KJZZ Here and Now Weblog

Here and Now - Clean Elections & Election Reform

2008 Election Analysis

What are your thoughts about this year's election results?

Here and Now: AZ Candidates / Declining Media

Negative campaigning got to you yet? It reached an all-time high in 2006, and doesn't seem to have stopped this campaign cycle. We'll try to avoid the mud and the muck and stick to the issues when we talk candidates for Congress.

What would you like to ask them?

Who knew the news industry was in that much trouble? The East Valley Tribune will let go 40% of it's staff. It comes after the Arizona Republic, Channel's 12, 3 and other news organizations cut jobs due to less revenue from advertising. What does this mean to the quality of news you'll get?

Tell us what you think and what concerns you have!

Here and Now: Arizona Ballot Propositions

It's enough to make you say 'ENOUGH!' Arizona's 8 ballot initiatives aren't as many as a couple years ago, but wading through all the campaign literature to find out what a ballot measure really does can be maddening.

To make it easy for you, KJZZ's Here and Now gives you the info you need to know to better understand what the initiatives are, who's backing them, and what a 'yes' or 'no' vote really means. Propositions like prop 102--defining marriage as only between a man and women--is pretty cut and dry. But others aren't, such as prop 200's pay day loan reform and prop 202's amending of Arizona's employer sanctions law.

We may tell you what you need to know, but that doesn't mean we have all the answers, or questions. So tell us what you think and what questions you have about Arizona's ballot propositions.

Primary Election Results and Analysis

Two Democratic lawyers face each other for the chance to take on Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Will whoever wins be able to defeat the incumbent Republican and his fight against illegal immigration? Never before have so many people run for a seat on the more obscure Corporation Commission. What three Democrats and an equal number of Republicans will make it to the general election ballot?

Indicted congressman Rick Renzi chose not to run for re-election in District one. Which Republicans and Democrats will come out on top to face each other in the general election?

Two of the six Republicans in the congressional district 5 race have been throwing mud despite a pledge to keep things clean so the winner has a better chance to unseat freshman Democratic congressman Harry Mitchell. Which of the six will go on to face the popular former Tempe Mayor?

Did independents actually turn out to vote in the primary election, or leave it to registered Republicans and Democrats to case ballots? And will turnout surpass the 25% that cast ballots in the 2004 primary election. And what role will early voting play. Of those who requested ballots, only 40% had turned them in by the end of August.

Your comments and questions are welcome below!

Also, you are welcome to take the KJZZ Election Poll.

Conventions and Elections

It's the Democratic party's turn to shine this week as party leaders and delegates meet in Denver. They'll formally nominate Barack Obama for president, taking 'presumptive' away from his title. We'll check in with an Arizona couple attending their first national convention. Howard and Lisa Bell recently married. They're from northeast Phoenix. Howard is a Clinton delegate, Lisa an alternate. They've come around to supporting Obama and are optimistic he and his vice presidential nominee, Senator Joe Biden, will do well in Arizona.

Arizona Republicans aren't so sure of that. Former John MCain staffer Wes Gullett and Republican political consultant Stan Barnes will join Here and Now host Steve Goldstein to talk about the Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis - St. Paul next week. Both are McCain delegates. We'll find out who they think McCain will select for his running mate and what it will take for McCain to top the rising tide of financial and political support for Obama.

Finally, Paul Giblin of the East Valley Tribune and Bob Robb of the Arizona Republic join Steve to talk about Arizona's congressional races and what's going on with ballot initiatives failing to have enough valid signatures.

Have a comment or question for Steve or his guests? Submit it below!

2008 Election and Political Convention Preview

No sooner do the Olympics end, then the political party Olympics begin, only in the form of a national convention. Just like the Olympics, there will be lots of patriotism with flags waving, and lots of red, white and blue. And each has a standout performer similar to the Olympics. Democrats will formally introduce the Vice Presidential candidate to tag team with Barack Obama who has set all sorts of fund raising records. Not to be outdone, Republicans will trot out their VP nominee to join John McCain, who is seeking to be the oldest person elected President (at least for a first term). TV networks stopped covering the 'made-for-TV' conventions, leaving cable to give us non-stop political punditry mixed in with speeches and photo-ops. But wait there's more!

The state's primary election is only two weeks away! Yes, two weeks. Not much time to figure out what candidates are running and where they stand on the issues. Here and Now has invited Gerald Richard and Tim Nelson to talk about their credentials and where they stand on the issues as they compete to be the Democratic candidate to take on Republican incumbent Andrew Thomas for Maricopa County Attorney. Then there are a couple congressional races where lots of candidates are running. Here and Now will look at those races as the primary nears. Plus, political bloggers will join us on-air to talk about what's going on in the election from their perspective.

The HTML you see next is part of an effort to expand the reach of the Here and Now blog Technorati Profile

Have a comment or question? The floor is yours.

Election Primer

Campaign signs are sprouting up. Soon, you'll be bombarded with radio, and TV ads--not to mention direct mail promoting one candidate over another.

Yep, it's election time. Early voting begins in two weeks!

KJZZ's capitol reporter Mark Brodie hosts an election primer edition of Here and Now. On the agenda: an overview of the ballot propositions voters will face come November as well as contested primary races at the state and federal level.

Have a question or comment. Please post it below. If it doesn't appear right away, we moderate comments to avoid spam showing up on our website.

Here and Now - Election Analysis

Join our live online discussion Wednesday, February 6 starting at 11am. Here and Now has invited political bloggers from throughout the state to take part in a simultaneous online/on-air discussion of presidential primary election results. We'll also be discussing upcoming Congressional races and other candidates who've announced for the Corporation Commission. Have a question or comment that can't wait? Submit it now.

Here and Now: Arizona Presidential Aspirations

Barry Goldwater came the closest. The Phoenix native was the Republican party nominee for President in 1964. But the politician credited with reviving the conservative movement in America got trounced by Lyndon B. Johnson. Mo Udall ran for president a decade later as a champion of the environment, Native American causes and campaign finance reform. But Udall came in second at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, losing to a peanut farmer from Georgia who went on to become president. Bruce Babbitt successfully lead the state as governor and instead of running for a Senate seat being vacated by Goldwater, he ran for president in 1988. His campaign didn't go far. The man who replaced Goldwater in the Senate, John McCain is now the latest Arizonan running for President. McCain was the media darling when he first ran in 2000. But after winning the New Hampshire primary, McCain fell victim to a whisper campaign in South Carolina that alleged he fathered an interracial daughter out of wedlock. McCain lost in South Carolina and eventually lost to George W. Bush for the Republican nomination. McCain started out in 2006 as the front runner for the 2008 Republican nomination , but has not been able to establish himself as a clear front runner since. What do you think of Arizona's track record when it comes to presidential candidates? Your comments and questions are welcome below!

Improving Arizona's Election System

Political experts agree Arizona's election system can be improved. Candidates using Clean Elections funding claim they didn't have enough money to get their message out. Others complain the various nuances of the system sometimes create more trouble than it's worth. Some voters wonder why there are so many propositions on the ballot. Here and Now examines the various problems with Arizona's election system and what can be done about them. The program also looks at a new online game similar to fantasy football but aimed at politics. Here and Now Wednesday from 11am to noon.

Here and Now invites listeners to join host Steve Goldstein and producer Paul Atkinson in the “Cactus League” on fantasycongress.com.

To call-in during the show, phone (480) 774-8200.

To post a question ahead of time, click on the "comments" link below.

General Election Results

Join Steve Goldstein on KJZZ's Here and Now Wednesday, November 8th from 11 until noon to discuss the results of the General Election. You can post a comment now by clicking on the link below, or call during (480) 774-8200 during the show.

2006 General Election

Join Steve Goldstein and a panel of guests to discuss the issues coming to the surface in the waning days of Campaign '06 in Arizona. KJZZ's Here and Now. Wednesday, November 1st from 11 until noon on KJZZ, 91.5 FM.

For more information on this topic, see the Here and Now Fast Facts.

To call-in during the show, phone (480) 774-8200.

To post a question ahead of time, click on the "comments" link below.

Arizona's Top Attorney

Join KJZZ's Steve Goldstein on Here and Now Wednesday, October 25th from 11 until noon as he speaks with candidates in the race for Arizona Attorney General. Also, a discussion of more ballot initiatives you will help decide on November 7th. Call with a question during the show (480) 774-8200. Or, post your comment now using the "comments" link below.

Len Munsil on Illegal Immigration

Republican candidate for governor Len Munsil joins Steve Goldstein on KJZZ’s Here and Now Monday, October 23rd from 11 until noon. Mr. Munsil will discuss his position on illegal immigration and outline his proposed plans for tax cuts and Arizona’s schools. To call-in during the show, phone (480) 774-8200. To post a question ahead of time, click on the "comments" link below.

Competition for Arizona's Senate and Congressional Seats

With Election Day less than a month away, candidates are gearing up for the stretch run on the campaign trail. Join host Steve Goldstein Wednesday, October 11th for KJZZ's Here and Now from eleven until noon as we look at the races for Arizona's seats in Washington.

To ask a question during the show call 480-774-8200 or you can post a question ahead of time by clicking the "comment" link below.

Len Munsil: Republican Candidate for Governor

This week on Here and Now, meet Len Munsil, the Republican candidate for governor. Also, Arizona is always among the nation’s leaders in the number of voter initiatives on the ballot. We'll discuss a few of the higher profile ones on this week's program.


To ask a question during the show call 480-774-8200 or you can post a question ahead of time by clicking the "comment" link below.

Primary Election Results and Analysis

The primary election is considered more important for many candidates seeking office in Arizona than the general election. That's because most legislative and congressional districts give one party the advantage--so candidates who win the primary election don't face much, if any, opposition in the general.

KJZZ capitol reporter Mark Brodie and East Valley Tribune legislative and political reporter Dennis Welch join Here and Now host Steve Goldstein to discuss election results.

Political consultants Jaime Molera and Barry Dill then join Goldstein for analysis of the results and general election match-ups.

For more information on this topic, see the Here and Now Fast Facts.

To ask a question during the show call 480-774-8200 or you can post a question ahead of time by clicking the "comment" link below.

Primary Election Primer

A number of factors make the primary election in Arizona more important for candidates running for state and federal office. Low voter turnout and mail in ballots are just a couple reasons why the primary election is usually more significant than the general election. Here and Now examines why many candidates don’t want more people voting in primary elections and how mail-in ballots have changed how people run for office. Arizona is one of a handful of states where independents can vote in either the republican or democratic primary. The program will look at the impact of open primaries as well as how publicly financed campaigns have evened the playing field for some aspiring politicians. Here and Now will also preview a host of competitive state and federal races including: both republican and democrat races for congressional district 8; the republican gubernatorial primary, and republican races in legislative districts 6, 7 and 8.

For more information on this topic, see the Here and Now Fast Facts

To ask a question during the show call 480-774-8200 or you can post a question ahead of time by clicking the "comment" link below.

"Here and Now" Talks Clean Elections

Thursday morning at 11:00 on “Here and Now,” we’ll talk about the ongoing challenge to the state’s system of publicly funded political campaigns.  A lawmaker has vowed to take down Arizona’s Clean Elections system, and we’ll talk about what affect his case will really have on the system.  Also, our guests will discuss the efforts of some to repeal Clean Elections, and those of others to implement it elsewhere.