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Home Archives for Ben

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

On Eve of Caucus, Here’s March Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature

This post will stick to the top until March 12. Please scroll down for newer postings. Update, 3/8: With the news that CD 7 candidate Jimmy Lakey has withdrawn from the race (H/T Complete Colorado), his name has been removed as a possible selection on the relevant questions. I hope it wasn't anything I said giving my off-the-cuff analysis of the CD 7 GOP primary last night as guest co-host on Backbone Radio. Time flies, so here comes another edition of the Survey of Colorado’s Political Temperature. The deadline is next Friday, March 12, at 5:00 PM local Mountain time. What are you waiting for? Click here to take the March survey The March edition has even fewer issue statements, but adds attention to the 2nd Congressional race, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Trusted Expert Dick Murphy Endorses J.J. Ament in Colorado Treasurer’s Race

Quick update from the state treasurer's race. Dick Murphy -- former Deputy State Treasurer and one of the most respected and expert conservative figures I know in the area of school finance (and public finance generally) -- has come out vocally behind candidate J.J. Ament (official campaign release touting endorsement below the fold): … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

Post Smacks Bill Ritter on Education Reform: What Did You Expect?

Update, 3/5: Better late than never, I guess. At least Ritter has finally named members to his "educator effectiveness" panel, for whatever that's worth. I don't mean to kick a man when he's down, especially when he's biked his way into the hospital with broken ribs. But it was quite the experience to open the virtual pages of the Denver Post this morning and read the lead editorial raking Governor Bill Ritter over the coals for his weak-kneed half-efforts at education reform:The governor's executive order was quite clear: Members of a panel who were to devise ways of linking teacher evaluations to student achievement were to meet on or before March 1. They have not. But don't blame panel members. Gov. Bill Ritter hasn't bothered … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, Education, Fiscal Policy, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 6 Comments

Michigan, My Michigan: A Personally Meaningful Civil War Video Tribute

No political blogging this morning. Instead, a great video tribute to Michigan soldiers who served in the Civil War, with historical music provided by actor and native Michigander Jeff Daniels: It's hard for me not to be moved by this tribute, having studied the U.S. Civil War so extensively, having traveled to so many of its battlefield sites, having four ancestors who served in the War (including three who died in the service -- one in the 9th Michigan Volunteer Infantry), and having my alma mater Hillsdale College so prominently represented in the 4th Michigan and other regiments:A higher percentage of Hillsdale students enlisted during the Civil War than from any other western college. Of the more than 400 who fought for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Commemorative, History, liberty, My Life, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

7th CD Update: Fundraising “Loser” Ed Perlmutter, Lang Sias Rakes in $30K

A quick follow-up to my recent posting on the campaign reports from candidates in Colorado's 7th Congressional District. Most notably, Republican frontrunner Ryan Frazier outraised incumbent Democrat Ed Perlmutter, despite the fact that Perlmutter gained nearly half his money from various special interest PACs. For this distinction, The Hill rates Perlmutter as one of Congress's fundraising losers, noting that Frazier's "$219,000-to-$215,000 advantage in the fourth quarter was slight, but it serves as notice that a district that began as an afterthought could see a race." Meanwhile, Lang Sias has filed his report: He raised $30,914. To be fair, Sias wasn't in the race for the entire October-December reporting period (his first … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

Health Care Summit Does Nothing for Vulnerable Congressman John Salazar

Say what you will about yesterday's Health Care Summit. Obama and the Democrat leadership didn't make the case for expanded government control of medicine and didn't move the ball politically in any way to help ram through the Obama Care monstrosity. In Colorado, that has to be especially unsettling for 3rd District Congressman John Salazar. Dick Morris has listed Salazar as one of 30 House Democrats who voted for Obama Care the first time but are "vulnerable" and "frightened of the voter backlash." And now the Summit has given him no political cover. The more he hears from unhappy constituents, the more likely he is to come to his senses and try to save his own hide politically. Meanwhile, don't forget there are two fine Republican … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Health Care, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

All But One Colo. Democrat State Senator Enable Passage of Tax Hikes

Nine days ago I pointed out the number of vulnerable Colorado state house Democrats who voted to push through the "Dirty Dozen" tax hikes. Today it was the state senate's turn. Based on my recent projections, much of the voting activity makes sense. Take a quick look at today's Senate Journal, and what do you see? All Senate Republicans unanimously voted against each and every one of the tax hikes. Hooray for them. Too bad the Democrats have the majority and were able to pass all nine bills with either 18 (the bare minimum) or 19 votes. One Democrat running in a vulnerable seat voted No on all nine tax hike bills, giving her a singular distinction among the entire house and senate majority caucus: Sen. Gail Schwarz. You think this is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, liberty, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben 4 Comments

Ken Buck Wins Senate Primary Backing from Red State’s Erick Erickson

An interesting development in Colorado's Republican U.S. Senate primary: Ken Buck has won the full-spirited backing of influential Red State master blogger Erick Erickson -- who among other accomplishments has helped fuel Florida's Marco Rubio rise from upstart to frontrunner over Charlie Crist. Can Erick help do the same for Ken Buck here in Colorado? Perhaps. The Weld County DA has a lot of catching up to do on the fundraising front. Is Buck (or someone else) the grassroots candidate? You help decide by casting your vote before tomorrow (Friday) at 5:00 PM on the latest survey of Colorado's political temperature. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 2 Comments

A Good Week for Jimmy Lakey: GOP Three-Way Race in Colorado’s 7th CD?

It's been a big week so far for GOP 7th Congressional candidate Jimmy Lakey. On Sunday he won a plurality of votes from viewers of the North Denver candidate forum. Then today, word broke on the liberal Colorado Pols blog that Tom Tancredo is endorsing Lakey -- though no confirmation as of yet has been published by the candidate himself. Finally, Jimmy Lakey was introduced to a national audience in a one-segment appearance on the Hugh Hewitt Show. In general, Lakey came across well on the interview, though the format was too tight to be very informative to the general listener. My gripe is with the interviewer, and reminded me of why I had stopped listening to Hugh's drive-time program for many weeks. Tom Lucero isn't the only (or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Colorado Politics, liberty, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Phony Big Labor Front Group Exposes Lefty Fears about Tea Party’s Strength

Update: The intrepid Mike Antonucci has more insights on this story, including the involvement of the National Education Association and the fact that the story first was broken by blogger Lee Doren. Credit to where credit is due. You may have already heard about this, but just in case not -- an original investigation from Fox News:A seemingly grassroots organization that's mounted an online campaign to counter the tea party movement is actually the front end of an elaborate scheme that funnels funds -- including sizable labor union contributions -- through the offices of a prominent Democratic party lawyer.... "This movement is a fad," proclaims TheTeaPartyIsOver.org, which was established by the American Public Policy Center (APPC), … [Read more...]

Filed Under: clean government, Colorado Politics, liberty, National Politics, PPC

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Inside

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About Me

Ben DeGrow
Grateful and growing Christian, devoted husband and father of 3, public policy analyst, returned to Michigan by way of Colorado, conservative writer, lifelong learner, Detroit Tigers fan.

Recent Posts

  • AI-Enhanced Cyberbullying: The Dark Side of Teen Innovation
  • My Baker’s Dozen of Top 2023 Reads
  • Common Learning Disabilities in Children
  • Tips to Teach Kids to Set and Achieve Goals
  • The Christmas Music Countdown You’ve Been Looking For: 2022 Edition

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Blogs Extraordinaire

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Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
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Christian Commentary et al.

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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

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To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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