Democratic National Committee

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Phoenix) is opening the Southwest Regional Headquarters for his presidential bid in Phoenix on Friday, according to Politico Mafioso. U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Phoenix), who chairs McCain's Arizona campaign, will be appearing to commence the celebration. A celebration of that sort is a long way off for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), however, according to his campaign.

"We're still hiring staff" was the response from the Obama press office, which told PolitickerAZ.com that there are no plans in the immediate future for an Obama Arizona office. "It's still early, though," said the media contact.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean came to Phoenix Tuesday to strategize with Democratic volunteers, bolster the belief that Sen. John McCain is beatable in Arizona and discuss downticket races.

Now the Arizona Democratic Party has released the podcast of Dean's talk with the party's new media communications manager, Jeff Goodman. In it, Dean discusses McCain's weaknesses, touts Democratic congressional candidates and finally reveals which candidate he DNC chair supports... on American Idol.

U.S. Sen. John McCainOn the fifth anniversary of Bush's "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, Democrats are taking the opportunity to once again throw Sen. John McCain's words on Iraq back in his face.

Despite complaints that McCain's remarks to the effect that it would be acceptable for U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for 100 years were taken out of context, Democrats are not letting up on the issue. Moreover, they are trying to paint McCain as a "flip-flopper" for having previously advanced a position at odds with his current view on Iraq.

"They have about as much hope of winning in Arizona in 2008 as a snowman does in Phoenix in August," said Arizona Republican Party Chairman Randy Pullen today, regarding the Democrats' hopes of an AZ victory in the presidential contest. "If Mr.  read more »

Leaders of the Democratic parties of several Western states held a conference call today to discuss what they see as Sen. John McCain's vulnerability in the traditionally Republican Rocky Mountain region, including Arizona.