The thoroughly accomplished former Congressman Bob Schaffer - a man of great character, integrity, and insight - was the guest on the most recent edition of the Aaron Harber Show. It's too late to catch the televised broadcast, but I highly recommend that anyone interested in the political culture and direction of Colorado and our nation catch the episode online (note: current version of Windows Media Player needed). In my opinion, Schaffer accurately diagnoses the causes of the 2006 Republican defeat in Colorado. He also clearly explains how the primary reason for recent GOP shortcomings relates to the guiding factor weighing on his current decision whether to run for U.S. Senate in 2008. I sincerely hope that he finds the conditions … [Read more...]
HB 1072 Veto “Politically Smart”
You can say that again. Frankly, Governor Ritter was left with little choice - nix the labor bill or flush away much of the rest of his agenda. Give him credit: Ritter shrewdly has taken everyone by surprise with his fatherly veto of HB 1072 ("now, now, labor & business ... you two need to stop bickering and get along"). Meanwhile, as the Lefties at SquareState are wetting themselves in anger ("What's the matter with you, Ritter? We were trying to show all the little people out there that we're on their side. After all, we know what's best for them... mushy-minded, socialist groupthink, and nannyist State worship"), a good-natured squabble ensues on the Right to take credit for the defensive victory. As the author of this little … [Read more...]
Post to Ritter: Hit the Brakes
In today's lead editorial, the Denver Post throws itself in front of the careening Colorado Democrat bus and yells out to the driver, "Stop!" The state's leading liberal newspaper implores Governor Bill Ritter not to be "a toady for special interest legislation," and instead to veto House Bill 1072. (On Sunday, Post columnist Fred Brown already highlighted what a political disaster this bill could potentially be for Ritter and the Democrats.) Making his inaugural official appearance on the Mike Rosen Show yesterday, Ritter said the legislation attacking individual workers' rights "is no big deal." That's right: the best defense for HB 1072 has become that it really won't hurt that much. All part of "The Colorado Promise," I suppose. (The … [Read more...]
GOP Legislators Unveil New Site
The Colorado Senate Republicans have launched an official online news service. Check out Colorado Senate News. Leading the news there, not surprisingly, is the breakdown on the Democrats' efforts to ram through the pro-union bill HB 1072. Speaking of HB 1072, my latest op-ed on the topic ran yesterday in the Pueblo Chieftain as a counterpoint opposite labor professor Raymond Hogler. My piece comprises the latter half of the Web page, so please scroll down if you would like to read it. … [Read more...]
Lefties and HB 1072: They Just Don’t Get It
The collectivist gang at SquareState doesn't get it, but what's new? HB 1072 a victory for workers? Are they serious? I shouldn't be terribly surprised that they don't know the difference between union bosses and the rank and file. People like this commenter are living in another century: I think some of the "business community" may overestimate how in touch they are with the mainstream of Colorado. Having a very public fight where the Republicans play their traditional role of standing up for the big guy, while Democrats slug it out for the little guy, can only help the Democrats. Just look at the Republicans put up amendment after amendment that are obviously designed to screw the union in any way possible, from full blown "right to … [Read more...]
Filibuster!
A good, old-fashioned filibuster is going on in the Colorado Senate today as the legislative body debates House Bill 1072. Hurrah for the Republicans taking a united stand in defense of workers' rights and good business. Kudos especially to Senators Shawn Mitchell, Josh Penry, Ted Harvey, Greg Brophy, Mike Kopp, Scott Renfroe, Nancy Spence, Tom Wiens, Ron May, Ken Kester, and Steve Ward, who have carried the brunt of the debate on a LONG series of amendments designed to mitigate the negative effects of the bad legislation. It looks like they could keep this up well into the evening. Good thing to see the GOP Senate with a full-grown spine and the willingness to delay such a bad bill by shining the light so heavily on it. HB 1072: the … [Read more...]
Colorado Not Turning Purple?
You mean there isn't a Democrat "surge" in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West? Our state isn't turning purple? Sshh, Stuart Rothenburg. You're supposed to let our Democrats continue to operate under the delusion that they're on the verge of a major political realignment, rather than the beneficiary of a confluence of fortunate events in the past couple elections. With Ritter, Romanoff, and the Democrats already overplaying their hand, the pendulum has started swinging back where it belongs. In the meantime, let's hope the damage is minimal. Cross posted at Political Avalanche … [Read more...]
Dems: Shilling for Union Bosses, Busting Colorado’s Economy
A topic not broached on Colorado's left-of-center blogs (for obvious reasons) is the great Democrat payback of "narrow interest" groups - read labor unions - who helped to buy them their majorities (measuring in the millions of dollars). First case in point: House Bill 1072 on a fast track through the state legislature. What does HB 1072 do? It takes away workers' rights. Yes, some - the House Republicans and their Golden Anvil Award & the Chamber of Commerce - have also pointed out the likely negative effect it will have on the state's business climate. But the more fundamental problem, as highlighted by the editors of the Rocky Mountain News, is that HB 1072 is a "blow to liberty." Republicans and other pro-business and/or … [Read more...]
An Education Conversation That Ought Not Be Ignored
Over at Edspresso, one of the very best edublogs out there, is my new column on last month's national report calling for a drastic overhaul of the K-12 public education system and a well-attended meeting last week in Denver to promote its findings. Colorado is at the forefront of this conversation, and appears to be most serious about studying the proposals, discussing them, and working toward implementation. Anyone interested in the future of Colorado or national education policy - students, parents, and teachers - would do well to familiarize themselves with the basic ideas that already have started to be debated here. … [Read more...]
Twin Rocky Columns: Things Looking Up for GOP
Put together, two columns in this Saturday's Rocky Mountain News for Colorado political junkies, both signaling that having reached its nadir the center-right political movement in this state is on the rebound. In one, Peter Blake assures us that indeed Dick Wadhams is serious about taking the helm of the state Republican Party and committing to see it through the next election cycle: So why did he agree when Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany asked him to consider the job? "It looked like a challenge that would be a lot of fun and I'm just dumb enough to think that there's a great opportunity here too." And, of course, we know that there's a lot more behind the decision than what Wadhams is generating for the press. Keep your chin up, … [Read more...]
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