Complaints in Colorado about problems with voting machines are not isolated to Denver, despite the heavy media attention focused there. I'm hearing secondhand that complaints have been registered "across the state," including more heavily Republican areas such as south Jeffco. Why then would the Colorado Democratic Party sue only to keep Denver's polls open to 9 PM? It doesn't take a genius to figure out why. Any legally registered voter in line to vote at their proper polling location at 7 PM - no matter where across the state - has to be allowed to vote. Until we see enough evidence to compel us otherwise, the problems across the state have to be seen as manageable through current laws and procedures. Regardless, no special … [Read more...]

One of the closer races in Colorado figures to be the contest for state treasurer. If for some reason you are reading this blog and haven't voted yet, here are five reasons to support Mark Hillman, the only candidate for State Treasurer who has (as circulated by email): 1. Balanced a state budget. In the State Senate, Mark has done that seven times. He knows that the value of government must be balanced against the cost of government to Colorado families and businesses. (His opponent has never been elected by the people.) 2. Business experience. Mark owns and operates his family's farm near Burlington, where he has grown wheat for the past 13 years. He knows firsthand about hard work, long hours and sound financial planning. (His … [Read more...]

Thank you to Democrat Senate District 22 candidate Paula Noonan for taking the time to respond to my post on her heated election campaign with some clarifying comments. I responded to some of her remarks in the comment box. Additionally, some of her claims could not be independently verified and may deserve further scrutiny (e.g., I can find no evidence that Sheriff Ted Mink has withdrawn support from Mike Kopp's campaign). Of course, it is a little late for the purposes of this election to unearth these claims, unless one of my readers has a source. Or what does anyone think about invoking the name of Ted Haggard to attack Mike? … [Read more...]

Do I think Beauprez's campaign is in bad shape? Yes, I'm not stupid. But the Republican running for governor is NOT trailing by 22 points - as reports the Rocky Mountain News this morning. Take a closer look at the poll numbers, conveniently released on the day before the Republicans' big Get-Out-The-Vote kicks off. Among other things, this same survey showed Amendment 43 losing 41-40, which is way off from what other polls have shown. The sample of "likely voters" is 37% Republican, 38% Democrat, and 25% Independent. That turnout model is a little skewed, I suspect. And doing phone polls during the day on Monday through Wednesday will likely distort results, too. (One other note: The one-note anti-Beauprez vitriol of ToTheRight's … [Read more...]