The Blue & the Gray-Matter

This morning, the Arizona Republic reported that Gov. Jan Brewer “scored an easy win over her opponents on Tuesday, fueled by her staunch support of Arizona's controversial immigration law and a national mood that favored Republicans.”

Continuing, the postgame piece noted for history:

Brewer's victory Tuesday capped off a remarkable political comeback for a candidate dismissed as "toast" by members of her own party as recently as March. Elevated to the Governor's Office after Janet Napolitano became Homeland Security secretary, Brewer spent her first year in office locked in a heated budget battle with her fellow Republicans in the Legislature. This year Brewer found her political footing, signing Senate Bill 1070 and becoming a national figure on immigration issues. Vocal opposition to federal health-care reform further enhanced her standing among Arizona's electorate.

Sigh. Like most Democrats in the Grand Canyon State, all I can do is gape slack-jawed at this depressing spectacle. Before the brainy ex-Gov. Napolitano left to help Obama save the world, she essentially played the role of a plucky Union Army regiment charged with keeping the kepi-capped GOP opposition in check here. She fought valiantly, and has the battle scars to prove it. But when the “regiment” decamped to DC, we Dems had to fend for ourselves. But armed only with a Mameluke sword, a six-shot Colt revolver and six bullets, our chances against the screaming Brewer Banshee Brigades were slim to none. The ensuing skirmish during the midterms was nasty, brutish and short. So here I sit in the Phoenix annex of “Andersonville” pondering the prospect of the reelected governor marching the state backwards.

FedUpInArizona, an anonymous Republic website reader, put it this way:

“Electing Brewer gives new meaning to the phase, stupid is what stupid does. Which pretty much explains Arizona voters.”

Well, that’s a bit harsh. But it reflects the intensity of the frustration felt by many democrats here. I actually wish Gov. Brewer well. I hope she will resist governing from the extreme right and, assuming it exists, find her inner moderate.

However, her minutes-long, deer-in-the-headlights stare as an answer to debate questions did not exactly inspire confidence in her natural gray matter. And since brain enhancing pills are not yet available on the market, she’d be wise to hire the equivalent in the form of much smarter staff. Good luck, governor. We’re all going to need it as the Blue and the Gray continues the political battle here.