President (To Win Colorado)
See Full Big Line
(D) Kamala Harris
(R) Donald Trump
80%
20%
CO-01 (Denver)
See Full Big Line
(D) Diana DeGette*
(R) V. Archuleta
98%
2%
CO-02 (Boulder-ish)
See Full Big Line
(D) Joe Neguse*
(R) Marshall Dawson
95%
5%
CO-03 (West & Southern CO)
See Full Big Line
(D) Adam Frisch
(R) Jeff Hurd
50%
50%
CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado)
See Full Big Line
(R) Lauren Boebert
(D) Trisha Calvarese
90%
10%
CO-05 (Colorado Springs)
See Full Big Line
(R) Jeff Crank
(D) River Gassen
80%
20%
CO-06 (Aurora)
See Full Big Line
(D) Jason Crow*
(R) John Fabbricatore
90%
10%
CO-07 (Jefferson County)
See Full Big Line
(D) B. Pettersen
(R) Sergei Matveyuk
90%
10%
CO-08 (Northern Colo.)
See Full Big Line
(D) Yadira Caraveo
(R) Gabe Evans
70%↑
30%
State Senate Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
80%
20%
State House Majority
See Full Big Line
DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
95%
5%
December 24, 2009 04:48 PM UTC
89 Comments
It looks like we’re gonna have a white one.
And a special Merry Christmas to all those in uniform serving our country who are way from their loved ones. Their duty and sacrifice are greatly appreciated.
And if not a merry Christmas, a glorious long, peaceful weekend. 🙂
As my Uncle Lee would say, “it’s not the thought that counts, it’s how much money you spend.”
Is that Glenn Beck?
but when the teller says there’e no money, he should have done this speech*: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
As good a simple description of fractional reserve banking as I’ve ever seen.
I asked all of our major elected officials, and their challengers, for a fast 2 minute phone interview. Most have done it. Two turned me down. Still waiting to hear from three.
But from Udall’s office? I got the following. They clearly aren’t even reading the emails that come in to their office.
…if you stomp your feet, turn red, and then suck your thumb. Wailing is also a clincher.
Really, a “complete dick”? Such beautiful language from one who aspires….however vainly….to be taken seriously. Happy Effen Holidays!
It’s Christmas Eve. Kick back and have a Tom & Jerry.
Uhh, what is that?
For me heavy drinking is… Having two beers/week.
I never heard of it but I was looking for something new last night, I might have to try this.
.
is that how long it takes you to preheat the mug ?
or were you thinking that, whoever is tending bar, they have probably been taste-testing the rum and brandy to make sure they’re OK ?
how else does this take over an hour ?
.
it took me about 45 minutes to make the first batch this afternoon.
To reduce cholesterol I’ll leave the egg out, and I don’t care that much for sugary drinks so I will leave out the sugar, the spice looks ok but I don’t have any allspice here. There is not enough rum and brandy to fill the mug so maybe adding more rum and brandy will do. Skip heating, that takes too much time. And, water has very little taste so that can be skipped too.
Looks like a triple Capt Morgan with brandy. Now that sounds good!
which is what I did for batch one.
After which I followed the simplified version
Happy Holidays
It is clearly a standard form message sent to acknowledge they received your e-mail. If a personal answer to your request is forthcoming, I would expect it to be a follow up to what you have received.
I also notice you seem to have sent this through the Senator’s website. Requests for an interview would probably have been better received if done through the Senator’s press person. A phone call may have saved you a lot of grief.
They don’t list a press contact on the site (that I could find).
I can understand a “no thank you,” what bugs me is his office clearly isn’t even reading the emails that come in. He doesn’t do town halls, his staff doesn’t read email from constituents, he’s totally divorced from the people of Colorado.
But as gertie said, it’s Christmas Eve and I’m about to play Civilization and take over the world – should be done about 4:00am.
I agree it’s not that big of a deal, nor is it surprising.
If not, call the office and sound shocked until they put you through to the new Lawrence.
IIRC, Lawrence even listed his mobile number on his voicemail, but wasn’t listed anywhere else.
Tara Trujillo or Jennifer Talhelm at 202-224-4334
Sorry, Tara.
thanks – dave
…of course not, why else would you call Senator Udall a “complete dick” on a public website, using your own name, whilst trying to build a reputation as someone worthy of people’s time. It’s normal talk for us laid-back folk.
I expect our elected officials to have someone actually read communication from their constituents. As to using the word “dick,” I think it’s the most accurate description of a Senator who totally ignores the residents of their state.
But I am open to a better word. Any suggestions?
Considering your response sounds more like a guy who gets turned down by someone he propositions than an average angry constituent.
If the reply was “let us get back to you” and they never did. What hit me about the above was that I think they didn’t even have someone read the contents of the email. Ignoring the people of Colorado seems to be a theme with Udall.
I like what Udall is doing in the Senate. He’s a quiet ineffectual backbencher but by definition most Senators are. He’s a reliable vote for cloture and doesn’t ask anything in return and that is a giant help. And his voting record is, by my view, quite good.
But it bothers me that he ran away from his constituents holding a total of 1 townhall in his last two years in the House and hasn’t done it since. His unannounced visits in public where the people there are reviewed before he makes an appearance is not asking for the full range of views from the voters.
It’s not the end of the world. All of our elected officials are imperfect. But I think townhalls are a key responsibility of our elected officials.
sometime around late 2013. 🙂
Were you looking in the mirror and smiling as you asked for a 2 minute interview?
that senators and congressmen or any other elected official have to hold townhalls?
Some do, some don’t. You’re sounding a bit like the Beck-Hannity-Rushbo chorus.
You’re still whining that you didn’t get what you wanted, when you wanted it.
I think a key part of a representative democracy is for our elected officials to regularly listen to their constituents – all of them. I went in to why here.
My complaint is not that Udall won’t interview with me (I assumed he wouldn’t). He could grant me an interview tomorrow and my core complaint remains – he ran away from his constituents when they started asking him hostile questions. And has remained hidden ever since.
Does it come with the mountains?
…right back at ya, dearie!
I was going to write a long comment explaining staffing levels, but I’ll leave it at this: Udall gets enough staff money for about 4-5 LC’s, the people answering the snail mail and emails. With 10,000 emails a week and probably ~1,000 letters a week, do really expect an immediate response? Especially when you come in with the other 10,000 emails? Of course you’re going to be lost in the noise. I don’t know how this translates into Udall himself being a “complete dick.”
Reply back that they get so many emails that they cannot read them all and if the email sent needs to be read and get a reply that they need to – and then set out the steps to follow.
What bugged me was that this is symptomatic of Udall, make the right noises but don’t actually pay attention the the people of Colorado (unless they’re major donors).
What part of
doesn’t do what you’re suggesting?
They told you in the second sentence that they get 10,000 emails a week. Unless you expect them to outsource parsing those emails to India, why can’t you do the quick math to realize that NOBODY can wade through 10,000 emails in a week? I feel like that’s so obvious, no further comment is necessary from them. Divorce this from “complete dick” because the comment doesn’t fit the situation.
Just so you know, this is how (most) Hill offices prioritize constituent correspondence:
1- individually-written letters from constituents (by hand or typed, as long as it’s obvious it’s not a form letter…has a return address in the state or district)
2- phone calls from a constituent (they say they’re calling from within the state or district and it seems reasonable they are). Phone calls with a very specific purpose will get routed to the proper person. If you say you’re a journalist and want to talk to the Comm Dir, you will get transferred (probably to voice mail). If you’re just making your feelings known to the Senator, it will get noted by the receptionist and those comments get discussed during weekly meetings (at least did in my office).
3- form letters from constituents with a return address inside the state or district
4- emails/web form comments
5- everything else
Otherwise, I completely agree based on my time in Morgan Carroll’s office.
They sent you to the robo-responder. How many brain cells does it take to figure out what that means?
As an aside, neither “You’re a complete dick, can I have an interview” nor “Can I have an interview, you’re a complete dick” have ever worked well for me.
Your mileage might vary.
In the meantime, however, your petulance is making it harder for other bloggers to get interviews.
And then I’ll drop it as we clearly don’t agree.
1) The response came back the next day, so I assumed it was not an auto-responder but rather sent by a person.
2) The part “my staff reads each one of your letters and e-mails” I took as they were saying they read my specific request, and this was their response.
3) The “check on a request for services” I took as you could get an update – if they were acting on it.
4) This may make it harder for a blogger to get an interview with Udall – but has that every happened to date?
Finally, I don’t want to interview the guy. I don’t respect him and that would make it hard to do a fair interview. Plus everyone would read biases into it.
What I would like to see him do are some pre-announced events where he takes questions from the general public (without the questions being pre-approved).
And now I’ll leave this topic as we do disagree.
ps – There were two Congressional offices (I won’t say which so they don’t get pulled in to this) where I reached out the same way – and got a real response to the question.
He has an auto response that he will get back soon. He then gets back soon. It takes a couple of days but I’ve never not received a thoughtful response from Ed.
It has been my experience that Rep. Perlmutter is great at everything (I am not joking). I have never read a criticism of him anywhere. I am one of his many adoring fans as well.
He could teach Coffman a thing or two.
Ed has done so well as our Rep, I live in CD7, he could teach a lot of the members of Congress, state general assemblies and city councils how to be a legislator. He works hard for all people in CD7 and Colorado to get good legislation passed.
OBTW with campaign season starting soon, I support Perlmutter and plan on helping him to be reelected.
I emailed Congressman Polis to tell him I supported his opposition to sending more troops to Afghanistan (he was the only one in the CO delegation who came out against the escalation).
I got an form email reply. It just goes with the territory.
How many times can you write a personal, Thanks for the support, it’s important to me too.
I once worked for a company that never sent form letters. It didn’t really end up looking personal, it just looked like they had hundreds of form letters.
And I know he’s using macros and such, but it mostly feels personal and it’s always on subject
It’s the “on topic” part that’s key. But an on topic form letter can be better because they can put the time in to speak well to the issue that the individual wrote in about.
they shouldnВґt pretend not to be form letters, or fall into the pattern of sounding like a hollow ritual. There are classy ways of openly admitting that it’s a form letter, and still making the constituent feel appreciated and acknowledged. My preference would be something like: “Dear (constituent’s name), I sincerely hope that I have the opportunity to communicate with you personally at some point, but, until then, I’d like you to know how much I appreciate….”
But I do agree that good legislators take some time to answer at least a sampling of constituent correspondances personally, and generally enjoy doing so.
Try it.
then a few two-steps later
How David seems to want you to believe his interview attempt went down can be found: here
Those grapes were probably sour anyway.
I like Mark Udall. I like his image, and I like his voting record.
I don’t like his complete seeming disregard for his constituents and their voices. I have had a similar experience to yours over and over and over. The phone messages that don’t get through because the mailbox is full, the letters that get only form responses, the lack of his visibility in public and at events of all kinds. I find it really strange, and quite disturbing. I expect these kinds of behaviors from Coffman or Lamborn, but not from another Democrat.
In stark contrast, Bennet has been EVERYWHERE, listening to EVERYONE. Bennet returns some phone calls personally, writes some of his thank-you notes personally, and writes his own emails to supporters. Many people who have worked with him this past year have said he is the most responsive member of Congress they have ever met. Yes, he is running for office, but he did this from day one.
I do not know Mark Udall personally, and I would like an explanation. If he is an extreme introvert, why did he run for Senate? Doesn’t he owe his constituents some face time?
But I’m with Dave that a legislator needs to interact with the public in order to effectively represent them. It is one thing to say you are paying attention and really listening — it’s another to show it.
He was at the Boulder Democrats’ Truman Dinner. Michael Bennet was actually the only politician representing Boulder who didn’t show up.
So Dave and you have had one experience, and I’ve had a different one.
Like I said, I respect his politics. I would love to see him around more.
It is his own turf — can’t blame him for that.
Did you try just going into his office downtown? His staff is very responsive face to face and may spend some time with you. I heard from a friend of a friend that their phone message system is antiquated which is why you and I — and others — have a hard time getting through by phone.
I also wonder if Mark Udall spends more time in rural areas. In looking at his website, there seems to be a lot of emphasis on rural issues and rural concerns. Maybe he is spending more time outside the cities early in his term.
Just a thought. Like I said, he’s a good guy — everyone says so. There must be some explanation.
I said I was not going to post anything further on this as we were going around in circles. But as you asked me directly.
I have talked to numerous people there and traded emails, including with Tara. Every time I have asked to talk to Senator Udall I have been told “we’ll get back to you” – and they never do.
I also asked them point blank to give me a single meeting he has had where he announced in the press in advance that he would be there and take questions. The only case is once during his last two years in the House.
If you read Senator Udall’s newsletters he consistently reports on public meetings he has held, but never announces meetings he is going to hold. It’s actually very clever, he goes to places unannounced and then writes it up as a townhall type event.
Here’s hoping in 4 years as he is running for re-election, that he finds it necessary to actually invite the voters to meet him and answers their unscripted questions.
ps – I do agree that his votes are generally what I would like to see. And yes he appears to be a quiet backbencher – but not all Senators can lead. I’m not saying he’s awful, just that he appears to be afraid of his constituents.
For those wanting to track Santa’s progress – http://www.noradsanta.org/en/i…
And keep in mind Santa does exist – you’ll have proof under your tree tomorrow 🙂
“The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went…. [O]ne old ghost…cried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an infant, whom he saw below, on a door-step. The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power forever.”
-Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”
But WE have not lost that power. May we all continue to celebrate our lives and our good fortune by remaining committed to the welfare of all, and to the continuing refinement of our laws and social institutions in service to that joyful shared endeavor.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY!!!
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
“What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light.
Then he sighed and said “Its really all right, I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ‘Pearl on a day in December,”
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘Nam,’
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.
“I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”
“So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare you a feast”
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”
Michael Marks, 2000.
It’s real: http://www.snopes.com/holidays…
.
I was standing in my front hall this morning, seeing a neighbor off after sharing hot cocoa and date nut bread, and we heard something hit the ground outside the front door, in a little enclosure around the front stoop: the postman was walking away as we opened the door.
It was a large envelope with a pin and a certificate from something calling itself “Freedom Team Salute.”
Did you get one ?
Is it a solicitation for money ?
.
.
Its funded by the Secretary of the Army. Now I really hope you did get one.
.
…it’s an outstanding idea!
For those of you outside of the loop, this is a program to deliver some recognition of anyone who served in the US Army, esp those who got hustled out quick due to stop-loss or other soldiers who fell thru the cracks (National Guard and Reserve transitioning from AD.)
It’s the simplest of gestures, yet it’s been completely missed for too many soldiers.
More info: www.FreedomTeamSalute.com
…hit me up at DenverVetAC at Forethought.net. Guy running the show is COL Ward Nickisch (RET)
From your local Italian from New Jersey, through the guitar playing of another Italian from New Jersey–the incomparable Joe Pass (Joseph Anthony Passalaqua).
If you ever see the CD “Six String Santa” by Joe, buy it. It’s a wonderful Christmas CD by a wonderful jazz guitarist.
A great interlude on an otherwise busy afternoon.
Merry Christmas to you, your family and fellow travelers on COPols.
Go here for a great Christmas fable… good to read to children tonight…
http://writerunboxed.com/2009/…
.
thanks, Angie.
.
TPM flags this call to C-Span this morning. A Kansas Tea Party woman takes down her Christmas Tree to protest Senate passage of the health care bill … and on the eve of “God’s holiday to celebrate the birth of His son,” no less.
n/t
Perhaps the most succinct summary of the decade I’ve seen.
The Top 10 Years Of The Decade. How can you beat a summary that starts with:
If you celebrate it, Merry Christmas. If not, have a good weekend.
Traditionally, it is the youngest who gives this shout out….however, since I believe I am hands down the oldest, I ask your indulgence to say:
God Bless Us, Everyone.
n/t
.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12…
I’m guessing they get the Peace Prize next year.
.
Kuperman tends to oversimplify too much for my preference, but he gets the basics right here.
I believe the administration, just like almost everyone, knew that Iran would reject the last offer. If they knew that, wwhy make it? Kuperman concludes because they needed a sound byte for domestic politics. I disagree and suspect they are better chess players than that. At least I hope so.
What’s the deal with thorium reactors?
….Wired Magazine has a great article on the subject – “Uranium is so last century.”
http://www.wired.com/magazine/…
but no nukes.
to figure out fusion. after all, we’re just 20 years away. 🙂
And we’ve been 20 years away for the last 40 years.
Oh. That’s what you meant 🙂
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., an’ Kalamazoo!
Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!
Don’t we know archaic barrel,
Lullaby Lilla boy, Louisville Lou?
Trolley Molly don’t love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!
Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
Polly wolly cracker n’ too-da-loo!
Hunky Dory’s pop is lolly gaggin’ on the wagon,
Willy, folly go through!
Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
Antelope Cantaloup, ‘lope with you!
Chollie’s collie barks at Barrow,
Harum scarum five alarum bung-a-loo!
–Walt Kelly
The Daily Sentinel is reporting that McInnis will not assure his defeat by tapping Penry for the Lt. Gov spot. Penry is still keeping fellow Mesa County Republicans twisting in the wind by not making up his mind on another senate run. In short, the McInnis/Penry plan for keeping R’s in the minority may work.