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Brewer would go on to make further mockery of the highest post in Arizona, including repeated statements that she has brought thousands of jobs to Arizona in her term as governor when in fact Arizona has seen a 128,000 jobs leave the state. Couple that with a repeated sidestep of questions regarding her allegations of beheadings in the Arizona desert, including a post debate cold shoulder to reporters seen here, and any reasonable person would think Brewer’s days as governor are numbered. Oh, but you reasonable people would be underestimating Arizona voters, ahem, campaign strategy.

You see, Brewer knows now like she knew then that Terry Goddard, or any random 4th grader, would embarrass her in a debate on the issues. That’s why she agreed to this debate so close to the primary she handily won on August 24 and so far from the general election, now just over 8 weeks away. The governor has this period of time to nurse her 20 percentage point lead in the polls, which no doubt took a hit last night, and let her media machine operate on Goddard’s record (actually rather impeccable) and Arizona citizen’s unfounded fear of illegal immigrants.
Sadly for us, this appears to be the only debate we’ll see between these two candidates. Brewer wisely rescinded her agreement to debate Goddard in two weeks, stating that the candidates’ decades of public service outline their positions on the issues.

The debate begins at 6PM, comments can be added instantly so feel free to chime in.

Reno Debate Scheduled: Sandoval has caved to Reid and the pair will have a fourth debate.  The first is tonight and The Daily Ross will be liveblogging it.

Interesting Northern Nevada Race Run Down:

Bobzien/Johnson – The race for Assembly District 24 is interesting as a new face has appeared to challenge Davide Bobzien.  How serious of a challenger is he?   Johnson has some small yard signs on visible routes but not many on side streets, he also has a poorly done campaign website and came by my house yesterday to drop of some literature.  The small postcard is professionally done but lacks in content.  Right now, Bobzien is looks pretty safe.

Leslie/Salerno – This race for State Senate doesn’t seem to be much of a race.  I notice Leslie signs everywhere and have only seen a few from her Republican opponent.  Leslie is a strong liberal voice from Northern Nevada and would be key to ensuring Northern Nevada maintains some pull in the Legislature as some of the termed out heavyweights make their forced exit.  I would say Leslie’s race looks pretty safe as well.

Stephens/Hansen – The race for AD32 is between a Republican and an Independent American candidate.  I’ve heard Hansen see no issue with just bolting over Stephens signs when comes across them.  He’s part of the IAP wacko group but in a year where Tea Partiers are boiling mad, this just might be the year for an IAP win.

Flint/Harvey – The race for Washoe County Clerk is heating up.  Margaret Flint has done a good job of getting signs out as well as walking door to door.  Her argument is strong: Amy Harvey is a hardcore conservative who believes she must serve as the “Wedding Police”, Harvey’s hardliner stance has made it more difficult to get married in Washoe County and as a result, we’ve lost revenue.  This is a down ticket race but it seems so far Flint is doing well in her grassroots campaign.

Reid Slams Violent Angle:  Another gem from Sharron Angle on Bill Manders is allowing Harry Reid to portray Angle as a violent teapartier ready to call for armed revolt of the Hutaree kind.  It may convince some still on the fence (hardly anyone at this point).  At some point Republicans must have to wonder if the Bill Manders show is their worst best friend.

Anticipation for Gube Debate:  Anticipation is growing for Sunday’s first debate between Rory Reid and Brian Sandoval.  Reid continues to poke at Sandoval for not debating after Sandoval cleverly turned a Reid stunt into a canceled debate.  I will be watching closely to see which candidate is most realistic about the future of Nevada.  So far, neither has convinced me.

P.S.  Any notice that those of us in Northern Nevada are now dependent on the Las Vegas Sun for reliable, sufficient political coverage?

Palin Backs Angle:  Although Angle pretended on Fox News that Palin had endorsed her in the primary, she hadn’t.  Now, despite Harry Reid’s best efforts to get Sarah Palin’s vote by not understanding the 1st Amendment, Palin is official on board Angle’s crazy train.

Nevada Debates Fiasco: The Tahoe Bonanza has an interesting article on the inability of many of this candidates to agree to debates.  We all know games a played with debates but at some point the candidates have to realize that voters need to hear what the candidates have to say.

Guns over Sex Allegation: In the Show-me State a Republican candidate allegedly drew a gun on his primary rival’s staffer over allegations of adultery and befriending a rapist.  The only shot was the victorious Republican’s campaign as the act brings the tawdry allegations into the spotlight.

Teabagger Steep in AZ:  The teabaggers rallied at the border over the weekend arguing for bigger government (don’t worry about the apparent contradiction – they want government big for their issues and small for their non-issues).  J.D. Hayworth was there to talk about how wimpy John McCain is on immigration issues eventhough McCain.2010 is harsher than he’s ever been.  The Arizona primary is not too far away; right now McCain is in a fairly healthy position.

-Ross

Raggio Indicates Possible Tax Increase:  Worried more about keeping the state afloat that the tea party crowd, Senator Bill Raggio has indicated that a temporary tax increase may be needed to balance Nevada’s budget.  Senate Majority Leader Horsford has also indicated an increase may be necessary.  Apparently, while the Gube candidates pretend that Nevada can keep moving forward with its current tax base, the Senate leadership is actually, well, leading.

Gibbons Questions Federal Aid:  When the Federal Government spends money there are always strings attached.  Gibbons isn’t sure he wants to accept the $162 million check from the Feds because he is worried about the strings attached.  All I know is that if Gibbons rejects the cash, Sharron Angle is going to have to shut up about how little Harry brings home.