Arizona Bully of 2011 Nominee: The AIRC Attempted Coup Co-Conspirators

Politics is a blood sport and not for the faint of heart.  In Arizona, this is especially true.  Even though Republicans make up only 35% of registered voters, they hold a super majority in the legislature, all elected state offices and 6 of 8 congressional seats.  Though a majority of those registered as independents or “no party affiliation” are conservative, the Republicans have managed their impressive feat through their stranglehold on congressional and legislative districts.

In 2000, the voters of Arizona sought to change all that by taking the process of redistricting out of the hands of the legislature and putting into the hands of an “independent” redistricting commission.  Arizona Republicans have made no secret their hatred for the voter mandated process as they appear to convey it is their “god given” right to rule Arizona.  In 2011, Republicans and their “tea party” movement members basically declared war on the AIRC, culminating with the attempted removal of Chairwoman Colleen Mathis.  Luckily the Supreme Court halted the attempted coup and the AIRC has been able to go about their voter mandated business.

But it is not the entire Republican Party I am nominating as an Arizona Bully of 2011.  No, I am naming the co-conspirators in the attempted coup of the AIRC: Governor Jan Brewer, Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne and the Arizona State Senate Republicans.  Congrats everyone!