My good friend Mr. Bob has a different take on Amendment 40 than I do on my ballot picks, which I invite you to read. I could respond to his four points, though, as follows: 1. Many current judges would be pushed out all at once, but the turnover would be less in future years. Some current judges have been there a long time. 2. Using the current retention and recall provisions as justification for a judge to continue on the bench is not persuasive. Who do you know who has a clear understanding of where to go to get insights into whether sitting judges should be retained or removed? The only source of information out there - Commissions on Judicial Performance - recommends that all 108 judges on the ballot this year ben retained and … [Read more...]

This year, Colorado Republicans' best chance at success will come at retaking the State House. Despite all the money of liberal 527s and rich guys being poured into the campaign, the off-presidential election year, Republican voter demographics, all 65 seats up for grabs, a strategy motivated by 2004's humiliating defeat, and a reasonably good slate of candidates all add up to a good chance for the GOP to retake the State House. Today the editors of the Rocky Mountain News endorsed their slate of State House candidates from the metro Denver area, including the following Republicans in currently held Democrat seats: Aimee Rathburn (HD 1) Ramey Johnson (HD 23) Affie Ellis (HD 29) Rex Pierce (HD 31) Even counting the mistaken … [Read more...]

Finally, Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez has something to be cheered about: a Wall Street Journal/Zogby poll released shows Beauprez trailing Democrat rival Bill Ritter by 3 points (margin of error +/- 4 points). In light of two recent polls that showed a much more distinct advantage for Mr. Ritter, I wouldn't stake my credibility on this survey signifying a huge momentum swing in the Republican's favor. More polling data over the coming weeks will have to corroborate some sort of trend. At the same time, it has to be sobering news for the Ritter bandwagon and perhaps can energize the GOP base here in Colorado. Yes, the Beauprez campaign got a late start. My druthers would have been to see a more aggressive … [Read more...]

As highlighted by El Presidente, the Beauprez campaign needs to get its act together - more like it needed to get its act together yesterday. I have refrained from writing about this race in recent weeks because in the very limited time available to blog, I didn't want to spend it highlighting all the gaffes (and alleged lies) from Colorado's Republican would-be governor and his campaign staff. The gurus at Real Clear Politics have captured the losing trend in this race and pointed out the current average poll gap of 12 points! With 50 days until Election Day (and much sooner until absentee ballots start getting distributed), is it too late for Bob Beauprez to turn the corner and upset Democrat Bill Ritter? No one knows for sure. But it … [Read more...]