An Astonishing Abuse of Process...

If there is anyone out there who questions my assertion that Andrew Thomas is unfit to serve as Attorney General, take a look at the astonishing abuse of the Grand Jury process that was unsealed yesterday.

With such flagrant and well documented ethical violations, I don't see how Thomas could possibly still be a licensed attorney this time next year. 

Meanwhile, people often ask me about Tom Horne.  Sure, I understand the concern.   Horne was pretty moderate during his legislative tenure.   If you have been reading espresso pundit for more than a few minutes, you will know that I'm not very patient with moderate Republicans.

But Horne's not running for Congress, he's running for Attorney General, so I have a different set of criteria.  I'm not concerned about his view on abortion or the Commerce Clause.  I want to know if he is a good lawyer and if he will defend and enforce the laws of this state.

I've worked with Horne for the several years in his capacity as Superintendent and he's done a great job.  He defended the state in the Flores case.  And he's done a great job getting rid of the outrageous "Raza" programs at TUSD.  Horne also supported charter schools and has been with us on educational choice issues. 

He may be pro-choice, but he supported parental consent as well as the ban on partial birth abortion--and he has pledged to defend the laws that the legislature passes. 

So I can say that from a Conservative perspective, I'm not simply voting against Thomas.  I'm very comfortable voting for Tom Horne. 

And if Horne doesn't win the Primary...?  Ok, then I'll simply be voting against Thomas.

Comments

[Matt]

I like Tom Horne. I think he has done a good job as School Superintendent and I will vote for him in the Primary. Getting rid of the "Raza" programs at TUSD was an act of courage and well done.

I agree with you that Andy Thomas is not fit to be Attorney General.

[Blu]

One thing is very clear: No one among the elites or the political class in Arizona wants Thomas as Attorney General. That's precisely why he should be.

[Don't want Thomas to know my name]

Thomas is a power hungry, totalitarian fool. A wise man told me to chose my battles carefully. He obviously never spoke to Thomas who will continue to spend taxpayer dollars chasing those who do not agree with him.

I'll vote for ANYONE but Thomas. I already voted Horne and if Thomas wins that primary, I'll vote Demorat.

[I'm with David]

David Lujan called on Andy Thomas to drop out.

http://www.davidlujan.com/newlaunch/pressreleases.htm#011200

[RonJ]

Rick Romley seemed way too happy releasing this information. His claim that he will bring order back to the County Attorney's office is specious. Do you wonder why the Dems have not put up a candidate for this office? Simple answer: They've got Romley. Republicans need to vote for Bill Montgomery for County Attorney, regardless of what you think about Thomas.

[onehorsetown]

Greg, I ask you to please examine your conscience. You state that you don't care about Horne's stance on abortion. Consider this (as a citizen and as an attorney):

“The United States of America was founded on the conviction that an inalienable right to life was a self-evident moral truth, fidelity to which was a primary criterion of social justice. The moral history of your country is the story of your people’s efforts to widen the circle of inclusion in society, so that all Americans might enjoy the protection of law, participate in the responsibilities of citizenship, and have the opportunity to make a contribution to the common good. Whenever a certain category of people—the unborn or the sick and old—are excluded from that protection, a deadly anarchy subverts the original understanding of justice. The credibility of the United States will depend more and more on its promotion of a genuine culture of life, and on a renewed commitment to building a world in which the weakest and most vulnerable are welcomed and protected."
Pope John Paul II, in an address to Lindy Boggs (Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See), Dec. 16, 1997.

I would like to send you a bumper sticker which has the precious face of an infant, smiling. The words read "SMILE, YOUR MOM CHOSE LIFE." To what address may I send this?

[Cary]

onehorsetown:

Horne is running for AG. The last I checked, that office enforces laws. It doesn't make them.

Failed ham handed attempt to turn the AG's race into a pro-life issue.

[BobH]

Thomas has used the County Attorney's office to pursue his personal vendettas. God help Arizona if he gets the increased power of the AG's office.

[onehorsetown]

To Csry: You said: "The last time I checked, that office enforces laws. It doesn't make them. . ."

As someone who worked there, I have seen little evidence that the AG has been enforcing the law to any degree. The AG's office has a large Civil Rights section.
Is that civil rights for all, or for select groups?

You accuse me of trying to turn the AG race into a pro-life issue. In fact, I am concerned about the character of the person I vote for. Tom Horne better practice his running skills, because the only thing that the Criminal Divison does anymore is plan their yearly running trip to Nevada. The people of AZ are NOT being adequately protected by the AZ Attorney General's Office.

[Concernicus]

Horne is no Goddard. That's for sure.

[RonJ]

The last three AGs (Grant Woods, Nappy, and Goddard) did little real work. They used their office to further their political careers and agendas instead of what they were supposed to do; namely, defend Arizona, its laws, and its citizens. They cherry-picked what issues to support: Nappy was pro-ELL and did a horrific job of defending the state in Flores v. Arizona and that knothead Tim Hogan; Goddard actually testified on behalf of the plaintiff in Flores, and went after Republicans with a vengeance (where's the outcry, Mr. Romley!?); and Woods, well, he was more interested in being in the media and attacking property owners' rights. Horne or Thomas will be better than what we've had to put up with for the past 20 years.

[Cary]

onehorsetown:

I agree that, under Thomas, the people were not represented well at all. Evidence of this is his petty bullying tactics and failed witch hunts that even the Grand Jury, with whom you can get an indictment against a ham sandwich, refused to move forward.

By your own original post, you DID turn this into a pro-life issue. Also, since when did the Civil Rights Division MAKE law? Since when did the Criminal Division MAKE law? They ENFORCE law.

You're still trying to make this into a pro-life issue with Horne. For someone that's elected to ENFORCE and not MAKE law, your summation flies in the face of logic.

[onehorsetown]

Cary: Waaayyy Too Sensitive. Just vote for Horne. They enforce the law? Really? Oh, maybe you're referring to sending the agents in the criminal division out with underage volunteers who try to purchase booze and cigs from local convenience stores. Or maybe it's the sweeps at the local Park & Swap to see who's selling knock-off designer purses?
Or the best one yet: Goddard giving one speech after another about "guarding your identity". Napolitano effectively castrated the AG's Office. Perhaps we should ask all candidates to drop their drawers to see who has the anatomy to do the job.

[Bill]

OneHorseTown -- having the Pope interpret our constitution for us on life issues is like having the president of Mexico tell us what our immigration laws should be -- interesting but not terribly persuasive. As Americans we can figure this stuff out on our own and don't need foreign potentates, wether from the Vatican or Mexico City, telling us how to run our country.

[RRJenn]

Considering that we are under invasion from the south, why argue about anything but what the candidate will do to further move illegal aliens out of Arizona and stop the flow of illegal aliens and drugs from crossing the border into Arizona. Other issues seem trivial compared to this reconquista of the southwest of America and more. I voted for who ever Sheriff Arpiao recommended.

[Arizona Ranger]

Here is some REAL insider information about the much talked about efforts of Mr. Horne. When he found out that the Legislators were working on a bill to defund the "La Raza" program (or "How to train home grown terrorists"), he immediately came out (of the closet?) to try to shut down the program. He did NOT initiate this action, but rather rode its coatails to the finish!
Just keep in mind that he strongly recommended to Gov. Brewer that she NOT sign SB 1070. Folks.... he is a strong supporter of AMNESTY and will continue to be that way IF we allow him to become our AG.
Andy Thomas, who I know personally, is NOT politically ambitious or suffering from an inferiority complex. On the other hand, he IS an HONEST, ETHICAL, and DEDICATED person who has a real desire to correct the legal problems we have today.
And do you believe that Tome Horne will work with Sheriff Arpaio? I KNOW he won't and that you can take to the bank! We need an AG that WILL work with Sheriff Joe and help to stop the illegal invasion (we should stop calling it an immigration), human smuggling, arms smuggling, and "contracts" on our law enforcement officers. This is the time for ANDY THOMAS!!

[Ann]

There are obviously some who would still vote for Crazy Andy if he admitted to being the Boston Strangler, The Zodiac Killer, and The Baseline Rapist...IF he promised to ride the Immigration Express with Joe.

The man is corrupt and borders on sociopathic. He does not see his bad acts as wrong but necessary and absolved because of his good intentions and the overriding need.

All those that will allow the end to justify the means, ignore his evil and illegal ways, have no more respect for the law than those that enter our country illegally.

[Blu]

Patterson has taken a major step by saying he's "comfortable voting for Horne" but we can all wonder whether it was a step in the right direction.

I guess I liked Greg better before he became a lawyer.

[Doug Nick]

Dear Arizona Ranger:

I posted with my real name so that you can potshot me if you desire. I am writing this from home on a Saturday, so I can say what I want.

In the interest of full disclosure, I work for Horne, so I know what I'm talking about here. I'm posting because when someone like you comments on a blog with purely fictionalized accounts of something I know intimately, I must speak out.

Your "facts" about Horne and Raza studies are barnyard excrement. Horne's deputy Margaret Dugan was informed several years ago about the radicalized curriculum in Raza studies at TUSD. She was given information by current and former TUSD teachers who were appalled at the curriculum. Dugan immediately told Horne about the problem and he started work on legislation to crack down. Sponsors were tabbed and bills were prepared, but Napolitano would never sign such a bill. Finally, the bill was passed this year because there was no threat of a Napolitano veto.

Your claim that Horne tried to tell Jan Brewer not to sign SB 1070 is also slippery barnyard excrement. It simply has no basis in fact. Once Tom read the bill, he was satisfied with its constitutionality and he has enthusiastically supported it.

[onehorsetown]

Doug Nick: Can you say that Mr. Horne will actually do some real law enforcement (and I am not talking about cases that have been referred by outside agencies--like DPS--for prosecution? Because, since the time of Janet, the Criminal Division has been neutered. That whole place needs a good house-cleaning. The citizens of AZ do not deserve a Chief Counsel or Chief Agent in the Criminal Division who got the position because of political favors. Where are the pro-active cases? Where is the grant money going? (Hint: Medicaid). The citizens deserve better than recycled, retired PHX cops who have either have no experience doing investigative work or are just working to get another paycheck on top of their retirement. Look at how many agents have NO REAL EXPERIENCE AS A DETECTIVE IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT. How about the dozens and dozens and dozens of civil attorneys hired by Janet to work on programs "for the children." Can you tell me that Mr. Horne will do things differently. Because I CAN tell you that the people of AZ are not being adequately served by the Atty Gen's Office.

[Doug Nick]

He will be a law enforcement official first and foremost. He's not interested in anything but expert defense of the state and its laws.

A perfect example of this would be his pursuit of the Horne v. Flores ELL case. Goddard and Napolitano actually took the side AGAINST the state of Arizona. Horne took this case through federal court, the Ninth Circuit and ultimately the US Supreme court, where he won. This saved the taxpayers about $300 million in fines that a politically-motivated judge attempted to impose on Arizona. It was a great victory for states (10th Amendment) rights and exemplifies the kind of lawyer Horne is.

[jack london]

It appears that the 'La Raza' issue had been going on for some time before Horne stopped it. Why did that take so long?

[RonJ]

Hey, Jack London: It took so long to begin to clear out the La Raza mess in Tucson because of Napolitano, Goddard, and the rest of the Dems who don't see it as a problem. In fact, they encourge it. Horne did the right thing. As far as Flores, Horne is not the only person responsible. He did a good job and the right thing, but big kudos also need to go to Speaker Jim Weiers and Speaker Kirk Adams.

[onehorsetown]

Check out what Sonoran Alliance has to say today about Horne.