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...]

The liberal wing of Colorado's Democratic party is grasping at straws to fling mud at the Republican gubernatorial candidate, but the Denver Post - whether as it was originally written or as it was edited for publication - props up the credibility of the charges by omitting relevant information. Under the guise of a benign-sounding group called Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government (CCEG), activist Democrat attorney Chantell Taylor is taking media potshots at the integrity of Bob Beauprez's campaign without the fortitude to follow the legal channels and actually file a formal complaint. In the article, Taylor is only identified as "CCEG director." Instead of initiating a formal complaint, Taylor finds a media audience to … [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...]

One of the closer races in Colorado figures to be the contest for state treasurer. If for some reason you are reading this blog and haven't voted yet, here are five reasons to support Mark Hillman, the only candidate for State Treasurer who has (as circulated by email): 1. Balanced a state budget. In the State Senate, Mark has done that seven times. He knows that the value of government must be balanced against the cost of government to Colorado families and businesses. (His opponent has never been elected by the people.) 2. Business experience. Mark owns and operates his family's farm near Burlington, where he has grown wheat for the past 13 years. He knows firsthand about hard work, long hours and sound financial planning. (His … [Read more...]

What else can I say about the deal Owens made with Democrat legislators to close the immigration session? It's bad news for the good guys. Of course, the trouble began when former governor Dick Lamm remembered which party he belongs to and pulled his support from the Defend Colorado Now initiative and cut his own backroom deal with fellow Democrat and erstwhile immigration opponent Federico Pena. Still, Owens held the high cards and had the authority and clout to limit the special legislative session to the narrow matter of addressing the Colorado Supreme Court's judicial activism. Instead of keeping the lid on things and making sure that legislators simply voted up-or-down to refer the Defend Colorado Now initiative to the voters … [Read more...]