Statement from Senate President Steve Pierce

"I welcome President Barack Obama to Arizona today. His short visit is a nice opportunity for him to see firsthand an example of the Arizona economic comeback. Our state is one of the country's leaders in job growth, and the Intel Corp. expansion means hundreds of construction jobs right now, and one thousand new employees when the Fab 42 facility is complete.

Unfortunately, the President's visit will include fawning media coverage and the implication he had something to do with the $5.2 billion expansion in Chandler. He did not. Intel leaders chose this site based on tax incentives put together in the Arizona Legislature. Those tax reductions made Arizona much more attractive to businesses such as Intel. Now, as the massive cranes swing with activity, Air Force One soars into town and the President proudly plants his flag on the project. That is unfortunate."

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

President Obama's Visit to Arizona

"I welcomed President Obama to Arizona this afternoon, and we spent a few moments discussing this state's economic turnaround. This was the President's opportunity to see the Arizona Comeback firsthand.

"First, let me say I don't doubt that the President wants what he believes is best for this country. He and I simply have starkly different visions of what that is.

"The President and I each took office in January 2009. We each stepped into grim circumstances. Just speaking for Arizona, I inherited a per capita state-budget deficit judged among the worst in the country, an economy in freefall and a clobbered housing market.

"My first action as Governor was to issue a regulatory moratorium so that state government could not impose any more needless rules on business. The President's first move was to rush through an $800 billion stimulus spending plan that saddled the nation with more debt.

"Here in Arizona, we passed a historic economic package that included corporate tax reductions and targeted job incentives that make our state among the nation's most inviting for business investment and relocation. In Washington, D.C., the President spent the better part of two years pushing a health care scheme that reduces consumer choice and saddles states with tens of billions in additional costs.

"This much is clear: Arizona is on the way back, with job growth over the last year rated 7th-best nationally. Our state budget is not only balanced, we have a surplus. Most important, we are putting in place the fundamentals for sustained economic growth: quality education, competitive tax policy and low regulation.

"Don't be mistaken, I'm bullish on our nation's future. But I'm convinced the path the President has pursued is the wrong one. I hope he takes some of the lessons of Arizona back with him to Washington."

See a copy of the handwritten letter Governor Brewer delivered to the President.

Statement from Arizona Democratic Party Chairman

Yesterday was a great day for Arizona. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, came to our state to lay out his agenda for renewing our economy and the middle class in a stirring address at the Intel plant that is rising amid former farm fields in Chandler. It was a time to be proud of being Arizonans and Americans -- no matter what your partisan persuasion.

But Jan Brewer had a different idea. Instead of welcoming President Obama at the airport with dignity and decency, she presented him with a demand letter that he accompany her on a visit to the border and -- wagging her finger in the president's face -- she lectured him on how she had "saved" Arizona.

Jan Brewer's actions are an embarrassment. She has shown disrespect to our president and brought disgrace to the office of the governor. And if she thinks that what she and the state legislature have done over the past few years is a success story, I'd hate to see a failure.

Join us in telling Jan Brewer exactly what you think of how she behaved toward President Obama. Sign our online petition and write a brief note to the governor. We'll deliver your messages in a package to her office.

In Support of Governor Jan Brewer

Do you believe that Brewer did nothing wrong? Here is another online petition you can sign in support of the Governor.

Also, here is an alternative view of the incident, 10 Points About the Brewer-Obama Dust-up