Gabrielle Giffords' surprise return: Proof that she's running in 2012?
The recovering congresswoman's emotional visit to the House floor Monday night warmed a cynical nation — and fueled speculation about her future
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) surprised colleagues with an emotional return to the House floor Monday night to cast her vote on the debt ceiling bill. Beyond adding a veneer of class to the ugly debt-limit fight, her return fueled speculation that she'll run for re-election in 2012 — especially given the remarkable recovery the congresswoman has made since a nearly lethal January assassination attempt. Her office say no decision has been made yet, but could Giffords actually be running?
Dems certainly hope so: The "political reality" is that Giffords is a "popular, moderate" politician who has thrived in Arizona, a state that is trending "increasingly conservative," say Mark Perigard at The Boston Herald. She's also one of only three Democrats remaining in Arizona's congressional delegation. It's no wonder her colleagues have been fundraising on her behalf. Finding another Democratic candidate to win the seat "would be a tall order."
"Giffords' return: A nod toward 2012?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And she has the luxury of time: Giffords doesn't have to make a decision yet, says Josh Voorhees at Slate, thanks to the efforts of her Democratic colleagues who have already "laid the financial foundation of a re-election campaign for her." She's been named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Frontline" program, which assists with fundraising and outreach to help protect "vulnerable incumbents." Waiting to announce may help Giffords, too. GOP rivals "have been treading carefully" during her recovery, and will not likely launch a campaign to unseat her until she makes a formal decision.
"Surprise Giffords appearance sparks latest 2012 speculation"
But will she be healthy enough? "Just because she voted once doesn't mean she's back for good," says Arizona NBC affiliate KVOA. Doctors say she still has limitations, even though "mentally she's ready." A re-election campaign would be physically taxing on the still-recovering congresswoman, and it's still "too soon to tell" if she could handle the daily rough-and-tumble demands.
"Possibility of Giffords running again"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published