The Russell Pearce Scandal Spills into CD-5

For those that don't already know, State Representative Russell Pearce of District in Mesa recently sent out an e-mail to supporters citing an article from the racist group, the National Alliance. Plugged In covers the whole crazy thing here, along with Pearce's apology.

Pearce is in hot water. First, it was supporting a revival of "Operation Wetback," and now it is forwarding racist, Neo-Nazi trash to his supporters. From what others have told me his district has a sizable Latino population. Sure Mesa is conservative, but this isn't shaping up to be a good year for any conservative. I have met his opponent, Tammie Pursley, and I think it's a race she can win.

The scandal has spilled into CD-5. On Tuesday, J.D. Hayworth rescinded his endorsement of Russell Pearce.

"Given the regrettable and disturbing nature of the email Russell Pearce circulated earlier this week, I cannot in good conscience lend my endorsement to his candidacy for State Representative. While Russell has issued an apology for his emails, I nonetheless will not be associated with any communication that contains anti-Semetic remarks."

(emphasis mine)

Good for J.D., but this press release wasn't thought through very well, huh?

We all remember J.D.'s reference in his book to Henry Ford and "Americanization" and the fallout from that. The Arizona Jewish community was not very happy and the AZ blogosphere was abuzz with talk of J.D. and his choice of heros. So, here J.D. gets an opportunity to publicly wash his hands. After all, instead of saying he wasn't going to be associated with racist remarks, or neo-Nazi remarks, he said there would be no association with anti-Semitic remarks.

By no means do I think this implies J.D. was perfectly okay with all the other crap on that website or in Pearce's article. But that press release was deliberate in its wording. J.D. is out to do anything and say anything to get re-elected. Using this scandal to throw off any anti-Semitic accusations is par for the course.

What I find more intriguing is the reaction amongst die-hard conservatives. They are calling him a coward for rescinding his endorsement. A traitor. A filthy opportunist. And these were people that were going to or would vote for J.D. Hayworth.

Bob Haran, a regular poster at Plugged In had this to say (all emphasis below mine):

Let's look at how J.D. Hayworth has conducted himself in this campaign. He was falsely accused of being anti-Semitic and I defended him on these pages because I believed then and still do, believe that J.D. Hayworth is not anti-Semitic. However, when Russell Pearce forwards an E-mail without completely reading it and it turns out to have anti-Semitic trash in it and the wolfs come after Pearce, ready to brand him, unjustly, with the scarlet letter of anti-Semitism, what is J.D. Hayworth's response. Well, J.D. sees it as the perfect opportunity to get himself out from under the anti-Semite cloud by withdrawing his support for someone else that has been falsely accused of anti-Semitism.

Well, Mr. Hayworth, you succeeded in proving to the world that you're not a racist or anti-Semite, the truth, everyone, except the idiot's in Harry Mitchell's camp, already knew you were to smart to be a racist or anti-Semite, and no matter what you say or do, they're going to keep calling you those names, they're not going to let the truth get in the way. However, by your abandonment of someone else that is also being falsely made to look like an anti-Semite, you show your true character, you're a coward. When you were being falsely accused of anti-Semitism, I don't remember anyone withdrawing their support for you. People stood by you because they knew the accusation to be false, but when a similar tactic, I call it the new McCarthyism, is used against someone else, your quick to take advantage of the situation for your own benefit.

Well, Mr. Hayworth, excuse me if I withdraw my support for your re-election, not that I'm supported Harry Mitchell, the mans a worthless liar, but your a worthless coward, and if I lived in CD 5, I wouldn't vote for either one of you. None of the Above would be the best choice in CD 5.

Bob Haran,
Independent Conservative"

Another conservative named John2393 also weighed in:

"I was going to vote for Jd, but now I will not. At least Peacre stood up for what he believe and the US Citizens. I am sorry that JD wasn't un able stand up for what he has been saying.

Scott who been posting on this board was right, and I was wrong for disagreeing with him.

Pearce is a real man and no matter what it cost him, he did not back down from his belief. I can be proud of a man like him. He is the type of person who we need in DC for us. Not afraid to hurt some people felling to tell the truth.

JD you have not been honest and you could of been re-elected. Step away from Pearce for it might cost you a vote, but how many did it cost you to walk away."

Poster 206isCancer at Arizona Congress Watch:

This is ridiculous! JD should be absolutely ashamed of himself. Russell Pearce is one of Arizona’s best Representatives. He’s one of the few who really cares about the Constitution. If a man profusely apologizes for something, then we have this little thing called forgiveness. It is pitiful that Republicans continue their “Throw their own overboard” mentality. Russell Pearce is a truly decent American, and he has always put himself out there with strong legislation that protects Arizona. So, the Libs have always wanted to throw him overboard any chance that they get. Too bad, they don’t realize how popular Russell Pearce is in his home Legislative District, and that the more the Libs attack him, the more his supporters will rally around him. Hayworth, once again, shows that he’s a complete blowhard. He loves to try to talk the Conservative talk, but he does not walk the Conservative walk. Remember that JD was opposed to Proposition 200 in 2004 (just like everybody else on the Republican side) except Randy Pullen, Randy Graf, and Russell Pearce. So, what do you expect? JD’s campaign is in an absolute tailspin right now. There is a good chance at this point that JD could lose to some really old dude, and that would suck for Republicans. But it’s JD’s own fault for not putting his money where his mouth is."

Russell Pearce citing neo-Nazis? Disgusting. Hayworth denouncing Pearce for it? Upstanding. Hayworth's base staying home in November because of it? Priceless.