his intention to run for the open Senate seat next year, though there's long been speculation that Arpaio -- an absolute rockstar among the anti-immigration set in the GOP -- is interested in higher office. His name has been mentioned among those that might run for Kyl's old seat, and it's certain he'd enter the race with significant financial support from his national allies.

Roll Call's David Drucker breaks the news that Arpaio's statewide Republican support would be strong as well. The poll from Summit Consulting Group shows Arpaio with a narrow lead over Flake, who just made his run for Senate official on Monday.

The numbers: Arpaio leads with 21% support, Flake comes in second with 17%. Former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R), who briefly gave Sen. John McCain a scare during the 2012 Senate primary, before being crushed by McCain on primary day, came in third with 16.6%.

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/poll-sheriff-joe-leads-az-sen-race.php?ref=dcblt

[Alexander]

1. In Arizona, land of many racist idiots, I could see it happening.

The only good news in all this is that Arpaio is almost 80, and isn't likely to be in office for very long, whatever that office happens to be.

[midnight]

2. I hope a progressive takes this senate seat from them!

[brooklynite]

21. I hope a DEMOCRAT takes this senate seat from them!

Support whatever candidate you want, but remember that 1) this is a statewide election and 2) this is NOT a Blue state.

[Demoiselle]

3. Senator Arpaio is a hideous thought, alright.

But is it possible he'd do less hands-on harm to people as just one more nutjob rightwinger in the Senate?
Nah. Never mind. I was trying (desperately) to find a bright side. There ain't one.

[blondeatlast]

4. I've thought about this for a LONG time, DU, and it's time to toss it out there.

Defeat this bastard, a dollar at a time. His opponents have had miniscule campaign budgets and mostly run their own campaigns. You know as well as this Maricopa County resident how dangerous this man is--help us defeat him.

We have an opportunity here--there's going to be TREMENDOUS infighting for the Republican primary. Iask of you two things: donate a dollar a week/month/etc. and beseech Janet Napolitano (the only Dem I would say has a chance of beating the R) to run. she's far from my ideal, but unless you know Arizona's brand of Republicanism, you can't understand the desperation.

Please, please help.

If I get bites on this, I'll start a thread to iron things out. Please...

[Gregorian]

14. Post a thread! This is how we're going to have to turn this country around.

Arpaio and Hayworth? It's like someone dragged a lake for the worst lifeforms possible. Yuck. We cannot survive these kinds of scum in our politics. Let's rise above the bottom.

[blondeatlast]

17. As someone mentioned elsewhere, our statewide Dems have tremendous

infighting issues; however, if Joe announces and seems to be leading, I may do just that. the rest of the field is not quite as glaringly awful, but, well, almost.

Desert soil grows strong, but exceedingly disturbing, Republicans.

[Klukie]

5. Good Lord

[oberliner]

6. Tis a scary primary field when Jeff Flake is the most moderate of the bunch

Arpaio and Hayworth - good lord!

Throw Dan Quayle's son into the mix and it gets even scarier.

One would hope Arizonans can find a Democrat who would be able to win this seat.

[Solly Mack]

7. Fucking YIKES

Icky. Yuck. No.No.No.

WTF...to even have to entertain the notion.

[Wait Wut]

8. I can't imagine him running.

I don't think he's answered the question of the $8+million that was misspent under his watch. Not to mention, the years of "missing" reports and emails that he's supposed to hand over.

Pretty sure Arpaio doesn't wanna be under a microscope. Rs in this state are pretty tight, so there will be plenty of backroom discussions to decide who will be "allowed" to run and they'll all rally behind. Sadly, Dems here don't like each other much so there's always plenty of infighting.

[BlueJac]

9. Yahooo.............

let her rip. Another state bites the dust. WTF is going on?

[ShadowLiberal]

10. He's too old, and then there's criminal investigations he's in

From wikipedia.

"Arpaio is currently the subject of FBI, United States Department of Justice, and Federal Grand Jury investigations for civil rights violations and abuse of power, and is the defendant in a federal class-action suit for racial profiling."

[blondeatlast]

12. You think that matters to his fanboyz? Arizona is a different world, I'm telling you.

And I've lived here 35 years.

[Generic Other]

11. He threatened to arrest me for tampering with the electoral college in 2000

Pink underwear for emailing the whole damn lot of them!

[Mike 03]

13. Happy V Day Cali, and thank you for all you do, and your careful

attention to obscure but vital news that most people would ignore, like what is going on here in AZ.

You are awesome, and I am so happy you are here at DU.

[francolettieri]

15. its not as scary as Senator Andrew Thomas!!! thats real scary!!

[blondeatlast]

18. Explain the difference? they are one and the same. nt

[jmowreader]

16. I think Gabby Giffords would win easily...

I can think of two positive effects of Arpaio winning a Senate seat. (This is the seat he arguably needs to occupy...



but that's a topic for another day.)

Positive effect 1: It would immediately close the Maricopa County Gulag. I REALLY don't think any successor sheriff would keep the tent jails open. For one thing, they're a fucking nightmare in regards to security. I wonder how many millions of dollars Arpaio bilks out of the taxpayer to provide the extra guards he needs to keep people from crawling under the tent flaps and running off.

Positive effect 2: While his antics would be amusing, the odds of any of the lunatic bills he would introduce ever getting out of committee would be slim to none.

Having said that, the guy has done so much shit over the last few years, the proper place for him is in a pair of pink panties in his own jail.

[blondeatlast]

19. It. Doesn't. Matter. Giffords wouldn't have a chance in Maricopa and the northern counties.

There's no way I can make people understand the "appeal" of BullConnor Arpaio, but all the scandal HASN'T DONE A DAMN THING to hurt him.

Not a gaddamned thing.

[Wait Wut]

22. This is going to sound terrible, but...

...Giffords probably could have won if she hadn't been shot. She's a moderate and loved by many on both sides. Unfortunately, we can't be sure how well she'll have recovered by then. AZ Dems can't afford to back a potential candidate that may be unable to perform. I know, it's a horrible thing to say and I feel like an ass for having to say it. I love Gabby Giffords even after she didn't vote for Pelosi (whom I also love). I keep telling my husband that I can't wait for the day she's back at work. She'll have a lot to say. Until then, we need to find a Dem in this state worth backing.

And, no. A Progressive will not win in Arizona. Not unless we tie up all the Republicans, Conservatives, Independents and Moderates, load them into a truck and ship them over the border until after the election.

[blondeatlast]

20. He likely won't run, but he'll endorse three or four of the candidates--that's

what he did loacally this last November. It might get quite entertaining if he DOESN'T run. If he does--GAWDHELPUSALL.