O'Donnell: "Senior year is for weenies"

I never wrote that much about the whole "Rick O'Donnell wanted to abolish Social Security" dust-up. Why? Because it didn't really surprise me that as a young Republican, O'Donnell flirted with some extremist viewpoints. People explore all sorts of loopy ideas in their early 20s. I know I did.

But O'Donnell is hanging on to quite a few of these viewpoints well into adulthood. The latest to come out (in The Denver Post) is this headscratcher:

Democrat Ed Perlmutter's congressional campaign blasted as "bizarre" and "dangerous" on Tuesday his opponent's 2004 suggestion that boys forgo their last semester of high school for national service, including the option of securing the Mexican border.

I still considered giving O'Donnell the benefit of the doubt on this issue. Some service might not be a bad idea. But after high school. And for all students, not just boys.

Unfortunately, given the opportunity to clarify his views, O'Donnell dug in his heels:

"Border security needs to come first," O'Donnell said. "The American people want border security and illegal immigration stopped before they address the other issues."

This is the type of thing that makes me doubt O'Donnell's sanity. Healthcare, the debt, global warming and national security are first-tier crises. Is O'Donnell seriously advocating ignoring them until we boot all the illegal immigrants out of the country?

More on Ed Perlmutter's website.

I spend two lousy days offline and Colorado goes haywire

I really thought I could take a two-day business trip without losing track of Colorado politics. I was wrong. In 48 hours retiring Republican Joel Hefley sent shockwaves through the CD5 race, Diana DeGette entered the blogosphere, Both Ways Bob Beauprez slandered the African-American community, Ken Salazar called for Rummy's head, Republicans and Democrats joined together to ask Gigi Dennis to quit trying to rig the election, and Bill Ritter spoke up for the states' rights that the U.S. Congress and Bush administration continue to trample.

I mean, sheesh.

Wednesday is wide open

I'm not here. Technically, I wasn't here yesterday either. Although I did type up this diary at Square State. Anyway, if you got something on your mind, feel free to spill it.

Hefley may unretire in attempt to save GOP from self-destruction

Holy freaking cow.

Both Ways Bob experiences zen (and other scenes from the campaign trail)

The Grand Junction Sentinel reports that Both Ways Bob Beauprez had a moment of clarity at the Colorado Water Congress on Friday:

"It's important that we let science drive good policy and not some other agenda," Beauprez said.

Stem cell research advocates and climate change experts everywhere promptly smacked themselves on the forehead.

The Denver Post tells us that Beauprez also advocated throwing some money at the drought:

He said cities can do even more to encourage conservation, such as cash incentives offered by Las Vegas...

Beauprez added, "Hey, we can just print extra money, right? That's how we did it in DC."

In Florida, Republican senate candidate Katherine Harris (yes, that Katherine Harris) seems to be channeling Beauprez's runningmate Janet Rowland. From CNN:

U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris told a religious journal that separation of church and state is "a lie..."

Yeah, and the whole freedom of speech thing, that's just one of those urban legends. Like the alligators in the New York City sewers.

On Colorado Matters today, Bill Ritter and Beauprez answered questions about abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage. Here's the link.

Speaking of abortion, Colorado Media Matters is tracking Beauprez's ongoing attempt to distort Ritter's comments during the KBDI debate.

And finally our opposite number at ToTheRight points out that Bill Ritter still has a healthy lead in the race, 46% to 39%.

Winter at the Parker Breakfast Club

The best speech yet from CD6 nominee Bill Winter is living over at Square State.

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.

Are feds wasting taxes and breaking the law to fight marijuana initiative?

Yes. And maybe.

Ritter at State Fair Parade Saturday, in Westminster Monday

Dem Notes tells us that Ritter energized voters at the State Fair in Pueblo while Both Ways Bob Beauprez sat on the bleachers wondering why no one would dance with him.

Tomorrow morning, I'm planning to cover the pre-debate rally at 6:30 a.m. - coffee in one hand, camera in the other.

Photo of Ritter on horseback courtesy of Dem Notes.

Rocky strikes back against Both Ways Bob

Both Ways Bob Beauprez recently sent out a press release with this quote from Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter:

"A guy's got to work at getting jail time in Denver. He's got to do something very bad, or keep doing something fairly bad over and over again," said Bill Ritter, as reported in the Rocky Mountain News, May 3, 1998.

The point Beauprez was trying to make is that Ritter is soft on crime. But what he forgot is that the Rocky has the ability to check up on its own quotes. And the paper's editors weren't too happy about what they found. Today they wrote:

Ritter had made the point not as a boast but as a complaint. The DA was irritated with the report of two consultants who claimed that overcrowding in the Denver jail could be alleviated by releasing apparently harmless traffic and drug offenders...

In short, the Beauprez campaign lifted a Ritter assertion - not a quotation - in which he was taking a hard line against criminals and twisted it to make him sound like a crime-indulging wimp. The Trailhead Group, an independent outfit supporting Republicans, did the same thing in an earlier press release.

We can understand the frustration among Republicans trying to build a case against Ritter given the maddeningly narrow focus of his public comments over the years. But that's no excuse for the altogether sleazy misuse of what the candidate actually has said.

(You can read the rest on the Rocky's website.)

Beauprez has made some big miscalculations. Ticking off the editors of the Rocky might just be one of the worst.

Ritter campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train

Elevated Voices points out that Bill Ritter's campaign is getting national attention.

Anybody catch the Simpsons reference in my headline?

Another view of DeGette and Warner

Background: CD1 representative Diana DeGette listens to 2008 presidential contender Mark Warner.

Foreground: So that's what my ear looks like.

Photo courtesy of TakeBackTheHouse and Winter for Congress.

Ritter dives deeper in to healthcare debate

One reason I support Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter - besides the little (D) after his name on the ballot - is that his healthcare position is more rational and comprehensive than his Republican opponent's. Both men admit that the system is broken, and that spiraling costs are breaking the backs of consumers and businesses across America. But Beauprez's solution, as articulated in the KBDI debate, is unfunded tax incentives and mandating "light packages for the younger population." He has also advocated tapping into the tobacco settlement.

Ritter doesn't support what I'd call universal healthcare or even a voucher system. But he has pledged to get all of Colorado's 770,000 uninsured covered with some sort of basic primary care package. He has pointed to Republican Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's comprehensive plan as proof that it can be done at the state level.

Yesterday, in a release timed to coincide with a gubernatorial healthcare forum, Ritter dove into his plan to reduce healthcare costs, increase insurance availability, and improve our quality of care. His plan calls for a series of specific short-term fixes and a new long-term solution that addresses the concerns of patients, doctors and insurance agencies. A release states:

"We can no longer afford the ills of our system - people using emergency rooms as their primary care centers; people putting off basic health-care needs until they erupt into more costly and life-threatening situations; businesses no longer able to afford to offer their employees insurance."

You can read the whole plan on the Ritter for Governor website.

Photo of Ritter marching with CD6 nominee Bill Winter courtesy of Bill Ritter for Governor.

O'Donnell campaign: "Whoops."

An update on this post. Some info from the good folks at the Ed Perlmutter campaign:

After this campaign violation was revealed yesterday, KC Jones, [Rubber Stamp Rick] O'Donnell's campaign manager, admitted that the insurance corporation had contributed to the campaign and that the head of the insurance agency had not reimbursed the corporation for any of these expenses to date, which should have happened prior to the event. Jones also conceded that the corporate logo of State Farm should not have been used. Perlmutter's complaint to the FEC will ask for a full investigation and appropriate penalties.

Bowling with Ken Gordon

Dennis changed election rules at Beauprez lawyer's behest

Not too long ago, I wrote a post over at Square State titled "It's rigged: Gigi Dennis makes up her own rules." Well, it turns out she didn't make them up. The Beauprez camp dictated them to her. From today's Denver Post:

Republican Secretary of State Gigi Dennis made controversial changes to Colorado campaign-finance rules after requests from lawyers who work for the state GOP, gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez and a powerful Republican political committee, records show.

Good morning. Happy birthday. And thanks for reading.

While you're at it, go read CD6 Democratic nominee Bill Winter's latest at Daily Kos.

Is Both Ways Bob sending ads disguised as congressional mailings?

Decide for yourself.

O'Donnell apparently violates FEC law. Again.

I now interrupt your regularly scheduled Both Ways Bob Beauprez bulletins with a Rubber Stamp Rick O'Donnell bulletin:

Today, Ed Perlmutter criticized Rick O'Donnell for an event held last night (August 22, 2006) that was sponsored by the Bushell Insurance Agency Inc., an affiliate of State Farm Insurance... Federal Election Commission law expressly prohibits all corporations from contributing to Federal campaigns. In addition to the apparent FEC violation, O'Donnell and the Bushell Insurance Agency, Inc. also apparently violated the Code of Conduct for State Farm Insurance.

Remember that the O'Donnell campaign also played fast and loose with campaign finance law when one of his backers used the name of an EPA administrator to advertise a fundraiser. And remember that O'Donnell likes to cuddle with Bush, Cheney and Mehlman.

Wednesday governor's race update: Ritter endorsed; Beauprez blasted

The Colorado Contractors Association is one of those organizations that likes to endorse Republicans. I'm fairly sure they endorsed a lamp with a little (R) after it's name the other day. But this morning the association issued a surprise joint endorsement of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter and his Republican opponent.

All over Colorado - even in the Springs! - Republicans are making a stand against the religious extremists that have taken control of their party. This is just the latest example.

Meanwhile, Beauprez is getting criticized on states' rights and environmental grounds for supporting the president's plan to bypass Colorado's local government and start drilling the Western Slope. Progress Now Action says:

"We ask people to sign our petition calling on Beauprez to reconsider his support for controversial oil and gas drilling leases in Colorado's forests," stated Michael Huttner, Executive Director of ProgressNowAction.org... Beauprez supported additional drilling in Colorado forests without waiting for Governor Owens approval or the recommendations of a statewide taskforce which are due September 13, 2006.

Photo of Bill Ritter courtesy of Ritter for Governor.

Audioblogger test post

Ritter vs. Beauprez on illegal immigration

The governor's race is gonna get dirty this September. (I may have to bring back Ms. Aguilera.) Both Ways Bob Beauprez is getting whupped in the polls. He's gonna have to go negative. And he's likely to make illegal immigration an issue. So let's look at the facts.

As Denver's district attorney, Democratic nominee Bill Ritter:

1. Assigned investigators to conduct thorough background checks on all drug suspects and then notify INS/ICE by fax of any suspected undocumented immigrants. This amounted to about 10 notifications a week.

2. Directed courtroom prosecutors to request 90-day jail holds on undocumented-immigrant defendants facing just probation. The jail time gave prosecutors additional time to notify INS/ICE and request that the defendants be picked up so that deportation proceedings could be initiated.

4. Re-notified INS/ICE of all drug-related felony convictions to ensure that the federal government could initiate criminal proceedings in the case of future illegal re-entry.

5. Received letters of commendation from then-INS District Director Joseph R. Greene, praising the work of Denver prosecutors and the Drug Court. From Jan. 1 to March 31, 1995, alone, 57 undocumented immigrants were ordered deported after being identified through the Drug Court. From July 1 through Sept. 10, the figure was 58. (After 1995, the INS stopped providing figures.)

So that's Ritter. Now, for a brief summary of Beauprez's action on illegal immigration during his years in congress, I direct you to this video of someone snoring. Enjoy.


Portions of this post concerning Ritter's record as district attorney are from a Ritter for Governor press release. Not the snoring though.

Perlmutter may have an edge in CD7

From a press release from Perlmutter for Congress:

We have always known that the race for the 7th CD is going to be one of the closest and most hotly contested campaigns in the Country, but today 9 News confirmed it! A new Survey USA Poll showed the race tied 45%-45%. The great news out of this poll is that Survey USA heavily over-sampled Republicans (44%) and under-sampled unaffiliated voters (21%) -- and among the key unaffiliated vote, Ed leads by nearly 20 points (48%-29%)! However, Ed is going to be outspent in this race and there is nothing the Republicans won't do or say to keep this seat... We only have 78 days left to set a new course for the 7th CD, Colorado and the Country and bring change to Washington DC, so we need everyone's help and support

Have you voted for Ed at Russ Feingold's PAC yet? (Or you could just donate directly to the campaign.)

Photo of Perlmutter and Senator Ken Salazar courtesy of Perlmutter for Congress.

Beauprez: "You can't have it both ways."

It was mind-blowing to hear Republican candidate for governor Bob Beauprez trying to position himself as a proponent of alternative energy. It was heartening to hear Ryan Warner of KCFR calling him on his hypocrisy. And then, whoops:

Warner: Some might accuse you of being reliant on fossil fuels. You're number 10 in the house in campaign money from oil and gas interests in 2004. Your critics say you've repeatedly voted against funding for alternative energy. Supported President Bush's plan to give energy companies tax breaks and subsidies. You're talking a lot about alternative sources. Does this represent a shift in emphasis for you?

Beauprez: No. I think the truth is I have had a balanced approach... You can't have it both ways."

And lord knows he's tried.

Cross-posted at Square State.

Beauprez scrambles for nicknames, relevance

Back in April, I wrote that the Beauprez camp might have a hard time finding a disparaging nickname for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter. For awhile there, they seemed to be trying to label him "Wrong Way," but all that did was make people remember Beauprez's nickname, Both Ways Bob. Now they're trying out Bill "Spend It All" Ritter, which is hilarious for two reasons:

1. Ritter balanced his budget every year as Denver's district attorney.

2. In congress Beauprez consistently voted to increase our nation's deficit and debt.

Why is the Beauprez campaign in such a state of panic? Maybe it's because Republicans like former state representative Bill Kaufman have jumped ship. From today's Rocky Mountain News:

[Kaufman said,] "The people who run the Republican Party today don't care about business. What this party is about now is God, guns, gays and abortion. They don't care about education, health care or transportation."

Winter, Perlmutter update thread

You can see me in the crowd shot (courtesy of Winter for Congress) taken at the Winter-Warner event. Except that I was trying to get some camera-phone photos, so my arm is over my face.

I'm also including this photo of a bunny (courtesy of ZaBlanc at Square State) because it's my blog and I like the photo.

On to more serious business. You have only three days left to vote for CD7 Democratic nominee Ed Perlmutter at Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund. And don't forget to voice your support for Winter at Daily Kos.

Colorado GOP keeps the anti-gay rhetoric coming

Welker. Rowland. And now Lundberg. (For the record, you can find Lundberg's Democratic opponent's site at radfordfor49.com.)

Beauprez: Bringing Washington DC home

If you ever find yourself falling for Both Ways Bob's small-government rhetoric, read John Aloysius Farrell's blog entry about Libertarian author Stephen Slivinski from today's Denver Post:

The outcome of Republican control has been everything Democrats were known for, and libertarians profess to abhor: wasteful government spending, titanic new bureaucracies, federal intrusion in private matters, elective war and a metastasizing national security state.

Now Beauprez wants to bring the mess he helped create in Washington DC home to Colorado.

Photos: Big celebs at Western Welcome Week

Both Ways Bob may or may not have shown up for for Littleton's Western Welcome Week Parade. But a couple hundred Democrats sure did.

Morning rain cleared for the start of the parade. The streets were lined with booths selling food that would give Denise Austin a coronary.

In these exclusive (until you download and cross-post them) photos, Colorado's next governor chills out with HD38 Democratic nominee Joe Rice. International celebrity Bill Winter walks with fans. And Rice seems surprised to find dozens of supporters marching directly behind him, chanting his name.

All photos courtesy of the Coloradolib spy satellite, which is on loan from the NSA.

New links in the sidebar

I updated my sidebar wirth links to Paula Noonan's SD22 campaign and the Colorado site for Media Matters, which tracks right-wing bias in our state's news outlets. Check 'em out.

Allard, Musgrave vs. Rocky Mountain National Park

Wayne Allard and Marilyn Musgrave have teamed up to delay wilderness designation for Rocky Mountain National Park according to the Ft. Collins Coloradoan. They say "the official designation would prohibit aerial firefighting, removal of diseased trees or building a single new picnic area within the park."

Not a single one of these claims is valid:

Current rules allow aircraft to fly over wilderness areas in emergencies, including firefighting; the park's bark beetle management plan, adopted last year, doesn't allow removal of diseased trees except in developed, high-traffic areas; and picnic areas can be constructed in developed parts of the park, typically in what's called the "front country," but not in backcountry or wilderness areas.

Sigh. Wouldn't it be nice to have a CD4 representative that understands the issues?

Friday gubernatorial race update

So this is what it's come to. I'm having to lump all the Both Ways Bob Beauprez news of the day into one thread.

1. Beauprez reinforced his own flip-flop label by blasting his buddy George W. Bush on the topic of immigration. This is in direct contrast to Beauprez's actions during his years in congress. (See it in the Rocky.)

2. Beauprez drew the ire of veterans with a careless remark about the Vietnam War. (See it in the Rocky.)

3. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter is widening his lead over Beauprez. (See it at Square State.)

Two ways to support our Democratic nominees from the comfort of your keyboard

1. Vote for CD7 nominee Ed Perlmutter in this round of Russ Feingold's Pick a Progressive Patriot.

2. Vote for Perlmutter and write in CD6 nominee Bill Winter's name under "other" at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Candidate for Change.

Photo courtesy of Perlmutter for Congress.

Steve Ludwig cheers me up

I get home from the Winter-Warner event. I feel excited about 2006 and 2008. Then I listen to this mp3 of Peter Boyles and Bob Beauprez slapfighting about illegal immigration. It's midnight. I get grumpy. I go to bed and have nightmares.

I wake up and find this thread at Square State, in which C.U. regent-at-large nominee Steve Ludwig starts an actual debate about an actual issue. Read it for yourself. This is what actual leaders do when they actually want to affect positive change.

I feel a bit better. I have some coffee.

Winter-Warner event: Part 3

What Bill Winter said.

Bill Winter is a brave guy. He volunteered for the military. Twice. He donated a kidney. And now he's running against Tom Tancredo, and Tancredo supporters aren't known for not threatening your life.

Why does Winter do what he does? Beacause he believes. He believes that he's bound by the military oath he took to defend America. He believes that healthcare is a right and that the war has gone on long enough. And he believes that Americans have a duty to be involved in civic life. He ended his speech tonight by saying, "You have a duty to stand up."

What Mark Warner said.

Yeah, Mark Warner is running for president. Yeah, I was able to stand ten feet from him, shake his hand and talk to him one-on-one for about three minutes. National-level politicians are enormously charismatic people. They manage to be confident and humble at the same time. In person Warner reminded me of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. I brought up his website and he talked easily about his belief that technology and science could open up new doors for American industry and healthcare.

Warner's speech in front of the large crowd (Maybe a few hundred? We packed Cool River.) balanced these technocratic ambitions with fiscal conservatism and social liberalism. He even drew a clear distinction between himself and George W. Bush. "My biggest problem with this president isn't something he's done. It's something he's not done. The president of the United States has never leveled with the American people."

Winter-Warner event: Part 2

As many have pointed out, this blog doesn't dole out praise and blame in equal measure. It's mostly blame. Never lies or slander, but certainly blame.

Our environment is falling apart. Our country is less safe. The longterm outlook for our economy is sour. We aren't positioning ourselves to compete globally. Our healthcare system is a mess. And our government is monitoring more and more of our private lives.

What can I say? There's a lot of blame to go around.

In 83 days, we can change that. This year, the CDP worked hard to find visionary, positive candidates that provide a credible alternative to six years of Republican incompetence. And maybe the most visionary, the most positive among them is CD6 Democratic nominee Bill Winter.

Not too long ago, a bunch of activists, including myself, took it upon ourselves to help get Winter the recognition he needed to win CD6. We worked Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriots Fund. And stayed up late begging our friends and family to vote for Winter at Mark Warner's Forward Together.

Tonight, we got to enjoy some of the fruits of our labors as Warner, a likely 2008 presidential contender, visited Colorado to raise money for Winter's campaign.

Winter isn't one to hog the spotlight. He asked all the Colorado Democrats running in tight congressional races to join him for the fundraiser. And so the evening was transformed into a celebration of what the future could be if we all put the hammer down over the next few weeks.

Imagine a world where our scientists had the tools they needed to save the lives of sick Americans. Where the executive branch wasn't allowed unfettered access to the private lives of American citizens. Where Colorado got to decide what to do with its own land. Where every American citizen had access to efficient, effective healthcare. Where we could save our economy and our environment at the same time. And where we focused on defeating terrorists, instead of wasting more than a trillion taxpayer dollars creating an Islamic government in Iraq.

It's not wide-eyed idealism. It's optimism. It's believing in America. And tonight, I got to meet some of the people who I think can make it happen.

Photo, from left: Bill Winter, Diana DeGette, Angie Paccione, Ed Perlmutter and Jay Fawcett.

Winter-Warner event: Part 1

Only a few minutes until I'm off to CD6 Democratic nominee Bill Winter's fundraiser with Mark Warner.

In the meantime, here's a photo of Bill with DNC chair Howard Dean and one of Bill's radio ads, courtesy of the Winter for Congress Committee.

Beauprez plays fast and loose with taxpayer money

I have already spent too much of my day keeping up with Both Ways Bob Beauprez's wrong-doings. So I'm just qoing to cut and paste this one. Part of a press release from Ritter for Governor:

Congressman Beauprez is abusing taxpayer funds by mailing thousands of fliers from his Congressional office, attempting to turn the important issue of illegal immigration into pure political theater, Bill Ritter's campaign manager said today. "The Congressman's thinly disguised flier inviting people to two town halls on Thursday is an absolute abuse of taxpayer dollars," campaign manager Greg Kolomitz said...

Beauprez proposes incentives, has no plan to fund them

Covering Bob Beauprez is a bit like hanging out with Johnny Knoxville. You never know what he's going to do next, but you can be sure it'll leave you shaking your head.

The Denver Post reports that at a debate yesterday in front of suburban business leaders, Beauprez proposed a "massive cash infusion" for public schools paid for by tax incentives, but did not "provide an estimate on how much additional revenue that would provide to schools or explain how much the incentives would cost the state," saying only that the "proposal requires further study." Beauprez's spokesperson clarified that the proposal "would not substitute for the current funding system that includes local property taxes and state taxes."

This is the real Bob Beauprez, folks. The guy who in congress has consistently voted to expand the budget deficit, federal government and executive power. But who has never, ever taken on the responsibility of paying for it.

Incidentally, I had to update the Both Ways Bob Watch twice today, with information on same sex unions and illegal immigration.

Hat-tip to Oh-Wllike at Colorado Confidential.

Marshall, Beauprez attempt to out-nasty Rowland

Janet Rowland, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, evoked a storm of criticism Monday with her history of nasty comments about homosexuals and non-evangelicals. Yesterday, Both Ways Bob Beauprez and his campaign manager John Marshall raced to say even nastier things.

First, Marshall attacked Democratic activists:

"They're bed-wetting, pampered liberals," Marshall said. "No one cares what they say about anything. They have no credibility."

Then Beauprez - who as a two-term congressman voted to approve huge expansions of the federal government and the national debt - attacked himself:

"I look around and think government is typically the problem."

Does Beauprez think Colorado's voters are stupid? We've seen how he voted in congress. And we don't expect him to suddenly become fiscally responsible after we hand him the keys to our state.

Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center to close

The Rocky Mountain News reports that 150 bears, tigers and lions are about to lose their home at a Colorado sanctuary. Please help if you can.

Photo courtesy of the RMWCC.

UPDATE: It has been a year since I wrote this post. And I'm happy to report that the sanctuary has been able to remain open, thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous donors. It's open from 9 to 4 daily, except for on holidays and in bad weather. It also keeps its doors open late on summer Fridays and Saturdays. Visit wildanimalsanctuary.org to learn more. Consider making a donation! Jessica Biel did.

Bill Ritter on KCFR: 21st Century Vision

I think Bill Ritter is becoming a better candidate by the day. Certainly better than the first time I saw him speak at the Downtown Democratic Forum. He's getting better at articulating his vision in a way that voters will relate to. Check out Ritter on KCFR today:

This is the vision I have... The education system looks different. The healthcare system looks different. The environment is protected. The vision we have for a workforce that's 21st Century. Those things are all part of what our kids and grandkids should receive.

Get the podcast of the whole interview on the KCFR site. Photo courtesy of the Ritter for Governor blog.

Auction of lands proceeds, despite protests

The protests of Democrats like Bill Ritter, Mark Udall, and Ken Salazar were ignored. The recommendations of Republicans like Gov. Bill Owens were dismissed.

Last week the Bush administration threw out Clinton-era regulations. Broke it's vow to wait for the advice of a bipartisan panel. And sold off 22,000 acres of roadless Colorado wilderness to the oil and gas industry - despite the fact that the industry still hasn't explored 66% of the drilling land it already has.

Remember back when the GOP cared about states' rights? Because I've just about forgotten.

I used today's Boulder Daily Camera as the source for this post.

Four hours left to ask Beauprez to replace Rowland

Sign the petition before 4:00 p.m. today.

Coloradolib at Square State: Gigi Dennis rewrites election rules

Square State plays a huge role in uniting Colorado's progressive community. Occasionally, I'm going to post news stories and discussion topics over there. Like this, for instance.

Janet Rowland

There's some stuff Janet Rowland probably should have told Both Ways Bob Beauprez before he tapped her to be his runningmate.

First, Colorado Confidential tracked down a questionnaire she filled out when she was running for county commissioner. Rowland wants to end the separation of church and state. ("It's not in the Constitution.") She wants to let all citizens carry concealed weapons without permits. She wants to outlaw all abortions. She opposes teaching evolution in schools, unless coupled with creationism. And she appears to want to outlaw atheism. ("We should have the freedom OF religion, not the freedom FROM religion.")

Second, the Grand Valley Marriage Equality Council points out that when asked about gay marriage on Colorado State of Mind, Rowland responded by comparing homosexuality to "bestiality, polygamy and incest." And then she claimed gay couples already have the same legal protections as straight married couples. (A thread on ColoradoPols brought up this same rant.)

Normally, this is the spot where I make some witty comment or, failing that, crib a quote from a movie. But I just feel sort of ill.

UPDATE: Transcript and link to an mp3 of the Colorado State of Mind episode in the comments.

Beauprez taps Janet Rowland

Contrary to earlier reports, Both Ways Bob Beauprez has chosen Mesa county commissioner Janet Rowland as his runningmate, according to 9 News. Congrats to ColoradoPols for guessing this a couple of days ago.

No snark. No spin. Just the facts. That's me.

Deconstructing the debate: Beauprez lie #1

One of the many misleading claims Both Ways Bob Beauprez made during the gubernatorial debate on Friday was that Democratic nominee Bill Ritter "spent most of his life in politics" while Beauprez "has been in the private sector almost all [his] life."

There are three good reasons to believe that Beauprez's pants are currently on fire.

1. Ritter was appointed district attorney in 1993 and left the office due to term limits in 2004, so he has 11 years of political experience. Beauprez entered politics as the Boulder County Republican Party chairperson in 1997 and serves as the CD7 congressman today. So he has nine. Seems pretty even.

2. Since Ritter gained his office by appointment, he didn't have to participate in elections until 1996 and 2000. Beauprez has run and won the exact same number of campaigns.

3. The majority of Ritter's "political" time was spent prosecuting criminals, not campaigning. Meanwhile, Beauprez has spent nine solid years engaging in hyper-partisan political bickering. After running the Boulder GOP, Beauprez was elevated to the same post with the state party, where he made an aggressive attempt to redraw Colorado's districts along partisan boundries. He even had to testify in a redistricting case, where he admitted that he was more concerned with electing Republicans than with "the best interest of the state." Then Beauprez was sent to Washington DC, where he spent four years in a bitterly partisan atmosphere hobnobbing with corrupt folks like Tom DeLay and Michael Cherney.

Beauprez is a total political animal. Why is he accusing Ritter, then? Maybe he's projecting.

Reference materials at Ritter and Beauprez's non-partisan Wikipedia entries.

Audio: Ritter launches second radio spot

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter's second radio spot, like his first, refrains from attacks on his opponent. Instead, it highlights Ritter's travels across Colorado and his vision for our state. The spot won't hit the radio until Monday. But through the magic of the Internet, you can listen to it today.

Even Beauprez's press releases try to have it Both Ways

The Beauprez campaign's press release recapping Friday's debate is mind-numbingly hypocritical. The 332-word release spends it's first 314 words attacking Bill Ritter - without a single mention of Beauprez or his policies - and then concludes, "Bob Beauprez today brushed aside political attacks and put forth a clear, concise, and positive vision for Colorado."

Whatever.

For now, the release is on the Beauprez website, although if everyone hits it, they may take it down. Or at least hire a proofreader. I archived it, just in case.

UPDATE: Just to point out the contrast, here, the most recent press release on Ritter's site as of this morning is titled "Ritter unveils plan for smarter state budget." The 571-word release spends just 35 words on Beauprez.

My secret to blockwalking success, revealed.

I spent the afternoon knocking on doors in underperforming Democratic districts, asking folks to get engaged and vote. The secret to my success is my Denver Broncos hat. Some people like Democrats. Some people like Republicans. But everybody likes Broncos fans.

Smackdown #1: Ritter vs. Beauprez live (in a manner of speaking)

8:15 p.m. - Forty-five minutes until the debate comes on Channel 12. I consider the pointlessness of live-blogging a taped debate on broadcast television that has already been covered by Colorado Confidential. I decide to do it anyway.

9:00 p.m. - Ritter and Beauprez are joined by Libertarian Dawn Winkler, and American Constitution Party nominee Clyde Harkins. Panelists include CBS's Jim Benemann, PBS's Aaron Harber and The Rocky Mountain News' Stuart Steers.

9:05 p.m. - First question is about how the candidates are different from the current administration. Ritter criticizes Owens for not doing the things necessary to grow Colorado's economy - including marketing the state and improving transportation. Beauprez wastes no time bringing up his business experience. (Ritter 1, Beauprez 0)

9:09 p.m. - Benemann asks Ritter if it's fair to say he's spent too much time in politics. Ritter points out his career as a prosecutor and his work as a missionary.

9:10 p.m. - Referendum C time! Ritter speaks at length about the good it's done. He seems comfortable in the debate. Has the facts at his fingertips. Lots of specifics. Beauprez tries to get folksy (and buy time) by asking that everyone call him Bob. Then he admits the state needed the money, but claims he could have pulled it out of thin air because he's magic (or something like that). Ritter calls Beauprez for advocating short-term fixes instead of the sensible long-term plan that the voters approved last November. (Ritter 2, Beauprez 0)

9:16 p.m. - Winkler might be a better choice for many Republicans than Beauprez.

9:18 p.m. - Ritter mentions his recently released plan for the state budget. Beauprez promises he'll put out a budget plan soon. (Ritter 3, Beauprez 0)

9:29 p.m. - Beauprez claims that the illegal immigration crisis is one of the main reasons he "wanted to come home." Good line. But Ritter calls Beauprez for the hypocrisy. Why does a congressman want to become governor, just to turn around and ask congress to do something about illegal immigration? Beauprez mumbles something about Ritter having plea bargained immigrants when he was a D.A. This thing is becoming a walk. (Ritter 4, Beauprez 0)

9:31 p.m. - Ritter stumbles a bit over his support for the Democratic legislature's special session. Beauprez scores one accidentally. (Ritter 4, Beauprez 1)

9:33 p.m. - Beauprez gives a smooth defense of market-driven healthcare. Works his family into the debate very naturally. Ritter talks about how healthcare is a matter of both the hard numbers and of life and death. He scores by praising Republican Gov. Mitt Romney's comprehensive healthcare plan. Call it even. (Ritter 5, Beauprez 2)

9:40 p.m. - Prescription drugs. Ritter has done his homework, talking to all stakeholders. Says we should look at a multi-state drug purchasing plan. Beauprez disagrees, but doesn't have a plan of his own. (Ritter 6, Beauprez 2)

9:43 p.m. - Abortion. I have heard Ritter's speech on this four times now. He gives a very in-depth answer and knows the issue's nuances, but sometimes the more you talk, the worse you sound. Beauprez claims that Ritter can't be pro-life unless he's willing to legislate his morality statewide. Unbelievably, he seems to be trying to tar Ritter with the flip-flop image. Winkler is the only pro-choice candidate on the stage. I can't score this one. If you're deeply pro-life, add one to Beauprez's tally in your head.

9:51 p.m. - Transportation. Ritter is eager to talk about his transportation plan. Beauprez (Mr. Clean Energy!) wants to build a new corridor into the mountains. Not a popular stance, unless you're in the concrete industry. (Ritter 7, Beauprez 2)

9:55 p.m. - Closing statements. Winkler talks about how she's the only candidate who will get government out of the lives of Colorado citizens. Ritter seems very confident talking about his vision for Colorado's colleges, transportation and healthcare. Beauprez talks about his "life experience" and invites us to watch him deal with immigration, literacy and healthcare. Tie. (Ritter 8, Beauprez 3)

10:00 - Wrapping up. I'd say Ritter won the debate. But it was probably closer than my 8-3 (or 8-4, if you're pro-life) score would indicate. Ritter didn't press Beauprez enough on his habit of flip-flopping. Beauprez also came across as having a more inspiring life story than Ritter, which is insane. Consistency and morality are two of Ritter's strong suits. If he can press them even harder next time, he'll score a more decisive win.

Smackdown #1: Almost live from the debate

The KBDI studio. Ninety minutes ago. Inside, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter taped a debate with his Republican opponent, Both Ways Bob Beauprez. Outside, a large crowd of Ritter activists squared off with a small cadre of Beauprez supporters.

When I first walked up to the intersection of 29th and Welton, I'd thought the Ritter crowd was only slightly larger. But I quickly realized that a large Beauprez banner and a young guy with a megaphone had given me a false impression. I did a quick headcount. Sixty-one for Bill. Fifteen for Bob. That's a four-to-one shellacking.

Let's hope the numbers on election day are similar.

Even with their megaphone, the Beauprez supporters didn't seem very excited. They attempted a chant of "Hip, hip, Beauprez," which swiftly petered out. Perhaps they remembered that "Hip, hip Beauprez" was once used by a Marc Holtzman supporter as an ironic joke. Their next attempt was, "A vote for Ritter will leave you bitter."

"That rhymes, Marge! And you know it rhymes!"

Neither chant was audible for long. There were too many Ritter supporters yelling, "Who do we want? Bill Ritter!"

Alan from Progress Now Action was there handing out Both Ways Bob flip-flops, which are super trendy right now. (I saw Paris Hilton wearing a pair the other day.) I got Alan's attention and said, "I know I'm biased, but the other side does seem a bit unenthused, right?"

Alan shrugged. "They know they're going to lose. They're just going through the motions at this point."

That's as good an explanation as any.

Smackdown #1: My question for Bob Beauprez

If I could ask Both Ways Bob Beauprez a question tonight, it'd be, "How do you keep a straight face on your recently announced Clean Energy Tour?"

According to Project Vote Smart, in 2005 Beauprez supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 0% of the time, the League of Conservation Voters 0% of the time, and the interests of Republicans for Environmental Protection an astounding -4% of the time, losing points for "significant non-voting actions."

If a theoretical Governor Beauprez ever did anything to support clean energy, it'd be one of the biggest flip-flops in the history of politics.

Smackdown #1: Breaking news! Beauprez to attend debate!

I have exclusive breaking news about today's gubernatorial debate. Early indications are that Both Ways Bob Beauprez will actually show up, instead of sending SD23 Republican Shawn Mitchell to debate in his place.

Yes, I'm being snarky. But only a little. Mitchell has taken Beauprez's place at gubernatorial forums on healthcare and business. Don't be surprised tonight if "Beauprez" looks a lot younger than you thought he was.

Smackdown #1: Ritter, Beauprez on KBDI tonight

The first televised gubernatorial debate is on Channel 12 tonight. You better believe I'll be blogging the heck out of it.

The debate is being taped this afternoon. if you want to show your support for Bill, there will be a rally outside the TV studio. Follow this link for more info.

Photo courtesy of Bill Ritter for Governor.

Ritter, Salazars protest federal auction of roadless land

Today, the federal government began auctioning off oil and gas leases on 14,400 acres of roadless Colorado land. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter joined Ken and John Salazar in asking "the nation's top federal land managers to stop the auction until the state enacts rules governing 4.1 million roadless acres," according to The Rocky Mountain News.

The Ritter blog had this to say:

"The federal government promised to protect this land while states draft their own roadless protection plans," Ritter said. "That process is still underway. It would be a terrible betrayal of states' rights for the federal government to now put this forest land on the auction block."

Remember that photo of the protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989? The tank is the oil and gas industry. The president is driving the tank. And Ritter is the guy standing there in the middle of the road.

Photo courtesy of Bill Ritter for Governor.

A multiple choice quiz about Kathleen Conway

Why am I posting this photo from Democratic Arapahoe County Clerk nominee Kathleen Conway's event last night? You be the judge. Am I...

A. ...seizing the opportunity to talk about Democratic unity? More than 80 people turned up at the event, including CD6 nominee Bill Winter and HD38 nominee Joe Rice. Keep in mind that Conway is running for county clerk, here. Not president.

B. ...seizing the opportunity to point out that even at the local level, Republicans seem incapable of running clean campaigns? There are no legal guidelines for county clerk newsletters. But to many observers, Republican incumbent Nancy Doty's most recent one looks a lot like campaign literature. The Rocky Mountain News reports:

The two-sided flyer includes [Doty's] picture and (four times) her name. There is a personal greeting from her as well as information about registration deadlines, election dates, early-voting locations, the new county voting machines, and the four locations where Arapahoe residents can register to vote...

Keep in mind that the newsletter was funded by your tax dollars. Now, what was the URL for Conway's campaign again? Oh yeah, I remember.

Photo courtesy of the Coloradolib satellite, which is constantly circling the skies. Left to right, Rice, Conway, HD41 Rep. Nancy Todd and HD42 Rep. Michael Garcia.

Thursday morning conversation with Square State

Square State: There's a rumor that Beauprez picked Jane Norton to be his lieutenant governor.

Me: No, no. Jane Norton is Bill Owens' lieutenant governor. You must be confused.

Square State: No, he really did pick Owens' lieutenant governor to be his lieutenant governor.

Me: [Laughter for nearly 10 minutes]

A retraction. Well, sort of.

Not too long ago, I wrote a post that pointed out the hypocrisy of Both Ways Bob Beauprez's claim that Bill Ritter is obsessed with gun control. After all, in the wake of Columbine, Beauprez had joined Ritter in supporting the wildly popular Amendment 22.

So what's the problem?

My post was partially based on a Denver Post story. And The Rocky Mountain News claims that the Post got some of its quotes garbled. During a Google search for Coloradolib, I stumbled across this July 29th column:

The insertion created the false impression that Beauprez differed with Ritter on Amendment 22. The ColoradoLib weblog (at coloradolib.com) quickly picked up on the story, and published an essay making fun of Beauprez for flip-flopping on Amendment 22. (The mockery of Beauprez would be entirely justified if Beauprez's current position really were what the Post had claimed.)

I appreciate the News going out of its way to point out that the error here was not mine. And I also appreciate it citing me directly, instead of writing something about an anonymous liberal blogger. But there are a couple of things worth noting.

The first is that the News column is by Independence Institute research director Dave Kopel, who I quoted at length in my original post. I'm curious who pointed him to this blog.

The second is that even if the specifics are wrong, the substance of Beauprez's flip-flop is still the same. He supported gun control when it was popular to do so; he's running away from it now.

Beauprez on the economy: "It's all the metro area's fault."

From today's Rocky Mountain News:

The congressman candidly said he's run into voters, especially in the metro area, who are downcast about the economy... "It really is the metro area that seems to have this kind of persistent nausea," he said. "People are just kind of 'bluh.' It's almost like maybe you ought to take some Pepto-Bismol to settle your stomach."

This is the guy who wants to govern Colorado? By the way, did you hear he's a dairy farmer?

Primary questions (with answers helpfully included)

Why didn't I blog the primary results as they came in last night?

I knew I couldn't keep up with the mainstream media or Colorado Confidential last night. So I made no attempt to live-blog election results. This morning, I saw that more than 400 different people visited Coloradolib yesterday, up from my daily average of 306. Whoops.

Is Ken Salazar in danger of getting Liebermanned?

Not yet. Because despite what you hear in the media, Lamont's victory last night wasn't about the rage of a few frothing anti-Bush activists. It was about a sitting Senator who had made a political decision to ignore his constituents. Yes, Salazar is too conservative for me. But the fact is, Colorado isn't Connecticut. Salazar represents the people who voted for him. Lieberman stopped doing that years ago.

Have Republicans turned against Both Ways Bob Beauprez?

The conservative blog To The Right points out that large numbers of Republican primary voters refused to check the Beauprez box, even as they went on to vote in downticket uncontested primaries. Are these people grumpy Holtzmanites or wary moderates? Only time will tell. But the Beauprez camp must be pretty worried right about now. Who's your runningmate, Bob?

Has the GOP lost its mind?

It looks that way. The Colorado Democratic Party has gone to great lengths to find moderate statewide candidates like Bill Ritter and Ken Salazar, and Fighting Dem congressional candidates like Bill Winter and Jay Fawcett. The Colorado GOP has responded by purging sensible incumbents like Kiki Traylor and nominating candidates from the religious fringes of the party. Somebody call a shrink.

Did the same sharks with lasers on their heads who hacked Joe Lieberman's site yesterday also hack the voting machines in Denver?

Yes. Stupid sharks. They ruin everything.

Perlmutter wins, the GOP loses, and I drink a martini at home

Usually I spend election nights doing my best impersonation of Colin Ferrell. But this year I have a little lobbyist at home who's far more persuasive than CD7 nominee Ed Perlmutter could ever hope to be. So instead of heading to the nearest victory party, I spent the night in my living room, watching the results on 9 News and Colorado Confidential. Here's what I went to sleep thinking.

1. The first time I met Perlmutter was at Karen Middleton's campaign kickoff. He blew me off. I griped to a party insider, who proceeded to slap me down so hard I thought I'd just gotten between the aforementioned Ferrell and a handle of whiskey. Lesson learned. Perlmutter has been working to advance Democratic principles since back when I was still in my Ayn Rand phase. He has deep roots in CD7 and a base of support that's wider than anyone suspected. Bring on Rubber Stamp Rick O'Donnell. Ed's ready. And so are we.

2. By nominating O'Donnell, Both Ways Bob Beauprez, Doug Lamborn and (as of 11:42 p.m.) Mike Kopp, the Colorado GOP sent a loud message to unaffiliated and moderate voters. The party is firmly in the hands of big-spending, domestic-spying, anti-business theocrats. If you support stem cell research, privacy rights or a balanced budget, you are not welcome any longer.

3. I like Chris Romer a lot. But I'm still sorry to see Jennifer Mello lose in SD32. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of her.

4. Matt Dunn is a gift to Democratic nominee Lt. Col. Joe Rice in HD38. Write it down.

5. Yes, I predicted that Herb Rubenstein would get 15% of the vote in CD7. And yes, he ended up with 9%. I blame the Rocky. Because I'm never wrong.

6. I sent the following email to Senator Ken Salazar: "If you have any respect for the Democratic party, you will abide by the will of its primary voters. Let Connecticut choose its own Senator. We need you to focus on advancing progressive values in Colorado."

Photo courtesy of Perlmutter for Congress.

Happy primary day

Have you voted yet? For whom? Did you cast that vote on a Diebold voting machine? And if so, are you absolutely sure you didn't vote to re-re-elect Bush in '08?

Beauprez blunders: The gifts that keep on giving

This morning, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter launched his first radio ad. In a race that's sure to get nasty, Ritter's ad took the high road. (I blogged the audio here.)

Predictably, the Beauprez campaign responded by going negative, claiming that Ritter funded the ad by accepting donations from labor unions "that have avoided verifying the legal immigration status of donors."

Ah yes, the powerful illegal immigration donation syndicate, made up of the thousands of illegal immigrants who snuck into America because they had too much cash and wanted to donate it to a politician.

Is anybody buying this?

And besides, The Rocky Mountain News reports that the unions "already allow only U.S. citizens to make political contributions."

This marks the second blunder in one day for Beauprez. It turns out that Initiative 88, which he backed, has so little support that it won't even make the ballot. (Colorado Confidential has the full story.) Beauprez was the very first person to sign the Initiative 88 petition.

Summing up, here. Ritter runs a positive campaign. Beauprez has no idea what the voters are looking for. Look for this same script to be repeated over the next three months.

Walking 16th Street with Bill Ritter: Part 2

What did I learn today that I didn't know before? Two things:

1. There isn't the animosity towards Democrats that there has been in years past. Yeah, Denver tends Democratic. But in the middle of the day in the heart of the business district, it's safe to say that there were a lot of Republicans around. Yet I didn't hear a single epithet hurled my way. That's a huge contrast with the last march I was in, down in Littleton in 2004. This year, most Colorado voters seem ready to put partisanship aside.

2. Ritter's activists are more fired up than the media would lead you to believe. The mainstream media keeps repeating the tired storyline that the Democratic base isn't 100% behind Ritter. That's not true anymore. We're still 90 days out from the election, but you wouldn't have known it from the volume and energy of the crowd that walked behind Ritter.

And to think, Both Ways Bob Beauprez hasn't even chosen a runningmate yet. I fully expect him to choose Gigi Dennis. Then flip-flop and pick Kiki Traylor. And then announce he wanted Lionel Rivera all along.

Walking 16th Street with Bill Ritter: Part 1

Recently, my life and my career have conspired to make my activism a little more netroots and a little less grassroots. So I jumped when I heard that Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter would be walking the 16th Street Mall with about 150 of his closest friends.

I hiked up to 16th and Broadway and asked the first Ritter supporter I saw if I could have a sign. As you can see, I got one. The crowd included drummers, chanters and, of course, Ritter and his runningmate, Barbara O'Brien.

Audio: Ritter radio spot defines nominee, stays positive

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter's first radio spot launched today. But why sit around glued to the radio when you could listen to it right here?



UPDATE: Hat-tip to Progress Now Action for pointing out a great article in The Steamboat Pilot that contrasts Ritter's boisterous, issues-driven stop in Steamboat Springs with Republican nominee Bob Beauprez's small, formal, restrained back-room gatherings.

Audio courtesy of Bill Ritter for Governor.

Beauprez the political equivalent of Danielle Steel

The Denver Post reports that Republican gubernatorial nominee Both Ways Bob Beauprez, who has made a career out of playing kissy-face with lobbyists, is upset because one of Bill Ritter's fundraisers is a lobbyist.

The fact that the Post even reported this leaves me dumbfounded. Are they seriously claiming that Mike Feeley - the former Minority Leader of the Colorado State Senate and a one-time CD7 Democratic nominee - is in the same league as Beauprez cronies Grover Norquist, Tom DeLay and serial lawsuit filer Steve Durham?

Blogging about Beauprez is a lot like reviewing fiction for People Magazine. You're constantly reading pulpy summer trash and then dismayed to find that some folks take it seriously.

Beauprez flip-flops on Colorado's community colleges

It's like Both Ways Bob Beauprez is actively searching for issues to flip-flop on. I had to update the Both Ways Bob Watch again this afternoon when he pulled a reversal on the importance of Colorado's community colleges.

This brings the running total to 10 outright flip-flops. And it's only August. If Both Ways Bob keeps up this pace, we may see 20 or 25 by the election.

Did Rubenstein quit the CD7 race? Not so fast.

Has Herb Rubenstein dropped out of the CD7 Democratic primary? In an article this morning, The Rocky Mountain News reported that he "all but bowed out of the race Friday." This came as a shock to me, as I had just read through two emails from Herb's campaign containing scorecards that showed where he agreed with his primary opponents and where he didn't. The emails had been sent around midnight. If Herb was dropping out, he had a funny way of showing it.

I called Herb's campaign and he answered the phone himself. He'd read the story in the Rocky and was working on ways to reach voters and tell them he was still in the race. Moments later, he sent an email which read, in part:

Today the Rocky Mountain News got my quote right, but got the story wrong. Over the past several days many people, including former high level politicians here in Colorado, have called me and tried to pressure me to bow out of this race. In spite of this intense pressure, for the reason set forth below, I have refused to bow out of this race, in spite of low poll numbers, for three reasons.

1. A vote for me is a vote against the war.

2. A vote for me is a vote for New Politics and a vote against negative campaigning and mudslinging.

3. And most importantly, a vote for me is an honest, direct statement that you support my policies, my stands, and how I clearly talk about the issues and answer questions directly.

So, we are moving forward with our strong volunteer effort and the get out the vote program that we have.

I'm not at all shocked that the Rocky misrepresented Herb's statement. But I'm not sure if this is an example of the paper's bias or whether the whole thing is the result of a reporter or editor trying to spice up a story. Either way, people deserve to know the truth.

Salazar gives Democratic radio address

This morning, our own Senator Ken Salazar delivered the Democratic radio address. And he sounded pretty darn Democratic:

...the Republican leadership has caved in to the special interests and power brokers of Washington. Instead of helping everyone get ahead, Republican Leaders in charge of our Nation care only about the fortunes of those at the top and with winning the next election.

Here's the complete podcast, courtesy of the Democratic National Committee:

What do you wanna do today?

DemNotes tells me the DNC has some ideas. Like, 100 of them. And not one involves watching the edited version of Jason X on SciFi.

"Oh, you want your machete! Shit, it's yours! Take it! Just remember who got it back for ya. Guys, it's okay! He just wanted his machete back!"

Republicans concede defeat in governor's race?

In a post a few hours ago, I ruminated on the reasons Republicans are endorsing Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter. Of course, the GOP leadership has its own explanation: Ritter is going to win, so Republicans need to start jockeying for Ritter administration jobs.

The Durango Herald quotes La Plata County Republican chairwoman Shannon Richardson as saying, "It's obvious that [Cortez Republican and Ritter endorser] Mark Larson is shamelessly pandering for a job with the Democrats."

While I'm writing about the Republicans for Ritter movement, I should point out that according to The Denver Post, "the state's business elite" are also jumping on the bandwagon. The article quotes Bruce Alexander, president of Vectra Bank, "This is a really critical time and a great opportunity for creative leadership... Across the state, local business and development agendas are overriding partisan politics."

Photo of Bill Ritter and three of his non-GOP supporters courtesy of Bill Ritter for Governor. Left to right, CD6 Democratic nominee Bill Winter, CD4 Democratic nominee Angie Paccione, former U.S. Ambassador Joe Wilson, and Ritter.

Did someone say petition?

Best national petition - Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold's healthcare legislation would give states the power to develop universal healthcare systems that work at the local level. Demand congress take action.

Best local petition - Progress Now Action is demanding that the governor's office comply with the Colorado Open Records Act. Tell the governor to obey Colorado law.

Photo of Feingold courtesy of the Feingold Senate Committee.

Even more Republicans for Ritter

Why are Republicans breaking ranks to endorse Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill Ritter? I'll give you three choices.

A. They like Ritter and trust him with the future of our state. That's the reason Republican Cortez state representative Mark Larson gave in a press release today. He wrote, "I agree with [Ritter's] positions on transportation, water and conservation. He'll restore balance and ethics to state boards and commissions. He'll look out for rural Colorado and represent all of the people of this state. Simply put, he'll be a great governor."

B. Republican gubernatorial nominee Both Ways Bob Beauprez is obsessed - obsessed! - with flip-flopping on the issues. I had to update the Both Ways Bob Watch again yesterday, when I learned that Both Ways Bob has been campaigning at the very community centers that may have been shuttered if he'd gotten his way on Referendum C. If I come down with carpal tunnel syndrome, it's Beauprez's fault.

C. They're trying to take a stand against corruption in their own party. Yesterday, Progress Now Action revealed that a Trailhead Group attorney threatened an activist organization on behalf of Governor Bill Owens. The organization had been trying to determine if Owens was granting state contracts to Trailhead Group donors. The attorney threatened "retaliatory measures" against Democratic leaders if the requests continue.

Um, excuse me? Retaliatory measures? What are they going to do, flip-flop us to death?

CD7 dirtier than a Christina Aguilera video: Part 4

Thanks to TakeBackTheHouse at Square State for tipping me off to the latest from CD7 Democratic candidate Ed Perlmutter.

CD7 dirtier than a Christina Aguilera video: Part 3

Yup, that was me on The Jay Marvin Show this morning, discussing the CD7 Democratic primary. Goes without saying that I said something dumb. But what? Listen on AM 760's website or by using the podcast below.



The interview happened before I had a chance to read the article in today's Rocky Mountain News with this head-scratcher:

A poll showing Peggy Lamm trailing Ed Perlmutter by 20 points is irrelevant, her campaign manager said Wednesday, pointing to absentee balloting to bolster his point.

Irrelevant? I mean, I wouldn't bet my house on the poll in question. But irrelevant? Survey USA didn't take it in Finland, for crying out loud.

I called out my favorite stat yesterday. For more analysis, check out Paul Preston's breakdown on Colorado Confidential.

For those who are coming from the AM 760 site and don't understand the Christina Aguilera reference, follow this link. Podcast courtesy of Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc. and AM 760.

Schoettler endorses Jennifer Mello in SD32

Typically, politicians avoid making endorsements in hotly contested primaries. That's why Mark Udall's endorsement of Ed Perlmutter was news. And it's why it this press release is, too:

Gail Schoettler, former Colorado State Treasurer and Lt. Governor, today publicly endorsed Jennifer Mello, candidate for State Senate District 32...

"Jennifer is the person we need in the State Senate to protect our reproductive freedoms, improve education for our children, and make health care more affordable," said Schoettler. "I strongly support Jennifer's election to the State Senate and encourage voters to support her on August 8th" Schoettler added.

I don't know much about Mello's primary opponent. But her campaign seems to have a lot of energy heading into the primary.

Photo of Mello and Schoettler courtesy of Mello for Senate.

Which CD7 candidate just made me spit up my coffee?

And the award goes to CD7 Democratic candidate Herb Rubenstein, whose latest newsletter contrasts his energy policy with the oil-and-gas funded dreams of Republican nominee Rubber Stamp Rick O'Donnell. After 400 words worth of arguments, Rubenstein concludes, "I can guarantee you one thing. If Rick O'Donnell is elected, his energy policy will stink."

Pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

More misdirection from the vast right wing conspiracy

My VRWC tracker has been updated with some recent Beauprez-camp gloss, uncovered by Media Matters.

Winter, TBTH and Carroll take an issues timeout

Those of you who'd like to take a break from the mudslinging are in luck. Three of my favorite progressives are out blogging today.

Tancredo-slaying, military-volunteering, people-powered Democratic nominee Bill Winter offers a roadmap for winning the right to represent CD6.

Square State citizen-journalist TakeBackTheHouse has a rundown of all of the initiatives that still need signatures to get on the ballot.

And lobbyist-rebuffing, kung-fu-kicking HD36 Democratic representative Morgan Carroll has a detailed explanation of one of Colorado's biggest budget-busters.

These crazy progressives. If they had their way, Colorado wouldn't have any problems at all!

Photo of Carroll courtesy of Rep. Morgan Carroll, Colorado House District 36.

Knock me over with a feather: Rubenstein polling well among Independents

The breakdown of the 9 News poll is up at SurveyUSA. The number that jumps out at me? Herb Rubenstein, who made his mark early in the campaign by calling for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, is doing better among Independents than he is among Democrats.

Perlmutter overwhelmingly wins the Democratic vote; Herb pulls just 9%. But among Independents, Herb's number shoots up to 20%. That's the problem with mudslinging. In a two-way race, it's fine. But in a three-way race, it may drive otherwise undecided, uninformed voters to search for an alternative candidate.

The hat-tip for the SurveyUSA link goes to Square State.

A peek inside the mind of Bob Beauprez

"Lemme see here. I have to co-sponsor this Deep Ocean Energy Resource Act. Should I pollute America's coastlines or Colorado's western slope? Hey, I know! I'll do it both ways!"

CD7 dirtier than a Christina Aguilera video: For purposes of comparison

Who the heck is going to win the CD7 Democratic primary? Hell if I know. The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that a 9 News poll shows Perlmutter with a big lead. The numbers? Perlmutter has 51% of likely voters in his corner, Lamm has 31% and Rubenstein has 10%, with 8% still scratching their heads.

A slightly older poll by Emily's List told a radically different story. The organization, which endorsed Lamm, today sent me a press release that claimed that as of the end of June, Lamm was in the lead with 39%, Ed was in second with 35%, Herb was in third with 6%, and a whopping 21% of voters were still undecided.

Have the numbers really moved that radically in just a month? I believe the word you're looking for is, "Ahhhh!"

By the way, when I unfavorably compared CD7 to a Christina Aguilera video, I wasn't kidding. I have Aguilera beating CD7 73% to 25%, with only 2% undecided.

CD7 dirtier than a Christina Aguilera video: Is it August 9 yet?

Covering the CD7 Democratic primary without mentioning yesterday's grossness would be like covering Iraq without ever venturing into Baghdad.

Until yesterday, most of the sniping in the primary had been from the left. "Lamm supported Owens." "Rubenstein is a DC insider." "Perlmutter is in the pocket of big oil." Yawn. OK. Let's move on.

Yesterday, on the day early voting kicked off, Lamm launched an ad, which you can view below. The ad correctly claims that as a state legislator Ed Perlmutter voted against removing the statute of limitations on rape cases. This is a factoid that could actually hurt Perlmutter in the general election, should he win the primary a week from now.

My initial response to the ad was very close to the response I had the first time I was ever laid off. I wanted to climb into a martini so dry, it bore a suspicious resemblance to vodka. I have friends on the Lamm, Perlmutter and Rubenstein campaigns. And I even did cameos in ads for Lamm and Perlmutter. Things at the next Drinking Liberally could get a bit awkward.

The problem with the ad is that I simply don't believe that the man who has been endorsed by a dozen of my friends, a majority of activist groups, and practically every major Democratic politician in the state really, truly woke up one morning and said, "What can I do today to hurt sexual assault victims?" Perlmutter has claimed that he had doubts about the law's constitutionality. But HB-1344 passed the house 65-0 and the senate 32-3, so obviously he was in the extreme minority.

Some have claimed that Lamm did Perlmutter a favor by bringing the vote to light in the primary instead of ignoring it and allowing Republican nominee Rick O'Donnell to maybe find it and maybe exploit it. This strikes me as the dumbest train of thought ever. If the Lamm campaign wanted to have an honest discussion of the issue, it could have run the ad earlier in the primary, so Perlmutter had a chance to explain his thinking.

But politics ain't beanbag. And neither is my blog. So here's the ad. If you want to let me know what you think, please take that impulse out behind the barn and shoot it. But please do post who you're voting for in my early voting thread.

Early voting simple, yet oddly confusing

Udall? Check. Ritter? Check. Gordon, O'Brien, Kennedy and Ludwig? All checks.

I early-voted this morning. Even though I didn't have a single contested race to think about. I kept remembering that Simpsons where Bart is a shoo-in for class president, but his supporters forget to vote for him so Martin wins the election two votes to zero.

Even with only three voters in line, there were problems at my polling place. The lady in front of me couldn't vote because of a computer malfunction. They kept telling her to hold on while the computer reset itself. She ended up leaving without casting her ballot. Plus we're using Diebold machines, so my vote for Ludwig was probably counted as a vote to extend the Patriot Act in perpetuity.

Voted yet? Any good stories? If you had a contested primary, who'd you vote for?