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Make Your Opinions Known, Help Reveal Colorado’s Political Temperature

It's the middle of the summer. The limelight surrounding Colorado politics is hazy. Blogs like this one experience a yawn in their already modest traffic. It's time for something new to talk about. And if you can't report the news or comment the news, it's time to make a little news. And time to take the online temperature of Colorado political activists about the leading issues and candidates of the day -- in our state and nationwide. El Presidente and I have commissioned and fashioned a survey that we hope you will take 10 minutes or so to complete -- especially if you're from Colorado. We didn't want to make another run-of-the-mill quick-hit poll. We want to take it a little more in-depth. Click here to take the July 2009 Colorado … [Read more...]

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Bill Ritter Not Alone in Credibility Taking a Hit over Stimulus No-Bid Story

Under the headline "Governor gave no-bid deal to former partners", the Denver Post's Karen Crummy reports today:As the first stimulus money flowed into Colorado, it was doled out to shovel-ready transportation projects — and some of Gov. Bill Ritter's former law partners. Ritter hired the politically connected firm of Hogan & Hartson three months ago to work on issues surrounding the state's disbursement of federal stimulus funds. The firm has been paid $40,000 through June and is expected to file monthly bills. Did Bill Ritter do anything illegal? Almost certainly not. Unethical? Well, if he were a Republican governor, you can be sure Colorado Ethics Watch would have filed a complaint by now. Ritter's cronyism aside, this story … [Read more...]

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Bizarre Self-Parody: Michael Bennet Hiding from Denver Post on Card-Check

The chronic inability of Colorado's appointed U.S. Senator Michael Bennet to take a position on the union card check bill (also known as EFCA) has moved deep into the realm of bizarre self-parody. It's a political joke that has lasted so long that the label of "Both Ways Bennet" has been branded permanently on his (hopefully brief) career. A member of the Denver Post editorial board, Chuck Plunkett observes that the long-awaited seating of Al Franken as Minnesota's U.S. Senator has once again ratcheted up the pressure that EFCA could come to a vote and force Michael Bennet into the uncomfortable position of, well, having to take one:I’ve asked Bennet’s office whether he wants to come on with his position on card check. (We oppose … [Read more...]

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Making a Case for Limited Government: Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission

A Thursday afternoon hearing of something known as Colorado's "Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission" doesn't sound like a spectator event for which you might grill a few steaks or even pop up some popcorn. In most cases you'd be right. But yesterday brought an alternatively cutting, humorous and genial showdown between the intellectual heft and fiscally sound policies of economist Barry Poulson, representing the Independence Institute, and the silver-tongued sob stories of Wade Buchanan from the Left-leaning Bell Policy Center. Okay, so it still doesn't sound like action-packed, thrill-a-minute viewing entertainment. But since we're talking about what to do to keep our state budget sound, revenue stable, services efficient, and taxes … [Read more...]

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Time to Tell Mark Udall and Michael Bennet ‘No’ on Hate Crime Bill S.909

A couple of the questions on our survey of Colorado's political temperature (still open through Friday, July 17, at 5 PM) relate to the concept of hate crimes legislation currently before Congress. Well, I guess it's not a mystery where I stand on the issue. With the Sotomayor confirmation hearings eating up what little media oxygen exists for national political issues, these days, S.909 can be easily overlooked. But as Carter Clews explains at Net Right Nation, it shouldn't be:That's right, S. 909 -- aka, the "hate crimes bill" -- being pushed through by the Obama Administration as one of its highest legislative priorities would make it a federal crime to commit a violent act against anyone based on race or gender orientation -- unless … [Read more...]

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All-Star Break: Detroit Tigers Putting the Hurt on Cleveland and AL Central

Mercifully, for the sake of fellow blogger Civil Sense, I haven't harped on the American League Central race in awhile. But the All-Star break is upon us, and a good time for reflection on the standings: 1. Detroit Tigers 48-39 -- 2. Chicago White Sox 45-43 3.5 GB 3. Minnesota Twins 45-44 4 GB 4. Kansas City Royals 37-51 11.5 GB 5. Cleveland Indians 35-54 14 GB It's not looking good for the Indians, especially after the symbolic 10-1 spanking Detroit delivered to them this afternoon. GO TIGERS! … [Read more...]

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Josh Penry Hits the Stump: A Promising GOP Candidate for Governor Emerges

Earlier this evening I got the opportunity briefly to attend a Josh Penry for Governor meet-and-greet session in Broomfield. The campaign is just out of the gate, and the Grand Junction native is busily plowing his way around Colorado. No doubt he's been on a hectic schedule, but Penry demonstrated a good stump speech delivery, staying on message. I am pleased to see him make no bones about the national Republican Party's failure to govern according to fiscally conservative principles, and his clear decision to run against that failing as well as against incumbent Bill Ritter's weak leadership, misguided philosophy, and misplaced priorities. … [Read more...]

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Josh Penry Off to Great Start as Bill Ritter Kicks Door of Opportunity Open

The big local political news for the weekend, of course, was the worst-kept secret: Republican Josh Penry officially threw his hat into the ring to run for governor in 2010. By all honest admissions, Penry's entry into the race has been well-executed and well-timed. First glimpses on the campaign trail indicate the strong delivery of a clear, consistent message: 1) incumbent Democrat Bill Ritter's misguided philosophy and lack of fiscal leadership have contributed greatly to an unfriendly economic climate and pain in the wallet for many average Coloradans, and 2) Penry's own record of effective leadership in the areas of fiscal responsibility, expanded energy options, and education reform qualifies him to take Ritter's place. If he … [Read more...]

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SS GOP: New Captain, not Jump Ship

Let me be the first to welcome Michael at Best Destiny back to the blogosphere following his hiatus. It seems he is rather despondent about the Grand Old Party, and not without good reason. As a result of the lack of national leadership, he writes:The Republican Party is dead. It must either be reborn in a Reagan/originalist image, or it must be stashed and have dirt heaped on it's grave. I'm open to the latter. I'm not sure what you would have to call it, but let me throw this out: the Independence Party. We stand for originalist ideas of limited central government, states' rights; we stand for a strong national defense with limited and clearly defined international responsibilities; we stand for open markets and economic freedom; we … [Read more...]