Jan Brewer: I’ve Got My Public Financing Now, So No More Debates

Perhaps the reason that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer seemed so unprepared for her debate the other night is that she only bothered to show up so she would qualify for public financing for her campaign:

PHOENIX – Arizona voters won’t be seeing any more debates between the top gubernatorial contenders.

Incumbent Republican Jan Brewer said Thursday she has no intention of participating in any more events with Democrat Terry Goddard. She said the only reason she debated him on Wednesday is she had to to qualify for more than $1.7 million in public funds for her campaign.

“I certainly will take my message in a different venue out to the people of Arizona,” she said.

Translation – I’ve got my cash, now go away peons.

Now, it’s certainly true that incumbents almost never want to debate their opponents because it generally helps the challenger more than the incumbent. However, for a candidate who’s running on a platform of fiscal conservative to be agreeing to debates just so she’ll get taxpayer dollars for her campaign strikes me as just a little hypocritical.

FILED UNDER: 2010 Election, US Politics, , ,
Doug Mataconis
About Doug Mataconis
Doug Mataconis held a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University and J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. He joined the staff of OTB in May 2010 and contributed a staggering 16,483 posts before his retirement in January 2020. He passed far too young in July 2021.

Comments

  1. James says:

    Did I miss something, Was it just Gov. Brewer hoop jumping ?

  2. Brewer is apparently borrowing the Sarah Palin playbook: after it becomes obvious you can’t rationally defend your positions, stop going before any forum not guaranteed to kiss your butt.  If anyone complains about this, say it’s because they hate Jesus.

    http://www.arizonaguardian.com/azg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2431:brewer-claims-god-brought-her-to-power&catid=937:campaigns-a-elections-fp&Itemid=148

  3. Brummagem Joe says:

    It’s utterly amazing that this woman is somehow a credible politician. I wouldn’t trust her to go out and get the laundry. But somehow (as with Palin) people just seem to suspend their value judgement systems because of a political label. The same happens with Democrats. Rangel is actually an effective legislator but he’s also a bit of small time crook. Quite a likeable crook but way past his sell by date. Brewer is way out of her depth but she’ll probably be elected by people who are exhibiting zombie like behavior.

  4. @Brummagem:

    Green Drazi #2: Green must fight Purple. Purple must fight Green. Is no other way.

  5. Michael says:

    B5 quotes, for the win.

  6. anjin-san says: