Time for a special in AZ-8

[memphis]

Everybody's going to hate me seeing as how she survived a shot to the head and all, but it's time for AZ-8 to have representation. It's not fair to the district.
x memphis

[Lunar]

This is a petition?

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Everybody's going to hate me seeing as how she survived a shot to the head and all, but it's time for AZ-8 to have representation. It's not fair to the district.
x memphis

I agree. Perhaps a staff member can run, and be elected for the remainder of her term. She can always return in 2012. She's doing better though, so maybe she will be back soon.

[JoeyJoeJoe]

Henry Gonzalez  basically sat out his entire term after being reelected in 1996.  Tim Johnson was out for a long time after his stroke.  This is not unprecedented.

[Smash255]

Who are you Jan Brewer??

[nclib]

I think they should wait until doctors give a clear prognosis, before deciding how to handle representation in AZ-8. As Joey said, there are plenty of other (and less tragic) reasons why Reps have not been able to serve, or the seat has been vacant, for much longer.

[DrScholl]

I really do not think it appropriate to go that route before Giffords has a clearer picture of recovery. It's not like with Gladys Noon Spellman, whose seat was vacated when she fell into a coma. The house leadership isn't going to even think of doing that in this situation.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Yea, Boehner won't do a damn thing with this seat.  When Loretta (or was in Linda?) Sanchez called for her to be removed off a committee, there was bipartisan outrage at her for being so insensitive. I doubt they touch her seat.


When I saw the subject line the first thing I thought was, "don't tell me something happened to her".

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Not to be morbid, but the odds of Giffords making it to the House floor to resume work are virtually nil. While it's great to try to remain optimistic, the optimism needs to be based in reality.

[feeblepizza]

At the rate her recovery is going, she'll be just fine by 2012.

[memphis]

At the rate her recovery is going, she'll be just fine by 2012.

You don't take a bullet to the head and end up just fine. She may be able to lead an independent life, which, granted, is more than some people can manage, but she's not going to have the skills to be a full time legislator.

[Verily]

This has only happened once, btw, and they gave Gladys Spellman more time (and her prognosis was a lot worse--she never did wake up).

[zorkpolitics]

A lot of talk the Democrats will support Giffords in a run for Kyl's Senate seat, so seems unlikely she would resign due for health reasons and then run for the Senate.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

A lot of talk the Democrats will support Giffords in a run for Kyl's Senate seat, so seems unlikely she would resign due for health reasons and then run for the Senate.

That talk, frankly, is unrealistic and desperate. Democrats need to move on. Picking up the seat will be hard enough running a candidate without severe brain damage.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Every single times there's been news on her recovery so far, it's been met with marvel at her incredible progress and what she's been able to (seemingly) retain. I think it's a bit quick to jump to assuming she will never be able to do anything again, and honestly, though clearly people with brain damage usually do end up in horrible positions, there's been virtually nothing so far in the news of her recovery that justifies assuming that.

It's been, like, a month. Let's give it more time. At the rate she's progressing I think we'll be able to see if she's going to hit any sort of ceiling within the next few. I really think you guys are jumping a little far ahead.

[Insula Dei]

While a special election would be turning insensitivity up to 11 right now, I can see Giffords never returning to DC. Talk about a Senate run is very, very, very premature.

[Brittain33]

Every single times there's been news on her recovery so far, it's been met with marvel at her incredible progress and what she's been able to (seemingly) retain. I think it's a bit quick to jump to assuming she will never be able to do anything again, and honestly, though clearly people with brain damage usually do end up in horrible positions, there's been virtually nothing so far in the news of her recovery that justifies assuming that.

It's been, like, a month. Let's give it more time. At the rate she's progressing I think we'll be able to see if she's going to hit any sort of ceiling within the next few. I really think you guys are jumping a little far ahead.

It's true that we won't know for certain and we'll have to see. I do think a Senate race is an extremely demanding challenge and I just can't imagine that level of stress is good for her, even if she makes a good recovery. I agree with Mr. Moderate on this one, it's too early to rule out a run, but we can all see that's not likely going to happen.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Shouldn't we wait on this call for a special election until the people of AZ-8 start grumbling about no representation?  Or has that happened and I missed it?

[Torie]

The House is never going to remove Giffords. Period.

[RBH]

"She's obviously doomed, time to take her job away, it's been a month! why isn't she well yet?"

Awww Blushing Dems, is there anything you can't do?

[Marokai Backbeat]

Every single times there's been news on her recovery so far, it's been met with marvel at her incredible progress and what she's been able to (seemingly) retain. I think it's a bit quick to jump to assuming she will never be able to do anything again, and honestly, though clearly people with brain damage usually do end up in horrible positions, there's been virtually nothing so far in the news of her recovery that justifies assuming that.

It's been, like, a month. Let's give it more time. At the rate she's progressing I think we'll be able to see if she's going to hit any sort of ceiling within the next few. I really think you guys are jumping a little far ahead.

It's true that we won't know for certain and we'll have to see. I do think a Senate race is an extremely demanding challenge and I just can't imagine that level of stress is good for her, even if she makes a good recovery. I agree with Mr. Moderate on this one, it's too early to rule out a run, but we can all see that's not likely going to happen.

I tend to agree that I don't think a Senate run is ever in her future, but I think she's improving to such an extend so far that staying in the House seems reasonable if she keeps improving at the rate she's been improving so far.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I tend to agree that I don't think a Senate run is ever in her future, but I think she's improving to such an extend so far that staying in the House seems reasonable if she keeps improving at the rate she's been improving so far.

I wish I could share your optimism, Marokai.  I do want her to return to Congress, but man alive we don't have a clue as to the long-term problems this poor woman will face. 

God Bless her and I pray for her return, but it's hard to be optimistic.  JMO.