September 17, 2009 02:45 AM UTC

Norton's Prominence Reinforced By Democratic Attacks

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• by: Colorado Pols

Westword’s Michael Roberts sees what they’re getting at:

How do you know that Jane Norton, who announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate yesterday, is the first Republican in the race feared by Democrats?

Because she’s already under attack by ProgressNow Colorado, the most effective and aggressive liberal-oriented media strike force in these parts. This week, multiple mailings impugning Norton have gone out under the signature of Michael Huttner, ProgressNow Colorado’s founder and the co-author of 50 Ways You Can Help Obama Change America, a book he’s so on fire to sell that he actually appeared on Fox News to promote it. First up: a demand for Norton to “explain her history in ‘government relations,'” which suggested that she might have disobeyed regulations by not registering as a lobbyist back in the ’90s. That was followed by not one but two requests that Norton sign the “‘Family Transparency Pledge’ rejecting trips, gifts, campaign donations and benefits from relatives who are lobbyists.”

Will future e-mails zero in on Ryan Frazier and Ken Buck, two other Republican senatorial hopefuls? Doubt it. Less than a day after declaring, Norton’s the clear frontrunner…

Norton herself is glad to spin all the attention, as the Denver Post reported this morning:

[Norton] shrugged off Democratic criticisms that she is a religious extremist who is compromised because of her previous lobbying efforts and multiple family members who lobby.

“I think there’s a saying that says dogs don’t bark at parked cars,” Norton said. “So, they (Democrats) must think our campaign has some steam if they’re taking swipes like that.”

Our view: if it weren’t for all the talk about the national Republican establishment muscling her through the primary, we would say she hasn’t lived up to all this undivided attention. We’re not impressed with her campaign launch so far, and apparently neither are many rank-and-file Republicans. Norton is definitely going to winnow the field of little leaguers and “Bikeathon Guy,” but we think it’s a mistake to declare the GOP primary over just yet.