I picked a great time to be away from Missouri. Right before the primary.

…no matter where you go, there you are. One can’t get away from the reach of political campaigns anywhere at this time of year and in this cycle.

The remnants of Hurricane Dolly near Roswell, New Mexico.

I did see a few Pearce 4 x 8 signs (republican currently losing the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico) facing the Interstate, but I wasn’t quick enough with the camera driving at highway speeds.

The permanent Border Patrol station on Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces, New Mexico. I was waved through. Evidently I don’t look too suspicious.

The sky finally started to clear just east of Texas Canyon on Interstate 10 in Arizona.

The Arizona primary is in early September. There are campaign signs everywhere in Tucson. These Arizona republicans don’t hide their party affiliation. Note the big “F-values” on the sign on the left: “faith, family, freedom”. This for a state legislative race. What ever happened to “jobs, education, and health care”?

The corner opposite the political signs had a “park and ride” bus stop. Tucson has no internal freeway system (Interstate 10 skirts the southern and western parts of the city). The city is also trying to be “bike friendly”. Those progressive values are a reminder that Morris King Udall, the great Arizona Democrat, represented Tucson in Congress for many years.

All politics may be local, but there certainly are similarities everywhere. You know, like the republican play book.