Ritter vs. Beauprez: I'm awake and underdressed

Part 1: I show up at 6:25 a.m.

I was the first person to show up at the Westminster Westin this morning for the Ritter-Beauprez debate, sponsored by the North Metro Chamber of Commerce. Well, almost. When I stuck my head into the conference hall, a dozen workers were busy laying out plates of fruit and pouring pots of coffee.

Part 2: The Ritter crowd shows up

As I wandered out into the parking lot, I spied several folks in Ritter for Governor t-shirts clustered around an SUV. I walked over, introduced myself and asked for a sign. We staked out a strategic position on the corner.

Part 3: The Beauprez crowd shows up

At the KBDI debate, we outnumbered the Beauprez supporters easily. Today, the crowds were about equal. Several people wearing Beauprez t-shirts clustered around the righthand side of the door to the conference hall. Good move. A few of us walked over from the corner to stand on the lefthand side of the door. Across from me there was a pretty six-foot tall blonde in her 20's wearing a pink skirt and heels. I checked out my own baggy jeans and logoless t-shirt. And then I looked up to see Chamber members in suits and ties heading our way. "I'm underdressed," I muttered to myself. I raised my sign a bit higher and hoped for the best.

Part 4: The politicians show up

I recognized Republicans like CD7 nominee Rubber Stamp Rick O'Donnell and SD23 senator Shawn Mitchell as they made their way down the righthand side of the sidewalk. Democratic CD2 congressman and likely 2008 senate nominee Mark Udall worked both sides of the crowd. And I chatted with Bill Christopher and Heather Barry, who are both running for the District J seat on the RTD Board. Both Ways Bob Beauprez made his way down his row of supporters, proclaiming loudly that he was planning to have a great day.

Part 5: I stick my foot in my mouth

I slipped past the door and into the atrium outside of the conference center. I hadn't seen Ritter come in, but he was on the podium, next to Beauprez. Udall and Barry were talking with Broomfield mayor Karen Stuart. I walked up and told them I wrote for Coloradolib and Square State, and asked if I could get a photo. Except I was running on a huge cup of coffee and two hours of sleep. So what I said came out as a slurred, "Blog. Photo. Please." Udall looked at me, trying to figure out what I was yammering about. I cleared my throat and repeated, "Can I get a photo, please?" Apparently, I made some sense this time. When I looked at the shot I'd taken, it was badly blurred. But I was in no shape to ask for a mulligan. And I heard the debate starting behind me. "Thanks," I said and walked off.

Part 6: Oh, yeah, there was a debate.

But I didn't see any of it. So I'm scoring it Ritter 14, Beauprez 2.