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We're not eager to step into primaries unless it's a case of an exceptionally bad reactionary -- a Lieberman or a Jim Marshall -- against a surefire progressive. After Rahm Emanuel's term as DCCC Chairman ended I was under the impression that the bad old days of the DCCC getting their right-of-center, insider candidates in at the expense of grassroots progressives had ended. Alas, from every part of the country I'm starting to hear that the bad old days were just sleeping, not dead.
And that's the other thing that gets us to jump into a primary. The race in Arizona's first CD is a slightly Democratic-leaning district where Republicans have done well. It offers a unique opportunity in 2008. Before we meet an exceptional candidate, Howard Shanker, let's take a look at the district.
It's the largest district in the whole country that isn't an entire state (Alaska, Wyoming and Montana) -- as big as Illinois, which has 19 congressional districts. It's mostly rural and includes Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, Casa Grande and the Navajo Nation. The district is almost a quarter Native American. Since 2002, it's been represented by Rick Renzi, who is under investigation for a variety of criminal activities by a variety of law enforcement agencies, and who is too occupied with figuring out how to stay out of prison to run for re-election again. The Republicans are trying to decide between far right-wing mining lobbyist Sydney Hay, a self-financer, and the guy with all the McDonald's franchises in the area, a local right-wing legislator named Bill Konopnicki, who is favored by the GOP Establishment but can't make up his mind about running.
The Democratic side has drawn three candidates so far and could attract more. Mary Kim Titla is a former TV anchor who is outspokenly anti-choice. Ann Kirkpatrick is a former state legislator who seems to be the choice of the Insiders -- including the ones Inside the Beltway. At a closed door meeting last month of Democratic precinct committee members she was asked to explain her positions on the most consequential issues of the day. Her response -- regarding things like the occupation of Iraq and women's choice -- was that she had "people" working on position statements for her and that she would get back to them.
And then there's our guest today, Howard Shanker. He doesn't need anyone working on position papers for him.
Take two and a half minutes and watch this video of Howard making his own case. It's compelling:
When we spoke last week he had just gotten back from serving as the Grand Marshall of the Western Navajo Fair and Parade in Tuba City. He does a lot of work with the Navajo. They voted for Renzi in the past. They're firmly committed to Howard now. He has a masters degree in public administration and a law degree from Georgetown. At one time he worked for the Department of Justice and more recently President Clinton appointed him to serve on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Enforcement Subcommittee. His law firm specializes in civil rights, natural resources and environmental work and he's an adjunct professor at ASU Law School where he teaches courses on environmental justice and environmental litigation.
"You need someone qualified-- someone who understands the intended and unintended ramifications of legislation that's being drafted," he told me. "My vision for Arizona, a place that should be the solar and wind power capital of the country, plus a healthy sense of outrage over what has been going on in the past 7 years, influenced me to run...I've had a tremendous impact on this district as a private person, probably more so than any elected official-- at least in regard to preserving the quality of life and the environment."
Before we get started with Howard, just to give you an idea of where he stands on the issues that are important to this community, the first one he brought up was the occupation of Iraq.
"It was unjustified to begin with and we have no business being there. We need to get our troops out of there as quickly as possible-- obviously in a reasonable manner but the status quo is unacceptable. They should begin withdrawing the troops as soon as possible, tomorrow if they could."
Howard's is a people's, grassroots campaign. If you like what you hear today, please consider helping him out at his Blue America ActBlue page.
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Hey Howie!
Howard!
Welcome, Howard Shanker…
Good morning Howard. Thanks for coming by. It looks like the DCCC and political insiders feel like they owe one of your primary opponents something. Do you think, realistically, you can overcome whatever benefits that will accrue to her by being identified as the insider candidate? Are you prepared to run as an insurgent?
Howard Squared! (sorry Howie, couldn’t resist)
Welcome to FDL!
Howard, what are the three main issues you are hearing from the voters of CD-01?
howieklein @ 4
I think you’ve nailed one of the problems with the Democratic party on the head. I am getting a lot of support from progressives and others who are fed up with the Party selecting a candidate from the top down. In Arizona CD 1 this has actually happened on various occassions and each time a Republican got elected.
So far the obvious benefit my insider primary opponent has is with fundraising and access to regular donors. This is obviously important but in the end it is the person with the most votes not the most money that wins. I am out fundraising (because we do need money), but I am also out meeting people and shaking hands. I figure if I can talk to 20,000 people I can win this primary. That’s what grassroots campaigning is all about.
Welcome, Howard.
It’s wonderful that you’re spending time on the Navajo reservation. The poverty in Tuba City and other places is really oppressive. How do you think that could best be addressed? Does your district include Old Oraibi as well?
Hey, Howard. Wish you had given me a “heads up” that you’d be here.
My question for you is on you’re water policy statement, how it relates to the current water crisis in Georgia, and potential changes to the Colorado River management plan?
katymine @ 6
There are so many important issues this year that it is hard to list three but here goes. One of the main concerns here is with water. We have huge subdivisions going up all over the place and under state law, they don’t have to have any sort of an assured water supply (or adequate infrastructure). The other issue with water is that many of the Tribes in the District have not resolved outstanding water rights issues that need to be addressed immediately. People are also concerned with immigration - which hits close to home here in Arizona and the war in Iraq (as well as education, healthcare, etc.).
Howard,
Do you think that your work in civil rights (presumably with the Navajos) can be extrapolated out to support ALL the Native American tribes?
Can Arizona set the lead for alternative energy as a means of helping the Native Americans?
Thanks Kathleen for the generous first donation to Howard’s campaign! And thanks, also for remembering to put a few bucks in the Blue America PAC while you were at it. Ms. Hamshire has come up with some amazing ideas about accountability that will be as in their faces as the SCHIP telephone calls and newspaper ads were.
Good Luck Howard! I am unfortunately in Trent Frank’s district on the Hopi Rez. The Department of Interior, the BIA in particular, has an big presence on the reservations. You have done some work for the tribes. What will you do to get DOI to clean up its act in regards to the tribes? Right now most of the AZ tribes are suing the BIA for not living up to its responsibilities.
Howard,
Welcome to firedoglake! How would you implement your ideas about renewable energy in your sistrict from the US congress?
Howie,
I can’t find any links on Mary Kim Titla’s position on choice. Do you have any? Also, has the DCCC decided to back Kirkpatrick in this race? I’m very interested in it, as my sister and her husband live in this district, and because, along with Diane Benson, Titla is the only Native American woman running for congress this cycle.
Jane Hamsher @ 8
I actually represent the Navajo Nation (and other tribes) on a number of issues. Much of my support from the tribes comes from elders and traditional practitioners. Tuba city Chapter has endorsed me as a there candidate - they even made me the Grand Marshal of the Western Navajo Parade in Tuba City, last week. To answer the question, much of the federal funding for projects on the reservations has been diverted to Iraq - as have a disproporionate number of Native americans fighting in our armed forces. One of the first things we need to do to help the economic siuation is to bring an end to this occupation. There are also, in some instance, specific issues with grazing rights, homestead rights, trust lands, that make it difficult for the tribes to effective zoning laws that would promote sustainable commercial development. There are tremendous wind and sun resources on a lot of reservation land that could be utilized to promote sustainable jobs derived from development of renewable resources. Basically the federal government needs to live up to its trust responsibility to the tribes– Sorry this took so long - I need about 40 more pages to really answer the question. Also - No Oraibi is not in the district. The Hope carved themselves out of the district so as not to compete with the navajo for representation. Monkoepi is however in the district.
Did you ever imagine, that after months of hearings, we still do not know who fired the 7 US Attorneys? It seems like a crime to me. Carol Lam was investigating corruption at the highest levels of government. And had previously won two awards from DOJ.
[RBG Note; it may be helpful to make sure our questions are directed to the candidate or left on the previous thread. Thanks.]
I’ve lived in the Flagstaff area- wonderful—lots of LDS in northern arizona–some with lots of votes in the same house– are they a factor in the final vote?
Jane Hamsher @ 8
I recently returned from a trip to Northern AZ, specifically around Page, the Antelope Canyons, Monument valley, etc. The poverty here and at other Native American areas is another example of misplaced priorities. Do the Navajo’s receive any economic benefit from the generating plant at Page? I watched you video promo and I have mixed feelings about wind farms in an fragile environment such as Norther AZ. I wish you well and $$ on the way.
dakine01 @ 11
Yes and yes- I currently represent the Navajo, the White Mountain Apache, the Yavapai-Apache, the Havasupai and the enviros on a case that stopped the use of reclaimed waste water to make snow on the San Francisco Peaks - a site that is sacred to 13 of the tribes in the SW U.S. Unfortunately, the 9th Circuit just granted the Justice Dept’s petition for rehearing en banc and is going to reconsider the prior 9th circuit decision that was favorable to the tribes. We have oral arguments scheduled for December 11 in Pasadena California. The prior holding, however, had important ramifications for tribes all over the country. Native Americans have no First Amendment rigts when it comes to government land use decisions - the feds hold lots of land that is sacred to the tribes. We used a law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to protect the Peaks. This was the first time that a sacred site was protected using a substantive (as opposed to procedural) law - it had a tremendous impact on Indian Country across the nation. It brought a glimmer of hope that we might have a new weapon to help save sacred sites. I have no doubt that that is why the court is going to rehear it. Unfortunatley I don’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from the supreme Court either - we’ll see what happens.
If there is one thing the reservations have (and much of CD 1 in general) it is wind and sun. We need to become a net expoter of energy derived from wind and sun. Sustainalbe jobs, reduced greenhouse gas emmisions and reduced dependenc on foreigh oil. Why aren’t we already doing that?
Jane Hamsher @ 8
I know I answered this one somewhere - sorry I seem to have misplaced it. If I miss any questions and I hit the two hour mark - you are all welcome to shoot me an email - howard@shanker2008.com. I know there are thousands of you out there, but I will do the best I can to answer every inquiry that I miss here if you email me. Thanks.
howieklein @ 12
Thank you - I really appreciate the help and support
Howard Shanker @ 20
You answered it at your #15.
Steve-AR @ 18
The Navajo & Hopi both receive royalties from the coal. Unfortunately the Feds and Peabody Coal screwed the tribes in negotitations last time around. Hiring for the plant is Native American prefence and I assume the Navajos recieve payments on leases and right-aways.
pygalgia @ 9
Hey pygalgia - Sorry about not giving you a heads up. Glad you found me. Just email me your question later or give me a call - sounds like it would take a good bit of time to answer. As a general proposition, we have water laws that reward people for using too much water. If they don’t use up their allocation, they don’t get as much next time. We need to be rewarding conservation instead of penalizing it. The biggest issue on the Colorado River water is the competition between the states that rely on it as a source of water, increased population and use and a prolonged drought. Not a good mix.
Mr. Shanker, I saw a video on your site about Healthcare, but couldn’t find any specifics in the “Positions” section on what you would advocate to change the system.
Are in favor of a single-payer type solution as they have in Canada, or just tweaking our current system a little which some of the current Dem Prez candidates are advocating?
Best of luck to you!
(((((Jane, Howie, Kathleen, HOWARD))))
I’m in - albeit modest yet sustaining donations.
Two questions about our National Debt Ceiling, was just raised to $9.815 trillion, Bush never mentions this and the national press has almost been silent. Any idea why the national press does not see this as important? How could a President who raised spending 41% and revenue only 21% be proud of his record?
Ed*ard Teller @ 14
Hi Howie - Thanks for letting me be on firedoglake. Right now we are giving huge tax breaks to big oil, we are spending billions on developing nuclear and even other coal technologies. We need to redirect this money to truly sustainable forms of energy that do not generate massive amounts of harmful waste around for thousands of years. It requires a little more common sense and a little less greed. I’m working with a company right now that is trying to put a wind farm in coal Mine on the Navajo reservation. We just need to provide incentives like green tags, tax breaks and redirect money we are wasting on the things.
Mary Kim is anti-choice. I’m not sure what the DCCC has done yet. I will be in DC next week and they did agree to meet with me. I’ll let you know what happens. I will be with a Navajo contingent that is to testify before Congress/Waxman on Tuesday on uranium contamination on the reservation let over from WWII era that the goverment has ignored, and now that are trying to begin uranium mining again — before they have even addressed existing contamination and health impacts.
Glad you’re addressing the Uranium issue. It’s been ignored for far too long.
rwcole @ 16
Its a god point. The demographics of CD 1 are changing so quickly that sometimes it is hard to track where all the votes are. I was, however, pleased to find out that there are some Democratic (I don’t knw about progressive) LDS - a few of whom have conntributed to my campaign. It’s an interesting thing - I clearly have a progressive agenda but I am getting support from Republicans and others who have met me and heard what I had to say. what they have told me is that while they may disagree with some of my priorities, they respect me and even trust me to do what I think is best for the country and the district — as opposed to what’s going on in DC now.
bonkers @ 24
We really only made the one biographical video - the other clips were “out takes” that didn’t have much substance. I was even not inclined to post those. In any event, I am in favor of a single payer system. It’s got to be portable, include a prescription drug benefit, and not preclude anybody with a pre-existing condition. We are in the midst of a health care crises. There are over 47 million uninsured with an estimated 18000 people who die every year because of lack of access to care. This is shameful. We seem to be afraid to step on the toes of influential health insurance companies and drug companies. It’s time we stand up for the people and did what is right. I know it’s not directly on point, but how on earth can we have a Congress that refuses to negotiate precription drug prices through medicare - it’s outrageous.
Howard Shanker @ 15
One of the big “other shoes” that seems waiting to drop is what the Dept. of the Interior has done exploit (pillage) natural resources on Indian lands. Is that something your campaign is addressing?
Hello Mr. Shanker,
I have driven through AZ-01 a number of times on business (recently had cause to drive from Phoenix to Page). I love the trips to Arizona, it’s beautiful country.
I’m in, good luck in your race!
As a progressive would you be suspect of a candidate who receives big money from the defense industry, the health care industry and Wall Street?
AZ Matt @ 13
I have actually sued the feds for not living up to their trust responsibilities. Many people don’t realize that not all tribes have casinos and/or aren’t wealthy. The Navajo Nation is the largest tribe in the country with over 300,000 members. On over 60% of the reservation they don’t have running water and have to haul water. Many of the wells where water is hauled from were broken or drying up. Many of the elders don’t speak english and don’t have the proper ID to be allowed to vote. They have limited access to good medical care. They need jobs. The list goes on. The tribes (as do the rest of us) need an advocate in congess who understands the issues. That’s one thing I have to offer.
Recently the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs chided the Indian Health Service about the lack of effort in requesting additional funding for health services to the tribes. What are you going to do in the House to help get more funds into the IHS?
Do you think there is a better way than casinos to help Native American Indian communities?
Welcome Howard!
The only thing I see on the video that I don’t like is a Dell computer on your desk :-) Come over to the Mac side of the world.
A modest contribution coming your way to aid in that.
I hope you run rings around the DLCer. We need Better Democrats and you look like you could be one of them.
Howard Shanker @ 35
Knowing what the problems are is important but having solutions will be more important. What are some of yours? The head o the House committee that has responsibility over Indian issues seems to be a rather conservative Dem. Are you ready to take him on?
Thanks for your health care answer. I was hoping you’d say that!
Maybe that could be added to your Web site. Go get ‘em…we’ve got yer back!
Sandman @ 27
Isnt it unbelievable. The national press is lost. No real coverage on torture either - but if you like wedding cakes, or laundry soap the news serves a real purpose. Fox News is out there (literally). We need to get a way of distributing important information - that’s one reason I’m here today.
With regard to Bush’s spending, what makes matters worse is that we are borrowing money from countries like China and saudi Arabia to finance our growing debt. They are even trying to sell off about 800,000 acres of forest and blm land to developers and mines to help raise money. They manage to cut essential domestic programs, make themselves huge amounts of money and spiral the country into debt all at the same time. These guys have got to go.
Howard Shanker @ 10
What changes do you think should be made at the federal level? Out here in the West, federal policies pretty much dictate what rights people have to water. Thanks to climate change and expanding population, water is even becoming a concern up here in the Pacific NW.
What qualities would you be looking for in the next president?
Howard! WElcome to the Lake from a former resident of Flagstaff, who got turned onto local politics by Democracy for America in Flagstaff!
Now to go read the comments.
Bob in HI
Flagstaff 1987-2003
AZ Matt @ 36
First I’ve got to get to the House. Then I can raise as much hell as possible. People ask me what I can do as a new congressman. Right now I make my living taking on the government(s) and large polluters. We need to start somewhere and as I have found, if you bang your head against the wall long enough, eventually the wall is going to break. Bring it on. Keep in mind also that a lot of these funding woes are tied directly to: (1) war spending; and (2) the administrations priorities - or lack of them. Hopefully by the time I get to Congress both the war and Bush will be history.
Cujo359 @ 42
Here in Arizona, the state has refused to step up and make laws that could harm developers. All they need to do is pass a law that requires a developer to have a 100 year water supply, or else they can’t build. That apparently won’t happen. There is an impending crisis. I’m not always a fan of more federal laws or oversight, but we need to look at bringing some of these allocation problems under the rubric of the federal clean water act. we need to implement policies on the federal level that will promote conservation, proper treatment and use of reclaimed water, rain water harvesting . . . there are so many things that we need to be doing that we aren’t. We even have HOAs here that require you to have a grass lawn in the desert. collectively we need to start thinking. We need to send thinking people to Congress.
Hi, Howard, welcome to FDL. It’s good to see that someone like you has come along to take care of my niece’s district. Good luck to you.
Some years ago I worked for a developer here in the Phoenix area. At that time (circa 1987-1991)some of the developments being worked on required proof of a one hundred year water supply in order to get approval. At that time, a lot of developers were trying to create “water farms” wherein they could fulfill commitments for their projects. Has that practiced ended, or how does it stand now.
Howard,
I have been involved with several campaigns for CD01 in Arizona, with Paul Babbitt in particular. Its a really intimidating campaign because of the vast distances. If someone with the Babbitt name couldn’t defeat a Republican, its a tough district. However, Paul was perhaps too much of an introvert.
I like it that you have started by laying down solid creds in Navajoland, often neglected by previous candidates (but not by Paul Babbitt).
Bob in HI
Howard Shanker @ 45
Bush yes, the war unfortunately looks to be going on.
I’m interested in the points about water…Arizona is desert country, and there has been too much growth for the available resources. (Here’s a link to Lake Powell, where the water is. “Lake Powell is at its lowest level since it filled in 1980.”)
It seems a tricky problem to tackle, without being accused of being anti-growth. And yet, what can you do?
Thank you for answering my question, my Congressman(R) won’t do that!
One of the other candidates mentioned the Enterprise Zone Program, it sounds like your district could benefit from that program, also. It may be a way to bring jobs to your district.
All the Best.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 43
Honesty, intelligence, the ability to listen, and the ability to learn. One quality that historians often look at is the ability of the President to surround him or herself with qualified advisors as opposed to yes men.
Howard Shanker @ 46
You answered my question while I was still composing it, thanks!
Ann in AZ @ 47
Thank you. In Arizona a developer needs to get an assurance of a 100 year water supply only if they are in an Active Management Area. AMAs take up only about 20% of the state, the remaining 80% is up for grabs. I worked with the Center for Biological Diversity to try to get the governor to designate the San Pedro River Basin (last free flowing river in the desert SW)as an AMA. She wouldn’t do it.
did a little contribution~used to live in Tuscon in the 80’s….go get em!
Sandman @ 50
Thanks. You know if you have thoughts or suggestions or ideas, please feel free to forward them on to me.
Most of us here in AZ are familiar with the name and image of Mary Kim Titla. She has a high degree of name recognition, and her heritage will serve her well as a candidate, I suspect. What can you do, or how can folks help you to overcome this?
bobschacht @ 48
Bob, I worked on Paul’s campaign, too, and with all due respect to Mr. Babbitt, he ran a very boring campaign. Howard is much more dynamic, and his campaign is already showing it.
ifthethunderdontgetya @ 49
I’m not anti-growth. I’m anti-stupid growth. That being said, I suspect people already accuse me of being anti-growth, it is a very tricky problem. The fact remains, we need to do the right thing. If we don’t start considering sustainability of policies and initiatives and laws, we are not going to be able to get the ship of state going back in the right direction. Too often it takes a crisis before people realize that there is a problem. We are seeing this locally with water and globally with global warming.
Do you have any Superfund sites in your district? Has Bush provided any money to them in the last 6 years?
pygalgia @ 57
I appreciate that. Frankly, if I was a party insiders here in Arizona, I’d already have the resources and infrastructure in place. This is my first campaign and I don’t mind driving. It also helps that I have represented the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Flagstaff Activist Network, Black Mesa Trust, the NAACP, the Tribes, and communities in Hayden/Winkleman and Bellemont and other places. Without a full disertation, I’ve already done more as a private attorney for this District (and state) to protect civil rights and the environment than most elected officials. The people that I have worked with and represented support me. I have a strong grass roots network of support that is growing daily — many of whom are tired of political insiders and politicas as usually, as am I.
I like what I’m hearing. Heading over to BlueAm. Howie, you sure can pick good candidates!
Howard Shanker @ 58
Those two things (global warming and AZ’s water problem) may be connected.
Ironically, while I can see that AZ has grown too much, what I’ve seen of it tempts me to move there. (My business trips are connected with multifamily housing finance.)
egregious @ 61
I just kicked in too …… anyone want to join me?
Hiya, late to the party…what’s up with that crazy Maricopa Sheriff you’ve got over there??? That guy needs to be removed..Just my humble opinion. He’s not normal.
pygalgia @ 57
I was trying to be kind to Paul. I agree with your assessment of Paul, and hope that you are also right about Howard!
Incidently, I married a Navajo woman whom I met while on the faculty at the former College of Ganado, so I lived on the Rez for a year, and spent a lot of time in Lupton, too.
Bob in HI
Good luck Howard. Thanks for taking this district on.
Howie, a SoCal firepup get together on Saturday, Nov. 3rd, about noon. If you can join us, we’d love to meet you:
Wahoo’s Fish Taco, 1862 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. Noonish. I’ll be the chubby guy wearing a 2005 ACC Tournament hat.
Take the 55 south to where it turns into Newport Boulevard. Turn right on 19th Street, then left on Placentia. It’s about two blocks down on the left.
Howard, in case you’re still here, you’ve said a lot about the Navajo reservation. Please tell us more about how you plan to campaign in Prescott and some of the more conservative towns in the huge district.
Thanks again for sharing time with us at the Lake!
Bob in HI
Howard Shanker @ 46
I like the conservation aspect. I’m sure Phoenix isn’t in your district, but the idea of water conservation certainly occurs to me every time I fly over it. It’s as green as the Northwest in spring. Quite a contrast with Tuscon, which isn’t all that far away.
Anyway, thanks for your answer. I’m dropping something in your ActBlue box. We need folks with your priorities in Congress.
katymine @ 63
Yes.
And I kicked in some for Jon Powers, NY-26, because he took the time to come to our FDL breakfast and introduce himself around, in addition to his progressive political positions and his charity for kids affected by war. Quite the combination.
Ann in AZ @ 56
Unlike any of the other candidates,I actually work with and represent the tribes on important issues. Mary Kim is from the San Carlos Apache. By far largest Native population is the Navajo Nation. I have already been endorsed by the Tuba City Chapter, the Cameron Chapter, the coal Mine Chapter, the Dine Hataathli association (medicine me); In my float in the Tuba City parade (I was Grand Marshal - maybe the first white guy to be selected for the honor)last week, I had four Navajo Code Talkers, the Attorney General for the Navajo Nation, traditional medicine men and a Road man with the Native American Church, among others.
That being said, I am the best qualified candidate to understand the ramifications and import of legislation and policy and how they impact Indian Country and the rest of the District. Please take a look at my credentials and my experience when you get a chance. I have substantively represent the tribes on complex legal issues.
I came across this video on my travels today, it, or the idea, may be useful in campaigns to counteract the “Bushies”….rather poignant:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KsF-RiMzGpk
Loo Hoo. @ 69
Thank you all - I’m supposed to sign off in a few minutes, but I really appeciate your help and support. I think I can do one more question - but please visit me at www.shanker2008.com when you get a chance
Blue America page is much easier to use. Thanks! (It remembers info so you just hit the first letter!)
Howard, thanks for coming and now that you know how our system works, I hope you’ll feel free to drop by whenever you feel like and join in on the discussion. Good luck with your discussions with the DCCC in Washington. Please tell us how that goes. Can you tape the conversation?
bobschacht @ 67
I have strong support in Yavapai county. The Prescott Dems have experience with the Party pushing an insider. Diane Prescott carried Yavapai county the first time she ran and was asked to step aside for Paul Babbit to run the second time. Diane supports me as do the Yavapai dems that I have met. I have been there often. My in-laws live in Prescott Valley, they are Republicans. My father in law was a chaplain at the VA hospital there. They are helping as well. Indeed, I met with vets at the Prescott VA and already have a group of Republican vets for Shanker.
I’m actually pretty well received whenever I get the chance to actually meet with people and talk to them. If you have any thoughts, let me know.
katymine @ 63
Done deal.
Bob in HI
Say “Hi” to Tamera (Howard’s lovely wife) for me.
I like this guy, Howie!
howieklein @ 75
Thanks Howie and everybody else. It’s been a pleasure. I can see how this could become addicting. Again, I would encourage you all to visit the website www.shanker2008.com , if not to just leave contact information so we can include you on our email list. Thank you all for your contributions and your questions. Hopefully with your help, I can start the process of making a difference. outrage at what this country has done and become over the last 7 years has been a motivating factor for me. I really want to and believe I can make a difference. Thanks again.
I am in. Pygalgia, does your nom de blog mean what I think it does?
If you know what “Pygalgia” means, then yes. I have a bit of an attitude problem.
AZ CD-1 needs Howard Shanker. After the last shameful three terms with Rick Ratzi(Renzi), we need a Progressive Voice for us. Howard is the guy! Ann might be a nice person, but she would not get my vote unless she just happens to win the primary. I will hold my nose and vote for her then. She just does not have the passion we need. Howard has that passion.
I am sick and tired of the Party telling us who to vote for and this is just what is happening here. The old guard here in AZ and in the Beltway seem to think that because Ann has “paid her dues”, we owe her this seat. PARDON ME, but I thought a seat should go to the most qualified candidate. Nobody tells me who to vote for. I have heard from a few people that they will vote for Ann because she is a woman and we need a woman as our Rep. Not a good enough reason. This is reverse-discrimination and they can shove that reason. As a woman, I would love to elect a woman, but Ann cannot speak as a Progressive. She speaks only party line. I have heard from some of the county and state party folks that Howard can’t be elected compared to Ann. By what standards? Howard has the qualifications, the passion, the personality, and the will to rectify the wrongs. He is the right person for this office and I hope you will help spread the word what a wonderful person and even greater candidate this man is.
To hell with the party line. Vote for the best candidate. That is Howard Shanker.