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Schultheis Exits--Jim Welker Redux?

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:27:09 PM MST

This just in: controversial GOP state Sen. Dave Schultheis has announced he will not seek re-election in 2010, profoundly disappointing Democrats who were hoping to use him as a poster child for...well, everything well-adjusted voters revile. From a blast email earlier this afternoon:

After considerable deliberation, I have decided to forego running for my second and final four-year term as a Colorado State Senator representing Senate District 9. I will, however, continue to serve out my current term, which culminates at the end of 2010, concluding ten years of political service for the citizens of Colorado. This has been an extremelydifficult decision for me, as I love the challenge of serving the best interests of my constituents on legislative matters, by steadfastly advocating for traditional, conservative values, which I know to be the best overall values for the citizens of Colorado and the nation.
After much prayer and discussion with family members and close friends, I have come to this decision in order to spend more time with family, including my five rapidly-growing grandsons. As is common knowledge, the responsibilities of political office are extremely demanding on one's time and schedule --- often to the detriment of time spent with family and friends.
Having served to the very best of my ability since 2001, first in Colorado's House of Representatives for six years and now in the Colorado State Senate, I have consistently attempted to uphold Conservative principles to the best of my ability, even when it was difficult to do so. I remain convinced that those principles are essential for a society whose citizens value freedom, liberty and personal responsibility...
During my years in the Legislature, I have purposely never sought a leadership position, as I believed my role was to stand firmly against every temptation to moderate my conservative views for greater acceptance by the caucus. As a result, I felt free and unencumbered, to hold high the banner of each and every conservative principle that Republicans say they believe in...and to do so without compromise.

What do you think, folks? Voluntary, or did he get the Jim Welker bum's rush? Given all this newfound talk of "moderation" we can certainly imagine the latter being the case. Still a risk, though: imminent retirement will either muzzle Schultheis while Republicans try to fight back into a majority next year, or leave him free to 'hold the banner high' more than ever.

It's a shame that Schultheis won't be around for another five years, though, there really is a role for the creepy guy who notes how some babies deserve to get AIDS. Keeps it real, you know?

Colorado Pols :: Schultheis Exits--Jim Welker Redux?

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Schultheis Exits--Jim Welker Redux? | 14 comments

"To spend more time with my family"

It may well be the truth, but so many politicians say that when they're caught doing something they shouldn't that the phrase is almost a cliche.

"Why not do the right thing for the American people, even though it's not exactly what we want." - Speaker Boehner

by: Half Glass Full @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 23:43:22 PM UTC

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yeah- but he didn't say anything about rehab

by: MADCO @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 04:50:01 AM UTC

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I don't really care why he's gone.

I'm just glad he is. There's no place in the legislative body for someone like him.

"I wouldn't characterize caloric intake as "professional development." c rork

by: Middle of the Road @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 00:14:58 AM UTC

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me too

and sadly, there is a place for guys like him in the legislature.

I'm not saying Lundberg would wish AIDS on babies, but eliminating publicly funded education?

by: MADCO @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 04:51:24 AM UTC

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Who will carry the message of condemnation of those HIV+ babies promoting promiscuity?

Perhaps Renfroe or Brophy can fill the void

by: One Queer Dude @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 00:28:55 AM UTC

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You sir are no legislator

as I believed my role was to stand firmly against every temptation to moderate my conservative views for greater acceptance by the caucus. As a result, I felt free and unencumbered, to hold high the banner of each and every conservative principle that Republicans say they believe in...and to do so without compromise.

What a lame excuse. If he just wanted to posture for 10 years he should have written a blog. Legislating is crafting the best compromise and that means you are working on and then voting for something, that at best, is "less bad."

Standing on the sidelines, no matter how shrill your message, does not impact the game. If ~~Schultheis~~ ExcuseBoy was truly concerned about applying conservative values to our laws, he would have done the difficult work of compromise required to make the final legislation a bit more conservative.

Posing as an ineffectual fop wrapped in a GOP toga on the sidelines impacts nothing except for how ExcuseBoy thinks he looks in his mirror.

What a loser.

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 01:28:44 AM UTC

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That's Ms. Sir.

I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

by: Jambalaya @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 01:32:01 AM UTC

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Hehehehehe.

Yeah, I saw that one coming. :)

"I wouldn't characterize caloric intake as "professional development." c rork

by: Middle of the Road @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 01:40:35 AM UTC

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hear hear

by: MADCO @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 04:52:06 AM UTC

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Conspiracy theory time

Expanding on what Pols is implying: is this Penry's doing?

Penry has been criticized for not reining in his oftentimes crazy-thing-saying/tweeting colleagues in his time as Minority Leader. This would be a way to save himself that discussion during the campaign for Governor, while saving face with the chattering class who are just waiting for Penry to give them a reason. Other Republicans State Senators have made remarks less-than-becoming of their offices (Shawn Mitchell anyone?) but Shcultheis' AIDS baby rant took the cake. One less thorn in Penry's side?

Even more interesting is whether Penry could even do that. Would he have to consult Dick Wadhams before asking for someone's resignation, or does Penry have a fairly short leash? I'm not intimately familiar with the power structure of the Colorado Republican Party, anyone want to fill me in?

Seriously though, I'm probably totally off the mark (or am I?) but it was the first thing that popped into my mind, even before I read the second part of this diary.

by: redstateblues @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 06:25:28 AM UTC

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Not necessarily Penry

But perhaps Republican leaders in general are finally realizing the catastrophic damage that idiots like Schultheis are doing to their Party.

by: Colorado Pols @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 17:37:10 PM UTC

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Pushed Out? It is El Paso County

Doubt he was pushed out. He's a marginal player all across the board, and it is a safe Republican district. It is, after all, El Paso County.

I've heard that he is interested in being Republican National Committeeman.

BTW - what happened in the El Paso County tax questions yesterday? Did Doug Bruce get to smack storm water fees again?

by: abraham @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:33:55 PM UTC

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2C lost. 300 passed- but

city council says it does not apply to the stormwater enterprise.

I300
http://www.gazette.com/article...

2C
http://www.gazette.com/article...

In the Gazette, they say $27million has to be cut because of 300. And 2C would have been an increase- it remains to be seen what the city funding will look like since it failed.

by: MADCO @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 01:11:38 AM UTC

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Schultheis seat

Looks like Lambert may run for Schultheis' seat and the guy was just appointed to the JBC.

Members of the Press and Friends,
Representative Kent Lambert, House District 14, will make a short public political announcement on Thursday, November 5, at 12:00 at the El Paso County Republican Headquarters, 205 Sutton Road, Colorado Springs, CO, 80907. An opportunity for media Q&A will follow.

by: crazypoliticians @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 03:32:52 AM UTC

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Schultheis Exits--Jim Welker Redux? | 14 comments