Right launches string of attacks on Bill Ritter
I guess the whole bipartisan fad is over. The Bill Ritter bashers are out in full force. And they're not going to let the facts stop them from tearing in to Colorado's new chief executive.
Let's start with state-level malcontent David Schultheis, whose bigoted tirades are the stuff of legend. Schultheis has decided that Ritter, who came into office with a strong record on illegal immigration, is somehow at fault for, well, everything. From The Rocky Mountain News:
In an opinion piece he sent to the media, the Colorado Springs Republican blasted Ritter for making only a brief five-word comment about illegal immigration in his 42-minute State of the State speech last week before the Colorado General Assembly. "Gov. Ritter failed to mention the growing interconnection between most of Colorado's problems and the growing invasion of illegal residents in Colorado, primarily from the country to our south," he said.
Somehow Shultheis failed to mention the GOP's inaction on illegal immigration, the Democratic legislature's comprehensive immigration reform package of 2006, or the fact that it costs the taxpayers more money to deny services to illegal immigrants than we save.
Next up, Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi, whose column yesterday practically accused Ritter of bankrupting Colorado just six days into his term.
Finally, there's Archbishop Charles Chaput. Today's Denver Post reports that the Archbishop called Ritter's "pledge to lift eligibility restrictions on state-funded pregnancy prevention and family-planning programs 'seriously flawed public policy.'" Don't get confused. Ritter has always been opposed to public funding of abortions. But his policy centers on reducing unintended pregnancies. And helping healthcare practitioners who aid people with family planning is consistent with his promises to the voters of this state.
In the last couple of days, I've also rebutted unfounded attacks on Ritter's inaugural and appointments.
Politics ain't beanbag. I don't really expect Harsanyi & Co. to give Ritter a honeymooon. But Schultheis and the rest of the GOP hardliners on Capitol Hill owe it to the voters to give our duly-elected Governor a chance.
Let's start with state-level malcontent David Schultheis, whose bigoted tirades are the stuff of legend. Schultheis has decided that Ritter, who came into office with a strong record on illegal immigration, is somehow at fault for, well, everything. From The Rocky Mountain News:
In an opinion piece he sent to the media, the Colorado Springs Republican blasted Ritter for making only a brief five-word comment about illegal immigration in his 42-minute State of the State speech last week before the Colorado General Assembly. "Gov. Ritter failed to mention the growing interconnection between most of Colorado's problems and the growing invasion of illegal residents in Colorado, primarily from the country to our south," he said.
Somehow Shultheis failed to mention the GOP's inaction on illegal immigration, the Democratic legislature's comprehensive immigration reform package of 2006, or the fact that it costs the taxpayers more money to deny services to illegal immigrants than we save.
Next up, Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi, whose column yesterday practically accused Ritter of bankrupting Colorado just six days into his term.
Finally, there's Archbishop Charles Chaput. Today's Denver Post reports that the Archbishop called Ritter's "pledge to lift eligibility restrictions on state-funded pregnancy prevention and family-planning programs 'seriously flawed public policy.'" Don't get confused. Ritter has always been opposed to public funding of abortions. But his policy centers on reducing unintended pregnancies. And helping healthcare practitioners who aid people with family planning is consistent with his promises to the voters of this state.
In the last couple of days, I've also rebutted unfounded attacks on Ritter's inaugural and appointments.
Politics ain't beanbag. I don't really expect Harsanyi & Co. to give Ritter a honeymooon. But Schultheis and the rest of the GOP hardliners on Capitol Hill owe it to the voters to give our duly-elected Governor a chance.
Labels: Bill Ritter, Charles Chaput, David Harsanyi, David Schultheis, punditry
posted by 300 Spartans Gym at 12:55:00 PM
1 Comments:
Ritter won with ease. These bashers are in the same minority with those who still think invading Iraq was a swell idea and that, in spite of all the polls and recent elections, they represent middle America.
Even in the Republican party, the far right is out, moderates are in. Just look at the first hundred hour votes in the US House, all with significant numbers of Rs voting with Ds. Many of them say they feel liberated by their minority status and the political demise of DeLay to vote their conscience without fear of retribution. Let the Ritter bashers bash away. Who cares?
Post a Comment
<< Home