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May 2008
It’s official: Schaffer v. Udall
Consider it official: Republican Bob Schaffer and Democrat Mark Udall will go head-to-head this fall in one of the country’s most hotly contested Senate races.
According to The Denver Post, Schaffer accepted his party’s nomination today, saying: “We will fight as hard as we know to reach beyond the Republican Party, to reach those unaffiliated voters, and even Democrats, who believe even today, that lower taxes are better than higher taxes, less regulation is better than high regulation, freedom is better than bondage, liberty is better than bureaucracy, winning on the battlefield is better than losing.
“If you believe like me, then let’s go and fight and win. And let’s win Colorado and keep this senate seat that Wayne Allard has preserved for so long, in Republican hands.”
The Rocky Mountain News reports that state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, spoke in favor of Schaffer’s nomination, saying: “It’s time for the Republican Party to put a flag in the ground. This is the election to do it.”
Udall became his party’s official Senate contender at the Colorado Democratic Party’s state convention two weeks ago.
*Schaffer photo from the Associated Press.
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Habas takes soft tone in killing Gov. Ritter’s mill levy freeze
As pols and political observes dissect Denver District Court Judge Christina M. Habas’ decision to nix Gov. Bill Ritter’s mill levy freeze, it is noteworthy the tone she took even in striking down the controversial law.
Here are some two excerpts from the decision Political Notebook noticed while reading the 15-page opinion:
“The Court specifically notes that Plaintiff characterizes Treasurer Kennedy’s view relating to SB-199 as a ‘revisionist view.’ … The Court disagrees with this characterization insofar as it infers a nefarious or dishonest motive. To the contrary, the Court concludes that there is no element of bad faith or intent to mislead in the positions taken by the State and CDE. Instead, the disagreements in this case reflect instead differing views of a very difficult and complicated analysis that continues in many areas of government post-TABOR.”
[…]
“Given the historical impact of TABOR on certain governmental programs, the additional property tax revenue collected as a result of SB-199 undoubtedly provides valuable assistance throughout the State of Colorado for important programs, especially in education. Specifically, SB-199 allowed the State to provide an additional 5,500 new slots for pre-school children in the State of Colorado.
“The benefits of that investment are impossible to quantify. On the other side of this argument, in the event refunds result from this Court’s finding that SB-199 is unconstitutional would, at best, provide a potential refund amount from none to $70.00/each $100,000.00 of assessed property value.
“At argument, this Court expressly questioned Plaintiffs about whether the amount at issue for any individual taxpayer justified the potentially destructive impact on providing education services to the children of the State of Colorado. Despite the assurances presented by Plaintiffs’ counsel, this Court is not convinced that its conclusion today will have no significant and negative impact on those citizens who benefit from educational programs in this State.
“However well intentioned and commendable the purpose and consequences of SB-199, this Court must be concerned only with enforcement of the Colorado Constitution. While this Court candidly expresses its concern as to the resulting consequences of this decision, it must nonetheless perform its duties in a manner consistent with its oath to uphold the Constitution.”
* * *
Yes, the judge was unequivocal in striking down mill levy freeze, which has been lambasted by conservatives the state over. However, this is hardly a strident opinion from a 2003 judicial appointee of Republican Gov. Bill Owens.
*Ritter photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Download the mill levy freeze decision here
For those of you looking for today’s decision striking down the governor’s mill levy freeze, click here for the text of the decision.
More to follow.
*Photo of Gov. Bill Ritter from the Associated Press.
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A ‘speed bump’ in the race to the middle of the road
Colorado’s place as a state where running to the center makes for more successful political bids could have hit a speed bump, as The Denver Post points out today.
With Colorado for Equal Rights’ “personhood” amendment — which would make the unborn “people” under law — likely to appear on the 2008 ballot, candidates will be forced to place themselves on one side of the issue. As a result, abortion could become a polarizing factor in even the most mundane of state House or Senate races, which usually might focus on other issues, such as health care or transportation funding.
Indeed, both sides of the Amendment 48 debate — Colorado for Equal Rights and Protect Families, Protect Choice — each sent out their first volley of attacks on the newly numbered amendment yesterday.
“All humans should be protected by love and by law, and this amendment is a historic effort to ensure equal rights for every person,” Colorado for Equal Rights leader Kristi Burton said in its statement.
“Amending the Colorado constitution is always serious business. Responsible government, allows us to appreciate and respect individual opinions,” Protect Families, Protect Choice said in a statement. “Sometimes people have to agree to disagree. Defining a fertilized egg as a ‘person’ in our Constitution and statutes is not scientifically based and simply makes bad public policy.”
Expect Amendment 48 to polarize political races where the Republican and Democratic candidates differ on the issue. Also expect each party to attack the other using this issue in most of the state races this year — rightfully or not.
*Burton photo from the Associated Press.
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‘You never know, right?’
State Treasurer Cary Kennedy told Political Notebook she is “hopeful” Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, will warm up to Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff’s plan to untangle Amendment 23 and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
“I’m hopeful Rep. Bruce would be open to this kind of compromise,” Kennedy said.
She later added: “You never know, right?”
Bruce has been one of Romanoff’s plan’s most vociferous critics, including his testimony before a House committee against the proposal. During the April 29 hearing, Bruce called the measure, which would repeal Amendment 23’s spending mandates and eliminate the TABOR revenue refunds, an affront to the state Constitution.
Bruce said the measure would mean, “unlimited state spending forever.”
Contrary to Bruce’s suppositions, Kennedy told your correspondent Romanoff’s idea allows the state to invest its revenue surpluses in K-12 education only when the state’s economy is doing well. (Amendment 23 mandates K-12 education spending increases even during economic downturns when the rest of state government contracts.)
“I think comprehensive constitutional reform is one of the most important things we can do,” she said.
Should the constitutional reform make it on the 2008 ballot, Kennedy said she plans to campaign for its passage.
In the meantime, we’ll hazard a prediction that Bruce will not warm up to Romanoff’s measure.
Kennedy admitted as much at the end of our interview: “I would assume he would lead the campaign against this measure if it makes it onto the ballot.”
*Kennedy photo from The Daily Sentinel archives. Bruce photo from the Associated Press.
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City Councilman Doug Thomason … the next Mike Huckabee?
In case you missed today’s editorial page, Chuck Norris weighed in on the recent debate over atheists requesting that the Grand Junction City Council stop praying at the beginning of its meetings.
In the column, Norris lauds City Councilman Doug Thomason for his courage in standing up to the godless activists: “I was proud to hear the patriotic defense of one of the Grand Junction City Council members. This country needs more governing officials like Councilman Doug Thomason, who individually responded to this atheistic request to remove prayer with this reply:
“‘I’m no religious fanatic, but this country was founded on Christian principles, and we’ve gone so far away from that that it’s mind-boggling. If they choose not to observe the invocation, that’s their prerogative. But they’re not going to infringe upon my rights to hear that invocation.’”
This all begs the question: Is Thomason the next Mike Huckabee?
In case you’ve forgotten, Norris backed the former Arkansas governor in his bid for president, citing his conservative principles. Call it the Norris effect: Huckabee did win Iowa and a bevy of other states.
Perhaps Thomason could benefit from a similar endorsement should he seek higher office? … In case you’re interested, Thomason, Norris does TV spots.
Remember, as Huckabee said: “Chuck Norris doesn’t endorse. He tells America how it’s gonna be.”
*Norris photo from the Associated Press. Thomason photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Alternative mineral tax question moving toward 2008 ballot
While much attention has been paid to a group of conservation and education advocates’ proposal to raise the state’s severance tax revenues, a ballot question from two Republican lawmakers aimed at diverting some mineral revenues to transportation has quietly moved forward in the initiative process.
Indeed, a proposal from state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, to cap and divert severance tax revenues had its title set one month ago.
“I would say there is probably better than a 50-50 chance it will be on the ballot this November,” Penry said Thursday.
He added that his and McNulty’s proposal represents a new way to send tens of millions of dollars to repair and improve Interstate 70 without levying any new taxes or fees.
Penry said his ballot measure contrasts both with various toll-based solutions for the I-70 corridor as well as the governor’s office’s “buffet” approach to severance tax distribution under the afore-mentioned ballot proposal.
He said he and McNulty will meet with advocacy groups to discuss funding for signature gathering and a media campaign once the measure is revised and approved by the Secretary of State’s Office.
* * *
Penry and Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, had submitted a similar ballot measure to the Colorado Legislative Council regarding higher education funding but withdrew it prior to its review and comment hearing.
*Penry photo from The Rocky Mountain News.
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Only Ritter, Salazar brothers, Udall remain unannounced
With Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak backing presidential hopeful Barack Obama in his bid for the White House, Colorado has four remaining unannounced superdelegates: Congressman John Salazar, Sen. Ken Salazar, Gov. Bill Ritter and Congressman Mark Udall.
Thus far, here’s how Colorado’s 11 announced superdelegates have stacked up thus far:
Supporting Barack Obama
Congressman Ed Perlmutter
Former Gov. Roy Romer
Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak
Former Denver Mayor Federico Pena
Democratic National Committee member Jonathan Postal
First Vice-chairman of the Colorado Democratic Party Dan Slater
Democratic National Committee member Debbie Marquez
Supporting Hillary Clinton
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Democratic National Committee member Mannie Rodriguez
Democratic National Committee member Ramona Martinez
Democratic National Committee member Maria Handley
* * *
As the primary battles winds down and the presidential race crawls into July, expect the remaining four superdelegates to announce which Democratic presidential candidate they are supporting.
*Salazars photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Udall hits key issues, predicts competitive race
During a campaign stop yesterday in Gunnison, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall pledged, “to protect the West Slope until my dying day.”
In Grand Junction, Udall told supporters health care, to him, is a matter of national security: “Every American has to be healthy.”
And, in Craig, Udall pushed his message one of progress divorced from partisanship: “It’s not about Democrats and Republicans. It’s about are we going to come together.”
Indeed, Udall, in kicking off his campaign, seemed to touch on nearly every major issue in Colorado and the nation. However, one quote, reported by The Denver Post caught our eyes this morning.
Asked if he thought he had the race wrapped up (likely in light of a recent poll that shows Udall pulling ahead of his opponent, Republican Bob Schaffer), Udall replied: “I’m not mailing this in. This is going to be a competitive state.”
Expect Schaffer to directly respond to Udall’s tour this weekend at the Colorado Republican Party’s state convention in Broomfield when he accepts the nomination for the Senate race.
*Udall photo from the Associated Press. Schaffer photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Romanoff endorses Hagan for outgoing Rep. Rose’s seat
Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, announced today he is endorsing Democratic Montrose City Councilwoman Noelle Hagan to succeed outgoing state Rep. Ray Rose, R-Montrose.
In a statement sent out this morning, Romanoff said: “Noelle has obviously been effective in her community and region — she is the best person to represent those interests in Denver.”
Romanoff’s endorsement, while somewhat helpful, probably was not an unexpected event. After all, Romanoff is a Democrat looking to maintain the Democratic majority in the state House.
This would have been extraordinary had he not endorsed Hagan or swung his support behind Hagan’s opponent, Cortez Republican Scott Tipton.
*Hagan photo from The Daily Sentinel archives. Romanoff photo from The Rocky Mountain News.
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Presidential race to veer west
In case you haven’t had enough of the presidential candidates on network TV and in your local broadsheet, presumptive nominees Barack Obama, D-Ill., and John McCain, R-Ariz., plan to fight for the voters of westerners.
Indeed, according to an article on Politico.com, Obama renewed his drive to turn the bloc of states blue following a Memorial Day event: “We want to send a message now that we are going to go after them, and I expect to win them.”
McCain, in an Associated Press interview, responded that he thinks he has a better chance of taking the voters of western residents: “I believe as a Western senator I understand the issues, the challenges of the future for these … states, whether it be land, water, Native American issues, preservation, environmental issues.”
Though we might not see any of the candidates in Grand Junction, expect McCain and Obama to swing through Denver and other more populated cities of the west throughout the year.
Who knows? With Colorado U.S. Senate seat emerging as one of the nation’s top races, perhaps Obama will be stumping for Democratic Congressman Mark Udall in rural areas, including the 3rd Congressional District.
*Obama, McCain photos from the Associated Press.
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A ‘principled’ book forum
UPDATE: The book forum has been canceled due to the author being sick. We’ll update you when the forum is rescheduled.
If you’ve been dying to discuss reporter Adam Schrager’s recent book on former Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr, tomorrow evening the author will host a forum at Mesa State College’s Liff Auditorium to do just that — and sign some books.
As we noted in our April review of the book, it’s worth checking out, even if only to familiarize yourself with a politico who willingly stood up to popular sentiment to do what was right.
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Penry talks criminal justice on Colorado Public Radio
In case you missed it, state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, stopped by Colorado Public Radio this week along with Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, to talk about criminal justice policy at the Legislature.
The interview’s a great primer on the major law and order issues of the 2008 legislative session, from DNA evidence retention to the direct-file reform bill to private prison reimbursement rates. So, when you have 11 minutes, check out the full interview.
From our perspective, however, there were a few comments from the first-term Grand Junction senator worth noting.
Penry, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Capital Development Committee, said during future debates over prison funding, public safety should be the Legislature’s focus:
“One of the first responsibilities of the state is to protect individuals and to protect communities from individuals who break the law. So, yes, we do need to address recidivism, but those who earn prison time need to be put in prison. … It is an ongoing challenge, because at the end of the day the choice is between public safety and not (having it). And we’ve got to put these individual somewhere.”
Penry also touched on the year’s debate over giving Corrections Corporation of America a higher per diem rate increase than other private firms the state contracts with, which some of his colleagues likened to a private company extorting the state:
“We need these private prison providers because they achieve efficiencies that allow us to incarcerate people in need of incarceration. They can do it on a dollar basis the state just can’t match. In this session the choice was to give private prison providers $4 (million) or $5 million per diem increase or build an additional billion dollar sin prisons. When you do the math, it’s a slam dunk.”
Penry said during future discussions about reforming the state’s sentencing laws, he is inclined to push for longer mandatory sentences for some crimes:
“I think there will a conversation about sentencing. Frankly, there are areas where I think we need to strength and enhancing sentencing requirements.”
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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A ballot conundrum
Coloradans could face more than a dozen ballot questions this November. And that prospect, according to state Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, could make it a headache for public officials to help voters sort through the pile.
During a public forum this week, Buescher said he is only convinced — thus far — that one question headed for the ballot is a good one: Republican Hayden Rep. Al White’s plan to make it harder to amend the Colorado Constitution.
“Right now I count, I think, 18 different potential citizen initiatives (heading toward) the ballot,” Buescher said. “They range from the awful to the truly bad. There might be in that list of 18 to 20 one or two things that are a good idea.
“The only one I am convinced right now is a good idea is the one that Al White has been working on for a lot of years, which limits the ability to do initiatives. It limits the ability to do initiatives.
(Applause)
“The third one I am struggling with is if there are one or two others in there, how do we craft a message that says, ‘Vote no on everything but one, two or three.’ I think it’s going to be a lot of folks saying, ‘Vote no on everything.’”
Buescher’s comments about the state’s ballot “mess,” ended on a somewhat ominous note: “Right now I’m inclined to be saying, ‘Hey, just forget it. Vote no on everything.’”
That inclination from one of the state’s more noteworthy members of the Democratic Party cannot be music to the ears of others hoping to enact reforms at the polls this year, including Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, who has a plan to untangle Amendment 23 and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
*Buescher photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Web site names House District 55 to election ‘watch list’
A prominent conservative Web site, Face the State, has added House District 55 to its list of races to watch this election cycle.
Specifically, the Web site states: “This is a strong — let us emphasize strong — Republican district that is ironically held by Democrat and Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee Bernie Buescher, who is rumored to be the next speaker of the House. He was first elected in 2004, with a dirty Republican primary giving him a strong edge that year. Buescher has been fundraising like crazy and has more than five times as much cash on hand as his opponent.” (Hyperlinks added.)
The Web site continues on to state that Buescher’s opponent, businesswoman Laura Bradford, could overcome Buescher’s popularity and fundraising prowess this election cycle.
Though the blurb certainly is correct in that the race is one to watch this year, it is worth noting that House District 55 is better known as a moderate district in light of its recent representatives, including Republican Gayle Berry and Democrat Dan Prinster.
This all said, Bradford certainly showed today that she agrees with the Web site’s sentiment: During a Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast forum, one speaker noted that Buescher could be the next speaker of the House — provided he is re-elected.
Bradford, who sat near the rear of the auditorium, gave a thumbs up to her colleagues nearby, smiled, nodded and pumped her arm.
Indeed, this race will be one to watch.
*Buescher, Bradford photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Poll: Udall pulling ahead of Schaffer
For the first time this election cycle, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall has pulled ahead of his opponent, Republican Bob Schaffer, in a statewide poll.
According to Rassmusen Reports, which has been tracking the Senate race since November 2007, Udall leads Schaffer in a poll of 500 likely 47 percent to 41 percent. (In the previous polls — see the graph below — the two have been statistically tied.)
“Udall has gained ground among unaffiliated voters over the past month and now leads by twelve among them,” the firm’s Web site said. “A month ago, the candidates were even among those not affiliated with either major party.” fer (The poll, conducted over telephone on May 19, has a sampling error of plus or minus 4 percent.)
The firm notes on its Web site that a series of article from The Denver Post, linking Schaffer to disgraced former GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff might have slightly affected this poll.
*Udall photo from the Associated Press.
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Political Notebook disappears
By the time you read this, Political Notebook will be several time zones away from the Western Slope.
Indeed, from May 14 to May 20, I will be enjoying a brief post-session vacation.
Thank you for visiting the blog. Expect more Western Slope political analysis and news when I return next week.
Until then, all the best and happy politicking.
*Maroon Bells photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Allard bucks Udall’s petrol policy
Outgoing U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., voted as an army of one today against an amendment aimed at halting the federal government’s stockpiling of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Allard, in a statement to the press, explained his vote this way: “Today was a missed opportunity to lower gas prices for American consumers. Voting only to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) without doing anything to increase domestic production and lessening our dependence on foreign oil is a disservice to the American people.”
Indeed, Allard’s argument makes sense for the conservative federal lawmaker. Politically, Allard also has aligned himself with the Republican he probably hopes will end up replacing him, former Fort Collins Congressman Bob Schaffer.
When Democratic Senate candidate Mark Udall proposed just such a measure earlier this month, Schaffer’s campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, lashed out at the plan, calling it, “a token gesture designed to obscure his very sorry record in killing domestic oil production.”
“As far as I can tell,” Wadhmas continued, “it’s nothing more than window-dressing and liberal applause lines.”
For Allard to endorse the anti-stockpiling plan would have placed the Schaffer campaign in somewhat of an odd position.
*Allard photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Udall directly confronts Schaffer on the Northern Mariana Islands
For the first time this election cycle, U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall, D-Colo., directly criticized his opponent, Republican Bob Schaffer, R-Colo., for his work on labor issues in the Northern Mariana Islands.
“I know that from what I read and the people I listened to, it was clear that there were abuses there. … I don’t understand how you could leave the Marianas thinking everything was perfect,” Udall said, according to The Denver Post.
Udall and Congressman George Miller, D-Calif., held a press conference Monday to celebrate President George W. Bush’s decision to sign into law a bill to reform worker and immigration policies for the U.S. commonwealth.
Schaffer’s campaign manager, Dick Wadhams replied that Udall was using the issue as an election-year gimmick, given that the longtime Eldorado Springs congressman had never spoken on the issue before.
“He was so concerned about the labor abuses that he was silent and totally uninvolved … until he thinks he can use it politically in a campaign,” Wadhams told The Post.
Actually, as Coloradopols and the article point out, Udall has been active on the issue for nearly a decade.
* * *
This political sparring is to be expected, given the high stakes of the race to replace outgoing Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo. That said, Udall’s decision to speak directly on the issue and not via his campaign staff shows that Udall plans to hammer on this issue at least for the foreseeable future.
*Udall photo shot by Political Notebook. Wadhams photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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McKinley half-jokingly wishes for nonpartisan governance
State Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, bookended his fourth legislative session with a quixotic but probably true statement in the Monday edition of the Pueblo Chieftain:
“If it wasn’t for the parties, we’d have a representative form of government. We get so wrapped up in that. Both parties want to be in power, and the minority party really wants to be in power. I’m the most bipartisan legislator up here because both parties dislike me.”
It’s a nice thought, but the constitutional reform necessary to transform McKinley’s vision into reality probably would be a tough sell. What would the slogan be: Make Colorado the next Nebraska?
Then again, McKinley’s comments could come true to some degree next year should Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, become their respective caucus leaders. As we noted in Sunday’s newspaper, both have managed to work across the aisle on major issues this year. Certainly it could happen if two men work to bring their caucuses together to confront statewide problems.
Perhaps bipartisanship is a poor substitute for nonpartisan rule, but it’s a lot closer to McKinley’s hopes than what usually prevails at the Capitol.
*McKinley photo provided by the House Majority Office.
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Forum to probe state’s colliding interests in an energy boom
If you’re free Thursday evening, swing by Mesa State College for what is shaping up to be an informative policy debate over Colorado’s competing industries and interests during the current energy boom.
The panel discussion, sponsored by The High Country News, will include a number of local experts on the topic, including state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, IPAMS Director Marc Smith and former Daily Sentinel publisher George Orbanek.
The discussion, which revolves around one of the biggest issues of the day for the Western Slope, will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Moss Performing Arts Center’s recital hall.
If the program is as interesting as the panelists, this should be worth your time.
*Rig photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Congressional bid sidelines heavyweight consulting firm
A media consulting firm active in Western Slope politics, including the campaigns of Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, and Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, has closed shop.
If you visited the Web site of Maxtera, you’ll see this message: “Due to other commitments Maxtera, LLC is not accepting new business at this time.”
Maxtera has been one of the more successful political and media consulting firms in Utah and Colorado, taking in tens of thousands of dollars since late 2003, according to records filed with the Colorado Secretary of State.
The firm might have become a victim of one of its founder’s successes: Indeed, over the weekend, Maxtera President Jason Chaffetz showed his own political savvy in nearly locking up the GOP nomination in his bid for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
Chaffetz’s near victory, however, is particularly remarkable because he is running against incumbent Republican Congressman Chris Cannon.
* * *
Chaffetz’s near victory in mind, we contacted the consulting firm’s other top man, Grand Junction resident Alex Chaffetz, and asked him what was up with the firm’s status.
In an e-mail, Alex said: “Jason’s running for Congress. So Maxtera, LLC takes a break!”
Alas, this is sure to upset some local politicos who have relied on the firm to handle their campaign media during previous election cycles.
Around this time last year, Alex told Political Notebook: “He’s removing himself from anything that would be anything but his run for Congress. So he’ll be focused on that and we’ll continue to do our ad business and we’ll see what happens.”
At the time, the firm’s former clients, including state Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, said they hoped the firm continued on, even if Chaffetz captured the congressional seat.
King, Penry and their peers probably are hoping that even if their former consultant wins his primary and general election challenge, Maxtera will continue on.
*Chaffetz photo from the Associated Press.
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Winners and losers
Over the weekend, we rolled out our look back at the winners and losers of the 2008 legislative session, which Coloradopols noted and reprinted.
In short, we named Gov. Bill Ritter, Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, and Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, as winners this year.
We also named Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, the state’s transportation system and drunken drivers as the year’s losers.
* * *
So, we must not put the question to you: Did we miss something or someone, such as Secretary of State Mike Coffman or Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver? Or did we get something wrong or place a loser on the winners list or vice versa?
The comments section awaits your input.
*Capitol photo shot by Political Notebook. Bruce photo from the Associated Press.
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‘A well-liked moderate with strong crossover appeal’
Will Congressman Scott McInnis, R-Colo., run again for statewide office?
While there is no definitive answer, The Denver Post certainly stoked the fire this weekend in an article that mentioned the former U.S. Senate candidate.
The article stated: “Some Democratic strategists say they were much more worried that they’d face former U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, who’s closer to a GOP version of the Democrats’ recent champions: a well-liked moderate with strong crossover appeal and a solid base on the Western Slope.”
When Political Notebook last spoke with the six-term congressman, he left the door open to a possible gubernatorial bid in 2010, saying, “You never say never.”
Though his name recognition might not be strong outside western and southern Colorado, if Democratic strategists were “worried” about a McInnis candidacy in 2008, they probably still will be in two years when U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., and others comes up for re-election.
McInnis still has more than $811,100 in federal campaign funds on-hand.
*McInnis photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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An exercise in subtlety
As The Daily Sentinel and others noted in their Saturday editions, Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Schaffer challenged his Democratic opponent, Mark Udall, to a series of seven debates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Schaffer’s request by letter, while typical politicking, was also remarkable given its subtlety. (I’ve pasted the letter at the bottom of this posting so you can see it for yourself.) Granted the thrust of the letter — “debate me” — is fairly straightforward, there is more to this than that message:
—> First off, by modeling the debate after those between Republican Abraham Lincoln (one of the most often cited and fondly recalled members of the party) and Democrat Stephen Douglas, Schaffer’s camp is making some historical allusions. Specifically, the campaign is drawing a direct line between Schaffer and Lincoln — and possibly drawing a similar link between Udall and Douglas.
—> Second, you will note in the letter’s “to” section, it is addressed to a Boulder location. This is noteworthy because it subtly links Udall to the liberal area of Colorado — despite the fact that the Udall campaign has a Denver headquarters.
—> Finally, the letter’s mild tone strikes a sharp contrast with the Schaffer camp’s public comments in recent weeks. Nowhere in the letter does the phrase “Boulder liberal” appear. Nor does the letter take a swipe at The Denver Post or that newspaper’s very able political reporter covering the campaign.
Udall declined to participate in Schaffer’s plan and sent this statement to Political Notebook:
“I’m looking forward to a strong and substantive series of debates in this campaign. I firmly believe that the debates we do should allow us to answer questions from the people of Colorado about the issues that are most important to them, but Bob’s proposed events do not. I hope in the coming weeks that we can work together to develop a schedule of debates for the summer and fall that reaches every corner of the state and gives Coloradans an important role in the process. I’m pleased to see Bob taking an interest in discussing the issues with Coloradans; he could start by answering simple policy questions from reporters and putting information about his positions on his Web site.”
Yeah, that’s not so subtle. Then again, Udall’s team has responded in kind to the Schaffer camp’s constant use of “Boulder liberal” label, so the tone of the reply is, perhaps, not all that surprising.
As promised, here’s the letter:
*Schaffer photo from The Daily Sentinel archives. Udall photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Penry: Movin’ on up
As we detailed in today’s edition of The Daily Sentinel, state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, is considered by his peers to be a frontrunner to replace outgoing Senate Minority Leader Andrew McElhany, R-Colorado Springs.
McElhany himself told Political Notebook as much yesterday: “We’re expecting some great things from Josh.”
“He’s very comfortable with the political process,” McElhany added, “and he’s got the unusual attributes of being both interested and creative on policy and good at the political side as well.”
So my question to you, the readers, is where do you think Penry will land next after his stint in the state Senate — either as a senator or in leadership.
*Penry photo from The Rocky Mountain News.
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