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Gessler Backing Down?

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 10:53:01 AM MST

In a Denver newspaper story today by reporter Tim Hoover, embattled Secretary of State Scott Gessler appears to be giving in to the firestorm of criticism that erupted late last week, following his announcement that he intended to continue working part-time at his former law firm.

Gessler's firm, the Hackstaff Law Group (previously Hackstaff Gessler) has a reputation as one of the most politically connected--and toxic--law firms in the state. While Gessler has asserted that he would not take on cases that pertain to any of the far-reaching responsibilities of the Secretary of State, we have yet to see a qualified observer agree that is practicable, or even verifiable. Moreover, as we discussed yesterday, that pervasive role in Colorado business makes it very difficult to imagine any employment for Secretary Gessler with a company doing business in Colorado where a conflict of interest would not at some point arise.

Well, according to Hoover, Gessler says today he would be willing to make a "full disclosure" of clients he represented on the side--while acknowledging that this may well make him unsuitable for the job from the perspective of those clients. Gessler says flat-out that he "may not be able to do this" now, and says if that's the choice he's faced with he'll choose Secretary of State. It's quite clear from the read of this article that the criticism of his decision--from partisan, bipartisan, and nonpartisan quarters alike--has tamped down his bravado from the initial coverage.

Which probably has something to do with the growing weight of negative coverage--today's Denver newspaper has an editorial blasting Gessler, as well as a devastatingly funny column from Mike Littwin. The Grand Junction Sentinel (paywalled) also pans Gessler's "disturbing" decision.

It's beginning to look like Gessler will pull back from the brink, before this becomes something even worse than the enormous credibility hit for him it is presently. It's not the way to introduce yourself ten days after taking office. Before fellow Republicans get too excited about all the wonderful ways Gessler can "help" them Gigi Dennis-style, they might want to consider the possibility that Gessler will bumble the whole thing into a self-inflicted earned media nightmare.

Because this is about as politically clueless as it gets.

Colorado Pols :: Gessler Backing Down?

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Gessler Backing Down? | 20 comments

Here's a readable link to GJ Sentinel's editorial.

Very well written and quite succinct about their reservations over this.

I'd like to see Gessler choose not to work for his firm at all. If he goes that route, I'll be thrilled. If he doesn't, I'll be worried for the next four years.

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

by: Middle of the Road @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 17:57:49 PM UTC

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I'm worried regardless

The fact that he thinks this is ok and thought it would fly speaks very poorly to his judgement.

No trees were destroyed in the posting of this comment. But a large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

by: DavidThi808 @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 18:13:33 PM UTC

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+ 1

Will ArapaGOP rescind his factually incorrect assertion regarding Rep. Coram and his son?

by: Aristotle @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 18:30:20 PM UTC

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Precisely David.

This whole episode doesn't bode well for the future, even if he backs down.

by: Republican 36 @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 18:43:26 PM UTC

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Yes, so I am.

But I'm not going to lie--I would be overjoyed if he backed off of working for his firm and stuck to the job he was hired to do.

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

by: Middle of the Road @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 19:12:48 PM UTC

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I don't see Gessler as backing down at all

rather, I see him building a case to try and get a favorable ruling from the AG.

This is serious, you commie dolt --davebarnes, 2012.

by: Ralphie @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 18:31:17 PM UTC

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That would be his MO.

If you're not upset, you haven't been paying attention. Mike Littwin

by: Ellie @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 21:16:34 PM UTC

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I like this even less if he backs down!

Now he's not only clueless, but spineless. A good villain has at least some genuine entertainment value. A bumbling clown who WANTS to be a villain? Yawn.

There once was a speaker named Frank
Asked to vote his conscience, he drew a blank
Bet it all to kill just one bill
Now, here's the word on the Hill:
This fall, Dems have the House in the tank.

by: ProgressiveCowgirl @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 19:01:10 PM UTC

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I am glad he appears to be bowing to reason

but am still disturbed that it took universal condemnation to bring that about.

I said this election night and I'm saying it again: It's gonna be a long 4 years!

Retirement in action does not equal retirement of beliefs.

by: Dan Willis @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 19:03:42 PM UTC

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Hackstaff? You're joking right???

by: RavenDawg @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 19:33:21 PM UTC

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Treasurer Walker Stapleton

also has a second gig, consulting for the publicly traded company he lead for up to $150K a year, as i reported at Politics Daily yesterday.

See my work at She the People

by: sandra fish @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 20:08:34 PM UTC

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In Stapleton's defense (shudder),

his company doesn't deal in CO. Gessler's possible conflict and Stapleton's aren't the same.

ColoradoPols - A nice place where a slur is more offensive than the needless and random politicization of a minor's rape.

by: droll @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 20:31:27 PM UTC

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That's good, but...

... what is up with people running for full time public jobs, where the salary is well known to be less than what they can make in the private sector, continuing to work in the private sector?

Will ArapaGOP rescind his factually incorrect assertion regarding Rep. Coram and his son?

by: Aristotle @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 20:43:01 PM UTC

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I don't get that either.

Or, in Stapleton's case, why you'd abandon your company that apparently can't live without you. Responsibility and planning the GOP way!

ColoradoPols - A nice place where a slur is more offensive than the needless and random politicization of a minor's rape.

by: droll @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 20:54:17 PM UTC

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I thought the strangest bit

reported by Sandra was that Stapleton has the potential to make $150,000 working for his old company in a "consulting" position--chicken scratch compared to the $490,000 he made last year though. But what was interesting was that his father, who will be taking over Stapleton's duties as CEO, will be making $60,000. That's less than Stapleton's salary as State Treasurer.

by: redstateblues @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 21:16:46 PM UTC

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Jobs are good.

Two jobs can be better.
i have six W2's from 2010 (and a 1099 or two) - and I would prefer all were larger, but do not want to give up any of them.

by: MADCO @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 02:47:07 AM UTC

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INOKEIYAR n/t

The senator's remark "was not intended to be a factual statement" - Senator Jon Kyl's mortified press staff.

by: coloradowahine @ Tue Jan 25, 2011 at 21:13:17 PM UTC

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Bah

If Gessler decides that having his named dragged through the mud by Progress Now and the evil Denvah Post is more costly than finding a nice teaching gig, I respect that.

But let's be clear about what this is. It's a smear campaign based on theories and suppositions. And you're really just upset that you lost the election.

"This was a dumb, dumb move by the Dems" - Aristotle

by: ArapaGOP @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 00:07:23 AM UTC

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OK that settles it

Between you and LB, ProgressNow is the talking point of the day.

I see the strategy here. Deflect. Don't talk about Gessler's lack of ethics, kill the messenger instead.

You think it's a smear. Fine. Defend Gessler. I dare you. Just as I dared you in another thread.

Let's hear your defense.

This is serious, you commie dolt --davebarnes, 2012.

by: Ralphie @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 01:12:51 AM UTC

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Who cares if he has another job?

The only issues are whether the "other" job is a) a conflict and 2) becomes the first job and his elected office becomes the "other."

He should practice law - just not the kind of law where the SOS would have jurisdiction.

Can you imagine if Erin Toll had become a real estate broker or a mortgage broker while she was the Director of the Division of real Estate? Or how about if the Insurance Commissioner started his own insurance provider?

I know- let's appoint the SOS to run Pinnacol.

by: MADCO @ Wed Jan 26, 2011 at 02:51:35 AM UTC

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Gessler Backing Down? | 20 comments