Should Kolbe's refusal to endorse Graf in Arizona be taken as the only endorsement Graf should ever need?

Question

I'm not from Arizona but followed the primary there. Graf, endorsed by the Minutemen, ran against three other GOP rivals for the House district 8 seat in the primary. In an almost unheard of move, the national Republican party followed retiring incumbant Kolbe (who is for comprehensive immigration reform) in not only endorsing one of Graf's primary rivals, but paid for advertising for the rival, as well.

Graf won anyhow.

As Republican primary losers across the nation turn to congratulate and throw their support behind the winners of the Republican primaries, Kolbe is REFUSING to endorse Graf.

I guess we know where the funding of the National Republican Party stands.

Would this keep you from voting for Graf, if he had taken the primary in your district?

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/26062.php

Clarification, 'comprehensive immigration reform' means different things to different people, but my understanding is that Kolbe supports the Senate Bill.

Jesi, that is fair. I don't really know much about Graf except for his immigration stance.

Jesi, that is fair. I don't really know much about Graf except for his immigration stance.

Answer 1

Graf has the support of the Minute Men and they are making up the difference in the funding that he didn't get from the Republican party.Hes stanch anti illegal and wants the borders tightened and protected.We the people of AZ are just tired of all the problems the illegal immigrant brings.Party lines will be crossed en mass to vote for Graf
and his immigration stand.

As the front-runner in the race to fill retiring GOP U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe's seat in Arizona, Randy Graf has come under attack by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Graf is a strong voice for border security and a conservative. He has been endorsed by other Arizona conwervatives like Congressman Trent Franks. Graf has also been endorsed by Chris Simcox.

Yet the NRCC, breaking their own policy of staying out of primary races unless all GOP Congressional members sign off on the effort, has dumped over $100,000 dollars on a squish Republican candidate who will not fight to secure our borders. The NRCC says that they did not break their own rules as this was not a "formal endorsement."

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Answer 2

This one one of several races throughout the country where the RNC supported more moderate candidates. They fear that Moderates will choose to vote democrat, or not choose to vote at all rather than vote for Graf. Since the moderate vote is the silent majority of the Republican, and Democrats have made serious inroads in that state it was a strategical move.

Kolbe refusing to endorse Graf probably stems from Graf's criticisms. I don't think it would help Graf anyway, his politics do not represent leftists or moderates who are not likely to vote for him anyway, even if Kolbe strongly endorsed him.

Answer 3

Questions doesn't necessarily makes sense. It really depends on where he stands on the issues-- I haven't read enough to understand his positions. But, I'm ok with Kolbe not supporting him-- he clearly stated that he could not support him since they differ greatly on their positions. That's what a good leader should do even if it is his own party.

The fact that Graf is endorsed by the minutemen suggest to me that he's probably got some really right leaning positions on immigration.

Answer 4

I think that 'incumbent' says it all, they've done a massive botch job of saying/doing anything effective about changing anything with illegal immigration, they're more content with the status quo and really don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers, problem is with the 'makee-nicee' policy bit is that you end up losing anyway.

Illegal immigration is a problem that has the potential to change the face of our country in some pretty negative ways. Here's hoping that the new guy as well as representatives/people across the state all kind of take issue with this problem instead of just trying to shine it on or sweep it under the rug.