Tucson Progressive

Pamela Powers, a progressive voice for Arizona

Will the real Ruth McClung please stand up?

My 2 recent stories about Raytheon “rocket scientist”, war machine wonk, and Republican Congressional candidate Ruth McClung and her debate with CD7 Congressman Raul Grijalva, Libertarian George Keane, and Independent Harley Meyer have created quite a buzz in the last 24 hours– particularly amongst defensive right-wingers.

Several took issue with the fact that I tied her to the Republican Party Machine– even though her answers to the Center for American Policy survey are in lock step with the Republican Party’s Pledge to America. They also took issue with the fact that the ultra-conservative Republican Majority Campaign is raising funds for her– or was until sometime after I posted my story last night. Now– less than 24 hours later– the page that I linked to has been pulled. You can see the blatantly racist comments that group wrote about Grijalva (on her behalf) embedded in my story because I quoted them.  (Now that their racism has been revealed, and they have backed into the shadows, I’m sorry I didn’t quote the whole story last night!) Most recently, the Americans for Tax Reform (a Grover Norquist small guv’ment group) has spent $230,000 on an attack ad against Grijalva. Seriously, folks, how much closer to the Republican Party Machine can McClung get?

Personally, I think that having Grover Norquist and a racist group raise funds for McClung is right in line with her campaign. McClung has distributed print materials make fun of Grijalva’s face. Her campaign defended the blatantly personal insult. I think it is degrading. If Grijalva had distributed a print ad with a photo emphasizing certain aspects of McClung’s “womanhood”, he would have been crucified by her campaign and the media. Why is this OK for her to personally degrade his appearance?

Will the real Ruth McClung please stand up? A “rocket scientist” should be smart enough not to use personal degradation as a campaign tactic. McClung owes Grijalva a formal apology.

P.S. Here’s her bio on Project Vote Smart— pretty thin on details or experience– sorry, more facts.

61 comments on “Will the real Ruth McClung please stand up?

  1. jon doe
    October 14, 2010

    Now I know why this paper is no longer in print.

    Like

    • Pamela
      October 14, 2010

      Too many facts for you?

      Like

      • RH
        October 18, 2010

        It is so humorous when one see’s a obvious republican operative at worst at least a voting republican hating this publication on line whining its still around in any format and they come here 24/7 posting! I am reminded of a idea that came about in 1970’s called Nifty Nickel, a free paper which made its money via advertisers, the traditional papers mocked them swore they would fail, low and behold they are still around 40 years later and have branched out nation wide under variety of names and products, the paper publications will not disappear but electronic media is the wave of future some just love to whine, cry!:-)

        Like

    • juan roman
      October 24, 2010

      WARNING THIS IS PROPAGANDA YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE REMOVED IF YOUR NOT A GRIJALVA WHORE

      Like

      • Pamela Powers
        October 24, 2010

        Maybe I should have left those other 2 comments with unnecessarily offensive language up for everyone to see? I guess it would have made it easier for the FBI to find you.  Nice touch using different user names, but I can see who you are by your e-mail address. 🙂

        Like

  2. Open Minded Independent
    October 14, 2010

    People like you are not part of the solution.  It’s best to stay out of the way and keep your bile to yourself.
    To anyone happening across this article, concentrate on the issues and ignore disgusting “hit jobs” like this, from both the left and the right.  There’s too much at stake right now to entertain these charades.

    Like

    • Pamela
      October 15, 2010

      I’m doing a “hit job” when I state the facts about a candidate? Here are the facts:
       
      1) National right wing groups are raising money for her.
      2) She supports the national Republican Party ideas 100%.
      3) She is distributing an inappropriate print ad that makes fun of her opponent’s appearance. (If the tables were turned on #3 you guys would we all over it. Am I right?)
       

      Like

      • juan roman
        October 24, 2010

        ALL LIES AND HE IS A TRUE RACIST

        Like

        • Pamela Powers
          October 25, 2010

          It’s interesting, Juan, that your posts never include any facts or real debate– just inflammatory, unsubstantiated claims, insults, and hyperbole. (Oops, sorry about all of those multi-syllabic terms. 🙂 Have a nice day.)

          Like

  3. Don
    October 14, 2010

    Karl Rove—is that you? 

    If you’re going to parody the left like this, don’t go overboard.  If you sound too wacky, people will realize you’re putting them on.

    For example, all those charges about racism.  Everyone knows the liberals have maxed the race card out.  You need something fresh.

    Like

    • tiponeill
      October 14, 2010

      Everyone knows the liberals have maxed the race card out.
      Naww – everyone knows that “race card” is just Repub code for ” how dare you mention it” 🙂

      Like

      • Don
        October 15, 2010

        everyone knows that “race card” is just Repub code for “how dare you mention it.”

        The GOP has the following African-American candidates for office this year:

        – Allen West, for Congress in Florida
        – Tim Scott, for Congress in South Carolina
        – Ryan Frazier, for Congress in Colorado
        – Jennifer Carrol, for Lieutenant Governor in Florida

        I suppose they’re all “Oreos?” 

        Like

        • leftfield
          October 15, 2010

          Reminds me of the last Tea Party meeting in Presidio Park.  They made a big deal of trotting out a black man as the headline speaker.  Not surprisingly, he was the only black person I saw in attendance that day. 

          Sure Don, there are people who are Republicans and also members of traditionally oppressed minority groups at the same time.  The question that puzzles me is not why some members of any diverse group might become Republicans, but why so many people are members of a party that clearly does not represent their interests.  Anybody that might be classified as traditional working class is not having their interests represented by the Republican party.

          Like

        • RH
          October 18, 2010

          As a old southern fellow, with two uncles one deceased one still living both die hard republicans both Klu Klux Klansmen, remember when they used to be democrats back in the 1960’s they got angry with many over the segregation issue and ending of their political monoply on keeping the black & poor white trash vote down via literacy tests, poll taxes often called them Jim Crow laws, one see’s token dark faces in GOP line up, but in the old plantation days the masta had his field hands and his house servants and even a few bed winches to boot!:-) Dixiecrat’s ran to the GOP in droves, today instead of getting angry and leaving they are evicting their adopted moderate republican parents with gusto! Cannot say it could not happen to a more deserving bunch!;-)

          Like

    • leftfield
      October 14, 2010

      Everyone knows the liberals have maxed the race card out.  You need something fresh.

      The more you mention it, the more it seems like a good idea, Don.  Maybe you should pass on the advice to Tom Horne though.  The reverse racism card is what’s really stale.

      Like

    • Pamela
      October 14, 2010

      So, it would be OK for Grijalva to make fun of McClung’s “womanhood” the way her campaign has degraded him?
       
      This is not a parody. Her ads show her immaturity and lack of judgment. She is not capable of leadership. If the tables were turned, all you guys would be up in arms. Am I wrong?

      Like

      • Don
        October 15, 2010

        Pamela, when you say McClung’s ads “show her immaturity and lack of judgement”… I’ve no faith that you’re willing to make any fair, objective assessment of what Republicans and conservatives are doing in this election.

        This site is bias personified.  Don’t expect us on the right side of the blogosphere to pay it any heed. 

        Good luck in whipping up your base for November and trying to get some liberal talking points picked up by the media.  There’s nothing wrong in doing either of those things.

        Ah, election season.

        If you’re unhappy with the way Ruth is portraying Grijalva in his ads…well, perhaps Ruth took lessons from the Jon Corzine campaign for NJ Governor.  The GOP candidate, Chris Christie…is fat. Really fat.  So, the Corzine campaign took pains to show images of Christie looking as fat as possible in its ads.  (Unfortunately for Corzine, Don Imus picked up on it and made them look like fools).

        Please don’t think that any conservative is going to listen to you lecture us on ad quality and content. 

        If you liberals can’t take it, don’t dish it out.

        Like

        • Cruz
          October 15, 2010

          Don, you got it right brother – Vote For Ruth.

          Like

      • Cruz
        October 15, 2010

        And you’re capable of what? A journalist you’re not – maybe a leftist looking for a hand out.

        Like

        • Pamela Powers
          October 15, 2010

          I actually graduated cum laude in journalism, own my own home and business, and am not looking for a handout. Sorry that I don’t fit your stereotype of lefties. Have a nice day. 🙂

          Like

          • Cruz
            October 15, 2010

            I’m having a great day thank you, it’s great to hear that you have your own home, as do I, do you and your lefty friends go out back  and sing Kum Ba Yah.

            Like

          • Pamela
            October 15, 2010

            Oh, of course– around the fire ring.

            Like

        • RH
          October 18, 2010

          Its always humorous to read the myth all republicans are rich, all democrats are living off welfare & entitlment’s, guess the democrat wealthy folks like Pelosi/Kennedy’s/Kerry’s et al just blows that old myth out of the right wing snake oil water!:-) 2% in America are rich, which includes some right, middle of the road & left of the political spectrum, 98% of us are paper rich those in delusions of grandeur they are rich, middle class and poor, two pay, annuity, pension, dividend checks away from homelessness, does not matter if ones mortgage is upside down or right side up, don’t pay it and see that eviction notice on the front door, try and buy groceries/gas with ones delusions of wealth when that  income ceases!:-)

          Like

  4. Tom Crawford
    October 14, 2010

    Who’s the real racist?  Grijalva has been associated with La Raza (the Race) and other groups for years.  It seems whenever a Republican says anything against a Democrat in power, they are called racist.  That doesn’t make it true.  Ruth has many hispanics as well as other races supporting her partly because she is not a racist.

    Like

    • tiponeill
      October 14, 2010

      It seems whenever a Republican says anything against a Democrat in power, they are called racist.
      Naw – it’s when Repubs pass racist laws like SB1070 that they are called racist.
      If Dems did it, they would be called racist too, but in the last generation the Repubs have become the white people party and they are always the ones passing such laws.

      Like

    • leftfield
      October 14, 2010

      …we conservatives value all races equally.

      This is rich.  Yeah, so long as they know their place and the power stays in the right hands, we’re very tolerant people.

      Like

    • fraser007
      October 14, 2010

      I keep saying that. They call us rascists, knuckledraggers, nazis etc. La Raza=Das Volk. Same thing.

      Like

    • RH
      October 18, 2010

      Racist’s/Xenophobe’s always deny it!:-) I am reminded of a old saying one cannot make anyone a racist or Xenophobe that little trick is a self done job!:-) Another old saying is if the shoe don’t fit don’t wear it!:-) Kind’ve like the old good book says one can tell a false prophet via what comes out of their mouths so can one spot a racist or xenophobe!:-)

      Like

  5. JoeS
    October 14, 2010

    Grijalva n’ Co.  is running scared……

    Like

    • fraser007
      October 14, 2010

      And all of their minions writing in these blogsites.

      Like

  6. Black Sabbath
    October 14, 2010

    The simple fact is that when you support the disastrous policies of Liberalism, demand a boycott of the state you’re supposed to represent, and scream racism every time someone looks at you crossways, the voters are going to boot you to the curb. Ruth is fresh air in a stale environment of failed Liberal Progressive policies.

    Like

    • wasedaguy
      October 18, 2010

      Just to nitpick, but Liberalism actually implies being both socially and economically liberal, meaning favoring little government involvement in either social issues or economic ones (ever heard the term “Classical Liberalism?”).  As a Conservative I assume you mean to say the “disastrous policies of the Democratic party,” and by that you refer to American Liberal Progressivism, limited government involvement in the social sector by significant involvement in economic issues (you know, like most of Europe, Asia, and Canada, or to put it another way, the rest of the industrialized, civilized world).
       
      I suppose what I am driving at is know what you are talking about before you proclaim it in public.  I think we on the left would take the Tea Party more seriously if they actually cracked a book, formed an educated opinion, and read the constitution in CONTEXT (both 1780s and today) before hooting at a rally.  Just saying.

      Like

  7. Pamela
    October 14, 2010

    You all (except for leftfield) are afraid of the facts. McClung is backed by the Republican Party Machine. Deal with it. Look at the links. Read the Pledge to America. She is ready to “drink the Kool Aid” to get elected. So sorry that you are afraid to read the TRUTH.

    Like

    • fraser007
      October 14, 2010

      You mean Leftfield is the only left wing poster who would agree with you. Must be lonely in these blodsite.

      Like

      • fraser007
        October 14, 2010

        typo –blogsite.

        Like

    • Don
      October 15, 2010

      Pam, mind explaining to us why we’re supposed to presume that you have the “TRUTH!”

      Like

      • Don
        October 15, 2010

        P.S…thanks for embracing Leftfield.  You’re judged by the company you keep in life, and the people you choose as allies.  Google never forgets.

        Like

        • leftfield
          October 15, 2010

          Now you’re trying to kill her with kindness.  I appreciate the compliment, Don. 

          Like

  8. The Lou Show
    October 14, 2010

    I see the same old crowd, here, try to DEVALUE, or DISCREDIT the above article . . . so as to be able to make the observations less or non-important.
    But none of you have answered the QUESTIONS:
    1.  Is there any doubt that McClung is a Republican operative?
    2.  Why is it OK for McClung to personally degrade Grijalva’s appearance?
    1,  “If it looks like a Teapublican . . . and acts like a Teapublican  . . . ”
    2.  It is dishonorable to take the low road and resort to gut-level Ad-Hominum.
    The Lou Show

    Like

    • Don
      October 15, 2010

      I see the same old Lou here, shilling for liberal ideas.  We’re not answering your questions because it’s obvious you’re a liberal hack, and in our opinion your opinion means nothing.  

      Like

      • leftfield
        October 15, 2010

        But Don, neither you nor Mr. Kelley ever made any pretense about objectivity or neutrality on your sites.  I mean, putting pictures of Reagan and Buckley on your banner tells the reader right away where you’re coming from, just as calling your blog “Tucson Progressive” tells the reader what to expect.  So, if Ms Powers is a liberal hack, you’re her conservative hack counterpart.   

        Like

  9. fraser007
    October 14, 2010

    You must be getting worried about her. She is getting close.

    Like

    • Pamela
      October 15, 2010

      I’m exposing her for what she is– a Sarah Palin wannabe who works for the war machine and is good at fiery delivery of the Republican talking points.

      Like

  10. Harley Meyer
    October 14, 2010

    Hello Pam,

    How’s about an interview? You may contact me via e-mail.

    Harley Meyer
    Independent for US Congress
    7th Congresssional District

    Like

    • Pamela
      October 15, 2010

      Hey, Harley, I appreciated you comments in the debate. Did you see the overall debate story? I looked up the OPIC and linked it to that article. You had something intelligent and different to say!

      Like

  11. Bullcrap
    October 15, 2010

    Backed by the Republican Party Machine? You are crazy! Sure, groups are coming after Grijalva now, but Ruth ran a completely grassroots campaign on less than $100,000 to get where she is now, while Raul Grijalva ate all his money.

    Like

    • Don
      October 15, 2010

      Right now, I think the Dems’ idea is to throw anything on the wall and see what sticks.  It’s a time-honored political tactic, which (admittedly) all political sides have used, even before the days when America had just two major political parties.

      So, claiming Ruth McClung is from the “Republican Party Machine” doesn’t have to be accurate—it just has to work.

      Like

  12. Don
    October 15, 2010

    Isn’t Raul Grijalva from the Democratic Party Machine?  How did he win the Democratic nomination, for a Congressional seat that was drawn to favor a Democratic candidate?  Didn’t the Democratic Party support him?

    Like

    • Nancy
      October 18, 2010

      Nope.  He’s aligned with PDA and real grass roots organizations of little guys and gals.

      Like

  13. Hugh Holub
    October 15, 2010

    Pam

    Take a look at the Tenth Amendment Center
    http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/

    This is ne of the sources of all the anti-federal government stuff we’re seeing in various campaigns.

    Like

    • Pamela
      October 15, 2010

      Thanks for the link. I agree.
       
      My question is: if they succeed in destroying government and life as we know it, then what? Is that the start of the revolution or is this?

      Like

      • Hugh Holub
        October 15, 2010

        I sense they haven’t thought through what America will be like if they achieve Norquist’s goal of shrinking government to a size where they can strangle it in a bath tub.

        Like

        • Pamela Powers
          October 15, 2010

          My point exactly.
           
          Did you see that McClung has signed Norquist’s small guv’ment pledge? And now his group has produced a TV attack ad on her behalf.

          Like

  14. ScottE
    October 15, 2010

    What’s that smell?  Is it…. desperation?
    So, let me see if I have this straight.  Exaggerating a mustache is racist.  So can we expect Raul to pull all his campaign signs with the big mustache?  If I see a Grijalva bumper sticker with the mustache on it should I confront the car’s owner for being racist?

    Like

  15. shane
    October 15, 2010

    Recently on _The Daily Show_, Jon Stewart described what is happening here. He said there’s a parallel between politicians’ telling lies in campaigns to monkeys throwing their feces in the zoo. He said we might expect monkeys to throw feces, and politicians to tell lies, but what upset Steward is the failure of the zoo keeper to point out and do something about the feces throwing. To follow the comparison, Stewart says he’s distressed about the failure of the media to point out that lies, half-truths, and innuendo are being thrown about in great abundance. It is the job of journalists to report what a candidate says, and it also the job of the journalist to point out when what the candidate says is a lie or totally misleading.  Pamela is being a good zoo keeper. She’s pointing out that McClung is throwing feces.  There are other good zoo keepers (a few anyway) who are tracking the elections this year. It’s well-documented that although both Dems and Repubs are both guilty of feces throwing, the Republicans are throwing feces at a rate about 10 times more than the Dems – no doubt because the Republican Party’s entire mission is to protect the rich. Consequently Republicans have more money to throw more feces than the Dems.

    Like

    • Pamela Powers
      October 15, 2010

      I love Jon Stewart.
       
      Also– you forgot to mention that (besides being rich) the other reason the Republican Party can “throw feces” so much faster and more efficiently  is that they have the Faux News channel spewing lies and half-truths 24/7.

      Like

      • Cruz
        October 15, 2010

        Because you write it, its the truth – I see.  I think it’s time you get a real job.

        Like

  16. Ronnie
    October 16, 2010

    Thanks for finally revealing the truth Pamela, I really thought she was moderate when I listened to the debate, now I know she was just dodging the positions she has taken on paper.  The Hill newspaper reported that she signed ATR pledge to cut taxes for corporations and wealthy and only then did they take out an ad against Grijalva.  talk about buying an election.

    Like

  17. Steve Mas
    October 17, 2010

    I hope people aren’t falling for this “rocket scientist” shtick. A bachelor’s degree in physics does not make one a rocket scientist or a physicist.

    Like

  18. Nancy
    October 18, 2010

    Is the page available on the way back machine web archive?

    Like

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About

The Tucson Progressive: Pamela J. Powers

I stand on the side of Love. I believe in kindness to all creatures on Earth and the inherent self-worth of all individuals–not just people who agree with me or look like me.

Widespread economic and social injustice prompted me to become a candidate for the Arizona House, representing Legislative District 9 in the 2016 election.

My platform focused on economic reforms to grow Arizona’s economy, establish a state-based public bank, fix our infrastructure, fully fund public education, grow local small businesses and community banks, and put people back to work at good-paying jobs.

In the Arizona House, I was a strong voice for fiscal responsibility a moratorium on corporate tax breaks until the schools were fully funded, increased cash assistance to the poor, expansion of maternal healthcare benefits, equal rights, choice, unions, education at all levels and protecting our water supply.

After three terms, I retired from the Arizona Legislature in January 2023 but will continue to blog and produce my podcast “A View from the Left Side.”

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