Tim Bee's Conflicted Campaign

Tedski hit the post button sooner on this one, as he frequently does (I admit to being a lazy blogger), but I think we've heard the same whispers regarding Tim's hired help. There is a deep irony in the fact that the consultants Tim has hired to handle his spin are the same ones that are working for Wake Up Arizona against the employer sanctions bill, of which Tim Bee was a primary sponsor, and for which he voted.

It's a good thing that the GOP power brokers cleared the primary field for Tim by sitting down all possible comers for a primary challenge earlier this year at an exclusive GOP pow-wow, and telling them to get the hell out of the way because they wouldn't be getting any money if they stood in the way of the Bee. I don't know if that will actually stop Pullen's army of anti-immigrant Huns from fielding their own candidate if Bee proves too moderate in his rhetoric, however. Certainly, with
as Bee's spin doctor, as well as spokesman for Wake Up Arizona, it seems unlikely that Bee will be able to satisfy the red meat cravings of the base on the immigration issue.

Bee is likely to provide for some comic relief in the coming months as he tries to straddle the warring camps of the GOP: the business community who are providing his financial chops and open-field blocking who hate employer sanctions, and the hoi poloi who love employer sanctions and who will be a important part of his primary electorate and volunteer base. A great window into that conflict is the pissing match between Nathan Sproul and Randy Pullen over employer sanctions, which is well illustrated by a recent memo by Nathan Sproul to GOP legislators.

Bee's record seems to indicate that his inclination is to support employer sanctions, but the GOP's anti-immigration posse has backed the business component of it's coalition into a corner with employer sanctions, and they are fighting back. Tim many be forced to decisively choose sides. Watching how Bee threads that needle to keep his campaign on course will be an interesting spectator sport for political junkies here in Arizona.

Also problematic for Bee is the broader issue of political corruption and dirty tricks. The GOP already has an image problem among voters, with Congressmen and White House Aides going to jail (or getting commuted) and every news cycle seeming to turn up a fresh scandal, so I would think that Bee would want to act like Caesar's wife to nullify any such issues for his campaign. But Bee chose, or possibly was directed to chose, Nathan Sproul's shop to advise his campaign. Not only was Sporul's boy Friday, Garrick Taylor, behind the risible attempt to smear Napolitano's campaign for petty theft, but the firm's principal, Nathan Sproul, is synonymous with political sleaze. His shop was behind the alt-fuels scandal and has its dirty little fingers in every mud pie made here in Arizona. He's Arizona's rat-fucking offspring of Karl Rove. And this is who Bee hires to help his campaign off the ground? This association alone should prevent any Democrat from considering a vote for Bee, and give any Independents or Republicans concerned about the state of American politics serious pause.

Comments

[x4mr]

Great remarks, Michael, as always.

I posted a question to Bee on immigration months ago at:

http://x4mr.blogspot.com/2007/05/whats-it-going-to-be-senator-bee.html

addressing this very dilemma but of course without the added insight regarding Sproule's involvement in his campaign while supporting Wake Up AZ. Bee supports the bill but hires Nathan? Uhhh.

Yes, this will be interesting to watch. Don't know how you get them and don't care, but love the links, especially to Sproule's memo.

[Francine Shacter]

Great background, Michael! I just hit the links - and all was revealed. It's not for me to tell Republicans whom to pick for their candidate - but from what I read, we'll be in good shape with a Republican already saddled with a "Dirty Tricks" staff! So, let's see, he can't get into the race until late, or he'll have to give up his Senate seat and he's supported by the Republican sleaze that the public is pretty fed up with. Hmmmmm!

[Will]

ummm... Sproul -- love him or hate him is a poltical consultant. I don't think that even the more closely alligned politico's can agree 100% of the time. Some of us love Obama and some of love Hilary- and we all like Jnap. Most consultants work for numerous clients, otherwise- why have a firm? Also, many firms bring in different talent to diversify. Some work for both Democrats and (gasp!) Republicans. I personally like the fact that Sproul's not tied into the crazy crowd.

[Will]

Just another quick point of clarification. How could of his shop possibly been behind Alt Fuels? Last I checked- he's had his consulting firm open a couple of years. Do you have any proof that he was behind Alt Fuels? (Wasn't that Groscost)? Did he purchase a alt-fuels vehicle? jeez.... We get the fact that you don't like him...