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Stone Barnstorms Colorado Seeking Wadhams Upset

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 08:23:05 AM MDT

As the Vail Daily reports:

Former Eagle County commissioner Tom Stone was not messing around when he decided to make a run at upending Dick Wadhams for the Colorado Republican Party Chair.
Since the former Eagle County Commissioner announced late last month that he was running, he's stayed busy stumping for votes, which will be cast by some 500 members of the Colorado Central Committee on March 21...
"Every day from about six in the morning 'til about eleven-thirty at night, I've been on the phone or on the roads constantly since I announced I was running," Stone said.
So far, the Gypsum resident has made trips to several Front Range communities to talk to members of the Central Committee, and Stone says the response has been positive so far.
"People are excited that they have a choice finally," he said. "People appreciate the work Dick (Wadhams) has done. But they're looking for a positive change for the future and many people are happy I'm offering that to them."
Stone is basing his campaign on creating change within the party by taking advantage of the Internet and social networking sites, stepping up fundraising efforts and trying to lure in a new generation of voters. The immediate goal, he said, is for the Republican party to start winning in Colorado again.
Stone will continue his tour of the state's 64 counties until the very end...

While we're still not sure that Stone has a viable shot at taking out current chairman Dick Wadhams (though discussion we overhear is shifting from "impossible" to "possible but unlikely," the right direction for Stone), but you have to admire the energetic way he is campaigning for the job. Heck, we don't even think Wadhams' charge last year, failed Senate candidate Bob Schaffer, made it to all 64 counties.

We also love the irony here about Stone taking advantage of the Internet and new media sources to get the word out. It was Wadhams who was ahead of the curve in using blogs to his advantage when he took out Sen. Tom Daschle in South Dakota a few years back. How times have changed.

A poll follows: is Stone getting any traction? We know a lot of disgruntled Republicans who not-so-quietly hope so every time Wadhams is out of earshot, but this is about 500 insiders--not the rank and file and their pesky aspirations.

Colorado Pols :: Stone Barnstorms Colorado Seeking Wadhams Upset

Poll

Does Tom Stone a chance at unseating Dick Wadhams?

Yes, a better chance than anybody thinks
Possibly, better odds now than a few weeks ago
Unsure, Wadhams may be scum but who is Stone?
Doubtful, Wadhams crushed dissent in December
No way, Wadhams will lead the party back to glory

Results

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Stone Barnstorms Colorado Seeking Wadhams Upset | 10 comments

Who is he talking to?

I know a couple of the bonus members here in EPC, and none of them has talked to him. Since EPC has one of the larger delegations, you'd think he'd be talking to them.

But as of now, not so much.

by: Haners @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 14:55:42 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Stone is taking a note from Pat Waak

It was her 64 county plan that really gave the Dems a leg up in 2008.

If it works, then implement it. Wadhams doesn't get that.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

by: redstateblues @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 16:03:50 PM CDT

by: you @ soon

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fer-real?

redstateblues, you know I love you always, except when I don't, but you have really thrown me with this latest comment of yours. Do you really believe Waak had jack-all to do with Dems' statewide success in 2008? Or any other year for that matter?! I beg to differ (and I hate to beg!)

by: Jambalaya @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 18:10:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It gave us a presence in all 64 counties

I'm not saying that it was the main reason, or even a major ancillary reason, but it's obvious that when Tom Stone is bragging about "all 64 counties" he got that from her.

If the party chair has nothing to do with the successes or failures of their party, then why the big hullaballoo over their election?

I'm not saying she's the Crown Jewel or something. I'm just saying the 64 county strategy gave Dems a presence in counties where, traditionally, they would have laughed about opening offices. It was a good idea, and she does deserve credit.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

by: redstateblues @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 18:17:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

ding, ding, ding...

If the party chair has nothing to do with the successes or failures of their party, then why the big hullaballoo over their election?

You hit the nail on the head! In my view, the hullaballoo is mostly unjustified...at least, where the party has elected officials in important, statewide offices. Wadhams is more noteworthy because he's all the pubs got right now. I don't believe the pubs' party chair got nearly the attention in the years when the 'pubs were in power (people looked to Owens, Campbell, etc). Since the Dems have been in power, no one, not even other Dems, care much about what the party chair thinks. The real leaders of the party are people like Salazar, Ritter, Udall, Hickenlooper. Waak is hardly known outside of Denver and is simply someone who plans JJ dinners and whatnot.

Yes, I'm overstating Waak's irrelevance, but not by much in my view. So, if what you meant was that she was not a major factor in anything, I agree with you! See, I knew that we would agree always and forever.

by: Jambalaya @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 18:34:04 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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Good points

Love ya Jamby.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

by: redstateblues @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 18:39:25 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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I expect that others disagree with my wisdom

and I know just where to file their disagreements!

by: Jambalaya @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 18:47:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let them disagree

I don't see how you're wrong. Pat's a nice lady, but you're right that the duties of party chair are significantly less when you're the one in power.

"Nice driveby spin" -- Libertad

"This site is filled simpletons..." -- JO

by: redstateblues @ Fri Mar 13, 2009 at 01:33:16 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think Pat does one very important thing

She gets all of the major powers in the Democratic party to place nice with each other. Usually there is a lot of infighting within the party, especially for us Dems. Here in Colorado - no drama. I think she deserves a lot of the credit for that.

Amazon tax? Bad Idea!

by: DavidThi808 @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 20:20:03 PM CDT

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by: you @ soon

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interesting that you believe the "majors powers in the Democratic party"...

...care a whit about what she thinks.

by: Jambalaya @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 20:24:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]