How did an extreme right-wing ideologue get a job in Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's office?

Imagine my surprise when I opened my email this afternoon to find the following community advisory from christian.palmer@phoenix.gov:

Mayor Stanton's Coffee Shop Stops

Join Mayor Stanton for coffee!

Mayor Stanton and Councilwoman Gallego will be at The Farm at South Mountain to meet with residents and discuss what’s happening in our community.
Come ready to chat! Coffee and tea will be complimentary.

WHEN:
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WHERE:
The Farm at South Mountain
6106 S. 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85042
On 32nd Street just south of Southern Avenue

Coming up...

Coffee with a Cop

Mayor Stanton and Sergeant Mike Dwyer will be having coffee with residents. This is a great opportunity to talk about law enforcement and public safety in our neighborhoods -- mark your calendar!

WHEN:
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

WHERE:
Fraternal Order of Police - Phoenix Lodge 2
12851 N. 19th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85029

For more event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/526227264151791/

This is a good thing, right?

Of course it is. I say that without reservation -- about the events with Mayor Stanton, Councilwoman Gallego and Sargeant Mike Dwyer.

BUT... WHO is Christian Palmer and WHY is he now working for Mayor Stanton? From the Arizona Eagletarian from December 14, 2011, headlined "Redistricting -- Arizona's right-wing propagandists speak,"

Well, they write anyway, and unconvincingly at that.

Since Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Dean Fink issued his six-page ruling slapping down Tom Horne's witch hunt against the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, the peanut gallery of voices claiming the mapping panel is now allowed to operate in secret has grown dramatically. Sadly.

Given the consistency with which Arizona Capitol Times axe grinder Christian Palmer has attacked the AIRC throughout 2011, his deceptive screed came as no surprise.

The key is "axe grinder." Christian Palmer, when writing for the various publications put out by the Arizona Capitol Times team, consistently attacked the AIRC with dubious claims. Eventually, Palmer left the Cap Times newsroom and for a time worked for Arizona's preeminent right-wing advocacy organization Goldwater Institute.

I can't imagine that Palmer's departure from GI could have been because his outlook was too progressive.

Whatever the reason for the transition, Greg Stanton and his staff should exercise an appropriate level of vigilance, not knowing where the enterprising right-wing flack's loyalties currently lie.