Would Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann choose Arizona’s (in)famous Sheriff Joe Arpaio as her Attorney General if elected? Bachmann met with Arpaio yesterday (photo, above,) to “discuss critical border security issues.” Arpaio calls himself “America’s toughest sheriff,” and has taken a very public and outspoken stance against “illegal immigration” and border security, and has been a lightening rod, especially during the 2008 elections.
“According to the Bachmann campaign, the last-minute event was opened to press at the request of Arpaio’s staff. Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, has developed a national reputation for his tough treatment of illegal immigrants, and has become a hot commodity on this year’s campaign trail,” CBS News reported. “Arpaio’s aide Chad Willems said the sheriff received several calls from Bachmann prior to today’s meeting, and that he’s also been called by Rick Perry and Mitt Romney.”
This week, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer scheduled the state’s presidential primary for Feb. 28, a move designed to win the state more attention from the candidates. According to reporters on scene, Bachmann’s plan to solve the “border issue” includes increasing security along the U.S.-Mexico border, and eliminating benefits for illegal immigrants such as tuition breaks for their children – a pointed reference to a law Perry enacted in Texas.
Arpaio’s endorsement has been highly coveted by presidential candidates over the years. Former Senator Bob Dole visited the sheriff’s Tent City (where he housed prisoners in non-air-conditioned tents in the middle of Phoenix’s blistering summers) during his unsuccessful 1996 presidential campaign. Arpaio endorsed George W. Bush in 2000, and then surprised many by endorsing Mitt Romney in 2008, over home-state candidate John McCain (the Arizona senator won the state and the GOP nomination).
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The Tucson Citizen reported that Bachmann’s visit came as a surprise to many local Republicans. “NOT good form when a presidential candidate comes to Arizona and fails to notify the state party or Governor,” the paper quoted Shane Wikfors of the conservative blog Sonoran Alliance on a Tuesday night Twitter feed. In a follow-up Twitter message, Wikfors expressed dissatisfaction with the Bachmann campaign “for blowing off conservative supporters in AZ tonight!”
Wikipedia notes,
An analysis by the Maricopa County Office of Management and Budget, completed in September, 2010, found Arpaio has misspent almost $100 million in taxpayer dollars over the previous 5 years.
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Arpaio has been a controversial sheriff. Arpaio’s practices have been criticized by organizations such as Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Arizona Ecumenical Council, the American Jewish Committee, and the Arizona chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. The editorial board of The New York Times called Arpaio “America’s Worst Sheriff”. Controversial issues surrounding Arpaio have included allegations of racial profiling, in which the ACLU has sued the sheriff.
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In 2008 a federal grand jury began an inquiry of Arpaio for abuse of power, in connection with an FBI investigation. Arpaio is being investigated for politically motivated and “bogus” prosecutions, which a former US Attorney called “utterly unacceptable”. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has called Arpaio’s “long list” of questionable prosecutions “a reign of terror”.
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