Republican Primary for Senate heats up

July 11, 2012

Two experts talk about Arizona’s Republican Primary for Senate and the barbs exchanged between Jeff Flake and Wil Cardon.

Nathan Gonzales, deputy editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, says Republican strategists are confident they can keep someone from their party in the Senate seat, but negative ads are making them nervous. Gonzales says when the two Republicans aim their attack ads at each other they’re giving the Democratic candidate, Richard Carmona, a period of campaigning free from criticism.

Stan Barnes, a former lawmaker and former congressional candidate, says the animosity between Flake and Cardon isn’t too concerning. He believes people who are upset with the president will vote against the Democratic nominee. Barnes ran against Flake for Congress, and says Flake is a smart man who wouldn’t fight back against Cardon unless he felt threatened. He says that based on their actions, the Flake campaign may be feeling vulnerable.