Editor's Notes: Bee needs better case for change to beat Giffords

Tim Bee is a leader you want in Phoenix or Washington, D.C., to represent you.

The State Senate president builds consensus and works across party lines better than any state politician in memory. He’s smart, tough and makes decisions based on instincts, not political calculations. Republicans convinced him to run for Congress knowing he offers hope in troublesome election year for the GOP.

But Saturday, as Bee announced his candidacy to unseat U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., he was missing one thing. The Corona de Tucson resident needed a more convincing and passionate case for voters to turn out the equally talented and dedicated Giffords after only one term.

Change has emerged as the buzzword in Election 2008. Voters turned control of Congress back to Democrats in 2006 and seem poised to give more control to the party this year, especially if the economy continues to sour.

Bee tried Saturday to paint himself as the agent of change, but it’s a tough sell considering Giffords has been in Washington only one year. She’s not part of the problem. This isn’t 1994, when Republicans and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich took control of Congress for the first time in 40 years by introducing the “Contract With America.”

In 1994, Americans were wary of Bill and Hillary Clinton and jumped on the GOP bandwagon. In 2008, voters are weary of President Bush and the Clintons. Because of the fatigue, every candidate this year is trying to embrace and define change.

Bee stands on his solid voting record, accomplishments and position on issues. He runs as a Washington outsider, even though he might be the best-connected leader in Arizona.

“What I offer is not based on political platitudes but rather on my proven record,” Bee said Saturday. “I brought people together from both sides of the aisle to find solutions to the problems facing our state. I have worked to set the example that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

“Washington needs leaders willing to reach beyond partisan politics — leaders willing to bring people together. Build consensus. Get things done. That is my record in Arizona.”

Those words brought applause from his supporters, who already have donated more than $300,000 to his exploratory committee.

Unfortunately for Bee, the same words could be used to describe Giffords. She has been collaborative, proven accessible to voters and shown extraordinary strategic-thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Therein lies the dilemma for voters. Bee and Giffords belong in public service. Only one can serve in Congress for now. That could change in 2012, when Arizona gains two congressional seats based on Census projections.

Businessman and Republican mover-and-shaker Jim Click summarized the situation brilliantly as he spoke on Bee's behalf Saturday.

“Voters will have a great choice between Sen. Bee and a damn good Democrat,” the co-chair of Bee’s exploratory committee said.

Click later regretted his choice of words, “damn good Democrat,” but he was right.

“It’s hard to upset an incumbent in Congress,” Click said. “It’s easiest after only two years and when they have a voting record.”

Giffords and Bee talk passionately about tightening border security. They differ on social issues. Giffords wants to expand health care for children. They have different ideas on the war in Iraq.

As the campaign intensifies, Bee should spell out differences at every stop. In every debate, he should make a second to underscore his differences and make his case for a change.

Of course, the message might be hard for Bee to disseminate. By deciding to stay in the state Senate, rather than resigning to focus all his efforts on beating Giffords, Bee will be working exhaustively in the months ahead on state issues. Gov. Janet Napolitano will need his mediation skills to solve the budget crisis without cutting social services to the bone.

The state's problems will limit his ability to touch on national affairs until after the legislative session. His friends are telling him that voters do not pay attention until Labor Day, anyway. They're wrong.

The longer it takes for Bee to make his case, the more Giffords becomes entrenched. Fair-minded voters will not turn out an elected leader unless there’s a compelling case or a movement such as the “Contract With America.”

In 2008, Republicans will be lucky to hold the White House and pick up a seat or two in the House. If Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is the GOP presidential nominee, Bee might benefit from a surge of Republican voters in Arizona going to the polls to elect their favorite son to the presidency.

If Bee loses to Giffords, Republicans should convince him to run for governor or run for the U.S. Senate if McCain vacates the seat for whatever reason. If McCain loses his race for the presidency, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him retire rather than face the popular Napolitano in the 2010 Senate race.

By staying in Phoenix for the legislative session, Bee will be high profile, solving problems. But we already have seen him working across the aisle and firing staffers who were there for their only glory.

Voters need a clear message for change from Bee on national issues. How will he be better? It's going to be hard to sound convincing.

Contact Editor James Bennett at 547-9770 or jbennett@gvnews.com. Comment on this column online at www.gvnews.com.