Tucson, Ariz. – The contrast between Gabrielle Giffords’ work standing up for Southern Arizonans and Jesse Kelly’s work for Wall Street was made clear by the endorsements each received this week.

Giffords was endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, an organization dedicated to fighting for working families and seniors.

In their endorsement letter, the group praised Giffords’ understanding of and support for “the critical roles that Social Security and Medicare play in the retirement and health security of our nation’s older citizens and their families.” The group went on to say that Giffords is, “well-prepared to serve the needs of seniors.”

Also this week, Social Security privatizer Newt Gingrich began using his lobbyist ties to raise special interest money for Jesse Kelly. Gingrich, the disgraced former Republican Speaker of the House who was forced to resign after being found guilty by the House Ethics Committee, is an outspoken proponent of privatizing Social Security and Medicare.

Dating back to 1996 Gingrich, has said he believes that any plan to partly privatize Social Security would help future retirees. About Medicare he said: “Now, we don’t get rid of it in round one because we don’t think that that’s politically smart, and we don’t think that’s the right way to go through a transition. But we believe it’s going to wither on the vine…” [The Tribune, September 10, 2010; New York Times, July 20, 1996]

Gingrich is the latest in a string of pro-privatization advocates to back Kelly, who has called to “privatize,” “phase out” and “eliminate” Social Security.  Following the primary election, Americans for Prosperity – the political slush fund of known privatizer and oil billionaire David Koch – and the 60-Plus Association – another front group that won’t disclose its funding – both ran TV attack ads supporting Kelly.  The Club for Growth – most recently known for the slogan, “Privatize Social Security? Hell Yeah!” – also endorsed Kelly last month.

It’s not surprising that these privatizers have picked Kelly as the newest regional sales representative for their radical agenda. Kelly’s views on Social Security are dangerous for our seniors. He does not believe that the risky private accounts he calls for should have any kind of insurance or guarantee. If the market crashes, seniors – according to Kelly – are on their own.

Gabrielle Giffords is a third generation Southern Arizonan and the only person in Congress with an active duty military spouse. Gabrielle is not like other politicians. She takes an independent view on the issues and was rated Arizona’s most moderate member of Congress by the National Journal in 2009. She’s voted against a Congressional pay raise every time one has come up, and she doesn’t make earmark requests for campaign contributors. Most importantly, Gabrielle stands up for Southern Arizona by working across the aisle to secure the border, protect our military and veterans and create jobs by investing in solar energy.

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