Well, this should be interesting, and it does make me smile 🙂 Even though, of course, I’m “heartless” because I don’t think illegal aliens should get tax-payer funded US educations. Or think that the government should force children to get a Gardasil injection against their parents wishes. But maybe that’s just me. I’m still trying to find the good that eclipses those very serious issues for me. Maybe some of you can help me along.
In a move to reassure conservatives who think he’s soft on illegal immigration, Gov. Rick Perry announced Friday that controversial Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will chair his campaign in Arizona.
Although admired by conservatives for his get-tough approach to controlling illegal immigration in his Southern Arizona county, Arpaio is facing allegations by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division on a wide range of issues, including claims of practicing a pattern of racial profiling and discrimination and carrying out heavy-handed immigration patrols based on racially charged citizen complaints.Arpaio endorsed Perry in the Republican primary before the federal investigation surfaced, and he campaigned for Perry in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
Since the Justice Department probe came to light, Perry has defended Arpaio, telling Fox News in December that “these people are out after Sheriff Joe.” The sheriff’s support is meant in part to bolster Perry’s record as tough on immigration. He has taken heat from conservatives for a Texas law he signed granting in-state college tuition to the children of illegal immigrants.
Also on Friday, Perry filed the required documents to get on GOP primary ballots in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
Some addition Joe Arpaio news from today, and thank goodness: Sheriff Arpaio announces re-election bid in Arizona
When Arpaio announced his support for Perry some time ago, I just shook my head. It does not make sense, and I can only conclude there is something more to this pairing than meets the eye. I can’t explain it otherwise.
Though I appreciate Perry’s continued support of Sheriff Joe in light of the frivolous federal charges, the truth of the matter is Perry is Mr. Softy when it comes to the border and amnesty – not to mention the Gardisil disaster among other things which we are all aware of.
Not sure about Sheriff Joe’s reasoning on this, but I did like his response to the pressure from the feds and to those calling for him to step down: He announced he’s running for a sixth term! Though I would normally want someone in office that long to go away, I like his ‘screw you’ approach to the feds/detractors.
BTW: The Maricopa County Attorney (Bill Montgomery) released a statement last month in which he defended Sheriff Joe and found the department has not engaged in civil rights violations. If anything, these are attempts by the feds to undermine our state officials in order to sabotage our state and undermine the election process for 2012. They are desperate for every fraudulent vote they can get; otherwise, they lose the general election.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio is sworn to uphold the law. And that is just what he does. Right now, he’s under pressure from the bad guys in government; they are trying to drive him out.
I believe this is what everyone fears: an administration that ignores our Constitution, an administration aided by a complicit media that will strike out against anybody who stands in its way.
This fear is not pessimism or paranoia – it’s reality. Look at Arizona for concrete examples of the administration’s oppression.
Sheriff Joe is a brave man. Let’s support Joe.
As for teaming up with Rick Perry as campaign manager in Arizona, I hope it helps Joe. I don’t think Perry can measure up to Joe – the relationship is turned around. Rather than campaigning for Perry, a better thing for America is “Joe Arpaio for President!”