Tancredo stays quiet, Winter pays the price
Both Ways Bob Beauprez and Doug Lamborn could learn a lot from Tom Tancredo.
Like how to shut up.
The three men represent three of the five extremist wings of the Republican party - Bushism, fundamentalism and paleoconservatism. (The other two wings being the libertarians and the corporatists.) All they have in common is a bad case of foot in mouth syndrome.
Absolutely, Bill Ritter and Jay Fawcett are moderate candidates of vision and character. But they've been helped by Beauprez and Lamborn's insistence on humiliating themselves in public.
Six months ago, Tancredo had the same problem. His far-right, single-issue rhetoric was alienating the voters of CD6. But now that he's succeeded at bringing his pet issue to prominence, he's shut his piehole.
Sure, there have been lapses. Like when Tancredo questioned Hillary Clinton's faith or when he let on that he's still mulling a presidential bid in 2008. But we haven't had a "Let's bomb Mecca" moment for quite awhile.
Good for Tancredo. Bad for the man who should replace him, Democratic nominee Bill Winter.
Bill Winter may be the single best candidate Colorado has ever seen. He has worked for both John McCain and Be The Change. He's volunteered to serve in the Marine Corp and the Navy. He supports liberal causes, like healthcare reform and an end to our involvement in Iraq. And conservative causes, like fiscal responsibility and privacy rights.
As Cindy Rodriguez wrote in The Denver Post:
I bet many [CD6 voters] are sick of Tancredoism, but want to make sure no bleeding-heart liberal takes his place. His challenger, Bill Winter of Castle Rock, is the antidote. Haven't heard of him yet? You will.
Yet I fear that you won't. ColoradoPols reports that Winter's campaign may not be able to make a big TV buy. If Tancredo stays out of the headlines for the next two months, it's going to be hard to get Winter the name recognition he needs to win.
But we can't concede defeat. Candidates like Bill Winter don't come along every election cycle. This might be our only opportunity to elect him. It'll be a shame if we pass it up.
Like how to shut up.
The three men represent three of the five extremist wings of the Republican party - Bushism, fundamentalism and paleoconservatism. (The other two wings being the libertarians and the corporatists.) All they have in common is a bad case of foot in mouth syndrome.
Absolutely, Bill Ritter and Jay Fawcett are moderate candidates of vision and character. But they've been helped by Beauprez and Lamborn's insistence on humiliating themselves in public.
Six months ago, Tancredo had the same problem. His far-right, single-issue rhetoric was alienating the voters of CD6. But now that he's succeeded at bringing his pet issue to prominence, he's shut his piehole.
Sure, there have been lapses. Like when Tancredo questioned Hillary Clinton's faith or when he let on that he's still mulling a presidential bid in 2008. But we haven't had a "Let's bomb Mecca" moment for quite awhile.
Good for Tancredo. Bad for the man who should replace him, Democratic nominee Bill Winter.
Bill Winter may be the single best candidate Colorado has ever seen. He has worked for both John McCain and Be The Change. He's volunteered to serve in the Marine Corp and the Navy. He supports liberal causes, like healthcare reform and an end to our involvement in Iraq. And conservative causes, like fiscal responsibility and privacy rights.
As Cindy Rodriguez wrote in The Denver Post:
I bet many [CD6 voters] are sick of Tancredoism, but want to make sure no bleeding-heart liberal takes his place. His challenger, Bill Winter of Castle Rock, is the antidote. Haven't heard of him yet? You will.
Yet I fear that you won't. ColoradoPols reports that Winter's campaign may not be able to make a big TV buy. If Tancredo stays out of the headlines for the next two months, it's going to be hard to get Winter the name recognition he needs to win.
But we can't concede defeat. Candidates like Bill Winter don't come along every election cycle. This might be our only opportunity to elect him. It'll be a shame if we pass it up.
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