About 14 years ago I spent a year and a half as a reserve deputy sheriff in Maricopa County. Old Joe was a real asshole to work with, even as a volunteer, but on a policy level I loved his ideas, and so do the people in his county. He wins by about 60% every time. Meanwhile he has been investigated and tried constantly by every criminal advocate group in the country, and nothing has ever stuck.
In short, I don't think his "ass is on fire" in any way, nor do I think he gives a crap what outside agencies think of him, and neither do his constituents.
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