Ken Spain

The continuing allegations of ethics violations against U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) may have consequences for Democratic politicians across the country, including in Arizona. Today, in their third such attack, the National Republican Congressional Committee is calling on 1st Congressional District candidate Ann Kirkpatrick to return campaign contributions she received from Rangel. The NRCC had previously called for U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) to do the same.

“Ann Kirkpatrick is not a voice for change, she is status-quo politician willing to get elected to Congress any way she can,” said NRCC Spokesman Ken Spain in a press release. “If Kirkpatrick wants to separate herself from a corrupt politician and an unpopular Democrat Majority in Congress, she will return the campaign checks she took from Rep. Charlie Rangel.”

Energy was the topic of the day in all four of the competitive congressional races in Arizona. Mary Kim Titla, Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District, released an energy plan, while state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) visited a gas station to discuss the nation's fuel crisis. Meanwhile, the National Republican Congressional Committee kept up their assault on U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) over voting against bringing a Republican energy bill up for a vote.

Titla unveiled a five-point plan to combat the nation's fuel problems, a day after Republican candidate Sydney Hay revealed her own five-point plan. Both Hay and Titla believe a revamp of the nation's oil refinery system is necessary, but while Hay's focus is on expanding the production capacity of America's oil refineries, Titla proposes a national air quality standard to eliminate some of the dozens of blends refineries currently produce.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has called on U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-Tempe) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) to denounce "socialist" comments by a Democratic House member, as Giffords voiced her support for a bill to encourage oil companies to use exisiting leases of government lands.

At a press conference Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) said, "Should the people of the United States own oil refineries? Maybe so." He claimed he thought it was a "good idea" at the time, though Hinchey admitted later in a FOX News interview that he doesn't think the idea will fly.

The NRCC followed up by challenging Reps. Giffords and Mitchell to "weigh in on this newest proposal to socialize America’s energy industry."

The National Republican Congressional Committee is taking its counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, to task over their support of CD1 candidate Ann Kirkpatrick. Ken Spain, spokesman for the NRCC, criticized Kirkpatrick as the "hand-picked Washington candidate" after the DCCC added her to its Red to Blue list, which helps Democratic challengers with fundraising and organization.

“Despite repeated claims that they would remain neutral in primaries, the DCCC has decided to make Ann Kirkpatrick the hand-picked Washington candidate of choice" said Spain in an email. "That is because they know she will be a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda of higher taxes, government-run healthcare, and soaring energy costs.”

The DCCC, however, denies that her inclusion in the program amounts to an endorsement, saying it is only a reflection of her strength as a candidate.