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2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Night Twister Comes Through Again with Colorado Political Analysis 2010

Randy Ketner, aka The Night Twister, has outdone himself once again. He started off the year back in January with an encyclopedic blog post for political activists titled Getting Connected in Colorado. Now, to close down 2009, on the eve of a most crucial election year, he has created the thorough and aptly titled "Colorado Political Analysis: 2010". Red State's Erick Erickson describes the analysis as "masterful." Once again, we agree wholeheartedly. Anyway, read the post from cover to cover. Skim it for specific information. Follow the links you find useful. Jump into the conversation in the comments. Whatever you do, recognize that Randy has performed a valuable service. … [Read more...]

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

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Latest Colorado Political Survey Inspires Kataline Essay on “Big Tent” GOP

Our current survey of Colorado's political temperature has inspired more than just a series of click-in-the-box responses. Having read one of our test issue statements -- It is important for Republicans to employ a "big tent" policy when considering candidates for office. -- Karen Kataline decided to deconstruct the term "big tent" in a thoughtful new essay for Backbone America:Our party is and has always been united not by our ethnicity but by our ideas. As members of minority Republican groups, our role is to welcome others into the party rather than to seek special favors or victim status as the parade of minority groups on the Left have consistently done. Go ahead. Read the whole thing. Then go ahead and take our latest survey. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, Cultural Conservatism, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 9 Comments

Humor: The Big Political News You May Have Missed Over the Weekend

Because I'm finally getting around to putting out a press release (below the fold) with the important details -- click on "Fullscreen" for easy readability: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC, Random and Miscellaneous

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Please Welcome the Two Newest Rocky Mountain Alliance Bloggers

For the first time in quite awhile, the Rocky Mountain Alliance has started to grow again. We have two new members who represent excellent additions. I invite you to check them out and add them to your regular blog reading (if you haven't already): The Business Word by Don Johnson has become a must-read for anyone seeking coverage of the unfolding major Republican primary races in Colorado, with great analysis and interviews Michelle Morin is a leader in the Teller County Tea Party movement Coalition for a Conservative Majority in Colorado Springs, and her site Mom 4 Freedom has been a leading Colorado-based voice in the fight against Obama Care and other proposed costly government intrusions into our freedom The Rocky Mountain … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, liberty, National Politics, PPC, property rights

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

Finding a Home for “What I’m Thankful For”: Reflecting One Year Later

Last year at this time I was in the middle of writing a 20-part blog series on "What I'm Thankful For." While I have no plans in reprising the series for 2009, I have created a new permanent page on the site with links to each post -- from "The Legacy of My Grandparents" to "Vision" and everything in between. Eleven days until the official Thanksgiving holiday, and it's never too early to start reflecting on the need for more gratitude in each of our lives. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Christianity and Faith, Commemorative, General, liberty, My Life

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

November Survey: Ken Buck’s Support Rises, Jane Norton Seen as Strongest

Introducing the top-line results from the 3rd edition of the survey of Colorado's political temperature. Participation dropped to 281, but results still demonstrated some remarkable consistency. As always, thanks to those of you who took the time to help out! Coming later in the month will be an analysis of some key crosstabs and correlations. But for now here's a quick rundown of the survey's top-line results: In the U.S. Senate race, with Ryan Frazier dropping out of the race, momentum has grown behind Ken Buck as the candidate with the most support and behind Jane Norton as the strongest candidate -- an interesting dynamic given the credible rumors circulating at Rocky Mountain Right Josh Penry was on track for his best showings … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, Health Care, Judiciary, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 6 Comments

Help Steer the Local Political Discussion: It’s Time for the November Survey

Mount Virtus readers, this post will remain sticky through the end of the survey (November 13). For newer postings, please scroll down. It's that time again. Yes, El Presidente and I have commissioned and fashioned another survey that we hope you will take 10 minutes or so to complete — especially if you’re from Colorado. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill quick-hit polls. Once again we’ve gone a little more in-depth. Some of the questions are the same. Some are new. One interesting added follow-up is asking what the most important factor is for you in choosing to support a Republican primary candidate for governor and U.S. Senate. Click here to take the November 2009 Colorado online political survey Your opinion counts. Take a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, Colorado Politics, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben Leave a Comment

‘Serious Fact-Checking’ and Serious Obama-MSM Irony: Toledo Edition

Who knew the fawning love affair between the old guard media and President Obama could produce such irony? Toledo's top blogger Maggie Thurber documents how in the same interview her local newspaper quoted Obama as being concerned about the blogosphere for having "no serious fact-checking", while failing to fact-check exaggerations and distortions from Obama. People who believe everything they read in the newspapers as the standard of gospel truth deserve pity. People who uncritically accept Obama's statements on important issues of the day as factual betray their own painful naivete. People who read a newspaper's interview of Obama without raising an eyebrow of suspicion...? Judge for yourselves. Thanks, Maggie (and thousands of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, media bias, National Politics, PPC

2/7/2026 By Ben 3 Comments

Is Obama Striving to Make Jimmy Carter Look Good on Foreign Policy?

I spend very little time on this page analyzing foreign affairs, but I just want to take the chance to go on the record now before returning to my regularly scheduled blogging on state and national domestic policy and politics.... For those who believe America primarily has been a force for evil in the world and should kowtow to foreign dictators, leave no doubt Barack Obama is your man. It's hard to find any rationale for yesterday's pathetic U.N. speech, other than Obama might be trying to build up former president Jimmy Carter's self-esteem or that possibly he's trying to rewrite history to make Woodrow Wilson look like a foreign policy realist. If Obama believes what he said, it's scary about where he wants to take our nation. If … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC, World Events

2/7/2026 By Ben 1 Comment

McInnis-Norton Think Tank Comes to Life with Bizarre, Irony-Rich Poll

Update, 9/25: From this morning's Denver Post: Sean Tonner said CPI "is not for elections" and "is going to be here long past 2010." However, Tonner has a long track record of working on elections, and CPI has absolutely no track record as an independent organization. So despite the obvious explanation that there's no formal relationship between CPI and these campaigns, the claim is dubious. Gulp -- I even agree with the Dead Guvs on this one. I'd been wondering when the new Colorado Policy Institute (CPI) would come to life and do something. So what did they finally do today? Publish a white paper? None of those yet. Post an item or two on their "Issues" page? Nope, still waiting for that to happen. One more guess, readers.... CPI … [Read more...]

Filed Under: blogging, clean government, Colorado Politics, Fiscal Policy, General, liberty, My Life, National Politics, PPC

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Inside

  • About Ben
  • Archives
  • Colorado Ballot Reviews
    • Colorado Ballot 2008
    • Colorado Ballot 2010
    • Colorado Ballot 2012
    • Colorado Ballot 2014
  • Mary and Jacob: From the Forgotten Dust
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  • Passion and Purpose:
    The Rise & Fall of Al Gansee
  • The Westfield Gardener
  • What I’m Thankful For
  • Writer / Editor For Hire

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

Colorado News

  • Colorado Senate News
  • Complete Colorado
  • Independence Institute
  • Loveland Politics
  • The Colorado Observer

National News and Politics

  • Drudge Report
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  • National Review
  • Politico
  • Real Clear Politics
  • Reason
  • The Washington Times
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Blogs Extraordinaire

  • American Thinker
  • David Harsanyi’s Blog
  • E!! The True Conservative Story
  • EIA Intercepts
  • Evangelical Outpost
  • Hugh Hewitt
  • Instapundit
  • LaShawn Barber
  • Lileks
  • Little Green Footballs
  • Michelle Malkin
  • NRO's The Corner
  • Power Line
  • Red State

Completing the Blogroll

  • Alarming News
  • Black Five
  • Blogs of War
  • Eduwonk
  • Flypaper
  • Fraters Libertas
  • Historical Conversations
  • IMAO
  • Jay P. Greene
  • Mike Anderson
  • Mullings
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  • Right Thinking
  • Right Wing News
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  • Shot in the Dark
  • Talking Points Memo
  • Virginia Postrel
  • Volokh Conspiracy

Christian Commentary et al.

  • Kevin Pierpont
  • Sharper Iron

Conservative and GOP Sites

  • Backbone America
  • Cal Thomas
  • Colorado Republican Party
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  • Dennis Prager
  • Denver Metro Young Republicans
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Colorado Blogs

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Other Sites

  • Technorati
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Rocky Mountain Alliance 2.0

  • Reclaim the Blue
  • The Business Word
  • The Daily Blogster
  • View from a Height

To Contact Me:
bendegrow-at-gmail.com

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