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Even though Ritter is not the greatest governor, at least he has four years of experience to tout against a do-nothing Congressman and a Grand Junction (a.k.a. home of the tea-baggers) State Senator.
I could be wrong. If Penry drops early enough....say Jan or Feb, McInnis would be a strong challenger. But I don't see it happening. I could even imagine a scenario where Maze ends up being the nominee and loses in a close race- even without anyone parking in a cemetery with a stripper or hiking the Appalachian Trail. But I'm not predicting it.
Sure the Ds, especially those who lean further left, are disappointed with Ritter. He appointed the wrong guy, he didn't raise revenue, he didn't cave to labor, yada, yada, ya
But in the end, after D's will realize he's wayy better than the alternative, they'll show up. And so will enough of the center.
but until then- geez, get a massage, take some aspirin, get some exercise or ...some new batteries or something. You got stress.
Unfortunately for the Republicans I do think Ritter will be reelected.
I'm not generally a betting person, but I'd bet that just about anyone you could name that would be ideologically pure enough would be unelectable.
You bitch about Ritter because you disagree with him on abortion and don't think he's been pro-union enough. Ok.
But what has he done since being elected that has had any meaningful effect on abortion?
And he's the governor in Colorado- not Illinois or California. What would you have suggested he do for the unions that a) would have allowed him to be re-elected or b) that would not have been undone when he was out?
Arnold Schwarzenegger: worst governor in the country, and that's including Mark Sanford. Has brutally cut all sorts of social programs that once made California the progressive playground of the nation. Created a deficit that dwarfs the one under Gray Davis (who was recalled for no better reason). And operates with a strong Democratic majority in both state houses.
Democratic governors are better than Republican governors. "Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.
Just wondering. In the course of any human discussion there will be disagreement. In the EOG (era of Google) looking up facts is a lot easier. (Who won the National League in 1928? Why is the sky blue?) But opinions based on feeling and altered by new feelings or persuasion are still not that easy to look up.
Yet, people have learned, to varying degrees, that to show confidence is a good thing. That to relent or be persuaded to easily is a bad thing. And in the past few days- and perhaps longer, I'm not motivated to look it up - you have written with some energy about some topics in a way that suggested persuading you could be difficult.
And here, in one paragraph, you reveal a glaring weakness of perspective. Apparently up until now you were comparing Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins with Mike Coffman and Doug Lamborn. doh!
As far as admitting I'll probably vote for Ritter I am plugging my nose in the process. I truly wish another strong Democrat would step up to the plate because I do despise Ritter.
Where I'm from the Republicans were more moderate and sometimes a better choice. I'm from Maine.
I conclude you drew the wrong conclusion from observing R's elsewhere.
No bankers. pragmatists, or rookies need apply.
Compared to the alternatives, however, he is soooo much better that it's not even an option to consider voting for McPenry. "There are a lot of reasons not to elect me." Mitt Romney in a moment of clarity
"I'm Mitt Romney and yes, Wolf, that's also my first name," Willard Mitt Romney demonstrating 'policy flexibility.'
WOuld it be too late for Rick Perry when he gets beat ?
You do, of course, realize that we are going into a redistricting period and the next governor will have a large say in the fate of our Colorado delegation...most especially, Reps. Perlmutter and Markey.
You may not like Ritter, but are you willing to sacrifice two very good representatives in Washington to "get even"?
"But when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh, shut up!' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining." Glenn Beck
Second, Colorado's unemployment rate has declined from a high of 7.8% in July to 7% in September. The national and Colorado economic trends are headed in the right direction.
Governor Ritter has led us through the worst of the recession and we are now seeing economic growth. Messrs. Penry and McInnis will never admit it but they both view these economic trends with alarm. If they continue, they won't have a case to make to the voters next year.
He's pissed just about everyone off and hasn't really distinguished himself as a strong leader.
The best thing he has going for him is the two crappy opponents running for the Republican nomination. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that Suthers or Coffman didn't take him on. "But when I see a 9-11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like, 'Oh, shut up!' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining." Glenn Beck
In addition, Ritter's campaign would greatly benefit from a diversion -- like another oil-and-gas severance tax issue on the ballot.
Not only would it divert some of The Industry's money from the McChicken's 527s, voters might decide a couple million-dollar boost to the state budget is a good idea. Could cost The Industry tens of millions more to defeat it this time around.
Ritter will win because he is doing a solid job. No he doesn't walk on water and he can't pull 250 million out of his ass to cover the shortages. But he has done a really good job with the cards he has been dealt. And voters will realize that.
Penry will come damn close, not just because of the economy, but because he is a really good campaigner and will use every tool available to him. I think he will out campaign Ritter.
But not enough to outweigh Ritter's advantage of incumbency and an acceptable track record. Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!
He has kept the budget balanced, which hasn't been easy in the face of revenue shortfalls.
He has kick-started a vigorous renewable energy industry in the state, while finally having the courage to take on the abuses in the Western Slope oil and gas patch.
He at least tried to get the oil and gas industry to pay their fair share of severance taxes.
He has tried to make sense out of our fragmented public education system, strengthen public education and introduce needed new ideas to that area of debate.
He has kept Colorado a solid place to do business and, whatever you think of his approach to unions, has maintained the labor status quo that has worked reasonably well for sixty or so years in the state.
He signed bills that allow home builders to be held liable for defective homes.
He signed legislation that gives our gay brothers and sisters rights under the law that were long overdue.
He has appointed quality people to his cabinet, including Harris Sherman (now in DC), Jim Martin, and Rico Munn, and he picked a good lieutenant governor that is a team player, knows how to get along with people (if you don't think that's important, see "Joe Rogers"), and has the political savvy to get things done (see P-20 council, education policy generally).
He has been an advocate of protecting the state's roadless National Forest areas.
He signed a bill that resolved the long fight over Fountain Creek and he hasn't gone off, like Owens, trying to sell a grab of water from the Western Slope as the solution to the Front Range's demand.
He had the courage to sign SB 108, which will give our transportation system much needed revenues and result in many roads and bridges that are both more functional and actually safe.
He appointed a great Secretary of State.
He hasn't made an unreasonable number of mistakes in dealing with the legislature and, though he hasn't been perfect in terms of communication with the General Assembly's leadership, he has been important in seeing a number of other Democratic priorities enacted into law between 2007 and now.
Given this record, you think McInnis or "Shotgun" Penry is a better guy to have in that chair?
And he doesn't feel the need to be the center of attention, or to bob and weave on his positions for political gain, or personalize political opposition.
Surely a man with a character like that is someone we would want to think twice about firing. And it counts for something when it comes to governing.
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