An Arizona Senate Race Waits to See if Giffords Emerges to Run

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times



TUCSON — Representative Gabrielle Giffords is still in the hospital, but some of her most ardent backers are so enamored of the idea of her running for the Senate that they describe the inevitable campaign commercials: the deep-voiced narrator recounting what happened to her, the images of her wounded, then recovering and speaking into the camera alongside her astronaut husband to call on Arizonans to unite.

These supporters say they do not want to get too far ahead of themselves, and make clear that Ms. Giffords, who was shot in the head, is still relearning basic tasks and might emerge from the hospital with neither the same political abilities nor aspirations that she had before. And publicly, her closest aides say the only thing they care about is her health. “Our focus is on her recovery and what comes after that comes after that,” said Pia Carusone, Ms. Giffords’s chief of staff.

Despite such protestations, several of Ms. Giffords’s longtime aides are whispering behind the scenes that she just might recover in time to run for the seat that Senator Jon Kyl, a Republican, is vacating next year. While it might be wishful thinking, Ms. Giffords’s noncampaign is already having a major effect on Arizona politics; other prospective Democratic candidates say they feel compelled not to jump in unless she bows out, allowing Republicans to get a head start organizing their campaigns. “I’m in but only if she’s not,” said one prospective Democratic candidate, who spoke of his deliberations but insisted that he not be named given the fluid nature of the race. “A Democrat running against her would be doomed.”

Ever so quietly, Ms. Giffords’s political allies are laying the groundwork just in case. Friends and allies held a fund-raiser for her on March 15 in Washington — trying to supplement her Congressional campaign war chest, which totaled about $285,000 at year’s end and could be tapped for a Senate bid. Her former campaign manager, Rodd McLeod, has been brought on staff, to fill in for an aide who is also recovering from the Jan. 8 shooting that left 6 people dead and 13 injured. While these efforts might be normal for a member of Congress in a competitive district like hers, other Democrats see them as signs that those around her want to keep her political options open.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/31/us/politics/31giffords.html

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[LiberalFighter]

1. I think it is more that the NY Times is getting ahead of themselves.

Marc Lacy does not have any morals or ethics when he writes a story of this type about her.

[orion007]

4. Why do you feel that way about Lacy?

I find all this whispering behind the scenes about her condition ridiculous and unproductive for the Democratic Party.
Many people have visited with her and are aware of just how serious her condition must be considering that she hasn't yet been seen by the public or heard from.
It was a very informative piece Lacy wrote letting us know the situation as it stands and by Gifford's camp and others wishful thinking nothing is being accomplished by letting others come forward to declare their candidacy.
Her appearance at the Endeavor lift-off is not certain as seen by a correction issued.
This just may be the event that enables the party to move ahead if she doesn't appear.
May she have a productive recovery and hopefully the political uncertainty will be over soon.



ord Burkhart contributed reporting.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: March 31, 2011

A previous version of this article misstated where Ms. Giffords is expected to appear next month when her husband, Capt. Mark E. Kelly, lifts off for a two-week space shuttle mission. It is Florida, not Houston.

[Kolesar]

5. Yes, I don't like this article or its premise

Dear Gabby needs a respite from public attention. Honor her dignity

[BenzoDia]

2. Her health should be the only focus, everything (like politics) can take a back seat.

Some things are just not that important.

[DesertFlower]

3. i agree. nt

[LiberalFighter]

6. Exactly. Bringing politics into it at this time is wrong. She needs time

[julian09]

8. The fact she hasn't resigned her house seat says she has

two democrat elective seats in question for the 2012 election for either office.
I hope she is well enough to serve, we can use a new senator in the senate with so many dems up for reelection in 2012. I sure would like to see a few photos of her after all this time.

[orion007]

9. Then her people should shut-up about her possible political future

You can't blame the messenger for this information.

[Wait Wut]

7. Let her be.

Even though she's not my district, I supported her when many here and on DK were bashing her because she's a Blue Dog. I agree that she may have been a great candidate for the Senate and hopefully someday she'll be ready. Not now. AZ Dems need to focus on someone that truly has a chance and not push this woman into something she may not be willing or able to pursue.

This sudden support of Rep. Giffords because she was shot by some idiot with a gun fetish is a little disgusting. I watched and listened while AZ Progs said horrible things about her before she was shot. I would imagine some of those are now sporting a Giffords avatar image. Hypocrisy is ugly no matter what side you're on.