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Not really, but this copycat has been kicking around my head for a few days and you know it would be an issue if she decides to run for re-election.
(Since this story ran, Giffords has had an interview with Diane Sawyer and made herself more available to the press - based on the interview my guess is that she won't run for re-election.)
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/nationa...#ixzz1f3mkNiRA
(Since this story ran, Giffords has had an interview with Diane Sawyer and made herself more available to the press - based on the interview my guess is that she won't run for re-election.)
Giffords' potential 2012 opponent questions her readiness to run
NEWSCORE
Last Updated: 7:27 PM, August 25, 2011
Posted: 1:57 PM, August 25, 2011
TUCSON, Ariz. -- A Republican state senator who is contemplating a challenge against Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in November 2012 questioned her fitness for office in an interview with The Hill newspaper late Wednesday.
Arizona state Sen. Frank Antenori, who formed an exploratory committee to run for Congress earlier in the week, said that while Giffords should of course be given time to recover from being shot in a January attack, her staff needed to start letting her constituents know more about her progress and ability to represent them in Congress.
He has previously said that he is less likely to run for the seat if the Democratic congresswoman decides to run for a fourth term.
"She is cognizant enough to read and comprehend the debt bill and cast a vote but her handlers don't feel the media should be given access to her, and I don't know why that is," Antenori told The Hill.
"It's creating the legitimate question: Is she able to vigorously represent the district, or was this a one-time deal? Can she do this next term to the same degree of every member of Congress, is she able to continue that level of energy?"
Giffords is still recovering after being shot in the head January 8 during a rally in her Tucson district. Six people were also killed in the shooting, including one of her aides.
She made an emotional return to the House of Representatives on August 1 to cast a vote in favor of increasing the federal debt ceiling -- her first since the shooting -- receiving a standing ovation from her colleagues.
"The voters need to make a decision, and how do they do that without information?" Antenori said. "They can't make an assessment of her ability because her staff have denied access to the media. If she's back, as they claim, why are they still blocking media access to her?"
"She is held to a different standard and that's understandable, but it's strange they're going to continue to [shield her from the media]."
Giffords' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NEWSCORE
Last Updated: 7:27 PM, August 25, 2011
Posted: 1:57 PM, August 25, 2011
TUCSON, Ariz. -- A Republican state senator who is contemplating a challenge against Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in November 2012 questioned her fitness for office in an interview with The Hill newspaper late Wednesday.
Arizona state Sen. Frank Antenori, who formed an exploratory committee to run for Congress earlier in the week, said that while Giffords should of course be given time to recover from being shot in a January attack, her staff needed to start letting her constituents know more about her progress and ability to represent them in Congress.
He has previously said that he is less likely to run for the seat if the Democratic congresswoman decides to run for a fourth term.
"She is cognizant enough to read and comprehend the debt bill and cast a vote but her handlers don't feel the media should be given access to her, and I don't know why that is," Antenori told The Hill.
"It's creating the legitimate question: Is she able to vigorously represent the district, or was this a one-time deal? Can she do this next term to the same degree of every member of Congress, is she able to continue that level of energy?"
Giffords is still recovering after being shot in the head January 8 during a rally in her Tucson district. Six people were also killed in the shooting, including one of her aides.
She made an emotional return to the House of Representatives on August 1 to cast a vote in favor of increasing the federal debt ceiling -- her first since the shooting -- receiving a standing ovation from her colleagues.
"The voters need to make a decision, and how do they do that without information?" Antenori said. "They can't make an assessment of her ability because her staff have denied access to the media. If she's back, as they claim, why are they still blocking media access to her?"
"She is held to a different standard and that's understandable, but it's strange they're going to continue to [shield her from the media]."
Giffords' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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