Ariz. Candidate Lambasted for Son's Arrest

[NVMojo]

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona senators exchanged harsh words during a floor session Monday as Republican Sen. Jack Harper criticized the arrest of a Democratic candidate's son and was in return denounced by another GOP lawmaker.

Harper, R-Surprise, said the arrest Friday evening of 24-year-old James Robert Pederson, son of former state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Pederson, "points to a culture of corruption in the Pederson household." Pederson is running against Republican incumbent Jon Kyl for the U.S. Senate.

Fellow Republican Sen. Carolyn Allen of Scottsdale immediately rose to denounce Harper's comments as "totally inappropriate."

"This kind of attack has got to stop on this floor," she said, adding later. "It is one thing to discuss and attack a candidate. We're talking about a son."

After several other senators weighed in with remarks sympathetic to Pederson's family troubles, Allen called on Harper to apologize.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-elect/2006/feb/20/022005057.html

[SammyBlue]

1. Ah, my Arizona Lege. Long on hot air, short on performance

On sale to the highest bidder.

I am glad I am in Tucson and we disregard them. I am glad I am in Blue Tucson.

[Rose Siding]

2. The lout refused to apologize.

This crap makes furious.

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. He's right to do so

Never fucking apologize in politics, period. Dems still need to learn thnat crucial lesson. Idiots.

[f-bush]

15. I agree, also the Dems need to learn that...

the repukes have made it open season on anything. I'm sure a little bit of research can dig up a lot on repuke family members. Lots of them seem to have run afoul of the law lately and most of the republican offenses have been sex crimes.

[msongs]

3. one person in a household does not constitute a "culture" unlike the

repubs who constitute thousands of corrupted entities.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[TexasLawyer]

7. The son didn't even live in the same house

Senate candidate's son faces narcotics charges

Arizona Republic
Feb. 20, 2006 01:15 PM

The son of U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Jim Pederson was arrested by Maricopa County sheriff's detectives Friday night on suspicion of possession of narcotics, possession of prescription-only narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotic drugs-interstate, possession of paraphernalia and misconduct with weapons.

James Robert Pederson, 24, was arrested after a search of his home, Lt. Paul Chagolla said. He was released without bail Saturday morning. The investigation is ongoing.

The elder Pederson owns the home his son lives in near 15th and Glendale avenues but does not live there.

In a statement, he asked for the public to respect his family's privacy while they work though the matter.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0220DrugCharges20-ON.html

[TexasLawyer]

4. corruption?

that's a pretty strange use of the term. I thought corruption was selling favors, which lately the Rethugs have been pretty good at.

[elehhhhna]

5. Wonder what her thinks of GW's brats, huh?

[Wesin04]

6. Or Jebbie's children.

n/t

[TexasLawyer]

8. Ole Jeb raised 'em right.

John Ellis Bush
Added 09/17/2005 - John Ellis Bush, son of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, seen here in a mug shot taken by the Austin (TX) PD after they busted him on public intoxication and resisting arrest charges.


In 2002 Jeb's daughter Noelle got busted for trying to pass a fraudulent prescription for Xanax. She completed a drug rehab program and got her charges dismissed. We'll see what happens with brother John.

[elehhhhna]

9. ya mean the ones in prison? or on parole?

[AzDar]

10. He was investigated and arrested by the Notorious P.I.G. Joe Arpaio...

Bush Delegate, and REPUBLICAN!!!
Jon Kyl insists with straight face that it's not a 'political thing'.....

[Sal316]

11. I can smell the BS over here in Mesa

Ugh.

These mental midgets we have in the state leg are embarassing.

I wonder... did Harper make the same comments when Senate President Barnett's kids were busted for sodomizing young boys at a summer camp?


Me thinks no.

[alcibiades_mystery]

12. Meanwhile, Jeb Bush's daughter is strung out on pain killers and oxy

to this fucking day, and nobody dares say boo?

Gimme a fucking break. The culture of corruption in a household? Call Jeb, motherfucker.

[depakid]

14. Who'd have thought?

As if we're talking about people who have even a shred of honor, decency or integrity.

Unfortunately, I doubt that things like this will backfire in Arizona.