Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Carmona vs. Flake: Battle Underway

Posted By on Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Republican Senate candidate Jeff Flake is out this morning with a new web video linking Democratic opponent to President Barack Obama. It's adopting the "rubber stamp" model that the National Republican Congressional Committee tried to use against Democrat Ron Barber, who beat Republican Jesse Kelly in the June special election to complete Gabby Giffords' term.

Meanwhile, the Carmona campaign (which rolled out its own bio spot of Carmona yesterday) announced that it had snagged the endorsement of family members of legendary Republican senator Barry Goldwater. The release from the Carmona campaign:


Joanne Goldwater and members of the Goldwater family endorsed Rich Carmona for U.S. Senate on Wednesday. Joanne is the oldest daughter of late-Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Family members Joanne Goldwater, CC Goldwater and Ty Goldwater announced their support for Carmona—a Special Forces veteran, Pima County Deputy Sheriff and 17th Surgeon General of the United States—on the first day of the general election campaign at Barry Goldwater Memorial Park.

"There’s no doubt that my dad viewed himself as a conservative, but he put serving Arizona over serving any ideology. I don't see the same from Congressman Jeff Flake. Congressman Flake has tried to claim the 'conservative' mantel, but my dad's brand of conservatism is not reflected by Flake or the modern-day Republican Party," said Joanne Goldwater.

Granddaughter CC Goldwater said, "Conservatives insist they believe in freedom, as long as it's not a woman's freedom to make her own health choices. Congressman Flake has voted to defund Planned Parenthood, block access to contraception and even partnered with Congressman Todd Akin on a bill attempting to redefine rape."

"Our family has always believed in equality for all Arizonans," said Ty Goldwater. "My grandfather believed that no matter your race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, you’re no less deserving of your full constitutional rights. We need Arizona's next Senator to be committed to the same set of beliefs."