U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva has been known for his edgy doodles since his days on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.
So when the Woman's National Democratic Club decided to put on an exhibit of art pieces by members of Congress, his staff submitted a piece he did - in Sharpie, on his official letterhead, of an asymmetrical face of scrambled features - titled "Long Day of Leg(islating)."
The show closed last month but the work garnered such rave reviews, Grijalva's doodling for dollars now. His staff has a dark, detailed piece he completed during recent hearings in response to the BP fiasco. The artwork, not paid for at taxpayer expense, is going up on eBay soon to benefit his campaign, along with other items, such as his ever-stylish bowling shirts and pins adorned with his trademark mustache.
Good thing that boycott is over so Arizona people can bid on it.
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WRONG ANSWERS
A few candidates still haven't cured themselves of a habit that's universally admirable everywhere, it seems, but on the campaign trail - honesty.
We've seen a number of forehead-slapping moments in recent televised interviews on Arizona Illustrated.
Marian McClure, a state Senate Republican candidate Legislative District 30, conceded she doesn't quite know what areas can be cut to address certain state budget shortfalls. Fine. But the framing needed a little finesse: "I do not know myself exactly where (to cut) - I have not been paying that much attention over the course of the last two years to what has been cut." Rule No. 1: Never admit you haven't been paying attention.
Republican Jay Quick said in his closing statements for why he's running in Congressional District 8: "I'm not here to beat (Democratic incumbent) Gabby Giffords. I'm just here to speak for the people." Rule No. 2: The goal of an election is to win.
Meanwhile, Libertarian Congressional District 7 candidate Andrew Ibarra was asked why he decided to register Libertarian. Formerly an independent, until the campaign began, he could have used the opportunity to tell Libertarians why the party's message resonated. Instead, he couched it in terms of shopping for a party that gave him a shot at winning. Rule No. 3: Unseemly strategy issues are best kept to oneself.
Everyone says they want honesty on the campaign trail. With answers like these, their opponents certainly appreciate it.
Crocodile tears
U.S. Senate hopeful J.D. Hayworth sent out a press blast Sunday saying he wasn't going to talk about fellow GOP contender Jim Deakin's looming home foreclosure, noting "it is inappropriate to turn this very personal matter into a political football."
The move-along, nothing-to-see-here release, though, put a spotlight on an issue that had previously been relegated only to a few active blogs.
Just one problem: Deakin said he is not losing his North Phoenix house. He said while his home is underwater and he was behind in his payments, he has been working with the bank and made up the payments. Deakin said voters can identify with a candidate who is an average citizen, struggling to get through the economy.
And since Hayworth has been saying Deakin will bleed anti-John McCain votes away from him, Deakin isn't buying the professed concern from his opponent.
Perhaps that spotlight caught a glimpse of some crocodile tears.
Contact Rhonda Bodfield at rbodfield@azstarnet.com or 573-4243. Contact Andrea Kelly at akelly@azstarnet.com or 807-7790.
