The Rocky Mountain News reports today what was first news to me a couple weeks ago: former Congressional candidate and rising GOP star Rick O'Donnell is moving to Texas to take on a new career challenge. I first met Rick shortly after I moved to Colorado, while he was working in Governor Owens' office. Though it's highly doubtful he remembers our meeting, some of his advice and suggestions were very helpful to me to help get my roots established and to make important contacts. I later had opportunity to interact with him in several education policy-related venues, and volunteered on his unsuccessful 2006 campaign for the 7th Congressional District. The timing of Rick's run for Congress was unfortunate, as he got swept up in a … [Read more...]
Post: Our Jimmy Hoffa governor, Bill Ritter, the union bag man
What a pleasant surprise to find a strongly-worded editorial on the front page of today's reliably center-left Denver Post, condemning Gov. Bill Ritter for his cowardly Friday order in benefit of a narrow interest group at the expense of Coloradans who elected him to office last year. I almost could have written it myself. Without further ado, here goes: When Coloradans elected Bill Ritter as governor, they thought they were getting a modern-day version of Roy Romer, a pro-business Democrat. Instead, they got Jimmy Hoffa. "Our Jimmy Hoffa governor, Bill Ritter" ... It has a nice ring to it. Ritter campaigned under the guise of a moderate "new Democrat" but now we know he's simply a toady to labor bosses and the old vestiges of his party … [Read more...]
Post and Bill Ritter: A Classic Case of Endorsement Remorse?
You've read about the editors of the Denver Post assailing Gov. Ritter for his cowardly, pro-union executive order? Talk about eating your words: His successor must have a clear vision for Colorado, advancing the state's economy while protecting its natural resources. He must have the will to seek bipartisan solutions with a divided legislature and a restless business community. He needs firm resolve that won't wilt under political pressures. He must see government as a force to advance the health and education of Coloradans. And, in this perilous time, to safeguard our borders from enemies, drug runners and the risks of natural disaster. He must be ready to crack down on illegal immigration while laying out a welcome mat for … [Read more...]
Welcome, Big Labor Bill
In light of union bag man Gov. Bill Ritter's recent political leap into the arms of union bosses, we welcome the new Web site Big Labor Bill - "a Big Labor loving blog that loves Bill Ritter for screwing over the business community and Colorado for a pay back to big labor." Check it out. … [Read more...]
Ritter Spokesman Stumbles to Explain Major Union Payback
The union bag man Gov. "Jimmy Hoffa" Ritter's spokesman Evan Dreyer made a reluctant appearance on the Mike Rosen Show this morning with guest host Jon Caldara. Confronted with the issues surrounding Friday's Big Labor payback, Dreyer hemmed and hawed around the questions. This is a must listen: follow the link, and listen to Rosen Replay 11/5/07 11-11:45 AM. It begins about a third of the way into the recording. There may be little doubt about why Ritter released this executive order in a Friday afternoon press release - and got called on it by the Denver Post - but you have to wonder what finally gave the governor's crew enough courage to come out in the light of day and defend the massive policy change in a confrontational setting. … [Read more...]
Radio Show Review
Thanks for those who tuned in to News Talk 1310 KFKA this morning to hear my inaugural guest host appearance on the Amy Oliver Show. For those who want more information on the guests and some of the topics discussed: Alan Gottlieb of the Public Education and Business Coalition edits the HeadFirst Colorado blog, which covers a range of education reform issues. Today we talked about the latest on the Bruce Randolph autonomy proposal, including union officials' latest delaying tactic, which Alan also posted on today. There's also a great story from yesterday on the topic at Face the State. I posted on the news of the rapidly growing estimates of revenue from the Governor's property tax hike at the Colorado Taxpayers blog. Other stories … [Read more...]
Coffman In, Wiens Out
Pertaining to the Republican race to replace Tom Tancredo in the 6th Congressional District, my earlier observations were confirmed: Secretary of State Mike Coffman indeed is in, and State Senator Tom Wiens is out (from a press release mailed out this morning): Colorado state Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, announced today that he will seek re-election to a second term in the Colorado State Senate and will not be a candidate for the sixth congressional seat being vacated by retiring Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo. "I believe I can have a more positive impact on the future of Colorado by continuing to serve in the State Senate than by being a member of Congress," Wiens said. "This has become even more clear to me given the events of … [Read more...]
26 Days ‘Til Caucus
Update, 2:41 PM: Information on Douglas County Republican caucuses is included in the comment section. Thanks, Steve! ... Denver County, too, compliments of el presidente. The Denver Post has a full-length story this morning on the building interest & excitement surrounding Colorado's caucus process this year. As the story notes, it overwhelmingly has to do with a highly competitive primary in a presidential election year:Republican Mort Marks, 83, plans to hold a caucus at his house. He said he has received calls from a lot of people he hasn't heard from before, and he has noticed larger turnout at recent Republican events. "There is a hell of a lot more interest than I've seen in many, many years," said Marks, who hasn't decided … [Read more...]
Doug Bruce or Not Doug Bruce? What About Reginald Perry?
On Monday, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported a vacancy opening up in State House District 15, making way for a head-to-head matchup between Douglas Bruce and businessman Steve Hasbrouck (the "not Douglas Bruce" candidate). Bruce would throw a lot of red meat to the more libertarian-minded Republicans, and figures generally to stir up trouble. But I'd venture to say that's not mainly what many are looking for in a state representative. Nonetheless, I am hearing today that the race for vacancy committee support may be opening up into a four-way affair. Two other candidates have expressed interest in taking the plunge. One of the two is former school board candidate Reginald Perry, who previously had declined calls to run, citing his … [Read more...]
Why did Ritter Leave Worker Protections out of His Order?
The Denver Business Journal interviewed one of the two national labor experts who spoke at an event this morning sponsored by the Colorado chapter of the Federalist Society. From the article headlined "Labor experts make case against Ritter's union order":The governor and Democrats in the House and Senate argue the order is non-binding and won't have a direct bearing on budgets or businesses. Many in the business community also say they're hard pressed to see how the order effects them. But Stan Greer, senior programming director for the National Institute of Labor Relations, based in Springfield, Va., made the case that Ritter's executive order isn't in the state's best economic interests -- particularly if state workers are forced to … [Read more...]
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