Mitchell makes it harder for Republicans

You can be assured when the Republican nominee for the 5th Congressional District is decided, that nominee will try to start painting Harry Mitchell as an out of step liberal in a Republican district. Congressman J.D. Hayworth tried this path in 2006 and it didn’t work so well for him. Now Mitchell is doing everything he can to make it even harder for the next nominee to do.

Since going to Congress last year Mitchell has done what he could to define himself as a centrist and to make the business community at least neutral if not supportive of his re-election.

Mitchell was one of only six Democrats to vote against the Democratic Budget Resolution because he was concerned with government spending. And this is only one of a handful of votes Mitchell can point to. Mitchell has teamed with Republicans and has sponsored legislation that will permanently reduce the capital gains and estate tax. This piece of legislation is one of the top priorities for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). The NFIB is a long time active supporter of Republican campaigns and help with not only fundraising, but often strong grassroots activism as well. With Mitchell carrying their water on this issue it will make it almost impossible for them to work against Mitchell. Mitchell also joined with the Republicans and voted against the 2007 Farm Bill. And finally Mitchell can always point to conservative icon Grover Norquist praising Mitchell for his anti-payraise bill.

The National Journal will be releasing a cover story tomorrow called “The New Center.” In the story it will highlight 19 Democratic Freshman in the House who qualify as “centrists.” Mitchell has been named most moderate member of Arizona’s Congressional delegation. Tucson readers can probably hear JD moaning as he hears the news.

Republicans will still do what they can to call Mitchell a party-line liberal. But Mitchell will have the ammunition to fend off this attack. If the Republicans want to defeat Mitchell they should take a note out of Jeff Hatch-Miller’s play book. Hatch-Miller, who dropped his bid today for the 5th CD, had not been attacking Mitchell on being a liberal, but had been attacking the current Congress and how it needed to be changed. Mitchell is popular and most who have met him will tell you he’s like a grand-father. Hatch-Miller realized the way to defeat Mitchell was not by going after him, but by going after the unpopular Congress and calling for change.