Channel 7 investigative reporters Arthur Kane and John Ferrugia have exposed Democrat Governor Bill Ritter's so-called "hiring freeze" for what it really was:Gov. Bill Ritter promised a hiring freeze last year to help bridge the budget gap, but a CALL7 investigation found that as many as 2,300 employees were hired during the “freeze.” As much as a year ago I called out Ritter's phony "freeze". In January Denver Post reporter Jessica Fender described Bill Ritter's so-called "freeze" as "more of a chill". Back then I asked "Doesn’t anyone want to run for governor against this guy?" … [Read more...]
State Treasurer Fundraising Update: Stapleton’s Advantage Even Greater
Last Thursday, in quickly responding to the release of fundraising numbers in Colorado's state treasurer's race I wrote:Stapleton’s GOP primary rival J.J. Ament — who won out over Stapleton in our most recent survey of Colorado’s political temperature — brought in a very respectable $86,000. No cash-on-hand amount was reported, but clearly he is behind both his Republican rival and the incumbent Democrat. Upon further review, there's more to the story that could call into question my initial use of "very respectable" to describe Ament's fundraising numbers. In that $86,000 total, about $9,300 came in the form of in-kind contributions (including about $7,300 contributed directly by the candidate). As a result, Ament was left with a little … [Read more...]
Election 2009, From Va. to Local School Board: Mixed Bag, More Good Than Bad
Quick reflections on last night's election results ... National The Bad: In what was a late insurgent campaign, conservative Doug Hoffman loses New York 23 (though Erick Erickson tries to spin it into a favorable light). Tax-limitation initiatives in Maine and Washington went down in flames. The Good: Obviously, the Republican sweep in Virginia -- governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, seven more seats in the state assembly -- is the big national victory. And a Republican governor in New Jersey? Priceless. Colorado Local The Bad: Pro-union, anti-reform forces strike back and claim a narrow majority on the Denver school board Reformers Amy Attwood and Natalie Menten both narrowly lose Lakewood city council … [Read more...]
Support for Education Reform Funds = Support for Bill Ritter’s Re-Election?
Update, 10/24: Received a third pro-Obama Care email from Bill Ritter (and Mark Udall and Michael Bennet) today, still nothing on education reform ... Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has a page set up where you can sign a petition to support the state's effort to receive federal Race to the Top competitive grant dollars that support education reform. If you sign the petition, you end up on some sort of mailing list for Ritter's re-election campaign. In the two weeks since I signed the petition I've received two mass emails urging me to back Obama Care! Here's the complete text of the online petition: … [Read more...]
Colorado Supreme Court & School Funding: Case to Clear the Bench
Despite all the hoopla (much of it well-deserved) about the election results, let's not lose focus on an easily overlooked issue that should factor into some of our important decisions for 2010 -- namely, the Colorado Supreme Court delving into political questions of how our schools are funded in Lobato v State. You now can listen to my recent 8-minute interview on this very topic with Brad Jones on Face The State Weekend edition. Whether or not you get to listen, let me explain -- no, let me sum up: The case for Clear The Bench Colorado is now overwhelming. … [Read more...]
Kent Lambert’s Announcement Thursday: Going for Senate District 9?
Yesterday Republican state senator Dave Schultheis announced he would be retiring from office in 2010. This evening a press release went out from (and about) one of my Leadership Program of the Rockies classmates:Representative Kent Lambert, House District 14, will make a short public political announcement on Thursday, November 5, at 12:00 at the El Paso County Republican Headquarters, 205 Sutton Road, Colorado Springs, CO, 80907. An opportunity for media Q&A will follow. [link added] Connection between the announcements of Schultheis and Lambert? It would be hard to speculate as anything else. You didn't think Tom McDowell would go unchallenged in his quest for Senate District 9, did you? No one has a stronger 2009 rating from the … [Read more...]
Evading Serious Questions Ties Bill Ritter and Obama Nominee Villafuerte
President Obama's nomination of Stephanie Villafuerte to be Colorado's next U.S. Attorney has put Governor Bill Ritter in an unwanted situation. Serious questions remain unanswered about Villafuerte's role in the political smear of federal ICE agent Cory Voorhis during the 2006 election that led to his near conviction. But Ritter thinks it's too much trouble for us to bother with the questions now:She also declined to answer questions this week about whether she provided the FBI with a complete accounting of any contacts she had with the DA's office about [illegal immigrant Carlos] Estrada-Medina. A message and detailed e-mail left by The Post for Villafuerte were returned instead by Evan Dreyer, spokesman for Ritter. He said Villa fuerte, … [Read more...]
Rumors Okay as Long as School Board Candidates Not Backed by Union?
In the world of K-12 education politics, when you are trying to do something right and shake up the status quo a little bit, it's very hard to avoid flak. And anyone running for local school board deserves careful scrutiny. But when silly rumors start flying and supposedly serious news agencies report them, I suppose it's time for someone else to step up and take on the challenge. Hey, no problem: I'm used to being called silly names by teachers unions. In case you're not aware, I'm talking about the upcoming elections for Douglas County Board of Education, an area south of metro Denver for the uninitiated. The story begins last December when the local teachers union -- affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers -- endorsed and … [Read more...]
Ryan Frazier Announcement Thursday, 10 AM, at Brighton Ford
Speculation started flowing fast and furious on Monday about U.S. Senate candidate Ryan Frazier's "big announcement". Now we have official word from the campaign when and where that announcement will be made:Aurora, CO - Ryan Frazier, candidate for U.S. Senate, will provide critical details about the future of his campaign during an announcement to supporters. Frazier, who has been described as an atypical Republican candidate and a rising star in the party, has attracted significant grassroots support. Speculations have surfaced that Frazier may move his race to run for Lt. Governor or for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 7. WHO: Ryan Frazier, U.S. Senate Candidate The Honorable Mike May, Colorado House … [Read more...]
7th CD Perlmutter Showdown Brings On New Challenges for Ryan Frazier
Update II, 2:45 PM: I've seen it written that blogs are the first draft of history. First drafts often need revision. I strive to note where I am writing conjecture as opposed to hard fact. But I prefer to be open about the process, because I recognize that I am prone to make mistakes from time to time -- particularly when I wander into conjecture. After talking to several sources following up this announcement, it has become apparent to me there is no deal with the NRCC on the table. It was poorly worded at best. Clearly the Frazier team sized up their prospects and decided it made more sense all around to move to the 7th Congressional race -- to increase fundraising opportunities and make for a stronger Republican field across the … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- …
- 155
- Next Page »