Watch August 03, 2012 on PBS. See more from Arizona Illustrated.
A feisty edition of Arizona Illustrated’s Political Roundtable as Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik and Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries spar over the direction of the Republican Party while Pima County Democratic Party chairman Jeff Rogers tries to stay out of their way. Plus, the panel talks about the likely U.S. Senate race between Republican Congressman Jeff Flake and Democrat Richard Carmona, unpacks the latest polls in the local congressional races, tries to decipher what’s going on the Pima County Board of Supes GOP primaries, weighs the impact of anonymous contributions to political campaigns, examines the city’s annexation policies, wonders about the future of downtown’s modern streetcar and digests the Chik-Fil-A controversy.
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2012.
That Steve Kozachik is a total joker. We don’t elect resumes, we elect people to represent and vote for us in the U.S. Senate. Richard Carmona is a liberal Democrat who answered the call of his ideological mentor, Barack Obama. He supports Obamacare, higher taxes, and it’s been reported that he has serious issues with respecting women in authority.
Great episode, Jim Nintzel!
Steve Kozachik showed a detailed understanding of the issues and implementation and fiscal responsibility at the municipal level. It was especially welcome that he mentioned the whack right-wing moneygrubber Big Brothers up in Maricopaland. And he’s not afraid to stand up to the vapid disingenuous widdle feet stamper, Trent Humphries.
It is amazing and gratifying to see how Kozachik has grown during his time in office. His communication skills have caught up with his politics. The more I see and hear him the more I feel sorry that he only on the Tucson City Council, not that there isn’t a lot to do there. But someone with the brains to recognize the better candidate and then to have the character to actually say it in public is amazing in this day. As long as I am throwing bouquets, I may not agree with Humphries’s politics, but he actually answers a question and treats the audience and panelists with respect, as opposed to the usual GOP representative on AZPM who if asked what month it is, starts taking about Obamacare.
And on the Chik-Fil-A controversy question: Jeff Rogers said he’s never been there and Steve Kozachik said he was working that week. Good.
Trent (“Look,…”) Humphries exclaimed he lunched at that place and experienced pleasure, perhaps even some kind of rapture… it showed and we’ll all have to pay for it, eventually, wink, wink…
I find it disturbing that a Republican would support a Democrat, knowing what we know about them. Sorry, but, you may NOT support the Republican, but, I dont think its too much to ask to not “openly betray” your own party..and YES the so-called Tea Party is simply a much more right-centered group of Republicans. Sometimes their views are extreme, but, I dont find it extreme to ask the Government to pay for what they do and STOP with the tax, tax, tax -lets spend YOUR money crap.
Kozachik will not win another Republican primary. He supports Barber, Carmona & Carroll /Hellon- all Democrats and most likely supports Obama. What is it with people in this town with R’s next to their name that really need to be registered as Democrats?! Trent Humphries is way out of touch on County races. I think Steve K. & Trent H. will be very surprised to see Miller & Collins win the primaries…both have huge leads…
That roundtable was absolutely delicious. Steve Kozachik did a fabulous job of countering and smashing Trent Humphries’ ridiculous Tea Party babble.
Jim Nitzel, watching this made me upset. Your roundtable of political wannabes talking about national politics have as much impact as watching middle-aged former high school football stars talk about what they would’ve done differently in the Super Bowl.
Steve K wants to judge politicians by their resume and not their party affiliation, yet we’re supposed to give him credibility given Tucson’s fiscal situation? Streetcar? TCC? Rio Nuevo? The condition of your own district? Of the City Council members, he is the least of six evils, but even the smartest idiot in the world is still an idiot.
But what really upset me, Jim Nitzel, was actually finding out what you look like. You have a great face for a blog in the Tucson Weekly. Please stay off television, and don’t go out in public in daylight.
After the interview, I jumped party lines as well. I realized we don’t need the Democratic party, or the Republican party. What we need are individuals, such as Steve Kozachik who are rational, intelligent human being.
Anyone that supports the Tea Party is a TRAITOR of this state and nation. There only agenda is to destroy this nation. Look at the pass 3 1/2 years how they have jammed our Congress into doing nothing. The Tea Party is the enemy of the people.
Don’t let these traitors tell you a big story or lie to get elected.
Kozachik is a rare voice of reason in these insane times !! I would vote for him without a doubt.
both trents are idiots, teabagging idiots.
I am very impressed with Steve. I had never heard him on a panel like this but I can see he is an articulate fact-based and informed person. He is an asset to the Republican party. I wish more republicans were like him.
Well done, Jim. Gotta love Steve the anti-Republican. Hope he goes far in whichever party he ends up in. Can’t imagine he’ll stay an R much longer.
Every time I hear Steve Kozachik speak, or read a quotation attributed to him in the local media, I’m more impressed. I only wish there were more politicians, from both the major parties, that could exhibit half the pragmatic good sense of Mr. K.
Steve ask the right question on all issues. The other council members don’t really question much about a proposal. It not the party that people belong do, it what they accomplish in the job. Party should play no role in running our city.
This was a good one. The reason why Steve K. is hated by some in the republican party is that he is to pragmatic to be called a conservative pub. That is why you see so much animosity directed at him.