Is Colorado's Democratic Congressional delegation really going to play Pavlov's dog to Big Labor officials? News came out earlier today that Colorado Democratic Congresswoman Betsy Markey has agreed to co-sponsor - just as U.S. Senator and former Congressman Mark Udall did in the recent past - the poorly-named Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) -- aka card-check. Or as my colleague and fellow blogger Amy Oliver put it: "Markey pays back labor unions". If not for the money, why else would Markey leap into action as an EFCA co-sponsor? As policy, it's terrible for business and the rights of workers. As 4th Congressional politics goes, it's equally bad - opening the door wide for a strong, credible, business-backed challenge in 2010. At … [Read more...]
Tom Lucero Touts a Few Big Name Supporters in Contested 4th CD Race
Update: I forgot to mention Fort Collins city councilman Diggs Brown as another candidate being touted to run as a Republican in the 4th CD. Thanks to Night Twister for the reminder. Will Republicans have an interesting primary in Colorado's 4th Congressional District? Who knows, but it won't be for lack of trying. Names like Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck and State Representative Cory Gardner (Yuma) have been floated as leading contenders to take on newly-elected Betsy Markey. But CU Regent Tom Lucero yesterday released the names of his policy advisors and finance team. The list of campaign advisors and fundraisers features some notable and influential names, including business leader Steve Schuck as well as leading radio … [Read more...]
No District Office for Rep. Betsy Markey: Different Kind of “Hope” and “Change”
Face The State reports:Seventy-seven days after being elected to serve Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey, a Democrat, still has not set up an in-state office to serve her constituents. Staff in Markey’s Washington, D.C. office confirmed she does not have a district office set up and said there is no concrete timeline for when that will get done, but it will be “soon.†Hey, don't hurry up with that or anything. No pressure. Hmmm, the only question left unanswered is "why is it taking so long". As the story points out, Mike Coffman - another newly elected member of Colorado's House delegation - has had an office set up for weeks now. So who knows? Maybe Betsy Markey is ready to put down roots … [Read more...]