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All good things …
“All good things are wild and free,” Henry David Thoreau once remarked. … Yes, that’s true, but all good things also must come to an end.
This will be the final posting here at Political Notebook. We’ve had a great run, and I appreciate you coming back day after day for the news and analysis provided here.
I hope you will keep coming back to GJSentinel.com for the best news and analysis on the Western Slope.
All the best.
*Capitol photo from the Associated Press.
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Former Rep. Schaffer’s new pitch
If it sounded too good to be true when The Colorado Independent broke the story last week, a Denver news station has video of former U.S. Senate candidate Bob Schaffer pitching his wife’s new product: Coyote Gold margarita mix.
Schaffer, as you may know, had a rough time on the campaign trail last year, running against then-Congressman Mark Udall, D-Colo., and, as he said during campaign stops, the media. The silver lining, it seems, is that the campaign probably pales in comparison to his current “campaign” blitz.
*Schaffer photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Bradford looking out of state to find a solution for her sentencing bill
State Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, has been working feverishly this week, reaching out to prosecutors from states that have implemented mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenders, in an effort to make her House Bill 1144 more palatable to her peers.
Bradford’s proposal hit a speed bump last week when the House Judiciary Committee voted 5-5 on a motion to kill the bill, leaving House Bill 1144 in legislative limbo. It also gave Bradford a second chance to ask the committee reconsider her legislation.
Bradford said in an effort to craft an amendment to her bill, she has contacted prosecutors — “one in Pennsylvania, two different ones in California and one in Florida” — to see how they retain prosecutorial discretion while also having strict minimum sentences for sex offenders that target children.
“The technical verbiage being used to not catch those offenders that we don’t want to incarcerate and that, indeed, should be looked at on a case-by-case basis by the district attorney,” Bradford said, “that’s what I’m looking for.”
House Bill 1144, which has a price tag of nearly $139.5 million over the next five years, heralded strong opposition last week from Colorado’s district attorneys, including Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger.
Bradford said she is hopeful she can have legislative staff schedule her bill for a hearing Thursday, Feb. 19, the deadline for committees of reference to report bills.
*Bradford photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Penry or McInnis for governor?
One of my colleagues at 5280’s blog has profiled a series of Republican politicos who might step up to take a shot at Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010. And, as you might have guessed from the headline, Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and former Congressman Scott McInnis, R-Colo., are mentioned.
Here’s what the magazine’s blog had to say about why Penry might run: “Penry has long been talked about as candidate for governor in 2014, but if Ritter looks weak, he might move up his timetable by four years.”
On the matter of McInnis running the magazine said: “McInnis told The Denver Post last week he’s interested in facing Ritter. Many GOP centrists have urged him to run for office.”
We’ve polled what you thought of a Penry run and a McInnis run — which, for record, were two of our most popular polls — so let’s see what you think of them both in the same poll.
*McInnis, Penry photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Probing the Employee Free Choice Act and Sen. Michael Bennet
When it comes to the Employee Free Choice Act — the so-called “card check” bill — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., has not decided where he comes down on the bill.
Responding to an audience question, Bennet said he has not made up his mind on the matter: “I don’t have a position on this yet.”
He went on to say that he is still studying the issue, both from the employer and employee standpoints.
* * *
In related news, it seems Colorado Republicans learned something from the Democrats’ successful narrative of the early portion of the 2008 Senate race.
Check out what Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams says about Bennet at 0:34 of this video:
Yes, he said “silent Sen. Bennet.” … Does that sound familiar? It should, because “silent” was a label applied to the GOP’s Senate candidate last year on a series of issues early on in the campaign.
What do you think?
*Bennet, Wadhams photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Bennet’s brief introduction
Most jokes have a sliver of truth in them. Local Democrat Bill Cleary’s comments in introducing U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., to a local audience this evening were no exception.
“I’ve known Michael Bennet as long as most of you,” Clearly said, pausing to glance at his watch, “about three minutes.”
Bennet, laughing, replied: “It’s the quality (that counts).”
*Bennet photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Senate Republicans look at trimming Capitol security
There’s nothing more annoying for Capitol regulars than having to time and again empty their pockets, doff their shoes, take off their belts and go through the metal detectors.
Oh, don’t forget about that watch.
During the Senate Republicans’ caucus meeting today, state Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said axing the Capitol security could shave some needed money out of Colorado’s budget.
“How much can we save if we get rid of the ridiculous metal detectors at this building?” he said.
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, harkening back to the 2007 Capitol shooting that ushered in the era of improved security at “the people’s house,” said the incident itself underlined that the Colorado State Patrol’s plans then were sufficient for building security.
“He was contained and neutralized and then we decided to lock down the (building),” Mitchell said.
The caucus’ sole representative on the Joint Budget Committee, Sen. Al White, R-Hayden, told his colleagues that state employees’ concerns about their personal safety could hamper any effort to trim back Capitol security.
Sen. David Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs, said he had a better idea: “Let ’em carry.”
*Capitol photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Nurturing a Democratic West
President Barack Obama’s trips to Denver and Phoenix this week show the West will continue to be a central focus for Democrats as the 2010 and 2012 elections approach, according to a report in The Hill.
From the article: “‘They’re making sure that all portions of the Obama coalition are carefully tended,’ said Larry Sabato, professor of politics at the University of Virginia. ‘Presidents lose re-election when they waste their term. You waste your term when you don’t use presidential travel wisely.’”
Floyd Ciruli, a Denver-based pollster quoted in the article, said Colorado, in particular, will be a crucial test of the West’s new Democratic tilt, with the seats of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Gov. Bill Ritter and Congresswoman Betsy Markey, D-Colo., up for grabs next year.
What do you think?
*Obama photo from the Associated Press.
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Veterans fund to survive cuts
A cash fund two Mesa County state representatives fought to refill last year, the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund, will survive the brunt of the year’s budget cuts, Joint Budget Committee staff told a joint session of the state Senate and House today.
Reps. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, and Steve King, R-Grand Junction, worked together last year — after a brief tussle — to refill the fund, which issues grants to underwrite veterans programs and service projects.
The budget plan will leave $4.3 million of the fund’s money in place.
*King photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Balancing family and politics
Having a family is great. But as the recent decision by former state Sen. Mark Hillman, R-Burlington, to not run for any elected position in 2010 shows, it can provide a (happy) speed bump for even the brightest and most ambitious of pols.
From the letter Hillman sent out to his friends and supporters: “Much has changed since I last ran in 2006 — my wife and I have ‘settled down’ in my hometown of Burlington and a six-month-old boy has drastically changed our priorities. Campaigning for statewide or federal office is very demanding and our party deserves candidates who are willing to make that campaign a top priority.”
After all, your kids only grow up once.
House Speaker Pro Tem Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, mentioned the importance of family during the Democrats’ leadership elections last year, telling her colleagues that her two sons came first.
In an interview with Political Notebook in December 2007, Curry said this of balancing family and politics: “I’m going to continue, but I’ve had times where I really gave it a second thought, where I really didn’t think that I could make the two work.”
Then-Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Golden — who did not run for re-election in 2008 to have more time with his family — told us much the same: “There was a time this summer I had to sit down and ask myself, ‘Is it possible to do all these things well?’ No matter how I sliced it, it was clear I can’t be the dad I want to be and also be running for election all the time.”
Hence, it’s important to consider a possible candidate’s family status when looking ahead to possible 2010 match ups, including a rerun from 2006 gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman or even Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction.
Not every politician that cites “family values” is groping for political gain or trying to hide another reason for not running in an election or resigning from office. Hillman’s announcement this weekend simply underlines that fact.
* * *
Perhaps as a final caveat, we should note that many public officials do manage to continue on with their political careers when they have young children, such as state Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.
*Curry, Penry photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Salazar reflects on his move from the Senate to Obama’s Cabinet
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is not looking back.
In an interview over the weekend with The Pueblo Chieftain, Salazar said as proud as he is of his work in the Senate, his new perch is proving just as effective in making good public policy for Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West.
“That was a difficult decision for me,” Salazar told the newspaper. “I felt I’d done a good job of making a contribution, of putting my fingerprints on all the important issues facing the state during the time I was in the Senate … But I intend to continue to make my voice heard on issues that affect Colorado and I have the president’s ear.”
Undoubtedly Salazar’s new perch has given him a great deal of power over many issues facing Colorado — particularly the Western Slope — ranging from regulating oil and gas development on public lands to overseeing oil shale research and development.
Salazar’s position will arguably be even more important in the event Republicans recapture the House or the Senate next year or during his time at the Interior Department. Assuming President Barack Obama grants Salazar some autonomy in dealing with hot-button political and resource-management issues, he could help navigate a pragmatic path on public lands policy. Indeed, moderate Democrats like Salazar tend to shine in those types of situations.
“I intend to be a very active secretary,” Salazar told the southern Colorado newspaper.
Indeed, if the GOP makes some extraordinary electoral strides in 2010, expect Salazar to only become more active.
*Salazar photo from the Associated Press.
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Beauprez: John Hickenlooper would have been unbeatable in 2010
In case you missed it, former Congressman Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., recently sat down with The Colorado Statesman for a wide-ranging interview that is definitely work reading in its entirety. What stood out at us, though, was his admission that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper would have been an unbeatable Senate candidate had Gov. Bill Ritter selected him to succeed Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., instead of Michael Bennet.
From the interview: “I don’t know, but I’m guessing John Hickenlooper has name ID that rivals the governor’s, maybe exceeds the governor’s. I’m guessing that John Hickenlooper has 4-to-1 favorable/unfavorables statewide. There isn’t enough money in the world to peel that down to 1-to-1 — to where you could maybe beat him.
“John Hickenlooper could claim — he won’t do it because he’s got enough humility to not do it — but he could claim that the DNC was successful in large part because of his efforts to raise the money. He not only has a Rolodex with names in it, they are successful names.
“John could raise more money and be more easily elected. His appointment would have taken that seat almost completely off the table. I don’t know what John could have done to make it truly competitive.”
Beauprez goes on to say that Bennet being Bennet alone will make Colorado’s 2010 U.S. Senate race “competitive.”
In case you’re apt to chalk up Beauprez’s comments to pure post-facto partisanship, both the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and the inside-baseball political news site Five Thirty Eight appear to agree with Beauprez’s assessment in their latest Senate race ratings.
*Hickenlooper, Beauprez photos from the Associated Press.
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Former Sen. Mark Hillman: I’m not running for elected office in 2010
Former Republican Burlington state Sen. Mark Hillman will not run for elected office in 2010, told Political Notebook today.
“Just wanted to give you a heads up that I’ve begun telling my closest friends and best supporters that I will NOT be running for office in 2010,” Hillman said in an e-mail.
Hillman, one of Colorado’s representatives on the Republican National Committee, has been mentioned as a possible candidate to take on Congresswoman Betsy Markey, D-Colo., or as a contender for one of the state’s top-of-the-ticket races.
* * *
UPDATE: It seems The Associated Press and a number of Web sites have picked up our Hillman story.
Conservative blog Rocky Mountain Right provides some reaction, including this curious observation: “This … turns the U.S. Senate upside down on the Republican side. Ryan Frazier and Bob Beauprez are now the only serious potential candidates looking at the race for the time being.”
*Hillman photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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NRCC attacks Salazar in radio ad
The National Republican Congressional Committee, according to a report in the Colorado Independent, has launched a radio ad against the fiscally conservative Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo., attacking his support of the economic stimulus package.
The ad, which the Colorado Independent has posted on its Web site, includes a narrator doing her best impression of the congressman … which sounds nothing like him.
Nonetheless, this likely is the first wave of attacks on Salazar and the 243 other Democrats who supported the bill in January. (State Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, in a recent radio interview, attacked Salazar’s colleague, Congresswoman Betsy Markey D-Colo., for only creating jobs at the U.S. Mint.)
Even though Salazar seems, for the moment, to be bulletproof in electoral politics, expect the GOP to keep trying. That said, for this to get any traction with the voters, Salazar needs a worthy opponent more than a year from now.
* * *
While we’re talking about what the GOP is saying about Salazar and the stimulus package, here’s what the congressman said today in a statement to the press:
“’We have spent billions of dollars rebuilding the infrastructures and economies of other countries in the past few years. Now it’s time to spend American money on American jobs,’ Salazar said in the statement. ‘I didn’t vote for September’s bailout bill but I’m proud to support this American job creation effort. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help repair America’s aging infrastructure, cut taxes and invest in new energy and the education of a 21st century workforce.
“’There are some pundits and opposers of this bill who seem to think we have the luxury and time for petty partisan bickering right now. You need honest debate for good legislation but for the millions of Americans living with the impact of this recession there is no time for political posturing or pandering. There is only time for action and representation. That’s what the nation deserves and that’s what Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District demands. In times of uncertainty it’s easy to get rattled. I’m glad my fellow representatives kept a clear head and a steady hand to help create opportunity for hard working Americans.’”
*Salazar photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Bennet moves public meeting
In case you were planning on stopping by the Museum of the West next week to see U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., you should know he has moved the meeting time from Tuesday morning to Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bennet’s office said he moved the forum from Tuesday after President Barack Obama’s planned a stop in Denver that day.
*Bennet photo from the Associated Press.
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Penry for governor? … Not quite, the Grand Junction leader says
While reading this mornings newspapers, Political Notebook’s eyes fell on a curious passage in today’s Denver Post: “‘We have to keep things relevant. And those messages are no less appealing now than they were in the past,’ said (Josh) Penry, 33, who is considering a run for governor.”
Yes, the newspaper says Penry “is considering a run for governor.”
Ever skeptical, we called the Senate minority leader today and asked if he said he is considering running or if someone inferred he is running for governor.
“That might have been her hearsay,” Penry told us. “I’m not. I’m focused on my job, as I’ve told you many times. I’m focused on being Senate minority leader.”
What do you think?
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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The DSCC and Michael Bennet
According to a report in The Hill, the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Sen. Robert Menedez, D-N.J., said he assumes his organization will back Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., in his bid to retain former Sen. Ken Salazar’s seat in 2010.
From the article: “No Democratic incumbents were expected to leave their seats, but Menendez’s promise only means there won’t be open seats on top of the ones left by four members of the new administration — (Barack) Obama, Vice President (Joe) Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
“In those seats, three of the four appointees could run for election, and all three face potential primary challenges.
“Menendez said he would ‘assume’ that all three — Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Roland Burris (Ill.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) — will garner the support of the DSCC.”
* * *
Whether the DSCC throws its weight behind Bennet could go a long way toward deciding if anyone will challenge him in a primary situation next year. Former Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, has been the rumored frontrunner for a primary challenge, but there could be other possible contenders for the seat, including Congressman Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo.
That said, even if the DSCC gets behind Bennet, a strong grassroots effort could be more than enough to convince a prospective challenger to get in the race.
*Bennet photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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A looming, local issue for a bill on police and firefighters unions?
State Sen. Lois Tochtrop’s plan to improve the collective bargaining position of police and firefighters throughout Colorado could hit a speed bump in its first hearing before the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.
The five-member panel, typically where leadership sends controversial bills either to be killed or passed onto the full Senate, could have a Democratic swing vote against Senate Bill 180 because of local history.
As pointed out by one of Political Notebook’s best Capitol sources, Democratic Fort Collins Sen. Bob Bacon’s constituents overwhelming defeated a ballot question in June that would have allowed police and other Fort Collins Police Department employees to unionize.
How this plays out in committee certainly will be worth watching, particularly on light of Bacon’s district’s vote last year. That said, Bacon is in his second and final term in the Senate. Nothing frees a lawmaker to vote as he or she chooses more than not having to answer to the voters. And, it is worth noting, that Bacon has reliably voted on the side of unions in the past.
What do you think of the proposal?
*Voting photo from the Associated Press.
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Buescher’s ‘odd’ situation
During House and Senate debates today, the respective chambers suspended their rules and allowed Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, to speak about his friend Doug Phillips.
After delivering a speech to the Senate, Buescher ventured to the House and addressed his former colleagues from the podium — a place he originally planned on speaking from more frequently this year.
“It’s a little odd to stand at this podium again,” Buescher said.
*Buescher photo from the Associated Press.
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Rep. Bradford on ‘O’Reilly’
Did you miss “The O’Reilly Factor” placing the spotlight on Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, and her House Bill 1144?
Well, here it is:
(The picture on the video is spotty, but the audio works.)
*Bradford photo shot by Political Notebook.
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About that rules-delay bill …
During a Wednesday discussion with the Moffat County Commission, state Rep. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, reportedly said he is looking forward to the state House mulling a proposal to delay the implementation of the new oil and gas regulations.
“If we can postpone those rules, that’d be great,” he said, according to the Craig Daily Press. “Maybe 2010 is the furthest out we can go.”
We would not advise Baumgardner to hold his breath, primarily because Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, and Rep. Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, has been dead for more tan two weeks.
Indeed, the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee nixed the bill after its members on both sides of the partisan divide said they weren’t quite sure what was in the rules.
Sorry, representative. Maybe next year.
*Baumgardner photo shot by Political Notebook.
Latest comments
Boo Bo made a serious historical Boo Boo…..
Senator Penry left McInnis’ office well before Scott decided he wanted his legacy to be a pile of rocks and a few patches of sage brush.
... read the full comment by Yogi | Comment on Penry or McInnis for governor? Read Penry or McInnis for governor?
Although the “bail out” should help the ecomomy, What or who is going to help the senior citizens on social security? It seems that we are among the “forgotten” in the Bail Out. Can something be done about this?
... read the full comment by Murphy | Comment on Probing the Employee Free Choice Act and Sen. Michael Bennet Read Probing the Employee Free Choice Act and Sen. Michael Bennet
McGuiness,for sure!
... read the full comment by Murphy | Comment on Penry or McInnis for governor? Read Penry or McInnis for governor?
Let me understand. Penry, former aid to Congressman McInnis, who is suspect proposed that the then recently proclaimed Colorado Canyons Conservation Area be renamed McInnis Canyons in honor of the man that began campaining for Bush in ‘96 on the grounds
... read the full comment by Boo Bo | Comment on Penry or McInnis for governor? Read Penry or McInnis for governor?