Should Gabrielle Giffords run for re-election if her health continues to improve?

[ellisonz]

Goodwill for Gabby Giffords abounds – but so do questions about the future

Some constituents are growing edgy about the uncertainty surrounding the political career of Gabby Giffords, and potential challengers are beginning to set eyes on the 2012 election.

By Lourdes Medrano, Correspondent / November 15, 2011

Mr. Kelly and Giffords further detail life after the shooting in their joint memoir, “Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope.” The book does not address the question of whether Giffords will run again next year, but May is the deadline to signal plans for reelection.

Given her traumatic experience, she deserves the opportunity to recover before making a decision, says Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D) of Arizona.

“I think she’s going to return to Congress; I really do,” he says.

If Giffords does decide to run, she will have hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund her campaign. According to the Federal Election Commission, she had $878,936 cash on hand through Sept. 30.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/1115/Goodwill-for-Gabby-Giffords-abounds-but-so-do-questions-about-the-future

[gateley]

1. If she do perform her job and it doesn't impede her recovery, I'd say yes. nt

[Philosopher King]

2. If it's okay with her doctor, it's okay with me.

[pinto]

3. Definitely. If she can handle the work load and is willing, I'd support that 100%.

:hi:

[frazzled]

4. Sure, but after watching last night ...

it didn't seem to me that, as far as she has miraculously come in the last ten months, that she will be sufficiently able to achieve a level of health and proficiency by May, the deadline for filing.

She's clearly able to process quite a bit, but she can still only express herself in one- to two-word expressions. I'm not sure that may be enough to consider running. Though being incapacitated never held back Strom Thurmond or Robert Byrd in their later years. I still remember them rolling a practically comatose Byrd into the Senate and lifting his arm for him so he could vote. But I'm not sure W. Virginia would have voted him in for another term in that state.

I hope that the next 6 months bring further gains, and that she will be able to make a decision, one way or another. Her health comes first. But also what's best for her constituents.

[sad sally]

6. What she should do is up to others, not me, but your comments

and watching the interview, makes me wonder how can anyone argue against stricker gun laws in America...

[Philosopher King]

18. " makes me wonder how can anyone argue against stricker gun laws in America..."

It's really quite simple, legislation of any sort should should be based on facts, as opposed to emotions.

[ellisonz]

8. It's the ability to speak that is inhibited...

...not her ability to reason. It's entirely possible she could regain the ability to speak fully.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphasia

She has her memory up until the morning of the shooting. She was even able to remember the name of the Sgt. of Arms when she went to Washington to vote on the debt ceiling.

He also writes about Giffords' recent work with Dr. Nancy Estabrooks, an expert in neurological disorders from Western Carolina University. Estabrooks went to Houston to test Giffords and to help consider her future.

When Estabrooks laid out photos of U.S. presidents in random order, Kelly writes, Giffords began arranging them chronologically without being asked. She took Ben Franklin out of the mix, saying "wonderful, electricity," but he was never commander-in-chief. Giffords considered Jimmy Carter's photo and said "Habitat for Humanity."

She aced tests on politicans from other states and countries, too dubbing Margaret Thatcher "Iron Lady," and commenting "Tea Party," about Michele Bachmann, and "running for president." Arnold Schwarzenegger's photo prompted this comment: "Messin' around. Babies."

Giffords continues to work with Estabrooks, and is to the point now where they focus on things like how often she uses prepositions, Kelly said.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/11/12/20111112gabrielle-giffords-recovery-kelly-memoir.html#ixzz1dot3Sb6L

Robert Byrd was pretty capable up until the very end.

[whistler162]

5. That is up to her, her husband, and the voters in

her district!

[ellisonz]

9. Of course it is...

Doesn't mean others can't have an opinion. The filing deadline is in May. They're going to have to make a decision fairly soon.

[Wait Wut]

7. "Other"

It's STILL her decision.

If you want my opinion on whether I'd support her, "probably". I'd need to see/hear more from her to make a final decision.

[Xithras]

10. Generally speaking, I don't think her health is relevant.

There is really only one question that needs to be asked: Is Gabrielle Giffords capable of representing the voice of the people in her district within the halls of Congress?

If the answer is yes, then she should ABSOLUTELY run again. If no, then she should retire and let someone else run in her place. Ultimately, she is the only one who can really answer that question though.

[Blasphemer]

11. Yes, I think so

As has been noted upthread, she is able to process and reason even though her speech is still currently limited. Given that, she is certainly able to serve her constituents. So, they should have the chance to decide whether or not to re-elect her. I do think the chances of her losing is next to nil so it's not quite as cut and dried as "let the people decide." There is an emotional factor at play. If she did not seem capable of reasoning sufficiently, I would have answered "no" due to this emotional factor. Thankfully, that is not an issue.

[global1]

12. Even An Impaired Gabby Is Better Than Three Quarters Of The Members Of Congress .......

Go For It Gabby - the people will support you.

[sandyj999]

13. She should do whatever she wants to do. nt

[Lunabelle]

14. Absolutely!

The brain has an amazing capability to heal.

[BlueIris]

15. Hell, yes. Get that party started, Rep. Giffords. nt

[DesertRat]

16. I voted "other"

Because it's not up to us to decide what she should do.

[KamaAina]

17. Prior to all this, there was even talk of a Senate run

Sen. Jon Kyl (R is for Rug) is retiring, leaving a coveted open seat.

[dmallind]

19. Funny - the only Blue Dog DU has ANY support for

And unlike most DU villains du jour she actually IS a Blue Dog.

[musette_sf]

20. unlike SOME Blue Dogs

she is pro-choice

[madville]

22. She was pro-gun and anti-illegal immigrant beforehand correct? n/t

n/t

[mvd]

21. Yes, as long as..

she is capable. She'd win easily.

[WillowTree]

23. No, She needs to devote all her energy to her continued recovery.

[MrSlayer]

24. I'm looking at her voting record.

Without a deep perusal it appears she votes the right way most of the time. So, if she's capable of it, she should do it.

[Marrah_G]

25. I won't vote on that....

No one but her, her family and her doctors can really have an informed opinion.