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“I am Joe”

Perhaps the best and most timely ad the McCain-Palin campaign has put out: Just be careful where you go with that McCain bumper sticker, lest you get attacked by a deranged Barack Obama supporter. (Update:This particular incident turns out to have been a cruel hoax. I share Jim Geraghty's sentiments. Meanwhile, the death threats keep rolling in.) … [Read more...]

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Believe “Nonsense” Against Colorado Amendment 49? “Don’t Be Stupid”

The Rocky Mountain News today provides the most systematic deconstruction of the grossly misleading, multi-million dollar Protect Colorado's Future campaign against 49:There's no obligation for political campaigns to be fair, let alone balanced, but there are times when messages go beyond the pale. Case in point: the advertising, largely bankrolled by labor unions, to defeat Amendment 49, the "ethical standards" initiative. Muzzle workers and endanger public safety? "In what way? The amendment doesn't say unions can't collect dues. It just says government can't collect dues for them." Threaten public employees' paychecks? "Nonsense." Silence small business? "Bizarre." Backed by multinational corporations? "What a joke." Or as … [Read more...]

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Buescher “Favored”? Deceptive Attacks on Cancer Survivor Say Maybe Not

Today the Rocky Mountain News highlights the hottest state legislative race on Colorado's Western Slope, as Republican challenger Laura Bradford faces down Democrat incumbent Bernie Buescher in HD55:"I think her chances are great," said Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, who was among Republicans who stopped in Grand Junction while on an RV tour of the state. "One thing she said was, 'Gov. Ritter will not be whispering in my ear what to do.' People loved that." Buescher, however, says he doesn't hew that closely to Gov. Bill Ritter. "They're going after me on some issues, but it seems to me the fundamental attack is that I'm too close to the administration," he said. "The fact is I pushed the administration as much as any Democrat in the … [Read more...]

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ObamaFraud and the Ongoing Motivation of the GOP Ground Game

There is a ton to catch up on heading into the election's final week: Palestra has the latest on vote fraud committed by Barack Obama staffers camping out in Ohio. Naysayers repeat the mantra that this fraud can't possibly affect the election, because it's on such a small scale. Focused so intently on potential direct impacts, they miss the point. The ever expanding, yet unknowable, scale of voter registration fraud has been part of feeding a public perception. Based on what we know about human nature and behavior, it will have some effect - how so, it's too hard to say. To further understand the concern, think instead about what this says: the bare minimum of electronic controls to cover his online donations, allowing for myriad kinds … [Read more...]

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Mark Hillman Cuts Through Deception Used Against Amendments 47, 49, 54

Another prominent, respected Colorado voice joins the chorus of those denouncing the nonsensical attacks against Amendments 47, 49, and 54. Former state treasurer Mark Hillman makes a couple of terrific points in his piece:Amendment 49 (”ethical standards”) prohibits state and local governments from intercepting a worker’s paycheck to collect dues or contributions for unions, lobbyists or any other special interest. It simply requires all interest groups to ask supporters directly for their contribution, rather than use government payroll systems as their collection agency. Groups from the National Rifle Association to the Sierra Club rely on voluntary contributions, so why can’t labor unions and other special … [Read more...]

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Off to Denver Townhall Talkers Tour

I'm off to the Townhall Battleground Talkers Tour's first event this evening in Denver. Hope to see some of you there. What do syndicated radio hosts Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, and Dennis Prager have to say off air? Will they succeed in firing up the troops? Is the media's assessment of conservative and Republican voter enthusiasm on- or off-base? What do Colorado's grassroots leaders really think about the McCain-Palin's ticket to win Colorado and the national election? What other campaigns and figures will make an appearance? Check back later for a report. Sadly, the event comes on the same day as the passing of regular Hugh Hewitt guest host, Weekly Standard contributor, and blogger extraordinaire Dean Barnett. Rest in peace. … [Read more...]

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Teachers Union Twists Facts to Cover for Anti-Amendment 49 Violation

Joanne Kelley reports on the Rocky Mountain News Stump blog:Supporters of Amendment 49 filed a campaign finance complaint over $2,800 of "in-kind" contributions a teachers union committee made to a group fighting the ballot measure. The complaint alleges the Colorado Springs Education Association's issue committee made contributions to a group created to address statewide ballot issues when the teachers' committee was created to promote issues in its own district. "I find it disturbing to see the teachers union funnel resources earmarked for local education issues into a fight against statewide political issues they don't happen to like," said Colorado Springs resident and former school board candidate Reginald Perry, who was named on … [Read more...]

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Parents for School Choice Backs Libby Szabo, Holly Hansen, Shawn Mitchell

Denise at Colorado Charters has shared information on three candidates officially backed by Parents for School Choice, a group that puts its support into races that make a real difference on behalf of charter school families. In other words, these three candidates are strong supporters of charter schools, while their opponents have an anti-charter school record: Libby Szabo, Holly Hansen, and Shawn Mitchell. Speaking of Shawn, here's a creative video highlighting his record and candidacy: … [Read more...]