PHOENIX, AZ -- U.S. Senator John McCain’s re-election campaign today continues its series of daily “Who Is Rodney Glassman?” fact checks outlining for voters the Democratic Senate candidate’s out-of-the mainstream liberal views.
Today’s issue: Glassman’s close embrace of Congressman Raul Grijalva, the architect of the boycott against Arizona.
No one has done more to further the young political career of Rodney Glassman than Raul Grijalva, who first hired Glassman on his Congressional staff and for whom Glassman worked for nearly three years. Grijalva was a key early endorser of Glassman’s Senate campaign this year, and the candidate frequently brags about his time working for Grijalva as among his main qualifications for service in the United States Senate.
More importantly, Glassman has specifically stated he would model his Senate service after that of Grijalva’s, saying, “That’s the kind of U.S. Senator that I’m going to be in Washington.”
Grijalva, of course, is most famous for being among the first advocates of a boycott against Arizona in response to SB 1070. He may have the shameful distinction of being the first Member of Congress to call for an economic boycott -- and the lost jobs and wages that come with it -- of his own state.
That Rodney Glassman would want to pattern his Senate service after the leading advocate of economic war against the state he hopes to represent is troubling, to say the least.
McCain 2010 Communications Director Brian Rogers issued the following statement calling on Glassman to renounce Congressman Grijalva’s support:
"Rodney Glassman says if he is elected to the Senate, he'll model his service on that of Congressman Raul Grijalva -- the same man who championed a nationwide boycott of Arizona. You judge a man by the company he keeps and the role-models he has, so it's clear why Arizonans will judge Rodney Glassman unfit for service in the United States Senate. Arizona's representatives should build up our state, not encourage the rest of the nation to tear her down.
"Rodney's tight embrace of Grijalva is a dog whistle to far-left liberal interest groups who despise Arizona enough to try and inflict real economic harm on each and every one of our citizens. By wrapping himself in the mantle of the founder of the Arizona boycott, Rodney is also showing us whose side he's on: Unequivocally for his own advancement, even if that means being against the people of
Arizona.
"If Rodney Glassman is truly committed to serving the people of Arizona, he should immediately renounce Raul Grijalva's support." -- McCain 2010 Communications Director Brian Rogers
FACT CHECK: RODNEY GLASSMAN SAYS HE’LL PATTERN SENATE SERVICE AFTER ARIZONA BOYCOTT LEADER GRIJALVA, HIS GREATEST “POLITICAL INFLUENCE”
Glassman Said He Would Model His Senate Service On Grijalva’s Congressional Career, Described Him As His Mentor
Glassman On Grijalva: “That’s The Kind of U.S. Senator That I’m Going To Be In Washington.” “Being progressive to me means having spent four years working for Congressman Raul Grijalva back in Washington D.C. and here in Arizona, learning from someone who is an advocate for health care, an advocate for bringing our young men and women home, and that’s the kind of U.S. Senator that I’m going to be in Washington.” (Rodney Glassman Interview, Rachel Maddow Show Blog, 8/25/10)
Watch Glassman Say He’ll Model His Senate Service On Grijalva’s
Glassman Named Grijalva His Greatest “Political Influence” In The 2010 Arizona Capitol Times Primary Election Guide. “Political Influence: Congressman Raul Grijalva.” (“2010 Primary Election Guide,” Arizona Capitol Times, p. 25)
Glassman Press Release In March Announced Grijalva’s Endorsement Of His Candidacy For U.S. Senate. (Glassman For Senate, www.rodneyglassman.com, 3/9/10)
Glassman Lists Grijalva Among His Endorsements On His Campaign Website
Grijalva Is The Architect Of Boycott Against Arizona
In April 2010, Grijalva Called For Businesses Nationwide To Boycott Arizona In Response To SB 1070. “The surprising call for a boycott of Arizona came Tuesday from Representative Raul Grijalva, who represents southern Arizona in the United States Congress. He had some advice to businesses: ‘Refrain from using Arizona as a convention sight spending their dollars in Arizona until Arizona turns the clock forward instead of backwards.’” (Alicia E. Barron, “Grijalva Calls For Boycott Of Arizona Over Proposed Immigration Bill,” Fox 11 News, 4/21/10)
The Arizona Republic:“Across the country, politicians have taken up Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva's suggestion and jumped on the boycott bandwagon in response to Senate Bill 1070.” (Laurie Roberts, Op-Ed, “Profit beats principle in SB 1070 boycotts,” The Arizona Republic, 6/23/10)
Watch Grijalva Call For Boycott Of Arizona
Glassman’s Deep Ties To Grijalva Date Back To First Congressional Run
During Raul Grijalva’s First Congressional Campaign, Rodney Glassman Introduced Grijalva To His Father, Robert Glassman, Who Is A Wealthy California Grower. “Raul Grijalva lists among dues paid the United Farm Workers march in Tolleson 30 years ago after the state outlawed strikes and boycotts by farmworkers. But on his march for Congress he has twice sat down with one of California's top growers. Grijalva met with Robert Glassman, feeling out the Fresno farming giant for support and money. Grijalva seeks to move up from the Board of Supervisors seat he held for 13 years to become the first representative from the new 7th Congressional District that includes Tucson, western Arizona, Tolleson and Avondale. The talks were initiated by Glassman's son, Rodney, a hyperactive graduate student who is vice president and general manager of the Gateway Ice Center while working toward a second master's degree from the Eller School of Business at the University of Arizona.” (Chris Limberis, “Breaking Bread,” Tucson Weekly, 4/18/02)
During Grijalva’s Meetings With Robert Glassman, The Two Talked About Potential Opportunities For Rodney In Grijalva’s Office If He Won The Seat.
“Rodney Glassman, who now cuts short interviews, saying he must focus on getting his master's in public administration next month, also took steps to gain the appointment to replace Grijalva on the Board of Supervisors in February. Rodney Glassman, 23, temporarily changed his voter registration from the foothills to a UA-area rental in Pima County District 5 in hopes of capping off a whirlwind of business, charitable and community work with a political appointment. In the end, the job went to Richard Elias. … Rodney Glassman and others close to him said conversations with Grijalva have concerned the county post, which Elias will have to defend in special primary and general elections in September and November. They also talked of a role for the young Glassman in the Grijalva campaign or his district office should Grijalva maintain his perfect record of election victories. Rodney Glassman backed off from such speculation in a subsequent interview, saying all that was ‘premature.’” (Chris Limberis, “Breaking Bread,” Tucson Weekly, 4/18/02)
Glassman Worked In Grijalva’s Office From January 2003 To December 2006, Where He Worked On “Legislation Pertaining To The Business And Agricultural Community.”
“Work on legislation pertaining to the business and agricultural community in District. Serve as liaison for Congressman Grijalva to agriculture and business communities by organizing monthly round-tables and managing relationships.” (Glassman Foundation Website, www.glassmanfoundation.org, Accessed 8/24/10)
Glassman Brags About Serving On Grijalva’s Staff During This Campaign.
“My name’s Rodney Glassman. I’m the former vice mayor of the City of Tucson. I am a former legislative aide for Congressman Raul Grijalva, as well as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force JAG Reserve Corps and I hold a Ph.D. in Arid Land Resource Sciences and I’m asking for your vote on August 24th to become the Democrat to run against John McCain for United States Senate.” (Democratic Senate Debate, Phoenix, AZ, 7/27/10)
Archives: “Who Is Rodney Glassman?”
Part 1, 9/7/10: Glassman Opposes Border Fence, National Guard Troops, SB 1070
No comments:
Post a Comment