AZ-08

Potential Giffords Opponent Questions Her Fitness, Media Access: 'She Is Held To A Different Standard'

Eric Kleefeld | August 26, 2011, 11:43AM

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), May 17, 2011.

Arizona state Sen. Frank Antenori, a Republican who is considering a possible run for Congress against Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords -- who has been undergoing medical treatment since she was shot in the head at a district event this past January -- has already laid out his first criticism of the Congresswoman: That the media have not been granted enough access for the public to determine whether she is fit to hold office.

"She is cognizant enough to read and comprehend the debt bill and cast a vote but her handlers don't feel the media should be given access to her, and I don't know why that is," Antenori told The Hill, referring to Giffords's recent return to the House to vote for the debt-ceiling increase deal.

"It's creating the legitimate question: Is she able to vigorously represent the district, or was this a one-time deal? Can she do this next term to the same degree of every member of Congress, is she able to continue that level of energy?"

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Gabrielle Giffords

Flashback: Giffords Warned Of 'Consequences' To Palin's Target Imagery (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 8, 2011, 6:51PM

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)

Back in March 2010, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) responded to the use of violent imagery and heated political rhetoric from conservative activists -- mentioning Sarah Palin's use of crosshairs on a map over Democratic-held districts such as hers. At the time, Giffords said that people should realize such rhetoric has consequences.

Giffords was shot today at a meet-and-greet with constituents in Tucson.

In March, Giffords appeared on MSNBC to talk about the then-recent vandalism of her office, which followed her vote for health care reform. During the interview, she said that political leaders had a responsibility to say they would not stand for violence.

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Gabrielle Giffords

Flashback: Palin Used Crosshair Targets For Giffords's District, Other Dems

Eric Kleefeld | January 8, 2011, 3:40PM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Back in March 2010, Sarah Palin created a campaign push through her Facebook page against Democrats from conservative districts who had voted for the health care bill -- among them, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), who was shot today.

The page used a picture of a map of the United States, with crosshair targets located over 20 districts that were carried by the McCain-Palin ticket in 2008, and whose representatives voted for the health care bill. The picture did not use photos of the members themselves, but instead placed the crosshairs over their geographic districts and included a list of their names below.

The page was promoted through Palin's Twitter account with the slogans, "Take Back the 20!" and, "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!"

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Dem Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Shot In Arizona]

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Gabrielle Giffords

Flashback: Giffords Opponent Had M16 Shooting Event, 'Help Remove Gabrielle Giffords From Office'

Eric Kleefeld | January 8, 2011, 3:20PM

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)

Back in June 2010, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's (D-AZ) Republican opponent Jesse Kelly had an event at which voters could shoot an assault rifle with the candidate, promoted as thus:

Get on Target for Victory in November Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly

(Highlighted image via Blog For Arizona)

Late Update: Kelly has posted this statement on Twitter:

We are all deeply saddened by this morning's shooting. Gabrielle Giffords, the other victims, and their families are in our prayers.

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Fundraising

First Quarter Fundraising Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 5, 2010, 7:06PM

Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA)

Here are some key fundraising numbers from today and this past weekend:

• Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who is seeking to oust Republican-turned-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter, announced that he raised over $2.3 million, and has over $4 million in cash on hand.

• Freshman Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO), who was one of the eight House Democrats to switch from a no to a yes on the health care bill, raised over $500,000 -- and more than $355,000 of it came in the last two weeks of the quarter, after she'd announced her support for the bill. So clearly, the Dem base rewarded her for rejoining the party fold on this very crucial vote.

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