NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday January 30, 2008
Bee chooses Rove over people's business at the Legislature
Senate President Tim Bee is already ignoring his duties at the Capitol to work on his Congressional campaign, according to the Arizona Capitol Times. According to the story:
The Legislature usually holds session four days a week, which gives Bee three days a week to work on his campaign to unseat [Congresswoman Gabrielle] Giffords. Bee’s absence from the floor on Jan. 23 illustrates how complicated the juggling act is.Bee skipped the session on Wednesday for a lunch with Republican strategist Karl Rove. Arizona Capitol Times learned that he excused himself from the session because of “personal commitments” in Tucson.
“Tim Bee is less than a month into his campaign, and he’s already choosing Karl Rove over the business of the people,” said Emily Bittner, spokeswoman for the Arizona Democratic Party. “He’s pinning the entire logic of his candidacy on his ability to bring people together at the Capitol, but it’s hard to bring people together when you’re missing work to run for Congress.”
“Not only that, cozying up to one of the most reviled and ideological political operatives in American history is a clear indication he stands with the status-quo and is out of touch with the values of the Eighth Congressional District,” Bittner said. “Maybe Tim Bee thinks they really want more of the same Bush politics.”
Bee has said that he can manage the state Senate as well as running full-time for Congress.
Full text of story:
Bee watch: The juggler
ARTICLE POSTED 1.29.2008 | 3:19 PM
Bee’s congressional bid is in full steam, a letter to his supporters announced yesterday. But his letter raises questions anew about he will balance the demands of a full-blown campaign and his Senate work.
“I pledge to work day in and day out to regain this seat,” he said in the letter. Early this month when he had not yet officially declared his congressional bid, Bee said his goal would be to “focus on Senate business while I’m at the Senate and to do everything I can to prevent others who, from the outside, will be trying to suggest that things are being used for political purposes.”
The Legislature usually holds session four days a week, which gives Bee three days a week to work on his campaign to unseat Giffords. Bee’s absence from the floor on Jan. 23 illustrates how complicated the juggling act is.
Bee skipped the session on Wednesday for a lunch with Republican strategist Karl Rove. Arizona Capitol Times learned that he excused himself from the session because of “personal commitments” in Tucson.
Bee told our reporter this morning he typically spends 10 to 12 hours a day for his Senate work, then spends the rest of the night – sometimes until midnight – on his congressional campaign. He said his weekends are fully scheduled.
Does he still have time for his family?
“Oh yeah, absolutely,” he said. “We do everything as a family, so campaigning is a family project.” Bee said he is used to working over time.