Strike Everything

Gov. Jan Brewer has insisted repeatedly during the past year that the Legislature has the authority to cut spending for Arizona’s Medicaid program below the level that voters thought they had locked 10 years ago. But she appears to have shifted strategy and instead may ask voters to approve the cuts in a special election.

While speaking to reporters on Nov. 29, Brewer said she may seek a special election to get voter approval for cuts to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Many legal experts say the proposed cuts would violate Proposition 204, which voters passed in 2000 to expand Arizona’s Medicaid program.

“There’s a possibility we’ll have a special election,” Brewer said following the official statewide canvass of the Nov. 2 election at the Secretary of State’s Office. “That’s one of the options that we’re looking into.”

Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said he believes the state could still make the cuts without getting voter approval. Senseman said Brewer may seek voter approval, “Just so it’s abundantly clear, legally.”

But Senseman did not say what led the governor to deviate from her longstanding message on Prop. 204, or why she would risk rejection at the polls if a special election wasn’t needed. He acknowledged that voter rejection of any AHCCCS cuts would likely nix the entire plan.

“I think what she’s saying is the option’s on the table. We really haven’t speculated beyond whether it may or may not succeed,” Senseman said.

Many legal scholars and attorneys said cuts to AHCCCS would likely be overturned by the courts. Not only that, but cuts to AHCCCS may put the state at odds, again, with the federal government.

Before Brewer can contemplate a special election, the state must get permission from the federal government to make the cuts, which would violate the health care law passed by Congress in March. The law includes a maintenance-of-effort provision that prohibits states from scaling back their Medicaid programs.

Brewer said she will seek a waiver from the federal government, which would allow the state to cut about $1 billion from the AHCCCS budget. Some Republican lawmakers said they will enact the cuts, regardless of whether the feds lift the maintenance-of-effort provision, but Brewer would not say whether she would veto such legislation.

“That’s hypothetical. I don’t know if I can move forward and give you an answer on that today,” Brewer said.

If Arizona made the cuts without permission, the federal government could retaliate by stripping the state of about $7.5 billion per year in Medicaid funding.

-Jeremy Duda

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (Photo by Glory Shim)

The musk of democracy in full swing hangs in the air over the Hayden Lawn at Arizona State University as Ron Paul supporters gather to hear the Texas representative speak.

Roughly 200 people – smaller than his last speech at ASU – rally like moths to the flame around the podium set up on the north end of the lawn backlit by the school’s solar panels. A recording of the Beatles “Come Together” plays softly in the background as guests settle on the grass in front of the podium.

Master of ceremonies Barry Goldwater Jr. clamors like a drunken prospector overlooking the steady stream of young voters making their way to the Nov. 19 rally.

“The next thing they’re going to outlaw is Four Loko,” he says with a drawl akin to a 1940′s John Wayne impression.

First at the microphone is Tyler Bowyer, head of the College Republicans at ASU, who sums up the libertarian attitude surrounding the rally.

“Free markets, civil liberties and a peace seeking foreign policy are the most beneficial ways to structure society,” he says.

He continues by unleashing a resounding call for the protection of personal liberties; slamming into the mainline of the each speaker’s talking points.

The next few speakers shuffle on and off stage like the opening bands you didn’t pay to see, luckily the rally is free and there are plenty of interesting folk to prognosticate on the country’s state of affairs.

Nicole Holden, An animal physiology student at ASU, came to show support for Ron Paul and his policies; like Paul’s American Traveler Dignity Act that would prevent the Transportation Security Administration from using X-rays and enhanced pat downs to screen passengers for flights.

“I like everything that Ron Paul is about, which I’ve never found in any politician ever,” she said.

A flagrant socialist is next to catch my eye, sporting dreadlocks and a bright red T-shirt with the hammer and sickle scrawled across the front.

Marshall Goldschmidt says he’s here to support the opposition. Last year Goldschmidt said he was hassled by the head of the Students for Liberty for shouting communist slogans during a speech. While Goldschmidt agrees with some of Paul’s policies, he also wants to act as a voice of opposition; touting his First Amendment rights.

“Nobody else is here to express the opposition, nobody has the cojones to do this,” says Goldschmidt.

Finally, Ron Paul enters the stage amidst a burst of jubilation from the crowd.

“I’m on time this year. I was a little bit late last time. I got through TSA without hitting anybody even though I felt like it,” Paul says. And with those words the tone of the rally is confirmed.

The speech centers on the notion that government has been ineffective in dealing with the terrorist threat and has sacrificed civil liberties for safety. Like the thread that destroys a sweater, Paul describes the government as “our own worst enemies,” a threat that’s pulling at the fabric of America’s freedom and liberty.

“The government has failed,” he decries.

Focusing on the rugged individuality that today’s college generation craves, Paul coddles students, reminding them they are the center of their own universe and no one, especially not the government has the right to take away their personal liberties.

“They will fail at the effort to take away your liberties,” Paul says.

Behind me a self-proclaimed anarchist corroborates this sentiment toward self ownership.

“If you own yourself and the fruit of your labor then there is no justifiable reason for people to take what you make, starting with taxes. If anyone else takes what you make it would be theft. Yea that would be anarchy and that’s what I want,” he says.

Paul continues with his regular talking points: End the Federal Reserve, bring back the troops, stop all foreign occupation, get rid of income taxes and oppose the government’s attack on civil liberties.

He concludes the speech with an ominous prediction of the future, briefly citing a collapse of the country’s currency as the reason for the government’s future downfall. He then reminds the crowd that the role of the government is to protect personal liberties, not prevent us from harm. By shrugging off the shackles of big government and standing in civil disobedience to the rights that are being stripped from the people, our liberties will be restored, he says.

Empty cans and flyers litter ground as the crowd disperses. Yellow rubber bracelets are strewn across the grass inscribed with the words “WE THE PEOPLE. IN GOD WE TRUST.”

I can’t help but walk away thinking our generation wears scowls like the hippies wore flowers, but perhaps with more apathy.

- Arizona Capitol Times‘ intern Ryan Van Velzer is a senior at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Republican Grant Woods, Democrat Fred DuVal

Even as 2010′s votes are being counted, Republican Grant Woods said he’s considering a possible 2014 gubernatorial run as an independent candidate.

The former state Attorney General and longtime adviser to U.S. Sen. John McCain, said he’s had conversations with Democratic operative Fred DuVal about Wood’s possible run for the state’s highest office.

And those talks included the possibility of DuVal running down-ticket as secretary of state, also as an independent candidate.

“Running with Fred would be a dream come true,” Woods told the Arizona Capitol Times of his Occidental (Calif.) College roommate. The two graduated from the Liberal Arts college in 1976. “That would be very exciting. Running as an independent would be exciting, as well.”

Woods was an adviser to McCain’s and Gov. Jan Brewer’s campaigns this election cycle – and he also made a controversial endorsement of Democratic attorney general candidate Felecia Rotellini, which drew the ire of the Maricopa County Republican Party.

Woods, an attorney and radio talk-show host, said he and Duval, who was the top aide during former Gov. Bruce Babbitt’s administrations and also served in the Clinton administration, have talked about their concern about Arizona’s future with the divisive nature of politics in the state, and that a remedy to that would be running as independents.

The talk of a Woods/Duval run apparently came up in at least one conversation with Wes Gullett, who was chatting up Woods about Gullett’s possible run for Phoenix mayor (Woods was once rumored to be on a short-list of big names to seek the Phoenix’s highest post, as well).

Woods said he doesn’t remember specifically whether the two discussed a gubernatorial/secretary of state run by Woods and DuVal.

As for now, Woods said he’s not changing his party affiliation and will be focused on helping McCain and Brewer in their respective terms.

As for the future: “I’m intrigued by the independent run by somebody, and I think there is a reasonable chance that the next governor in Arizona would be an independent. The timing would have to be right.”

Indeed, independents are gaining ground on the Democratic Party registration in the state, and Woods said he believes Dems will be surpassed within four years.

DuVal could not be reached for comment.

- Bill Bertolino

France may be the GOP’s favorite cautionary example for liberal economic policies, but it’s a fine place for a post-election trip.

Now that the election is over, Gov. Jan Brewer’s advisor Chuck Coughlin is making up for lost time by taking his long-awaited honeymoon, which he and his wife, Patricia, are taking in Paris and Italy.

Arizona GOP Chairman Randy Pullen is taking his downtime in the land of Napolean and de Gaulle as well. Doug Cole, Coughlin’s partner at HighGround, said the two are in different parts of the country and joked that they aren’t taking any meetings.

Coughlin and his wife, Patricia, got married in March, but with Proposition 100 and Brewer’s election, Coughlin couldn’t get away for the honeymoon until now.

“When you get married in March and do your honeymoon in November, that’s a pretty understanding spouse,” Cole said. “Patricia is a very understanding spouse to wait that long for a honeymoon.”

Pullen may need all the downtime he can get, since he looks to be pretty busy once he gets back. He hasn’t made clear whether he’ll seek a third term as the Arizona GOP chairman, but others are already campaigning for his job.

Pinal County Republican Party Chairman Marty Hermanson’s announcement that he’ll seek the party chairmanship came during Pullen’s vacation, and Sen. John McCain’s allies are rumored to be seeking a candidate as well.

Pullen’s absence left Arizona GOP 1st Vice Chair Augustus Shaw as the man to talk to for party business. When Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens sat down with the Arizona Capitol Times to discuss his party’s electoral fortunes and future, Shaw filled in for Pullen to give the Republican perspective.

Pullen is due back in Arizona this weekend, while Coughlin will return a week or two after that – provided that there are enough non-striking cab drivers and airport workers left in France to get them here.

- Jeremy Duda

Karl Rove’s speech at the downtown Phoenix Sheraton Tuesday started out with about as much intrigue as I expected from the top political advisor for former President George W. Bush; for the first half-hour he flaunted an uncanny grasp for statistics as he explained exactly what’s wrong with the health care law and predicted how the 2012 elections would pan out if voters followed the same patterns as they did on Nov. 2.

It was numbers overload, even for someone who routinely tracks those things.

Honestly, I kept myself busy during that portion of the speech by imagining just how dangerous the security detail sitting next to the stage really was. You gotta’ think they put some pretty experienced bodyguards on guys like Rove, whom is routinely the subject of protests for his role in the Bush administration’s decision to go to war in the Middle East.

Twice, in fact, during Rove’s speech, protesters barged into the room to shout something that was unintelligible from where I was sitting. Rove just kept talking while authorities wrangled the protesters out of the ballroom, unfazed as if that’s what always happens during the Phoenix Chamber’s luncheon speeches.

As usual, Rove got more interesting toward the end when people in the crowd got to forward their questions through moderator-on-stage Russell Smolden. One of the questions was whether Rove had insight on the 2012 GOP presidential candidates and, if so, which one was the frontrunner.

Rove replied by saying it was too early to name a frontrunner because there is no single heir-apparent as there has been for the GOP during recent election cycles.

Instead, he rattled off 10 potential nominees: Former New York Gov. George Pataki, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. TIm Pawlenty, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and South Dakota Sen. John Thune.

We see lots of things from our virtual perch high above 1700 W. Washington. Our exposure to all things political in Arizona typically results in some mix of these three reactions: Often we laugh, occasionally we’re astonished, and rarely we’re surprised.

Our continual challenge to present the news to you, our faithful readers, in such a way as to grab your attention, sometimes produces wild and outlandish results. Our creativity can be entertaining, but in many cases it’s just too far out there to present in a serious manner.

However, readers, you are about to benefit from our newsroom’s sleep-deprived and coffee-fueled state on this Nov. 3, so here are eight headlines from the election that never made it into the Arizona Capitol Times – and for good reason.

• Brewer has did it!
• Citizen Goddard – even more boring than Politician Goddard
• Quayle ready to knock the hell out of Washington… if he can find it
• Prop. 203 outcome still hazy
• Terry, Barry and Larry announce reality TV series, premium ice cream brand
• Horne: Secretary of State is a step up from AG, right?
• Ducey creams Cherny
• Schweikert offers to buy Mitchell’s abandoned CD5 office

As the GOP wave that had started on the East Coast began cresting over Arizona on Election Night, excited energy filled the Hyatt as many seemed to sense that some power was coming. But not every Republican in the building was jumping for joy.

One, whose reelection was all but assured long before Nov. 2, had the audacity to consider what the party would need to do come January, when campaign criticisms and promises must be reconciled on Capitol Hill.

In other words, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, was being all Jeff Flake-y about the election.

“I don’t think we ought to celebrate for too long,” said Flake, known for occasionally stoking the ire of his GOP colleagues. “If we don’t do what we need to do, it will be a short stint in the majority.”

Flake, who held a small gathering in one of the Hyatt’s meeting rooms on Election Night, preferred to trade the revelry of the evening for facing the realities of being in power – and therefore at least partially responsible – for what happens to the country.

“Cutting spending is priorities one, two and three. We are at the point where we have to,” Flake said. “The cutting can’t just be from unpopular programs. It’s probably going to be more than out caucus can stomach.”

As I left the five-term congressman’s gathering and made my way back to the main lobby of the Hyatt, I was reminded that there was actually a party going on in the rest of the building.

And by that I mean the City of Mesa’s voters agreed to fund an $84 million training complex for the Chicago baseball institution, allowing the team to continue preparing for 30 more heartbreaking and frustrating seasons of futility.  Or maybe the lopsided vote in favor of the team’s request — 63 percent in favor — will break the streak.

Pictured: Cubs Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks, who lent his support to the measure.

–John Stodder

On Twitter, you find a lot of people who are still mad at the Grand Canyon state, and tonight just made them madder.  Here are a few that I found in the past few minutes — censored as needed:

From koalasloverain of Arkansas:

What the —- is wrong with you, country? Especially you, Arizona. Get out of my face. I want to move to Vancouver or London. Couve=cheaper.

From Carmelita, whose location is “Worldwide”:

McCain and Brewer wins pretty much means I’m not stepping into #Arizona anytime soon. Oh well time to get @yayamartinez to L.A.

Read more…

Nearing 10 p.m., Jon Hulburd’s campaign manager Josh Abner had decided his candidate had talked enough about his likely 10 percentage point defeat at the hands of Republican Ben Quayle.

A quick glance around the swanky room at the Hotel Valley Ho didn’t immediately reveal Hulburd, so I convinced Abner to talk. He informed me he was breaking his “I don’t talk on record after having a drink rule.” I told him that I was breaking my “I don’t settle for spokespeople rule,” so we came to a truce and proceeded.

Abner ultimately chalked Hulburd’s defeat to the “Republican wave which crested in Arizona tonight.”

“We felt there were some issues related to this campaign we could control,” Abner said. “And there were some macro issues we couldn’t.”

Although the race for Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District featured negative campaigning from both sides, Abner said Hulburd wouldn’t have changed it. “His goal was to run a race with no regrets, and he accomplished that,” Abner said.

As Abner finished his answer, Hulburd, seeming to appear from thin air, patted my shoulder from behind and said “rough night, rough night.”

He posed for a photo with a man from the “Republicans for Hulburd” contingent. My reporter instincts made me follow him.

I found him out on the patio, enjoying a drink in a martini glass like anyone hanging out at the Valley Ho should.

I heard Hulburd say to a party-goer, “You should have heard my win speech. It was funny.”