Thread: Event feting Kolbe hosted by Napolitano, Walkup

Published: 09.17.2006

Event feting Kolbe hosted by Napolitano, Walkup
By Daniel Scarpinato
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Last Saturday, while everyone focused on the looming District 8 congressional race, a crowd of more than 300 gathered at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort for a black-tie event honoring retiring Rep. Jim Kolbe, who until the first of the year still holds that seat.
The swanky get-together was hosted by Gov. Janet Napolitano and Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, who told Kolbe he didn't plan to stop voting for the congressman, even though the veteran isn't running for office anymore. Huh?
Anyway, Kolbe was treated to a first-class tribute. In a video presentation, a teary-eyed Bono — that's right, U2's Bono — thanked Kolbe for his friendship and work in support of fighting AIDS worldwide. Condoleezza Rice, John McCain and Jon Kyl also lauded his 22-year congressional career.
Kolbe modestly thanked the organizers, his friends and family, and everyone who kept electing him to Congress over the years.
And he said of all his accomplishments, he hopes he's remembered most for his civility in a sometimes uncivil Washington atmosphere.
Letty Huffman likes Giffords
Outside of Bono, perhaps the most interesting action at the Kolbe event was in the back of the room.
As the crowd funneled out of the room, District 8 candidate Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat, and her boyfriend, astronaut Mark Kelly, were answering questions about last-minute campaigning when Republican Steve Huffman and wife Letty stopped by to say hello. Three days before the election, Huffman and Giffords wished each other luck.
Then Letty made a dead-on prediction that Giffords would win the primary, and assured the former lawmaker her whole family would be voting Giffords come Election Day.
Way to put civility before politics — or politics before family, depending on how you look at it.
Raúl, Gabby real tight
After her Tuesday night win, Giffords said U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva was one of the first to suggest Giffords could be a political behemoth in the District 8 race.
"Congressman Grijalva phoned me the day Kolbe announced his retirement and said 'I think you can take this district,'" Giffords said. She also said having Grijalva's organization support helped her win.
Raúl: No satisfaction
And speaking of Grijalva, open his Myspace.com account, www.myspace.com/ raul_grijalva, and your ears will prickle to the Rolling Stones' "I Can't Get No Satisfaction."
Grijalva chose the song because he feels the American people aren't getting any satisfaction from their government, spokeswoman Natalie Luna said.
The site was developed at the suggestion of a young staffer. Scroll through its blaring green font, and you'll see highlights from Grijalva's career, his political writings and a map of Congressional District 7, where he is running for reelection.
There is also a video of Grijalva being interviewed on MSNBC about proposed immigration reform in the Senate, and, of course, there are friends. Actually there are more than 300 of them, including Democrat Jim Pederson, running for Senate against incumbent Jon Kyl.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/146998

So Huffman's wife (Huffman was defeated by Graf) says her whole family will be voting for Gabrielle Giffords (who was hand picked by Congressman Raul Grijalva CD 7) and not the fellow republican candidate, Randy Graf. This is an interesting statement.

So is this: "Mayor Bob Walkup, who told Kolbe he didn't plan to stop voting for the congressman (Kolbe), even though the veteran isn't running for office anymore." The reason that one is interesting is because the Mayor lives just down the street from me in Congressman Grijalva's district, CD 7 not Kolbe or Graf's district CD 8.

ALL SHOW AND NO SUBSTANCE!