Final campaign spending reports from the 2010 election season revealed desperation by ultimately unsuccessful candidates who loaned their campaigns large amounts of money, as well as aggressive spending by winning candidates who likely didn’t need it.

Several well-known Republicans from southern Arizona have thrown their political weight behind U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat who is facing a challenge from Republican newcomer Jesse Kelly in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.

After years of watching Gabrielle Giffords, Ann Kirkpatrick and Harry Mitchell stick out like blue nails on a very red board, Republicans are ready to swing their hammers again.