Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona Congresswoman who was critically injured in a shooting may face a primary challenge. A special education school teacher, Anthony Prowell, has outraged Democrats by indicating that he intends to enter the primary. When Prowell called Giffords' office to see if she intended to seek reelection he was told Giffords would not make that decision for another 10 months. Before you jump on the hate Anthony Prowell bandwagon with the Arizona Democratic establishment be warned this gets tricky.
Three states, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan want to jump ahead in the primary order, some wanting to go all the way to the week after the New Hampshire primary but as yet no one is sure when the Arizona primary will be held. It seems asking someone to wait 10 months is a little much. But, you ask, should Giffords recover should she not have first shot at her old job. Yes, if that's what she wants but she is also being mentioned as a senatorial candidate. Giffords is the Democrat's first choice to run for the seat of retiring John Kyle, polling 46 percent among Democrats in the latest PPP poll. Parenthetically that same poll shows that while Arizona Republicans don't like Sarah Palin much for president she is their first pick for senator. Keep in mind Sarah campaigned for John McCain in his primary battle so Arizona voters know her better than most.
Prowell makes the point that Giffords has not demonstrated that she can handle the job. Aside from her celebrated visit to the House floor during the debt ceiling debate she has remained out of sight. He adds further the people of her district are entitled to representation and if Giffords can't fulfill that role she should step aside. Giffords held off Jesse Kelly in the last election by a 49 to 47 percent edge so even a fully rehabilitated Giffords isn't a sure win. Prowell, on the other hand, is a political novice. He probably would never have the temerity to challenge a health Gabrielle Giffords. Ok stop and make up your mind now before you read the next sentence.
Prowell is not a registered Democrat. He is an independent. Tricky isn't it?
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