Immigration Politics - Arizona: Russell Pearce leads the state's conservative charge

Arizona politics: Russell Pearce leads the state's conservative charge - latimes.com: "in the state Senate, it was business as usual. There was no halt to let senators attend funerals or President Obama's visit. 'We have a constitutional obligation,' Senate President Russell Pearce told the Arizona Republic, to wrap up business in 100 days. ...

Pearce, 63, is arguably the most powerful man in Arizona politics. And his conservative, populist style — which his allies call principled and determined and which his enemies brand as divisive and dangerous — is at the heart of the current debate over the tone of politics.

"He's just unstoppable," said former state Rep. Bill Konopnicki, a fellow Republican and longtime target of Pearce. "He is willing to do whatever it takes to change the world because he thinks he has some divine calling."" Jan. 17, 2011