Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer's rebranding effort aimed at rebuilding Arizona's image has begun, with a puppet and partisan shots at the Obama administration. Bet that's going to help reassure the folks unhappy with SB 1070 that we're a welcoming place. You betcha!

The New York Times looks at how Arizona's new immigration law is playing in political races across the states. The whole thing is worth a read here.

A look at California:

The decision on whether to support or oppose the law can have almost immediate political consequences. The latest evidence may be Meg Whitman’s declining fortunes.

For months, Ms. Whitman, the former chief executive of eBay, enjoyed a substantial lead over her principal rival for the Republican nomination for governor of California, Steve Poizner. But in recent weeks, she has seen her advantage slip significantly, in no small part because Mr. Poizner has hammered her on her opposition to the Arizona law.

Finding herself increasingly on the defensive on the issue, Ms Whitman even proclaims in a new advertisement: “I’m 100 percent against amnesty for illegal immigrants. Period.”

Nonetheless, a poll released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California showed her advantage falling 23 percentage points since March, down to 38 versus 29 percent for Mr. Poizner.

More:

“The kindling has been lit in the states,” said Matthew Dowd, a political consultant from Texas who was the chief strategist for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign.

”With immigration, the choices you have to make are hard, and most people in Washington don’t really like to make hard choices,” he added. “Hard choices are much more often made in the states.”

Democrats have their own problems with the issue. Some more left-leaning factions prefer a path to legal status for illegal immigrants without the tough enforcement

Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity, has called for the head of John Goll, the Alaska regional director of the Minerals Management Service, in the wake of a New York Times story that revealed that MMS had ignored concerns about drilling in Alaska. And, by the way, served a cake decorated with "Drill, Baby, Drill."

The press release:

In response to a New York Times story revealing that the Alaska office of the Minerals Management Service systematically suppressed scientists and scientific reports, violated environmental policies, and served a cake topped with the words “Drill Baby, Drill,” the head of the office yesterday apologized…for the cake.

Alaska Regional Director John Goll allowed the cake to be served at an all-staff meeting he called to discuss Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s decision to reform the agency in the wake of the Gulf oil spill disaster and a rapidly growing scandal caused by what President Obama describes as the agency’s “too cozy” relationship with the offshore oil industry.

“Instead of apologizing for baked goods, Mr. Goll should apologize for overriding scientists, kowtowing to the oil industry, and putting Alaska’s wildlife and communities at risk of

Phil Krentz, younger brother of murdered rancher Rob Krentz, called the other night and talked at length to a reporter for the first time since March 27. He opened up about his life on the ranch now, the impact that terrible day has had on him, and the support he and other family members have been getting.

He said Rob’s wife, Sue, and her two sons attended the recent National Rifle Association convention, which began May 13 in North Carolina. NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre chartered a plane to fly them out there. They returned Sunday, May 16.

Krentz couldn’t go because he had to work. But he says, “It was real great deal,” and emblematic of the generosity and kindness the family has been shown.

“The support is everywhere,” Krentz says. “Everywhere I go, when people find out who I am, it's just unbelievable, the outpouring of emotion that’s going on. It seems like this has touched a nerve in a lot of people. You go somewhere and they find out what your name is, then they ask, ‘Are you any relation?’ And they say, ‘I want to offer you my condolences. This is just awful.’

“I went to Tucson, and I went to three places, and two of the three places asked me about it. I think people are starting to realize this is their back door, too, and that it can happen to them also. That's just my opinion.”

I asked what it has been like on the ground at the ranch since March 27.

“I'm seeing lots of stuff, and you hear about lots of stuff, a load or two of dope every day. So, you know, you hear these deals, and there’s no deterrence. How are you going to stop these guys? I don't know what the answer is. Is it just the politicians, the ACLU, or I don't know who has a finger on everything so they won't let anything get done.

“All I know is they’re putting crosshairs on everybody's head down here, and that includes law enforcement and anybody that works in this terrain. Every time I leave here I'm, well, I won't say I'm scared, because I refuse to be scared. But you just wonder what the day is going to entail.”

What do you mean ‘crosshairs’?

“Anything can happen, Leo. Maybe I might get shot, too. If I happen up on the right deal at the right time and the right place, I may get shot, too.

Do you go out working on the ranch alone?

“I have to go out alone. There just aren’t enough of us around, with my nephew and my son and me, we've got too much to do. We have to go separate ways in order to get everything done all day. And I'm not going to let that scare me. But I think I'm more paranoid about my son and my nephew.”

Long pause.

“It's paranoia. I just don't know what's around the next bend, if you know what I'm saying. Probably it's nothing. I've never had to worry about this before. It’s always been kind of a safe place. We knew they (drug smugglers) were there, and they just kind of went their way and you went yours, and then this thing happened with Rob, so it just took it up to another level.

“Unless something is done about it, I think people's lives in the United States are really in jeopardy.”

How so?

“Because there’ll be no recourse. The cartels can do what they want, and they know it.

“You know, this whole deal is not an immigration issue. This whole issue is about people's safety and securing the border. You just don't know what is crossing the border, and we've been saying that for years. And Rob and whoever else you talk to who has lived around here and seen what we've seen, it's not a safe place anymore. Some of the people you see, it just makes you wonder, and the things that you find. I know some people who have found prayer rugs and stuff like that in various locations, so you really wonder.”

I mentioned the story of Terrie and Glen Stoller, winter visitors whose home is north of the Krentz ranch, near Apache. They recently sold their home and fled to California because of the growing danger.

“But my roots are here,” Krentz said. “I'm not going to be run off from here. Even us, you know, the ranch has been in the family for more than a hundred years, but every generation has bought it from the previous generation and we just eke out a living here.

“Everybody thinks that because of what we own and whatnot, and sure, we own a lot, but we just live from year to year. We don't get rich off of this. In order to do something like this, you just really have to love the lifestyle.

“But this is starting to get to be more than just a lifestyle to me. This is getting to be, like, I'll be damned if they’re going to whip me down. I'm here until something gets done about it or I get killed or whatever. Somebody has to stick up for this country because it is going to hell in a hand basket. Maybe this is my part of trying to protect my country.”

Krentz said he was nervous speaking out for the first time, especially with Rob’s killer still at large.

“I know we haven’t talked about anything about that, but I’m kind of nervous. I want them to catch this guy. That’s my main goal and everything else will fall into place. It’d be nice to have some kind of closure.”

Krentz spoke frankly, but without bitterness, and hoped nothing he said would cause any more upset than has already occurred. He said there has been enough of that all the way around.

“I don't want anybody else to get hurt out of this, any law enforcement or anything like that,” Krentz said. “They need to be on the border, and they need to do their jobs, and they’re paid to do their jobs. But we've got to protect them also. I just don't want anybody else to get hurt in this whole damn deal.”

The owner of the Sausage Shop Meat Market at 1015 W. Prince Road just faxed me his menu, and I am experiencing conflicting emotions.

I am thrilled to know there’s a family-owned place that sells more than 100 different sausages and 53 sandwiches, but how did this place escape my notice until now, even though it’s been open since 1984?

Hmmmm, maybe it's because some people have been keeping secrets to hoard this little gem all for themselves! From one online review:

This little place has been doing business quietly in the corner of the Blue Haven Pools shopping center just West of Lowery's hardware for many years. I found it a couple of years ago. I kept it a secret till now. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

For shame!

Owner Kent Koecheler makes everything from Hungarian kolbaz to Cajun boudan, and it doesn’t stop anywhere near there. He also dry cures beef; custom cuts steaks; makes three types of bacon—and if it’s made out of meat there’s a good chance he can either provide it or point you to who does. He’s especially proud of his brat that includes everything that comes with a hot dog at a Chicago Cubs game, including the beer. I’m really proud of him for that, too.

And then there are the prices. Most sandwiches are $6, and some are only $5. From what I've read, the place is a madhouse between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., but you can also call your order in, and they’ll have it ready for you when you get there. Call 888-1701 for more information.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a decision knocking down the matching funds provision of Clean Elections.

Attorney General Terry Goddard, who is using Clean Elections in his gubernatorial campaign, was happy with the decision.

"It was always an option, although perhaps the least anticipated," Goddard says. "It's a vindication and a validation of a process that tries to level the playing field. For all of its flaws, I'm a supporter of Clean Elections."

Goddard will appear this evening on the Friday Roundtable on Arizona Illustrated, airing at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 6.

As the city continues to cut Access Tucson's funding, the Board of Directors has voted to let Executive Director Sam Behrend go. Behrend helped launch the non-profit public-access television station in 1984 and had been executive director since 1987.

Lisa Horner, training director with the station, will take the reins as executive director.

Here's the release from Access Tucson:

This evening the Access Tucson Board of Directors approved an agreement with Executive Director Sam Behrend to leave the organization effective May 22nd. Replacing him on an interim basis will be Training Director Lisa Horner. The Board praised Mr. Behrend's leadership and his more than 26 year commitment to Access Tucson and regrets the fiscal hardships caused by a series of funding cuts from the City of Tucson that forced them to release Mr. Behrend from his contract which was to have been through December, 2011.

Rasmussen releases a new poll showing that Republican Gov. Jan Brewer is ahead of Democratic Attorney General Terry Goddard in the governor's race:

After championing her state’s new immigration law in the face of criticism from President Obama and others, incumbent Arizona Governor Jan Brewer for the first time now attracts more than 50% support in her bid for reelection against likely Democratic candidate Terry Goddard.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in Arizona shows Brewer with 52% of the vote and Goddard, who opposes the immigration law, with 39%. Seven percent (7%) prefer another candidate, while just three percent (3%) are undecided.

Arizona voters now support the new immigration law more than ever, with 71% who favor it versus just 24% who are opposed.

Brewer captures 69% of the votes of those who favor the law. Goddard, the state’s attorney general, earns 91% support from those who oppose it.

The survey shows that Goddard was essentially even with two other potential GOP candidates, State Treasurer Dean Martin and attorney John Munger. But he's losing to Buzz Mills, the wealthy businessman making his first foray into politics.

Details from the poll here.

A Public Policy Polling survey in April showed that Goddard was ahead in a close race. A Research 2000 poll earlier this month also showed Goddard ahead.

Whatever numbers you want to believe now, it's a long way to Election Day.

Rasmussen reports that 68 percent of adults oppose boycotting Arizona. Unfortunately, 14 percent do think it's a good idea, which could still screw up the tourism biz.

Boston and Los Angeles were among the first to announce boycotts of Arizona, but 68% of Americans say it’s a bad idea for other cities or states to boycott Arizona over its new immigration law.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that only 14% of Adults think it’s a good idea for cities or states to join that boycott. Ten percent (10%) don’t care one way or the other, and nine percent (9%) more are undecided.

Tuesday's primaries were more proof of the anti-incumbency mood felt in many parts of the nation, and a new Rasmussen Reports poll finds that many voters continue to feel a randomly selected sample of people from the phone book could do a better job than their elected representatives in Congress.

The latest national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that 41% say a group of people selected at random from the phone book would do a better job addressing the nation’s problems than the current Congress. Almost as many (38%) disagree, however, and another 20% are undecided.

We think when William F. Buckley made his crack that "I'd rather entrust the government of the United States to the first 400 people listed in the Boston telephone directory than to the faculty of Harvard University," it was meant as a criticism of Harvard, not as an endorsement of random selection of members of Congress. Wonder what Buckley would think of conservatism today?

BTW: We're aware that Rasmussen polls tend to lean right and should be viewed with some skepticism.