How extremists are reasserting themselves in mainstream GOP politics in Arizona

[JonLP24]

Russell Pearce stepped up to a podium in Gilbert, one of the more affluent and educated communities in Arizona.

He had bloodshed on his mind.

“We have stupid leaders, stupid politicians,” he told a crowd of Republicans. “And it’s time we start replacing those that refuse to stand up for the values that those have shed blood for. I’m grateful to be an American and I’m grateful to be a patriot. … I believe we owe it to our children and our grandchildren to preserve the freedoms we’ve enjoyed, that have been passed down to us by the shedding of blood. And it may take the shedding of blood to keep this republic, and I, for one, am willing to do whatever it takes.”

His remarks drew applause from Republicans in the crowd, many of whom sat in lawn chairs throughout the day to hear from a parade of conservative speakers who headlined the event.

There was a time not so long ago when Arizona’s Republican leaders would have spurned a grassroots gathering such as this “Patriotism over Socialism” rally, put on by the Tea Party Community.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/05/20/how-extremists-reasserting-themselves-into-mainstream-gop-politics-arizona-republican-party/3568202002/

[Kali]

1. never thought of Gilbert as affluent or educated

but then I haven't lived in the valley for decades.

[JonLP24]

2. Gilbert has quite a few homes for the 1%

Not sure about the educated part though.

[Kali]

3. it was all farms when I lived up there