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SIERRA VISTA — They went to elementary school together.
They played in the brass section of a school band together.
They both operated businesses in Arizona.
They both served in the Arizona Legislature, some of the time together.
  
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And, politically, they are considered moderates.
But their similarities are offset by the fact that Democrat Gabrielle Giffords and Republican Tim Bee are running against each other for a seat in Congress.
Giffords, the freshman incumbent of the Congressional District 8 seat, faces State Senate President Bee in the November general election. Neither candidate has opposition in the upcoming September primary elections, giving them more time to campaign against each other.
“There’s not a lot of difference between the two of them,” said William Dixon, head of the University of Arizona’s Department of Political Science.
Both call for securing the U.S. border with Mexico, with Bee saying he also believes a temporary guest program is needed, but one that does not include amnesty.
Giffords and Bee also say more attention needs to be paid to what is happening in Afghanistan.
Dixon said he finds it interesting that Bee is talking about being more independent in his outlook, especially in recent television ads that state the Republican candidate is a person who will be a person of “independence for a change.”
Bee and Giffords know they need Independent voters to win the election, even though the district has slightly more Republicans registered than Democrats.
Bee apparently has a “desire to hop on” the independent bandwagon, Dixon said.
While the UA political science department head said both candidates are moderate, “Giffords leans liberal and Bee leans conservative.”
Both candidates reach out to the other party, something they showed while serving in the Arizona Legislature, and for Giffords during some of her actions in Congress during her first term, said Dixon, who lives in Tucson in Congressional District 7, so he will not be voting in the District 8 race.
“From a political science standpoint, it seems, at this time, Giffords will retain the seat,” Dixon said. “But ask me in October if I feel the same.”
Noting there is a long time before the general election, he said there are many things that can happen to change the outcome, although he doesn’t think it will happen.
The district’s voters will have a hand in the decision regarding if the U.S. House of Representatives will remain in Democratic control and if their representative is in the majority party, Dixon said.
When it comes to voting in Congress, the only real one that counts is the first one cast for leadership positions, because it is the leadership that decides who is assigned to committees, he said, noting Giffords is on some powerful ones.
Bee has been working hard to show how he is different from Giffords, even though both have similar views on many issues, Dixon said.
Both candidates have been busy raising money, and Giffords still has about a 3-to-1 lead in the campaign war chest over Bee.
Bee recently had President George W. Bush visit Tucson for a $1,000 a plate breakfast, raising slightly more than $600,000 for Bee’s campaign from the 450 attendees, some who also paid $10,000 a couple to have a photo taken of them with the president.
A few days later, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat whose approval rating in the predominate Republican state is near 60 percent, hosted a $25 per person fundraiser for Giffords in Tucson. How much was raised at that event is unknown, but a spokesman for her campaign said more than 300 people attended and there were a lot of small-dollar donations that are still being counted.
Bee and the Republicans are trying to return the seat to the GOP. U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe held the seat for the party for 22 years before retiring in 2006. It is part of political thought that the best time to turn out an incumbent is when that person is a freshman in the House of Representatives.
“There will be some Republicans who will vote for Giffords and some Democrats who will vote for Bee, but the independents will decide the ultimate winner,” Dixon said.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
BY THE NUMBERS
As of July 1, the number of active registered Republicans in Cochise County, all of which is in Congressional District 8, has a 3,633 more than the Democrats. Individuals have until Aug. 4 to register for the primaries.
The breakdown is:
• Republicans: 25,992
• Democrat: 22,299
• Independent: 5,247
• Libertarians: 253
• Green Party: 119
• Other parties: 122
• No party affiliation: 12,636
Cochise County Recorder Christine Rhodes said usually considered Independents are all other parties, except Libertarian, Green and Reform parties, meaning the independent pool in the county is 18,005.
TIMOTHY S. BEE
House of Representatives, Congressional, District 8 candidate, Republican
BIOGRAPHY
• Age: 39
• City: Vail
• Resident since: Birth, third generation
• family: Grace, wife,; six children, including one adopted foster child, Esther, Victoria, Bentley, Patricia, Sterling and Anneliese.
• Education: Graduated valedictorian, Palo Verde High School; attended University of Arizona, studied agricultural economics.
• Employment history: TRW, Ohio, Audio-recording Engineering; Owned and operated Bee Brothers Printing since 1989.
• Community affiliations (limit to recent ones in past two years): Congressional Conference on Civic Education, state facilitator; Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Civic Education, co-chairman; Council of State Governments Border Legislative Conference, member; National Council of State Legislators, 2001-present, member; Council of State Governments-West, Executive Committee; National Conference of State Legislatures Law and Criminal Justice Committee, vice chair; DNA Task Force, member; Rural Physician Study Committee, member; Automobile Theft Authority, member; board member, Men’s Anti-Violence Partnership; member, National Riflemen’s Association. He also currently serves on the board of the Capital Campaign for Carondelet Healthcare Foundation.
• Previous offices held: Arizona State Senate since 2001 and currently serves as Senate president of the 48th Legislature. He is the first Senate president from Southern Arizona since 1974. Bee was the Senate majority leader from 2003 to 2006.
• Contact: Tim Bee for Congress, by phone (520) 979-8667; by mail P.O. Box 31985, Tucson AZ 85751; campaign Web site: timbee.com; by e-mail, info@timbee.com
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What, if anything, can Congress do to lessen the economic burdens being faced by Americans when it comes to the price of oil in light that the increases are also impacting other areas, such as food costs?
First, Congress must act to allow domestic drilling in the United States without delay. We have massive untapped resources in Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf, and I believe we can explore and develop these resources in an environmentally respectful way. Second, I believe we must focus on the development of all types of domestic alternative sources of fuel, such as wind, solar, and biomass.
Third, we must take new approaches to old sources of energy such as clean coal and nuclear power. Consistent blends would allow refineries to produce more gasoline. Finally, we must ease the regulatory burden to build a new refinery in the United States. We haven’t built a new one in the United States in 30 years, and I believe technology will allow us to build one efficiently and in an environmentally respectful way. Together, these common-sense proposals will lower the high price of gas that is hurting Arizona families and businesses today.
Is it the responsibility of Congress to dive into the mortgage crisis, when such decisions are personal and not government driven?
Since the government is partly responsible for the proliferation of subprime loans, Congress does have a responsibility to address this issue. After all, homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream. I strongly support efforts to improve financial literacy and crack down on unscrupulous lenders.
What specifically would you support when it comes to border security and turning off the influx of illegal immigrants?
We must secure the border now. Residents of our border counties are entitled to a secure border. I believe the federal government must commit the resources necessary to ensure this is done. I support the use of technology combined with physical barriers to secure our border — now.
We also need more Border Patrol agents and federal prosecutors to enforce the law. And because an unsecure border is a major threat to not just our national economy but also our national security, I support the National Guard in the role of providing assistance to the border patrol to secure the border.
We must develop a temporary guest-worker program that allows companies to secure the seasonal workers they need in a regulated and efficient manner. Any temporary guest worker program must not include amnesty.
What is your stance on removal of American forces from Iraq?
I would rather fight the terrorists in Baghdad and Baqubah than Bisbee and Benson. I will support our troops in the field until they have accomplished their mission and can return home safely. Stability in Iraq is the key to bringing our troops home. I do not support setting an artificial timeline for withdrawal. I believe Congress should never tell commanders in the field how to do their job.
Has the U.S. government failed in finding Osama in Laden and countering his allies, such as the Taliban, and what would you like to see the federal government do to address the issue?
There has not been a terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. However, we cannot rest on this knowledge. I believe we must aggressively pursue the terrorists where they find aid and comfort until they are eliminated. Otherwise, they will strike again and kill more innocent Americans.
Do we have to put more emphasis into Afghanistan now that the fighting has once again increased in that nation?
Yes. Afghanistan is a central front in the war on terror and merits our attention and commitment. We must pursue and destroy the terrorists and their allies wherever they are.
What advice would you give your party’s presidential nominee concerning the economy, border security and the war?
Sen. John McCain is an American hero and I’m proud to have his endorsement for Congress. While we may not always agree, in Congress I will work with him to make the tough decisions to keep our country safe and our economy moving forward.
GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
House of Representatives, Congressional District 8, incumbent, Democrat
BIOGRAPHY
• Age: 38
• City: Tucson
• Resident since: 1970
• Family: Mark Kelly, spouse; Claudia and Claire, stepdaughters
• Education: Cornell University, master of regional planning, Ithaca, N.Y., 1994-1996; William J. Fulbright Scholar, Chihuahua, Mexico, 1993-1994; Scripps College, bachelor of arts degree, sociology and Latin American history, Claremont, Calif., 1990-93; Harvard University, Kennedy School Executive Management 2003.
• Employment history: Representative, U.S. Congress (2006–present); Giffords Capital Management LLC (2000-present); senator, Arizona State Legislature (2002-2005); representative, Arizona State Legislature (2000-2002); CEO and president, El Campo Tire, (1996-2000); Price Waterhouse, Regional Economic Development (1995-1996)
• Community affiliations (limit to recent ones in past two years): Metropolitan YMCA of Tucson, Board of Directors; Arizona Friends of Small Business, Board of Directors; 162nd Air National Guard Minuteman Committee, Board of Directors; Tohono Chul Park, Board of Directors; Tucson Regional Water Council, Board of Directors; Breast Cancer Boot Camp, Board of Directions; Friends of Saguaro National Park, Board of Directors; Arts Reach Inc., Board of Directors
• Previous offices held: U.S. Representative, Congressional District 8, AZ (2006-2008); Senator, Arizona State Legislature, District 28 (2002-2005), Representative, Arizona State Legislature, District 13 (2000-2002), Precinct Committeeman, District 13 (2000-2002), Precinct Committeeman, District 28 (2002-2008)
• Contact: Campaign headquarters by phone (520) 512-0012, by fax (520) 512-0011; campaign Web site: www.GiffordsforCongress.com; or campaign e-mail campaign@GiffordsforCongress.com
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What, if anything, can Congress do to lessen the economic burdens being faced by Americans when it comes to the price of oil in light that the increases are also impacting other areas, such as food costs?
Congress cannot sit on the sidelines as home foreclosures, consumer expenses and unemployment rates continue to increase.
Tackling high gas prices involves a release of oil from our strategic petroleum reserves, increased domestic drilling on lands that already have leases, better fuel efficiency standards, and a crackdown on gasoline price gouging.
The government must also take measures to help families avoid foreclosure or keep value in their homes as the market remains weak. Furthermore, Congress has an obligation to help the people hardest hit by the spike in food costs by providing emergency food and nutrition assistance and bolstering the inventories of food pantries and emergency food providers.
Short term efforts are not enough. We need leaders with the vision and courage to create sustainable prosperity in America for generations to come. It is imperative that Congress put an end to deficit-spending and reform the tax code to help middle class families. Now is the time for America to invest in renewable energy innovations that will create new industries and good-paying jobs. Most importantly, the long-term strength of our economy requires that our children receive the education they need to compete in the global marketplace.
Is it the responsibility of Congress to dive into the mortgage crisis, when such decisions are personal and not government driven?
I do not believe the federal government should bail out individuals who made irresponsible and unwise personal investment decisions. Nor should it bail out Wall Street investors who made poor investment decisions. That is not an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
However, stable and affordable housing is crucial for strong families, strong communities and a strong economy. Arizona currently ranks third in the nation in foreclosures — filings are up 199 percent from a year ago. One in every 201 households received a foreclosure filing in May 2008. In 2007, Sierra Vista-Douglas metro area’s home values fell by nearly 5 percent.
Keeping families in their homes, preventing future foreclosures, and promoting the recovery of communities blighted by empty homes can stave off even greater economic turmoil. Reasonable refinancing options are only part of the solution. I also support grants to states to acquire and rehabilitate foreclosed homes, refundable tax credits for first-time homebuyers, an increase in the Veterans Administration Home Loan limit for high-cost housing areas, and assistance for returning soldiers trying to avoid foreclosure by lengthening the time a lender must wait before starting foreclosure after a soldier comes home.
What specifically would you support when it comes to border security and turning off the influx of illegal immigrants?
Improving border security is one of the most critical aspects of our nation’s immigration crisis and Southern Arizona is on the front lines. All options should be on the table to slow the traffic of illegal immigrants, drugs, violence and guns into our communities. Modern technologies including radar, drones and other methods of electronic surveillance must be deployed in addition to hiring more border patrol agents and improving their training and equipment.
We also need more transparency and accountability in the federal government so that Southern Arizonans know exactly how their tax dollars are being spent on border operations and whether or not these operations are working. The Department of Homeland Security needs clear goals, benchmarks and measurements of effectiveness. But the most critical ingredient in addressing the problem is community involvement. In particular, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol must meet regularly with ranchers, farmers and other residents who can report on border activities and provide essential advice on how to improve operations.
What is your stance on removal of American forces from Iraq?
I am steadfast in my support for our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who are honorably following the orders they have been given in Iraq. I have voted in Congress to fund their operations because U.S. armed forces must have the tools, training and support they need to be successful in any mission.
Yet, this conflict has subjected our military, especially the Army, to extraordinary stress, requiring repeated deployments and allowing insufficient recovery and training time for our troops. It has also diverted precious resources from our fight against al-Qaida and international terrorism.
In light of these facts, I believe that we must begin a responsible withdrawal of all of our combat forces from Iraq while initiating a diplomatic offensive in the region. This approach would demand accountability from the Iraqi government and limit our military presence to special operations and rapid reaction forces for the purposes of striking al-Qaida and training the Iraqi security forces.
My determination to end the war in Iraq is matched by my resolve to improve our military readiness, provide our troops the resources they need and guarantee our returning warriors the care they deserve.
Has the U.S. government failed in finding Osama in Laden and countering his allies, such as the Taliban, and what would you like to see the federal government do to address the issue?
It is outrageous that America’s most notorious enemy — the man responsible for the tragedies of September 11th — remains at large, presumably in the mountains along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
By going into Iraq, we took our eye off the ball.
Osama bin Laden’s capture depends on the bolstering of our military operations in this region and an increase in our intelligence capabilities. It is more important than ever that our servicemen and women have cross-cultural competency and language proficiency to use during missions in the Middle East. We must establish an incentive bonus program at the Pentagon to encourage individuals in officer training programs such as the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and the service academies, to engage in the study of “critical” foreign languages and cultural education.
Capturing Osama bin Laden also requires more aggressive diplomacy. The United States must take greater strides toward creating political stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan that will lay the foundation for economic growth and social development. Such efforts will help fight terrorism and extremism. But we need to demand more cooperation in the hunt for Osama bin Laden and other terrorist leaders.
Do we have to put more emphasis into Afghanistan now that the fighting has once again increased in that nation?
In the aftermath of September 11th, the U.S. military entered Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime. This mission was an appropriate and necessary response to the terrorist attacks on our nation. The other goals of this operation were to ensure that Afghanistan was no longer a safe haven for terrorism and capture Osama bin Laden. It is a grave threat to America and the world that these goals have not been achieved. Such efforts have been overshadowed by the war in Iraq; Afghanistan is now experiencing a resurgence of Taliban power and becoming a breeding ground for terrorist organizations.
Meeting with our troops in Afghanistan reinforced my profound respect for our professional and dedicated men and women in uniform. Congress must do everything possible to give them the best possible equipment, training and resources for their counterinsurgency and combat missions. I voted for H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which added $455 million to our military operations in Afghanistan. But it is still not enough.
As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services Committee I will continue to advocate for increased military and diplomatic resources for our mission in Afghanistan.
What advice would you give your party’s presidential nominee concerning the economy, border security and the war?
America is standing at a historical crossroads. The economy, border security and the war in Iraq are among several serious problems that threaten the prosperity, security and identity of our nation. My advice to Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in tackling difficult issues like these is to be courageous and truly bipartisan if he is elected President. It is tragic that rancorous bickering in Washington, D.C., has been the norm during such difficult times instead of serious and thoughtful cooperation and action. The stakes are too high for stubbornness or extremism. A functioning democracy requires bold leaders who can bring people of differing viewpoints to the table and reach common sense solutions. I encourage Barrack Obama to be that kind of leader.
Thanks Editor wrote on Jul 27, 2008 7:29 PM: