Notable Links

Denver Internet Marketing by Parallel Path

Arvada Boutique Clothing Store Stella B's

Musgrave More Loyal Than Your Dog

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 09:26:34 AM MDT

UPDATE: Fort Collins Now political columnist Rebecca Boyle writes:

Democrats cheered the news Wednesday that Vice President Dick Cheney was in Colorado to raise money for U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, the Republican from Fort Morgan, who is in a fight for her political life in the 4th Congressional District.
Musgrave's opponent, Betsy Markey, made hay of the much-maligned veep's visit in a fundraising email, exhorting supporters to counter the money Cheney would raise.
"A single event with Dick Cheney will bring thousands of dollars into Marilyn Musgrave's campaign. Dollars that will most certainly be used to distort and attack both my record and positions on the issues in ways that may very well make Karl Rove blush. Dollars that will go towards making certain that the corrupt, status quo that has been present in Washington is maintained and strengthened," Markey wrote...
For their parts, the Colorado Democratic Party and ProgressNow Action highlighted the fact that taxpayers funded the trip, because Cheney traveled via Air Force Two.
Cheney is hardly the biggest boldface-name Republican to campaign for Musgrave. In 2004 and 2006, President Bush came to Greeley to campaign for her.
Colorado State University political science professor John Straayer, a longtime political observer, said the visit would help Musgrave in terms of money, but little else...

Probably not the kind of ranking you really want to have if you're a Republican candidate in 2008.

As The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports:

Since taking office in 2003, Musgrave has voted in accordance with White House wishes 84 percent of the time, compared to an average of 80 percent for all House Republicans during the Bush presidency that began in 2001, according to a study released last week by Congressional Quarterly.
The three-term Republican representative from Fort Morgan sided with her party on 97 percent of the most partisan votes during her tenure, above the 92 percent average for her fellow Republicans and 93 percent for Democrats.

Colorado Pols :: Musgrave More Loyal Than Your Dog

Tags: CO-4, marilyn musgrave, (All Tags)

Share this post:

Musgrave More Loyal Than Your Dog | 32 comments

Musgrave and Dog

Two words that, when placed side by side, look so right together.

by: redstateblues @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 15:28:27 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Most dogs...

are smarter, nicer, more pleasant to be around and would do a better job in congress than the Mad-Cow.

"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

by: Arvadonian @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 16:09:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

If dogs were in congress

They would just give earmarks to the cattle ranchers in the hopes of getting a tasty bone after we finish our steaks.

by: redstateblues @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 16:23:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

she's mangy and snarls at everyone

by: One Queer Dude @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 16:27:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Musgraves represents her constituency!

I lived in the 4th CD for seven years. You'd be surprised how conservative that district is... even the Democrats! (You folks really do need to get out into the rest of this state more often.)

Check out the map of the results of that part of the state for the last two presidential elections.

http://uselectionatlas.org/RES...

In 2004 and 2006, Democrats were so sure that they had the right candidate to topple Musgrave, but it never happened. I doubt it will this time either.

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:12:27 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Used to live in CD-4 too

You'd be surprised how conservative that district is... even the Democrats!

And that is so true. Everyone thinks EPC is rabidly conservative, and I think Weld is right up there too. But there are great moderate Democrats up there (like Jim Riesberg) and I honestly think Markey has a shot because she has a well-run campaign and she has the ability to appeal to the right-leaning CD-4 voters through her common-sense approach to the issues--she is a lot more likable than Angie Paccione (all apologies to Angie, who is a very nice woman.) It's going to be close though, just like in '06.

by: redstateblues @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:21:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

The farther south you go in the 4th CD,

the more conservative it becomes. You're not going to find any pick up trucks down there with Obama bumper stickers on them.

Both Betsey Markey and Marilyn Musgraves reside in the northern part of the district... where Democratic dreams are kindled. (They generally are snuffed out in the central and southern parts of the district.) But Musgrave holds the power of incumbency. With her predecessor, Bob Schaffer, also on the ballot, her chances of re-election are enhanced further.

This is a congressional district that voted overwhelmingly for Bush twice. It also hasn't elected a Democratic congressman since 1970. That congressman, Wayne Aspinall -- a conservative in his own right -- crossed party lines to endorse Gerald Ford over Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Even after their favorite son (Schaffer) lost the 2004 primary race to Pete Coors, the district went strongly for Coors over Ken Salazar.

No matter how you look at this district, it's a tough sell for any Democrat in most any race. I don't see Markey bucking the trend this year with the two Democratic candidates on the ticket above her.

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 18:29:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

This is a congressional district that voted overwhelmingly for Bush twice

my guess is, a few of them have since had second thoughts and would vote differently today.

by: One Queer Dude @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 19:22:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Having just been in Prowers County

I can say that you are dead wrong. Plenty of Obama stickers (even yard signs!) in Lamar.

Even saw a few in Burlington.

Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

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

by: ThillyWabbit @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 20:51:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Objects in your mirror may appear to be larger than you think

I seriously doubt what you saw is an indication of how the majority of that county will vote in November. Since 1960, Prowers County has only voted for a Democratic presidential candidate twice, 1964 (Lyndon Johnson) and 1976 (Jimmy Carter).

I don't think Barack Obama is going to sway that many of the "good ol' boys" down there to break the streak of seven previous presidential votes for the GOP candidate.

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 22:19:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

I agree

I was just responding to your contention that "You're not going to find any pick up trucks down there with Obama bumper stickers on them."

Because, in fact, I did.

Non impediti ratione cogitationis.

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

by: ThillyWabbit @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 22:58:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I understand and appreciate the update.

I was the Prowers County Republican chair from 1989-91. Although the county did vote for native son, Roy Romer, over John Andrews in the 1990 gubernatorial race, the common complaint was how much Roy had changed from his days in Holly.

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 23:52:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Nobody lives in southern CD4

Not one county in the south has a population of over 20K. And not only that, most of them have lost population since 2000.

Larimer and Weld are the big gorillas in this district with 276K and 236K people (Census estimate, 2006). And they're changing --- e.g., more than 50K new folks arrived in Weld between 2000-2006.

CD4 is likely still very conservative. But this is not your Daddy's CD4...

by: mr science @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 21:32:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Nor is it a Democratic leaning 4th CD

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 22:20:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

well, at least 46% of them based on her '06 finish

by: One Queer Dude @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:27:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

If Mad-Cow fits...

her constituency soooooo well, why couldn't she break 50% in '06 and why have her reelect numbers gone down each year that she's stood for re-election?

Granted, the district is conservative, but Musgrave is wildly unpopular in her own district. Schaffer consistently pulled in 55+% a feat that Musgrave only managed to do in her first election. Since then she slipped to 51% in '04 and 45% in '06.

The folks in the 4th may not be in favor of gay marriage, but they do not agree with Marilyn when she says that it is the most pressing issue facing our nation. She's a loon.

"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

by: Arvadonian @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:30:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Winning is all that counts

Well, Bill Clinton never broke 50% either (43% in 1992 and 49.2% in 1996), yet we're supposed to believe he was one of our best presidents ever.

Democrats haven't won this congressional district since 1970. They blew it in 1972, when they tossed their conservative incumbent, Wayne Aspinall,in the Democratic primary in favor of a "more moderate" candidate.

Do you see a trend here? Being conservative is a good thing in the 4th CD.

Nobody is perfect and nobody needs to be.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

by: DrewKerin @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 18:43:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Clinton...

never broke 50%, but he improved his electoral performance by 6% in 4 years whereas Musgrave decreased her electoral performance by 10% in the same amount of time.

The 4th is a Republican district...it was drawn to be one.

If Markey manages to send Mad Cow home in November, she will undoubtedly face an uphill climb in 2010. Markey could actually be doing a favor to Republicans by getting rid of an unpopular Republican who could be replaced by a "less offensive" one who would win reelection like clockwork.

"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

by: Arvadonian @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 19:55:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

If that's the case

you won't take issue when Musgrave's Conservative Creds are made an issue?

"Suddenly, it may be cool to be American again" - William J. Kole

by: Go Blue @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:32:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

As a native of northeastern Colorado

who still owns a farm in Phllips County, I've argued that same point many times, Drew. Hope you have more luck with it here than I do;-)

by: bob ewegen @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 18:51:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Hmmm. Interesting.

Musgrave's campaign manager, Jason Thielman, said these sorts of studies have little value because they lump together both significant and less-significant votes.

Good to know her voting record is of little value. I've lived in her district for 16 years and I'd be the first to agree--her voting record has held very little value for the vast majority of those of us she supposedly represents. :)

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

by: Middle of the Road @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 17:48:46 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

The obvious follow up to the campaign manager is:

Okay, let's follow your approach. If you take away the "less-significant" votes, what are the percentages you come up with?

Perhaps she's even MORE obviously Bush's Pink Poodle if you take away the occasionally "insignificant" vote where she can oppose her party or the President just to tout her "independence."

"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 @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 18:10:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

When's the shoe gonna drop?

Betsy's running a great campaign. She's sharp, tough, and most appealing as she's moderate. In short, she's a very viable candidate.

That said, CD4 is CD4. They vote red, usually without exception.

In '06, the "bankruptcy" scandal was all it took for these voters to go back to the fetal position with Musgrave, even though her platform was pathetic.

It's just beyond imagining that anything could move these people to the center.

The very idea that Betsy's 4-1 is remarkable. If she wins, it will be a real sign that the republican base is depressed and truly unmotivated. I just don't see it happening.

But............if the trend continues, and Betsy's still up mid sept., anything is possible. Real or made up, a scandal WILL hit. It'll be something that raises the ultra conservative cackles and brings out the "gays, guns, and God" reflex that always causes these panic stricken folks to angrily hit the "R" lever.

Couple it with the personhood measure and you've got this year's equivalent of 2004's "gay marraige" con.

by: rocco @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 19:01:18 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

The good news for Betsy

is she doesn't have a record to attack.
The bad news is...she doesn't have a record, period, of elective office.

by: bob ewegen @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 19:04:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

True enough

Bob, your approach to politics is impressive. While conservative, you seem, in my opinion, to actually try to be fair, reasonable, and honest.

I'm old enough to remember the "Eisenhower Republicans". I miss those days and that style. Your posts remind me of a better way to advocate for your party.

Thanks. We can all learn from your approach.

by: rocco @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 19:24:42 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Thanks for the kind words, Rocco.

I long ago learned neither party has a monopoly on wisdom nor, sadly, on folly.

by: bob ewegen @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 21:06:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

Is Robert Becker available?

If so, Betsy should hire him - immediately.

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

by: DavidThi808 @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 20:43:27 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

VERY....

good point.

"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

by: Arvadonian @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 20:57:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.

even if he's still Jared's campaign manager.....

...that probably turns into a part-time job at this stage

by: One Queer Dude @ Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 22:06:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

by: you @ soon

To post this comment click here:

Otherwise click cancel.