Gabrielle Giffords

Former U.S. Rep. Jim KolbeThe decision by former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe to back out of actively supporting state Sen. President Tim Bee (R-Tucson) in his congressional campaign has caused a stir among the nation's political media - as has the announced fundraising trip by President Bush on behalf of Bee.

Kolbe's move was first reported by the Sierra Vista Herald on Friday, and since has been picked up by The National Journal's Hotline and RealClearPolitics.com.

The Hotline article praised Bee as a better candidate for the seat than Randy Graf, the Republican nominee current U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) defeated in 2006, for his "image as a bipartisan legislator." The article also noted, however, that Bee's social conservatism might be out of step with some Republicans in the district.

Powerhouse business lobby the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed state Sen. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) in his race against incumbent U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) in the 8th Congressional District.

According to a press release from the campaign, Thomas Donohue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, "promised vigorous support of Tim Bee citing the importance of representation that promotes economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government."

Bee responded in a statement:

"It is an honor to receive the support of the business community. In Washington, I will work to promote economic growth and job creation. A prosperous America begins with a strong economy. ”

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle GiffordsTUCSON -- The Southern Arizona Solar Energy Development Conference, brought over 100 elected officials, industry leaders and public administrators to the Arizona Historical Society Monday, provided more than a comprehensive look at the state of solar energy development in southern Arizona. It was a public declaration of the strength of the solar movement among leading political figures, prefiguring a spate of potential battles to come between those who prioritize solar development and those who don’t.

Lawmakers and their election year opponents are debating the nation’s energy future in all 50 states and the nation’s capitol, with all agreeing that there is a looming crisis but with little consensus on solutions.

In southern Arizona, which experiences more sunshine than any other region in the nation, the political ramifications of solar development are serious. As expected, the race to fill three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, which oversees the state’s public utilities and is intimately involved in shaping Arizona’s energy policy, has and will continue to feature the question of renewable energy sources, solar chief among them.

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle GiffordsU.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) and state Senate President Tim Bee (R-Tucson) disagree about many things: the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the handgun ban in Washington, D.C. isn't among them.

Both Giffords, the freshman Democratic representative from the 8th district, and Bee, who is running against her for the seat, praised the high court's decision.

"I applaud the Supreme Court’s historic decision to protect an individual’s rights," said Bee. "The decision is a victory for Constitutional Rights. The Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms, is vitally important and must be held sacrosanct. We will continue our vigilance in the protection of these rights deemed to be the bedrock of our collective freedoms by the Framers and the Ratifiers of the Constitution.”

Both U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and 3rd Congressional District Democratic candidate Bob Lord have issued statements in support of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that overturns a handgun ban in Washington, D.C.

"“I strongly support the right of law-abiding Americans to bear arms," said Lord, who is running against U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) in the 3rd district. "The right to bear arms is an essential shield against tyranny and critical to our ability to defend our property and our families." While saying guns should be "kept out of the reach of children, felons, and those who have been found to be a danger to themselves or others," Lord vowed, "I will oppose legislation that takes away the rights of law-abiding, responsible gun owners. All our civil liberties deserve protection. I agree with the Supreme Court's opinion today that this right applies to all Americans.”

Mitchell also praised the decision, saying in a press release, "This is an important ruling for those who believe in personal freedoms and understand that the D.C. ban when beyond constitutional limits."

The National Republican Congressional Committee has called on U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) to denounce "socialist" comments by a Democratic House member, as Giffords voiced her support for a bill to encourage oil companies to use exisiting leases of government lands.

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) said, "Should the people of the United States own oil refineries? Maybe so." He claimed he thought it was a "good idea" at the time, though Hinchey admitted later in a FOX News interview that he doesn't think the idea will fly.

The NRCC followed up by challenging Reps. Giffords and Mitchell to "weigh in on this newest proposal to socialize America’s energy industry."

Freedom's Watch, the conservative advocacy group, is launching about three dozen robocalls over the next week targeting U.S. House members across the country, including several vulnerable incumbents in Arizona, PolitickerAZ.com has learned.

The target list for the robocalls includes Democratic Reps. Harry Mitchell and Gabrielle Giffords, among a host of other members of Congress.

The calls start off by reminding recipients of current gas prices and emphasizing how the prices affect the cost of food. The calls also stress the potential for domestic drilling and mention that the member in question has voted against exploration on the continental shelf.

After Freedom's Watch launched in 2007, it initially focused its efforts on conveying a national security message. But the new robocalls underscore how the organization is switching to a more economic-focused message that is aimed at blue collar areas.

"We're absolutely going to be concentrating on economic issues," said Freedom's Watch spokesman Ed Patru. In honing in on gas prices, Patru argued, Freedom's Watch was picking an issue in which the divide between conservatives and liberals was stark.

For the third time in a week, the National Republican Congressional Committee is going after U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) over the price of gasoline, while the Mitchell campaign hits back.

In one of its most scathing indictments to date against the two freshman Democrats, the NRCC called them "staunch opponent[s] of sensible solutions to the energy crisis" and accused them of having a "'do-nothing' approach" to high gas prices.

Specifically, the releases against Giffords and Mitchell were critical of their "voting...to block the House from debating any amendment aimed at reducing the cost of gas." The amendment was offered by Arizona U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix), but was blocked by the Rules Committee that limited amendments to one section of the bill.

Today former U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-8) bestowed his blessing upon CD5 Republican congressional candidate Jim Ogsbury, who is currently engaged in a five-way primary.

"Jim Ogsbury is a principled conservative with deep Arizona roots and an understanding of the issues that face our state and our nation,” said Kolbe.  “He has the toughness and the experience needed to get the Congress working for the interests of people again."

Ogsbury responded with kind words of his own toward the former congressman.

"I am sincerely grateful to sreceive the support of a statesman like Jim Kolbe,” said Ogsbury. “Congressman Kolbe served his district honorably for more than two decades, advancing free trade, protecting military institutions in his district and attending to the needs of his constituents.”

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-8) has announced she is backing Sen. Barack Obama (D.-Ill.) for president, shortly after Obama declared victory in the Democratic nomination process.

"Now that all primaries and caucuses have concluded," said Giffords, "I am enthusiastically endorsing Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

"Every state has had a chance to vote and Barack Obama has emerged with more support," she continued. "In becoming a delegate for him, I recognize his inspiring and thoughtful leadership that brought him to the finish line. I am proud to join Governor Janet Napolitano and millions of voters throughout the country in supporting Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. I agree with his policy priorities and his commitment to create a cooperative and bipartisan era in American politics. In states large and small, Barack Obama has shared his hope, optimism, and vision of what is possible.

"Americans from all walks of life see in him someone who can truly change our nation," she said. "I do as well."