Stanton: “Giffords’ Achievements Add Up to CD8″
BILLIE STANTON
Tucson Citizen
I can’t support a candidate just because some of the sharpest teachers in the Tanque Verde Valley remember her admiringly (though it helps).
And I won’t favor a candidate just because she’s a woman and a Democrat (though the latter helps, too).
I certainly wouldn’t back a candidate just because she once shared some yak jerky she got in China. (It was horrible.)
And I couldn’t endorse a gal because her astronaut boyfriend is one of the nicest guys around (though I can eat my heart out.)
No, none of the above are the reasons I’m voting for Gabrielle Giffords.
I’m voting for Gabrielle Giffords because of her honesty and integrity, her energy and intellect.
Contrary to the spurious claims of a few nincompoops, Giffords is the real deal.
As a state senator in 2003, she really did thwart a bad bill after regular hours so recalcitrant Republicans couldn’t slash health care and services for the elderly.
It’s on the record. Consult Associated Press articles and senators who were there.
The only report to the contrary came from a “news reporter” who did a one-sided smear job, never even consulting the candidate in question.
More than offsetting such nonsense is the long list of Giffords endorsements by highly credible entities: the Human Rights Campaign, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, EMILY’s List and U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, plus all key unions for teachers, police, firefighters, even grocery workers.
Endorsements from others aren’t enough to win my vote. But Giffords’ own actions have.
I admire her for doing the right thing and the courageous thing when she decided to run for Congress.
She stepped down from the state Senate, ensuring that her constituents would continue to get the full-time representation they deserve.
State Rep. Steve Huffman, a Republican also seeking election in Congressional District 8, did not step down, and he missed 30 percent of votes in the past session.
Giffords also, impressively enough, was a Fulbright scholar and a fellow at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
But I’m more impressed by her work on behalf of our military - and so are Arizona’s veterans.
While several CD8 candidates have military experience, it is Gabrielle Giffords who headed the 162nd Fighter Wing Minutemen to support members of Arizona’s National Guard and their families.
And it is Gabrielle Giffords who helped found and served on the board of the 161st Air Refueling Wing Minutemen, modeled after the other group.
While most Americans today oppose the war in Iraq, even more of us support our military members sent to that war.
Giffords has supported them not just philosophically, but also actively.
As an Air Force brat and daughter of a World War II veteran, I appreciate that.
And as a Tucsonan who returned home when my father asked me to, I respect her for doing the same upon her father’s request.
Gabrielle Giffords is more than an experienced and proven legislator.
She is a leader of honor and integrity. And in Washington, D.C., nowadays, she’s exactly what we need.
Lifelong Democrat Billie Stanton may be reached at 573-4664 or bstanton@tucsoncitizen.com.
