DSCC Swings Into Action Against Buck

This is funny.

The US Senator who was selected by one voter, the Governor, is complaining that Buck stated over a year ago, and long disavowed, that the legislature should pick a senator.  That would be a lot more voters than picked Bennet in the first place.

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:18:53 PM UTC

Yeah he's disavowing a lot of shit these days

Genuine Weld County shit. And there's a lot more of it to disavow what's clinging to his not-high-heels.

Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

BTW, I "adduced" this all by myself, you total fucking assclown.
-Laughing Boy

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by: ThillyWabbit @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:21:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Uh, what?

How many Democrats voted for Michael Bennet earlier this month?

How much wider was Bennet's margin of victory than Buck's?

"Weld County bullshit," indeed.

Yo quiero gobierno medio!

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by: JeffcoBlue @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:22:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jeffco - about 25K more voted for Buck as I recall

Bennet would have finished behind Norton.

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:37:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Your comparing apples to oranges

Gov. Ritter was required by law to appoint someone to the U.S. Senate. He did that and Sen. Bennet was his choice.

Sen. Bennet has never advocated that his reelection should be by the state legislature instead of a vote by the registered voters of Colorado. Mr. Buck has taken the opposite position.

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by: Republican 36 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:57:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here is a link to what he said - seemed pretty reasonable to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:24:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mr. Buck was about as unreasonable and absurd as you can get in that video

He is blaming all the poor (in his mind) legislation passed in Washington on the fact senators are popularly elected by the public. Therefore, the 17th Amendment should be repealed in his mind. Translated what he is really saying is he doesn't trust me or any other voters to elect responsible people to the U.S. Senate. That is why his statements about the 17th Amendment are important. He doesn't trust voters. What an absurd position for someone to take who is asking the voters to elect him to the U.S. Senate.

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by: Republican 36 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 19:46:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Trust

what he is really saying is he doesn't trust me or any other voters

He doesn't trust us.  We elected Udall, Salazar, Ritter and  Obama.  Obama, the biggest threat to the USA.

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by: MADCO @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 22:15:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

H-man, Bennet's margin of victory

was much bigger than Bucks, whether by percentage or total margin of votes.

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by: Voyageur @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 23:30:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Love it!

This well help Buck pick up some votes. Criticizing Ken as extreme when most Americans think Obama's agenda is extreme is "extremely" tone deaf.

"...energy shouldn't be in the market." - Aristotle

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by: bjwilson83 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:21:39 PM UTC

Up is down, black is white

And you're a genius.

Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

BTW, I "adduced" this all by myself, you total fucking assclown.
-Laughing Boy

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by: ThillyWabbit @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:24:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pay no attention

It's another fact-free opinion from BJ.
No citation. No URL.

Its just like Further, but with tax cuts! - Fidel's Dirt Nap

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by: ajb @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:50:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's a "URL" for you.

"...energy shouldn't be in the market." - Aristotle

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by: bjwilson83 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:09:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

$25

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same.  Which one will it be?  --Joseph V. Paterno

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by: Ralphie @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:19:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why don't you make a bet with Scott Rasmussen on his polls?

I'm sure he'd be happy to oblige.

"...energy shouldn't be in the market." - Aristotle

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by: bjwilson83 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:50:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Is YouTube your only source of information?

It's never the original source. There are never crosstabs or the like on YouTube. Videos are always edited for maximum effect, failing to disclose evidence that might mitigate the partisan point the editor is striving for.

In short, they make lousy evidence.

Its just like Further, but with tax cuts! - Fidel's Dirt Nap

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by: ajb @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 00:31:39 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

YouTube works well for BJ

He doesn't have to read.

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same.  Which one will it be?  --Joseph V. Paterno

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by: Ralphie @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 01:22:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Taken by itself, this wouldn't have much effect.

For one thing it's a very easy past position to disavow without sustaining damage. Not like having been for path to citienship before you were against it or for choice before you were against it.  It's not as if a lot of people are focused on this.  

But as a kick-of to a series of a tons of money fueled shock and awe attack on all of Buck's more extreme positions, it's great.  When the next one comes out the ground for seeing this guy as far outside the mainstream will have been prepared. I'm sure there will be a series of ads on various issues to show Buck as someone too extreme for Colorado.

Since 2004, centrist Dems have been doing increasingly well statewide. Far right GOP candidates, not so much. I see this as just the opening salvo in a very promising ad campaign.

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by: BlueCat @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:36:28 PM UTC

BlueCat - Anybody that voted for all of Obama's programs is not a centrist -

anywhere in Colorado other than on ColoradoPols.

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:41:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Interesting opinion

But I suspect that polling proves otherwise. If I had the time, I'd go check the google.

Its just like Further, but with tax cuts! - Fidel's Dirt Nap

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by: ajb @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:55:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ajb - this is from Rasmusen today

Predictably, most Republicans view Obama's views as extreme, while a sizable majority of Democrats say they are mainstream. But most voters not affiliated with either party also describe the president's views as extreme by a 54% to 30% margin.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of liberals say Obama's in the mainstream. Seventy-five percent (75%) of conservatives regard him as extreme.

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 20:15:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

When did Republicans start governing by polls?

Was it before or after the Clinton administration, where one of the main right wing criticisms was that he governed by polls. Hmmm.

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by: Libertad 2.0 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 20:18:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

H-man - a link would have helped then.

Otherwise, it looks like another flip statement (on a website full of flip statements, but we ought to offer evidence where we can). And a Rassy poll? Can we apply the 538 10-point bias fix?  

Its just like Further, but with tax cuts! - Fidel's Dirt Nap

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by: ajb @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 00:26:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

If Buck can be made to look very extreme

That puts Bennet closer to centrist in popular perception.  I'm not even going to argue here about how centrist Bennet is or isn't.  I'm talking about an ad campaign and I think it's starting off on the right track to get the job done.  

The proof will be in the final poll, the election.  If Bennet wins, he's centrist enough for Colorado voters regardless of any national polls or what anyone has to say about Obama or about Bennet's voting record.  If Buck wins, the people of Colorado will have proclaimed him not to be too extreme.  

My money's on Bennet winning that war. I like his campaign operation, its strategic and tactical skill set and infrastructure, especially for GOTV, strong support from DSCC and enough  funding from all the major sources to say "make it so" to whatever is deemed necessary at the moment, including quick counter attacks wherever needed.  

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by: BlueCat @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 21:19:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think it's a weird one to use

Yes most people will disagree with this, but I don't see it being a biggie. On the flip side, this early it's only use political nuts paying attention and it matters a bit more to us. So maybe they're starting with the issues that will only matter to us.

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

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by: DavidThi808 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:50:45 PM UTC

That's why I think it's a good opener

It's kind of a head scratching attention getter.   The reaction is probably why would anybody be against the people voting for Senators?  What the heck is this all about? As I said, by itself it isn't a biggie but it should arouse some curiosity, especially as most don't know Senators ever were supposed to be elected by state legislatures.

And it is a head scratcher as a rightie and or teaparty side of the electorate issue. After all, it's the right that has been pushing to take so many things out of the hands of state legislators and subject them to direct vote by the people as state constitutional amendments, propositions, referenda etc.  Most of those originating on the left have been in self defense against the barrage from the right.  Who would think that ending direct voting on Senators would be a crowd pleaser with anysignificant chunk of the electorate? Maybe Barron's ACP?

When the next ad comes out on social security or no abortion even for child victims of incestuous rape, hopefully while people are still scratching their heads over this one, people will already be primed to think that this guy seems prone to some pretty out there ideas.

If the DSCC keeps supplying the attack ads, Bennet can do plenty of positives and warm fuzzies.  Looks to me like part of a good plan.

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by: BlueCat @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:49:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No problem! The RNC will just open up it's checkbook....

and start pouring all the money that Michael Steele raised into this election!

Oh, wait....  

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." Calvin Coolidge

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by: SSG_Dan @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 17:52:18 PM UTC

Doesn't matter.

The money is still there, just in other organizations. RGA, NRSC, SCF, 527's, etc.

"...energy shouldn't be in the market." - Aristotle

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by: bjwilson83 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 18:11:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh, Wait

The RGA isn't playing in Coloragd.  NRSC, well they have $20M less than DSCC.  As for the 527's, well remember it was the "four horsemen" here in Colorado who invented this.  Oh, and of course there's the huge amounts of money that Bennet has raised vs. Buck.  Don't suppose that will continue.  Seems to me that Dems will do just fine in Colorado.  And, besides, Meg Whitman in California is proving as we speak that you can spend too much on a political campaign.  Once you get past $5-7M here in Colorado, it's pretty much a waste anyway.  Money won't decide this thing.  Just keep believing your own BS, BJ.  

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by: Craig @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 19:12:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're right Craig.

We're broke. This should be an easy contest for Bennet. No need to worry.

"...energy shouldn't be in the market." - Aristotle

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by: bjwilson83 @ Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 22:09:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Who's worried?

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same.  Which one will it be?  --Joseph V. Paterno

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by: Ralphie @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 01:23:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Repeal the 17th - not such a dumb idea.

So I haven't posted here much, but here we go. I am Republican. I do not work on any campaign.

I don't think the repeal of the 17th Amendment (repeal of an amendment, NOT a rewrite of the Constitution) is so much an indication of distrust of the voters. But it allows the senator to NOT be accountable to the citizens -- not necessarily a bad thing. There were two distinct chambers on purpose - one representing the people, and the other representing the states. A good idea back in the day. Still a good idea today. When senators are not running for re-election and are therefore only accountable to the states, more pragmatic and better policy will result. Or at least the policies that simply pander to the public (e.g. pork barrel projects) will presumably be killed in the Senate at a higher rate.

And this is not to mention the role that special interests play in the election of senators. This influence would also be cut out in the upper chamber, or at least minimized. Dare I say that Romanoff could/should be a huge champion of repealing the 17th?

The Progressives played the largest role in passing the 17th Amendment, fueled by many states' inability to elect a senator due to split control in the legislature. There were instances of states going several years without a senator due to partisan deadlock. A better solution to this problem is to allow individual states the ability to reform their process for electing senators through the legislature. Rather than passing a one-size-fits-all constitutional amendment (though admittedly all but 2 (I think) states ratified the amendment eventually).

As a matter of policy, I don't think advocating for the repeal of the 17th Amendment is extreme or radical. At least having an honest debate could be productive. I've studied this issue a lot from the policy perspective. That might bore a lot of people on this site. I might put this debate in relation to another Progressive policy - direct democracy through citizen initiative. No matter left or right, we can agree that direct democracy has given our state some bad policies.

The point is that we do not live in a democracy, and we were never intended to be a democracy. Moving to a purer form of democracy isn't always a good idea if one actually thinks about the unintended consequences.

As a political matter, it's easy to paint this as some crazy, right-wing, radical idea.  Which is too bad. I also understand the possibility of repealing the 17th in my lifetime is zero. Which is also too bad.

Democrat Zell Miller - "The U.S. Senate has become just one big, bad, ongoing joke, held hostage by special interests and so impotent an eighteen wheeler truck loaded with Viagra would do no good. ... It is the special interest groups and their fundraising power that elect U.S. senators and then hold them in bondage forever. In the past five election cycles, senators have raised over $1.5 billion for their election contests, not counting all the soft money spent on their behalf in other ways. Few would believe it, but the daily business of the Senate is actually scheduled around fundraising. The 17th Amendment was the death of the careful balance between state and federal governments. As designed by that brilliant and very practical group of Founding Fathers, the two governments would be in competition with each other and neither could abuse or threaten the other. The election of U.S. senators by the state legislatures was the linchpin that guaranteed the interests of the states would be protected."

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by: hoovman @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 02:13:03 AM UTC

You had me

Until you referred to Zell Miller as a Democrat.

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same.  Which one will it be?  --Joseph V. Paterno

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by: Ralphie @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 02:29:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

HA

Yes, I figured some eyes would roll when I brought in Zell Miller. Oh well.

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by: hoovman @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 03:25:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It just moves where the money is spent

We would instead have all that money pumped in to state legislative races to buy the seat.

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

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by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 03:40:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

over the top...

...nice try, but this ad is gonna fall on deaf ears

I just don't see it inciting the scrutiny that the Dems are hoping it will - one well written press release from the Buck campaign will take the wind out of the sails on this one...

TABOR4LIFE

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by: Muhammad Ali Hasan @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 02:56:50 AM UTC

MAH - it is a great ad

Now Buck is up 49-40.
http://www.pollster.com/blogs/...

We already know Bennet bought his win - that ability to raise more money is part of why many in our party love him. -DavidThi808
Michael Bennet - ineffective, dishonest and immoral - Democrat for US Senate  

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by: H-man @ Wed Aug 25, 2010 at 17:23:17 PM UTC