Monday Open Thread

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Paccione Raises $295,000

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Click below for the full press release...

State Rep. Angie Paccione has kicked her campaign for Congress into high gear with approximately $295,000 in the second quarter of this year, bringing her campaign total to approximately $695,000.

“This is a significant step for our campaign,� Paccione said. “We’re right where we need to be.�

The figures reveal strong local grassroots support for the campaign. Ninety percent of donors came from Colorado, and 87 percent of donors gave less than $100 apiece.

Combined with recent polling numbers showing Paccione and Marilyn Musgrave in a virtual tie—and that 51 percent of Colorado’s Fourth District voters want someone new to represent them in Congress, while only 34 percent would re-elect Musgrave—the second-quarter figures signal an invigorating race to come.

“This shows that the people of Colorado are hungry for change, and we’re going to give it to them,â€� Paccione said. “We’re in it to win it. It’s time for real leadership for a change.â€�Â

Last Day to Register for Primary

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Today is the last day to register to vote in the August 8 primary.

Colorado Pols Changes Coming

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Republicans Scrambling to Recover in Special Session

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

The Senate gave initial approval to a Democratic measure that would ban government services to illegal immigrants beginning Aug. 1. Democrats said their proposal, if signed into law, would be the toughest in the nation and does far more to crack down on illegal immigration than a thwarted GOP-backed ballot measure that led to the special session.

But Republicans dismissed House Bill 1023 as a do-nothing measure, and said they still believe voters should have a say on the issue in November. "It's a dereliction of duty to come up with something short of a ballot measure," said Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins.

Even Governor Owens is getting in his share of contradictions. He called HB-1023 a "do-nothing" piece of legislation, which is exactly what critics said of the ballot measure he favors. As Square State rightly points out, Owens is sounding more than a little hypocritical here.

Democrats are making Republicans look silly, and the GOP is only helping the cause by barking about...nothing. They'd be better off trying to claim credit for making Democrats address the issue further in a special session, but instead they're intent on jumping up and down and throwing a tantrum because things didn't go their political way. That's not going to help them in November.

Greatest...Press Release...Ever

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

You are invited to see the original pioneer cabin, a  Post Office designated on July 24, 1876 by Congress.

State of Colorado Fish Commissioner OfficeÂ

Home of Denver's first elected official and Colorado's finest resort Open Houses Â
Noon- 4PMÂ Sunday, July 23Â
Monday, July 24Â
6 miles west of Evergreen on Upper Bear Creek Road to Diamond Drive 303-679-6689
303-825-7570

Please Join Us

John P. Fiorino, ownerÂ
Paul N. Fiorino, mayor
McFeeder's Realty, agent

BROOKVALE, COLORADO

"try, try again" mottoÂ
-W.E. Sistry,

Newest Advertiser

by: Colorado Pols

Sun Jul 09, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

For advertising inquiries, contact ads@coloradopols.com. Our rates are reasonable, and an ad here definitely gets people talking.

Weekend Open Thread

by: Colorado Pols

Fri Jul 07, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Friday Open Thread

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jul 06, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Salazar Will Support Lieberman

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jul 06, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Sen. Ken Salazar is risking the ire of some fellow Democrats by pledging to support incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman, of Connecticut, in November's election whether or not he wins the Democratic primary. Lieberman, a centrist and stalwart supporter of the war in Iraq, is facing a serious challenge from anti-war candidate Ned Lamont in the Aug. 8 Democratic primary.

Last week, Lieberman announced he was circulating petitions to run on the ballot as an independent even if he loses the Democratic primary. Liberal activists have been trying to pressure national Democrats to support the winner of the primary, even if it is not the incumbent. This week, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., said she would not back Lieberman if he loses the primary.

But Salazar said Wednesday that he is in Lieberman's camp and that he will support him in an independent bid if he loses the Democratic primary. "I will support Joe Lieberman for the primary and beyond the primary," Salazar said. "I appreciate his strong stance of independence. We need more senators like Joe Lieberman."

Salazar plans to campaign with Lieberman July 30 in Connecticut. Salazar and Lieberman were part of a bipartisan "gang of 14" senators who played a role in ending the flap over judicial filibusters, and they've formed another "gang" focused on ways of promoting energy independence.

?

Baisley Still Mad About...Um...Whatever

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jul 06, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Former Senate District 30 Chairman and candidate for Colorado Senate District 30, Mark Baisley (R-Douglas County), today asked Ted Harvey, his primary opponent for the open Senate seat in SD 30, to explain to voters what Harvey did with the money that he improperly raised via the internet. Several weeks ago, Harvey was using scare tactics to solicit funds from pro life advocates outside of the state by using the internet to say that Harvey was in a contested race against pro life millionaires that wanted to punish Ted for his strong pro life stand. This is untrue. His opponent, Mark Baisley, is a strong pro life conservative with broad support in pro life movement because of his well-reasoned positions and his intellectual commitment to pro life philosophy.?

In another matter, Baisley defended Harvey?s slip of the tongue yesterday when Harvey called Democrat candidate Bill Ritter ?Gov. Ritter? during a press conference held at the capitol.

?Anyone can make an honest mistake when they are nervous in front of so many people,? said Baisley. ?Even people who are well-spoken can. Slips of the tongue can make for funny headlines and I?m sure Ted?s embarrassed by it. But I?m not interested in honest, well-meant mistakes.?

?

Former Senate District 30 Chairman and candidate for Colorado Senate District 30, Mark Baisley (R-Douglas County), today asked Ted Harvey, his primary opponent for the open Senate seat in SD 30, to explain to voters what Harvey did with the money that he improperly raised via the internet. Several weeks ago, Harvey was using scare tactics to solicit funds from pro life advocates outside of the state by using the internet to say that Harvey was in a contested race against pro life millionaires that wanted to punish Ted for his strong pro life stand. This is untrue. His opponent, Mark Baisley, is a strong pro life conservative with broad support in pro life movement because of his well-reasoned positions and his intellectual commitment to pro life philosophy.

Harvey went on record June 23rd saying he would not correct his website. ?I?m not going to change it or the link that leads to it,? Harvey vowed regarding his site in a story published in the Colorado Statesman (for a copy of the story go to coloradostatesman.com). Several days later, under pressure from pro life leaders around Colorado, Harvey removed the page from his site, along with the link.

?I congratulate Ted for finally taking partial responsibility for his actions,? said Mark Baisley. ?However, he?s not taken full responsibility yet. He needs to return the money to the donors or donate it to Colorado Right to Life or another pro life charity. It is money that can better spent on doing the real work that the pro life movement was called to do.?

On the week of the 23rd of June pro life leaders expressed regret that Harvey had made such a misstep while representing the pro life movement. ?As a fundraising ploy, it?s heartbreaking,? said Pat Miller former head of Citizens for Responsible Government, one of the most active pro life organizations in the state.

Phillip Hendrix, a long-time Christian activist from Douglas County, agreed: ?The pro-life movement doesn?t need politicians that pander to us rather than propose real solutions to the problems we face on life issues. We would be better served if our elected officials would show some measure of wisdom, morality and courage.?

Beginning on the 17th of June, Harvey raised a total of around $1100 from 17 out-of-state donors through the reporting period that ended the 28th of June. ?I think for Ted personally, the best thing he could do, would be to return the money. If he does so, I will drop the whole issue. But if he decides to not listen to my advice and the advice that I know even his supporters have given him, I think his position in this matter will just get worse,? said Baisley.

In another matter, Baisley defended Harvey?s slip of the tongue yesterday when Harvey called Democrat candidate Bill Ritter ?Gov. Ritter? during a press conference held at the capitol.

?Anyone can make an honest mistake when they are nervous in front of so many people,? said Baisley. ?Even people who are well-spoken can. Slips of the tongue can make for funny headlines and I?m sure Ted?s embarrassed by it. But I?m not interested in honest, well-meant mistakes.?

Looking Ahead to CD-7 Stretch Run

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jul 06, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

With one month to go until the primary to decide which Democrat will emerge in CD-7, which is widely considered the most competitive seat in the country, we?re starting to get a good look at the likely scenarios.

Rahm Emanuel, chair of the DCCC, has apparently told colleagues and representatives from several PACs that Peggy Lamm is the clear favorite to win the primary unless Ed Perlmutter can turn his campaign around quickly ? as in, a couple of days, not a couple of weeks. Several internal polls continue to show Lamm ahead.

But it?s not over yet. First, the good news for Perlmutter: His campaign says that they raised about $300,000 in Q2, leaving them with $515,000 cash on hand. Perlmutter has already paid for about $500,000 in TV time, and with an expected blitz of support from a 527 committee, he has the juice to get his message out to the voters.

The problem for Perlmutter could be that he waited too long. We?re hearing a lot of chatter, both locally and nationally, wondering what?s taking the Perlmutter campaign so long to get moving.

Perlmutter?s camp has sent out a few pedestrian mail pieces, while Lamm?s campaign has dropped a few strong attack pieces that have effectively painted Perlmutter as being in bed with the oil & gas lobby ? and team Perlmutter hasn?t done much to refute it. In fact, Perlmutter has done little to define a message at all. Lamm is painting herself as the tough Democrat who is a better choice than the oil & gas connected Perlmutter, while Herb Rubenstein is taking over the left of the debate with his Iraq withdrawal message (and going on network and cable TV today to get that message across). Meanwhile, the only consistent message Perlmutter has gotten out is to tell people that he has lived in the district for 25 years ? something the average voter doesn?t care about (political insiders may care, but average voters do not).

Lamm has had the momentum in the race for the last month, and normally the campaign that has the momentum heading into the final weeks ends up winning the race; it takes a long time to swing momentum back in your favor, and Perlmutter hasn?t been trying to do that yet.

Lamm is still the candidate with the momentum, she?s raising more money than she ever has (which is another sign that donors are recognizing the changing winds), and EMILYs List is reportedly set to do a $375,000 independent expenditure on her behalf.

Rubenstein is now the candidate with the buzz because of his TV commercial. He doesn?t look to have the resources to extend his message, but how many easy votes is he picking up now?

Meanwhile, Perlmutter has the campaign that is telling people, ?Just wait until?? Until what? The election is in four weeks.

The reason you can?t wait this long to move is because mail-in ballots are already on their way. More than half of voters in CD-7 may have already cast their ballots by the time August 8 rolls around. It takes a good week of TV advertising to really start seeing a message come across and attracting voters, and even if you are swaying voters, many of them probably already voted. Perlmutter may very well be able to take over the airwaves soon, but it may not matter. It may be too late.

This time last year, Perlmutter was being called the overwhelming favorite by Emanuel. It was his race to lose, and despite Lamm?s momentum and lead in the polls, it?s probably still his race to lose because he has the resources to turn it around. But that?s only if something significant happens, and soon. Sometimes the candidates who should win don?t win, and that may be what happens in CD-7.

Predicting the Primaries

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jul 06, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

?

Thursday Open Thread

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Beauprez Fundraising Numbers Out

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Bob Beauprez (R)
$149,158 raised in June
$837,509 cash on hand

Bill Ritter (D)
$360,000 raised in June
$n/a cash on hand

Attorney General Fundraising Numbers

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

John Suthers (R)
$21,425 raised in June
$217,362 cash on hand

Fern O'Brien (D)
$14,430 raised in June
$8,221 cash on hand

Legislative Races Fundraising

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

 
1. Betty Boyd and Matt Knoedler are both raising a lot of money in SD-21, which should be the top Senate race.

 
2. Democrat Moe Keller has a 5-to-1 money lead over Republican Dick Sargent in SD-20.

 
3. Republican Kiki Traylor is raising significantly more money than her two Republican opponents in SD-22.

 
4. Democrat Gail Schwartz has nearly $90,000 cash on hand, NINE times more than Republican Lew Entz in SD-5.

 
5. Democrat Lois Tochtrop has almost four times the cash on hand as fellow Dem Val Vigil in SD-24.

 
6. Republican Dave Lewis has $33.70 cash on hand in SD-32. Yes, you read that right. Lewis has no shot at winning that seat, so this isn't a big deal, but it's still funny to see a report like that.

 
1. Neither Republican in HD-23 is raising much money for the right to take on incumbent Democrat Gwyn Green.

 
2. Republican Affie Ellis outraising incumbent Democrat Debbie Benefield.

 
3. Republican Dave Owen not raising as much money as you might think for somebody who has been in the legislature for the last, oh, 75 years. Democrat Jim Riesberg has a healthy lead right now.

Top 3 Targeted House Races
?

HD-23 Gwyn Green (D) $11,335 raised in June $16,816 cash on hand Ramey Johnson (R) $2,200 raised in June $6,684 cash on hand Pat Holloway (R) $1,775raised in June $8,908 cash on hand

HD-29 Debbie Benefield (D) $13,425 raised in June $11,000 cash on hand Affie Ellis (R) $3,680 raised in June $18,000 cash on hand

HD-50 Jim Riesberg (D) $10,360 raised in June $25,170 cash on hand Dave Owen (R) $525 raised in June $11,325 cash on hand

Other Top House Races

HD-56 Dan Gibbs (D) $5,000 raised in June $11,000 cash on hand Ken Chlouber (R) $9,000 raised in June $15,000 cash on hand

HD-18 Michael Merrifield (D) $12,690 raised in June $25,000 cash on hand Kyle Fisk (R) $1,369 raised in June $10,045 cash on hand

HD-55 Bernie Buescher (D) $6,100 raised in June $45,000 cash on hand Bob Caskey (R) $1,880 raised in June $2,646 cash on hand

HD-26 Andy Kerr (D) $19,575 raised in June $18,345 cash on hand Glenn Rhoades (R) $150 raised in June -$123 cash on hand

HD-27 Bill Crane (R) $2,525 raised in June $4,904 cash on hand Sara Gagliardi (D) $6,930 raised in June $14,416 cash on hand

HD-13 Jim Rettew (D) $660 raised in June $8,402 cash on hand Claire Levy (D) $3,597 raised in June $4,077 cash on hand

?

HD-1 Alfredo Hernandez (D) $2,990 raised in June $8,694 cash on hand Jeanne Labuda (D) $1,685 raised in June $2,857 cash on hand Aimee Rathburn (R) $3,435 raised in June $11,995 cash on hand

HD-38 Joe Rice (D) $9,443 raised in June $11,267 cash on hand Candy Figa (R) $425 raised in June $8,675 cash on hand Matt Dunn (R) $8,080 raised in June $9,695 cash on hand

Top Senate Races

SD-21 Betty Boyd (D) $13,625 raised in June $35,381 cash on hand Matt Knoedler (R) $10,245 raised in June $21,878 cash on hand

SD-20 Moe Keller (D) $25,210 raised in June $54,301 cash on hand Dick Sargent (R) $6,360 raised in June $11,754 cash on hand

SD-22 Kiki Traylor (R) $24,740 raised in June $32,867 cash on hand Mike Kopp (R) $8,488 raised in June $16,118 cash on hand Justin Everett (R) $501 raised in June $9,306 cash on hand Paula Noonan (D) $7,000 raised in June $6,586 cash on hand

Other Senate Races to Watch

SD-24 Val Vigil (D) $5,945 raised in June $6,096 cash on hand Lois Tochtrop (D) $9,815 raised in June $22,538 cash on hand Luis Alvarez (R) $710 raised in June $3,464 cash on hand

SD-32 Chris Romer (D) $32,247 raised in June $54,609 cash on hand Jennifer Mello (D) $4,680 raised in June $29,044 cash on hand Fran Coleman (D) $23,888 raised in June $12,264 cash on hand Dave Lewis (R) $19.25 raised in June $33.70 cash on hand

SD-5 Lew Entz (R) $6,850 raised in June $13,000 cash on hand Gail Schwartz (D) $20,000 raised in June $90,000 cash on hand

?

SD-7 Matt Smith (R) $2,970 raised in June $22,495 cash on hand Josh Penry (R) $5,335 raised in June $28,979 cash on hand Dana Barker (D) $830 raised in June $810 cash on hand

Rubenstein Goes on TV

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

O'Donnell Raises $305,000

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Click below for the awkwardly-written press release...

The campaign of Rick O'Donnell announced today that it has raised more than $1.2 million for Rick's campaign to win Colorado's 7th Congressional District.

"We are thankful for our many generous donors," said campaign manager K.C. Jones. "People are excited to support Rick because he is full of new ideas and energy to solve the problems in Washington and with his experience as a reformer in Colorado, they know he will get things done."

The campaign will report to the Federal Election Commission that in the second quarter of 2006, it raised $305,000, making it its most successful quarter of fundraising to date. For this election cycle, the campaign has raised a total of $1,245,000. As of June 30, 2006, the campaign had cash on hand of $859,000.

The Republican candidate for the 7th Congressional District, Rick is a native and life long resident of Jefferson County. He served nearly eight years in the Cabinet of Governor Bill Owens working to reform public schools, higher education, health care and transportation.

Lamm Raises $243,000 in Q2

by: Colorado Pols

Wed Jul 05, 2006 at 23:00:00 PM MDT

Peggy Lamm today announced her campaign has raised $243,000 for the second fundraising quarter of 2006.? This number reflects the highest fundraising quarter total for Lamm during her run for the 7th Congressional District. Recent polling shows Lamm is the candidate to beat in the August 8th Democratic Primary. This polling is consistent with four other polls made public this year.

?People are looking for a change in Washington,? said Lamm. ?That means someone who has the guts and spine to stand up to the special interests and bring a backbone to Congress. The voters are looking for someone who won?t sell them out or give favors to big oil and developers.? They?re looking for someone like me who has a record of standing up for people on the issues that matter to them.?

Lamm?s FEC report for the period ending June 30 shows that her campaign raised $243,000. To date Lamm has raised $650,000 in her pursuit of the open 7th Congressional District seat. This shows an upward trend in fundraising for the Lamm campaign and is obviously tied to the momentum Lamm is seeing from the people of the 7th Congressional District.

It is obvious that Lamm?s message of bringing change to Washington is resonating with voters.

?I want to go to Washington to make sure everyone?s voice is heard, not just the corporate special interests,? said Lamm. ?I will stand up and fight for the people of Colorado as their next Representative.?