Not only does Senator Kyl think that wealthy deserve tax breaks at the expense of the unemployed, he (along with Senator MCain and other Republicans) also appears to believe that banks do not need more oversight) in the financial sector meltdown:

The U.S. Senate voted 60 to 39 today to pass bank reform legislation that includes tougher rules on credit card companies and lenders, more rules on shareholder votes and executive pay for public companies.

That would mean additional shareholder votes on executive pay and CEOs would be required to pay back bonuses if corporate earnings are restated and impact previous bonus awards.

Democrats and the Obama administration backed the rules saying they will strengthen consumer and investor protections while Republicans and business groups tended to oppose the bill saying more regulations with further stifle lending.

Arizona’s two Republican senators – Jon Kyl and John McCain — voted against the bill.

The now measure moves to the White House for Obama’s signature.


The quote of the week belongs to Buz Mills, on bowing out of his gubernatorial campaign:

“Some days you’re better to be lucky than smart,” Mills said. “It’s tough to compete with the Greta and Jan show every night on national television.”


Arizonans continue to garner attention in the national press. This time its Gabrielle Giffords and her struggle to maintain her congressional seat in this fall’s elections:

PH2010031501367Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is the latest Democratic incumbent to trail in a GOP-sponsored poll.

A Tarrance Group poll obtained by The Fix and conducted for the campaign of former Arizona state Sen. Jonathan Paton shows Paton leading Giffords 45 percent to 44 percent in her battleground southeastern Arizona 8th district. The poll was conducted among 300 likely voters between July 6-7.

The numbers in the poll show the district is ripe for the picking. President Barack Obama’s disapproval is at 56 percent, and 55 percent of voters say it’s time to look at electing a new member of Congress. (Home state Sen. John McCain won the district by six points in 2008.)

Giffords is seen as a member of Congress with a bright future — she’s often mentioned as a potential challenger to GOP Sen. Jon Kyl in 2012. But in a tough year for Democrats nationally, Giffords has supported the economic stimulus legislation, cap and trade bill, the energy bill and the health care bill – votes which could be used to tie her to the Democratic leadership in Washington.


But all hope is not lost for Giffords:

One factor that works in Giffords' favor is her fundraising prowess. She announced Wednesday that she raised nearly $600,000 in the second quarter and has more than $2.2 million on hand – one of the biggest campaign funds of a vulnerable Democrat.

And, Paton must still survive a Aug. 24 primary from Iraq war veteran Jesse Kelly before he can even begin the race against Giffords.