November 03, 2009 10:07 AM UTC

The Adams County Democrats Chili Cook Off

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• by: Ray Springfield

A very strong group of Democrats met at the Pipefitters’ Union Hall on Sunday November 1st.

US Senator Bennet, US Congressional Representatives Perlmutter and Polis, Lt.Governor Barbara O’Brien and former Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff headlined a fun event in which notables such as State Senator Pat Steadman, and State Representatives Ed Casso and Judy Solano, along with Democratic National Committee member Manny Rodriguez entered into a dual of the chili to raise money for the Adams County Democratic Party. A very talented group of comedians/busters entertained the crowd while the eating took place.

Unity appeared the topic of the evening. Rep Ed Perlmutter clearly defined the challenge we face to fight off an aggressive GOP challenge to our majorities, and the legislative agenda brought to us by President Obama’s election victory one election day previously..  We must all remember the zeal and effort it took to win last year’s victory. We cannot permit our agenda, nor our generations’ legacy be distorted by the GOP. Rep. Perlmutter has lead in financial regulatory reform, Health Care,  and bringing the construction of the new regional  VA hospital to Aurora

Speaker Romanoff gave a fine speech about his dedication and commitment to representing our state. Certainly his record indicates that he has done much heavy lifting in transforming our state from red to blue.  He also clearly feels that the Democratic Party must be bold in using the majorities that we have. History will not treat this generation well if we fail to meet the challenges presented by poverty.

Sen.Bennet entered coming directly from Colorado Springs Fort Carson after speaking with relatives of slain US serviceman in Afghanistan. Our country must insure that that the highest sacrifice of our soldiers merits responsible policy that seeks to protect the American public while additionally seeking to stabilize a region torn asunder.   He reiterated that our efforts must and will keep this Senate seat in Democratic hands. He informed the crowd that a Health Care Bill with a public option would clear Congress, and that the regulatory reforms for the financial sector, immigration, education and  a climate change bill (with emphasis on  a new energy economy that can lift not just our state, but our nation and the world forward), would receive attention in 2010.

Lt Governor Barbara O’Brien reinforced that we must work to continue our efforts to insure that Colorado seeks to not only meet the challenges we have in our state with mandated fiscal responsibility, but to earnestly work to maintain the leadership at the state level that Governor Ritter’s administration has shown in making Colorado the hub of the nation’s new energy economy.

Clearly with Democrats uniting and working together in Colorado we can and will deliver in transforming our state and nation. We are lucky to have such talented representation. Special thanks go out to Adams’ County Democrats for sponsoring a very positive event. To all the people that made this possible that  I have not mentioned, I apologize. I had a very full stomach. .Bob Trucker 1st Vice Chair, and Ann Ragsdale made me feel especially welcome.    

By the way,State Rep. Ed Casso’s  chili defeated all comers, over the clearly challenging US Rep. Perlmutter’s good humored objections.