I feel entitled to be politically pessimistic today. While Joshua opines on President Bush as LBJ, Clay traffics in crass, baseless, ad hominem attacks ... against a fellow Republican. And these are my Rocky Mountain Alliance friends! I appreciate Joshua's attempt at discourse. The concerns he addresses demonstrate historical perspective and insight. And they raise at least one issue about Bush's low poll numbers I have not often heard discussed: that they represent disaffection among some conservatives more than a general Left-ward tilt of the voting populace. I will give more thought to Joshua's analogy before commenting directly on it. As for Clay, I'm left to believe that his reposting of the absurd, innuendo-laced cartoon without … [Read more...]
Buckets of Mud … and so early
The Rocky Mountain News sheds light on yesterday's radio ads. According to the report, the ads were produced by "Coloradans for Freedom and Opportunity," or the political henchmen of the pro-tax increase power brokers in the state Republican party. Last year Marc Holtzman challenged their stand on Referendum C, and they throw buckets of mud back - mostly innuendo. I wonder where the preponderance of the GOP's grassroots - who are scheduled to convene in Colorado Springs on May 20 - stood on Ref C. Well, let me tell you: with Holtzman, not with Katy Atkinson and Bruce Benson. I have a hard time explaining the timing of the release of these ads, except that the anti-Holtzman crowd are attempting to curb a defeat at the State Assembly, … [Read more...]
Illegal Immigration: The Democrats’ Millstone?
More analysis later, but this story from the Rocky Mountain News speaks for itself: yesterday, statehouse Democrats voted party-line in committee to kill seven bills that tackled the issue of illegal immigration head-on. Examples? - One bill prohibited giving public contracts to businesses that knowingly hire illegals - One bill authorized training of local law enforcement in the recognition and detention of illegals - One bill required employers to learn how to verify worker eligibility and fire those found ineligible It will be important to remember come November which party blocked these and other important immigration reforms at the State Capitol: the Democrats. … [Read more...]
See You at the Caucus
Colorado is one of the very best states for citizens to be active in the political process. If you live & are registered to vote in Colorado but haven't participated in the caucus/assembly process before, there's no time like 2006 to get started. The neighborhood caucuses are coming up next Tuesday, March 21 (most are at 7 PM). It's a great chance to meet up with some of the neighbors, to learn more about the different candidates, to persuade and be persuaded about what issues are important, to choose who will represent you at the County Assembly (and often the State Assembly, too), and to vote on resolutions that will get discussed and refined at the county level, maybe even make it onto the state party platform. So if you have a chance … [Read more...]
Another State House Race for the Dems to Defend
Last week I highlighted the burgeoning campaign of Affie Ellis for State House District 29 in north Jeffco, as she prepares to challenge vulnerable Democrat incumbent Debbie Benefield. Another Republican woman who is changing the dynamics of the fall elections for the state legislature is Aimee Rathburn in Denver's House District 1, a seat being vacated by term-limited Democrat Representative Fran Coleman. While it's hard for the GOP to capture any seat in Denver, HD 1 is easily the best shot. And Rathburn, a candidate with gumption and good ideas, is set to make her mark, as this press release correctly indicates: Aimee Rathburn, the GOP’s House District One candidate, is sending shockwaves through the Colorado political community … [Read more...]
Chieftain Slams Down Democrats
The editorial board of the Pueblo Chieftain rips State Senator Peter Groff and his Democratic colleagues for the economic and political travesty that is Senate Bill 66, which would require all businesses with 10 or more employees to offer those employees unpaid leave to attend functions at their children's schools. Key quote: We know of many working parents who have been able to arrange with their employers to get time off to attend important school functions for their children. Employers who value their individual employees often make allowances through scheduling to give workers time to take care of their youngsters’ school affairs. In any event, though, the state should not mandate this arrangement. Giving it the color of law … [Read more...]
A ‘No-mentum’ Race for Governor
Courtesy of Real Clear Politics, the latest Rasmussen numbers in Colorado's race for governor show that none of the 3 candidates has gained any traction in the past month. The narrow teeter-totter between Republican Bob Beauprez and Democrat Bill Ritter has tipped slightly in Beauprez's favor (essentially because Ritter's numbers dropped), but still within the margin of error. Ritter's lead over Holtzman remains steady at 5 points. Here were the rolling averages of head-to-head matchups for March: Bill Ritter (D) 41% Bob Beauprez (R) 40% Bill Ritter (D) 41% Marc Holtzman (R) 36% Rasmussen released the April averages today: Bob Beauprez (R) 39% Bill Ritter (D) 37% Bill Ritter (D) 41% Marc Holtzman (R) 36% Perhaps … [Read more...]
Governor’s Race Chatter and the RMA
Who knew our meeting with Marc Holtzman would create such a stir among political insiders? First, the honest observations of Mike, Joshua, and myself get quoted in the latest release from the Holtzman campaign. Then the Dead Governors feature us as the leading topic of weekend chatter. (I haven't always seen eye to eye with the anonymous, center-left proprietors of ColoradoPols, but I am grateful to them for providing a link to my site.) As for my comments? They're all real, folks. Take them for what they're worth. No detriment to Congressman Beauprez, just my genuinely positive impressions of his opponent's campaign. The three of us who met with Holtzman don't speak for the entire Rocky Mountain Alliance, but we represent a … [Read more...]
Beauprez On Board with Blunt
Yesterday I wrote an open letter urging Rep. Bob Beauprez to support Rep. John Shadegg in the upcoming House leadership elections. An astute commenter pointed out that I was "too late" - linking to a site I had not seen that says Beauprez has already committed to supporting current House Majority Whip Roy Blunt. Assuming the complete accuracy of this list, it is important to note the following: As he burns up cell phone minutes this weekend, Shadegg is likely to secure endorsements from previously uncommitted members of the group. And today his spokesperson went even further, issuing a statement asserting that they "already have defections from the Blunt list." Lastly, as Richard Cohen sagely noted in this week's issue of National … [Read more...]
Caucus Night
I can't do better on Caucus Night observations than Joshua - maybe NOT wearing a yarmulker helped me to blend in a bit. As far as not feeling like a fish out of water, I was pleased to see a few members of the 30-&-under crowd with me at the Arvada gathering of 5 precincts. The caucus was a disappointingly small affair ... enthusiasm at the GOP grassroots level is not exactly spilling over the brim. Hmm, go figure. There were 3 of us who showed up for my precinct (and a fourth by proxy). A couple of the other precincts had 6 to 8 people, and one other lady showed up to find out she was her precinct. I was elected by acclamation, along with the other three in my precinct, as a delegate to the Jefferson County Assembly. Unfortunately, … [Read more...]
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