Harry Mitchell

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Arizona Republicans say U.S. Sen. John McCain’s presence at the top of the ticket will benefit down ballot GOP candidates in the state.

The only debate among those gathered here for the Republican National Convention is just how much McCain will help.

Speaking before the state’s delegation breakfast meeting, U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix) said, “Even if John McCain wins by a safe 10 points, he could be a three-point difference for some of our congressional candidates and others. That’s what the experts say John McCain could be for our down ballot candidates.”

But Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen is even more optimistic about the McCain effect.

DENVER -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) is not worried about the outcome of the Republican primary in the 5th Congressional District, which will lead to the selection of his  opponent in the general election.

"It makes no difference," said Mitchell, when asked if he had a preferred candidate to face after the Sept. 2 primary. "We've always run tough races. This is my 17th election. We always run against Republicans in Republican districts. This is no different, we're ready for any of them."

DENVER -- U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell is attending two conventions Tuesday - 900 miles from each other. Mitchell started off the day at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, to which he is a superdelegate, but will fly to Phoenix to address the American Legion National Convention in Phoenix later in the day, before returning to Denver for the remainder of the DNC.

Mitchell will be appearing with U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) to discuss the impact of the so-called Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, the update of the Montgomery G.I. Bill that was introduced by Mitchell in the House and Webb in the Senate.

The event is meant as a "discussion," said Mitchell, intended to inform American Legion members of the benefits to which they might be entitled under the legislation. Mitchell said the Legion was heavily involved in the development of the bill. 

DNC Chair Howard DeanDENVER -- The Arizona Democratic Party received high praise from Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who addressed Arizona's Democratic National Convention delegates Monday. He also discussed strategy, saying the party was going to compete for rural votes and imploring Arizona Democrats to "develop relationships" with voters instead of simply pushing candidates.

Dean spoke glowingly of how the Arizona Democratic Party had flourished under former chairman Jim Pederson, calling the job he did "incredible."

"The state parties were in bad shape," recalled Dean of his impression when he took over leadership of the Democratic Party, "but there were three that were in really good shape, and one was Arizona, thanks to Pederson."

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) announced the formation of the group Veterans for Giffords Wednesday to bolster her support among that key demographic in the 8th Congressional District. Gen. John A. Wickham (ret.), who served as Army Chief of Staff to Pres. Reagan, will co-chair the organization.

The Giffords campaign estimates that around 90,000 veterans reside in the 8th district, the most of any of Arizona's congressional districts. Veterans' issues have topped the Democratic congressional agenda during this session, and Giffords is trying to capitalize on their successes.

"The reasons for re-electing Giffords... can be found in her solid record of accomplishment," said the release announcing the inception of Veterans for Giffords. It went on to list key bills, including the Wounded Warriors Act and the updated G.I. Bill, introduced by Giffords's fellow Democratic freshman, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe).

TEMPE -- 5th Congressional District Republican candidate Jim Ogsbury used the 30-foot statue of U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) near the ASU campus as the backdrop for an attack against the freshman representative, who he hopes to have the opportunity to unseat, on the topic of energy legislation. 

"This statue has done more to lower gas prices" than Mitchell, said Ogsbury, who spoke before a small gathering of press and supporters.

"In 2006, while running for Congress, Harry Mitchell pledged to do something about the price of gas," said Ogsbury. "But since Harry Mitchell went to Congress, the price of gas has increased 68 percent. And what has Harry Mitchell

The AZ-1 Democratic primary is turning out to be a contest of Ann Kirkpatrick, her war chest, DCCC support and establishment endorsements from the likes of Gov. Janet Napolitano, Congressman Harry Mitchell and Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords vs. Howard Shanker and his Indian reservation support.

SCOTTSDALE -- Jim Ogsbury knows how to walk neighborhoods. He doesn’t mess with marker caps anymore – “I got sick of fumbling with them,” he explains – now he’s got a retractable one to mark off houses on his walk sheet. He also uses it to knock on doors, joking he “must have permanent tissue damage in my knuckles” from all the doors he’s knocked. By his count, that’s now about 16,000.

Today he is taking his quest for the Republican nomination in the 5th Congressional District to a quiet Scottsdale street, rich in what Ogsbury terms “loyal Republican voters.” He plans to spend the afternoon, from 1:30 until dark, introducing himself to residents of house after house, chatting with the voters inside and putting campaign literature into their hands personally.

Ann Kirkpatrick has picked up another endorsement in her AZ-1 Democratic Primary campaign to succeed Rick Renzi.  Kirkpatrick’s campaign is confirming they have received the endorsement of Congressman Harry Mitchell to go along with Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords and Governor Janet Napolitano.  Kirkpatrick faces Mary Kim Titla and Howard Shanker in the September primary.  Shanker has received the endorsement of Congressman Raul Grijalva.    

Congressional candidate Susan Bitter Smith: Campaign photo5th Congressional District Republican candidate Susan Bitter Smith continues to blast away at her would-be rival, U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) over his performance in Congress on energy issues, and his association with other Democrats.

The Bitter Smith campaign issued an attack against Mitchell Monday, claiming Mitchell supports a "failed policy" to curb high fuel prices.

"A few short days after Democrats like liberal Harry Mitchell passed on a key opportunity to help forge an American energy policy that would lower gas prices," read a release from the Bitter Smith campaign, "Arizona Democrats invited one of the architects of this failed policy to our state. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill, a classic Chicago pol and the Democratic Caucus Chair made an appearance in the Valley this weekend to raise money from Arizonan’s [sic] while perpetuating what Mitchell called 'one of the most costly hidden taxes on the American people,' just two years ago."