OK, SO IT'S A CAMPAIGN RELEASE ....

Rio Rico, AZ - Approximately 200 people attended a candidate forum tonight between fast-rising Republican challenger Ruth McClung, Incumbent Democrat Raul Grijalva and Independent Harley Meyers. The forum, held at Rio Rico High School and sponsored by by the Green Valley News, Nogales International and others, offered few surprises--but showed yet again why Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Raul Grijalva is in a fight for his political life.

Rep. Grijalva continued to try and defend his abysmal extremist voting record, and his call for a boycott of his home state. Meanwhile, McClung scored points on lowering taxes, increasing science and technology jobs in Arizona, protecting social security and securing our borders against illegal drug and human smuggling.

The prepared questions from the moderators and a format that didn't allow for any rebuttals made for an often subdued and predictable exchange between the candidates. Still, McClung scored points throughout the debate, contrasting her sensible solutions and job-friendly policies against Mr. Grijalva's tired rhetoric of bigger government and more spending.

The most interesting parts of the evening occurred off-stage. Prior to taking the platform, Rep. Grijalva walked slowly around the room by himself, head down, greeting a few familiar faces in a subdued and oddly discomfited manner. When the questions were over, Mr. Grijalva quickly gathered his campaign team and left the facilities, barely acknowledging the voters who came there to support him.

McClung, as usual, demonstrated her ability to connect with individuals who would never have come out to vote for a Republican before. She was mobbed by supporters and curious newcomers alike before her trip to the stage, then stayed around for more than 30 minutes after the debate chatting and exchanging ideas with the crowd.

One young Hispanic woman who had earlier challenged McClung on her ideas for a stepped flat-tax structure to replace our broken income tax system quickly caught Ms. McClung as she was leaving the stage to learn more and offer her support. Another woman, a self-described "life long Democrat" also proclaimed her support for Ruth, adding that, "He (Grijalva), doesn't represent us anymore. "

Well, ma'am, not after November 2nd anyway. Rio Rico is a few miles from Arizona's border with Mexico, and is normally safe Grijalva territory--probably why he agreed to the debate there after ducking out of a public contest in the more heavily Republican Yuma area. But not tonight.

Proving once again that her reach extends into every community and corner of Arizona's 7th Congressional District, McClung won over the crowd with her sincerity and thoughtful demeanor.

"This race is about uniting people. Not tearing them apart," McClung said. "They (the federal government) want to divide us: rich from poor, men from women. But together we're strong. That's what this race is about, coming together to solve our (problems)--and we can."

... it's indicative of the fact that the times, they are a'changing.