David PetraeusToday

Jeff Flake

A reader named Mark asked a reasonable question concerning my story today about the sabotage of an online poll about the potential Jeff Flake-Russel Pearce congressional race. The story was headlined “Results are in; online poll doesn’t add up.”

The story can be accessed here: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/97050

Question: “I fail to see how this is even remotely newsworthy. Covering online polls?? If you were to believe some of these so-called online polls, Ron Paul would be a shoo-in for president. Janet Napolitano would have had no chance at getting reelected last year, and Sen. Jon Kyl is in real danger of being recalled. A poll from GOPUSA?? Come on!”

Answer: Mark is correct in that online polls are garbage. That was explained by legitimate pollster Mike O’Neil within today’s story. Heck, the results of the online poll weren’t even included in the story.

But the story really wasn’t about the GOP news site poll. It was about how Pearce and someone apparently aligned with Flake tampered with it.

Pearce admitted to me that he sent an e-mail to supporters telling them how to manipulate the poll to favor him. Then three hours later, he said, he sent another e-mail asking his supporters to ignore the poll. Meanwhile, Flake’s spokesmen Matthew Specht and Mike Haller told me they encouraged Flake’s supporters to vote in the poll, but they denied knowledge of who hacked it to favor Flake.

Integrity and honesty are going to be key themes of a potential Flake-Pearce race. Pearce challenged Flake on those points when he announced that he was forming an exploratory committee as he considers running. Specifically, he said Flake has been less than honest in discussing immigration. Those are strong words for the opening interview of a congressional race.

That’s what makes the story newsworthy. Thanks for asking.

Jeff FlakeSome of the best parts of my recent interview with Rep. Jeff Flake at Macayo

Jeff FlakeRepublican Rep. Jeff Flake talked up his immigration reform bill today in the House Judiciary Committee

Russell PearceI have a confession. Until recently, I figured the 2008 election cycle was going to be a bland affair in Arizona, just a blip on the political record until 2010.After all, in 2010, Democratic Janet Napolitano will be termed out of the governor

John McCainJon KylArizona

The Arizona Republican Party is bulking up its staff in preparation for 2008 election cycle with the hires of a finance director and a political technology director.Former Washington state political campaigner Amilyn Davidson is taking the finance post. Most recently, she served as the PAC coordinator for the Washington State Restaurant Association, according to the party. Previously, she served as finance director for the Washington State Republican Party and as finance director for Dino Rossi for Governor campaign.Former California state GOP party IT coordinator Garrett Archer is taking the political technology position. In California, he administered a statewide technology network that incorporated 48 field offices across the state, according to the Arizona party.Both started today.With Davidson and Archer aboard, the party