CO-04 (Special Election)
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(R) Greg Lopez
(R) Trisha Calvarese
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President (To Win Colorado)
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(R) Donald Trump
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CO-01 (Denver)
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CO-02 (Boulder-ish)
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90%
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CO-05 (Colorado Springs)
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
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DEMOCRATS
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5%
September 10, 2012 06:32 PM UTC
37 Comments
I was not so much shocked as I was disappointed. I wouldn’t have expected something this from Ed … is it so bad for Perlmutter that his campaign has to develop this twisted and tortured account of his staff doing there jobs to serve the citizens?
http://coloradopeakpolitics.co…
that supports your first paragraph, right?
I guess we should all be comforted that you don’t read anything, it’s not just our stuff.
That sounds just like Perlmutter.
This is the Ed that I have known for more than 30 years. Good work Ed.
God help them.
great ad too. I have heard a lot of great things about him.
Good congress(wo)men serve their constituents no matter what their political party.
You might be only one voice amongst 435, but you may be the strongest voice your constituents can access to navigate the government.
Good congress(wo)men serve their constituents no matter what their political party.
You might be only one voice amongst 435, but you may be the strongest voice your constituents can access to navigate the government.
After discovering that one vet had NONE of the required docs up-to-date, he staying up all night working with the Japanese Govt to get the vet a temp visa to get onto the island.
Or a $100,000 donor.
Riiiight. And Joe Coors isn’t for the Personhood Amendment.
a friend who, years back, worked as a paralegal in the law office Ed shared with a group of lawyers that Ed alone was always unfailingly kind, considerate and friendly to the office little people. He’s the real deal.
Almost every time I volunteer for an event that Ed attends personally, I see him asked to solve a constituent’s problem, and I always see him immediately take steps to solve it. Ed demonstrates the Harry S. Truman quote, “It’s amazing how much can get done when nobody cares who gets the credit.” Ed just solves problems. Not even one-tent of one percent of those solved problems make it into the campaign. It’s just what Perlmutter does.
But really, any Congressman would do this. Ed is not special in this regard, his staff was simply doing their job.
how about all of those Coffman constituents who never hear back from him? No, all congess(wo)men do not provide the same level of service. It is not uncommon for some to check your voter registration before even speaking with you. Wear a helmet when you get out of your stroller.
Is when I get another one of his thinly-veiled pieces of campaign literature supposedly looking like a Congressional mailing.
I refuse to believe that a war veteran like Coffman wouldn’t do the exact same thing. It’s offensive to suggest otherwise.
Just sayin’.
You know who else was? Tom Tancredo. I think he’s a xenophobic, racist, opportunistic liar, but he ran an excellent constituent services organization.
Each representative has their strengths and weaknesses (some have more in one column than the other, of course) — but not all are strong in constituent services. Perlmutter is exceptional in that regard, not just in Colorado, but nationally. Part of this is his position in a swing district, of course; he has to be more visible and accessible in order to reach the undecided and independent voters, as well as to activate non-primary voting Democrats. However, having known Ed for 75% of my life, I can say with great confidence that it’s mostly just Ed’s personality and the type of congressional office he chooses to run. He hires people who are good at constituent services and makes clear on a daily basis that solving people’s problems is a priority to him. It’s clearly personally satisfying to him, not just politically advantageous.
Funny how none of the rest of the delegation that you claim would do the same, appears to have done the same. If they had, they’d make the obvious play and talk about it in their campaigns as Perlmutter has. Or do you really believe that there’s a magic problem cloud over CD7 that rains issues solvable by Congressmen onto Perlmutter’s constituents, while nobody in the rest of the state ever has a problem with the government?
“Funny how none of the rest of the delegation that you claim would do the same, appears to have done the same. If they had, they’d make the obvious play and talk about it in their campaigns”
My CongressCritter has a campaign?
If Diana spends one dime on TV adverts, I will be shocked.
Diana is lame. She doesn’t respond to letters I write. She must represent the majority of her constituents though because she is re-elected by a landslide. I definitely don’t feel like I’m represented by her though.
even if Ed’s seat was as safe as hers he’d still be working his butt off to help his constituents. He’s a really good guy and would be in any capacity, political or non.
Get Scott Tipton to do anything for you if you don’t own an oil company…good luck.
I’m not just saying that because I think Ed’s The Man!!!! This reminds me why I volunteer for him again and again and again!!!!
As touching as the subject is, and not to take away from the service member’s sacrifice – why would Perlmutter want to potentially draw attention to his connection to the largest foreclosure law firm in Colorado? Deanne R. Stodden is the managing partner at Castle Stawiarski LLC. Lawrence Castle has been close with Perlmutter for years and his family has been very generous to Perlmutter’s political campaigns. Not sure she is the best spokesperson for his constituent relations.
If you’re going to sign up to make one scurrilous linkage, you might want to spell your username correctly.
take it up with Walt Whitman, not me. I guess I could have chosen Learn’d, but that would probably confuse you even more.
we’re not the ones confused about Ed or why so many people of all persuasions support him in his competitive district or why he’s going to wipe the floor with Not-A-Beer come November.
You trolls just don’t know what a stand up guy looks like, sounds like or acts like. And your phony selective support of those who serve is nauseating.
Very interesting!
This week, the 2012 Paralympic Games came to a close – it was a celebration of individuals overcoming disabilities and their fortitude to become world-class athletes.
And there goes Congressman Perlmutter again!
Yes, Perlmutter is once again encouraging each of us to advocate for and support the disabled in our communities. So, I guess I have little choice here. First, Ed’s specific Facebook comment this Monday: “I want to congratulate two of District 7’s determined Paralympians: Alana Nichols from Wheat Ridge who competed in Wheelchair Basketball, and Christina Schwab from Arvada who competed in Track & Field. I am also proud to point out that 20 of the 200 disabled American athletes competing in the 2012 London Paralympic Games are veterans of the U.S. Armed Services. The hard work, dedication, and perseverance of these athletes is inspiring.
“Overcoming adversity and disability emboldens all of us, and I encourage all Americans to advocate for and support the disabled in our communities.”
And with that boost from ‘Civil Libertarian’ Ed, here’s what I’ve got to say:
Supporting individuals with disabilities in our communities means providing real access for them in the workplace. Congressman Perlmutter, you were urged repeatedly to make your Campaign Headquarters fully accessible to people with disabilities in 2006 when you first ran for Congress, but you refused to do so. Volunteers and employees with severe mobility immpairments and needed transfer and turn-around space couldn’t use the restrooms there, and therefore couldn’t volunteer or work there. Ed, you violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, AND you knew it! You just ran SO scared in that campaign (which you won by 15 points) that you pinched on disabled constituents so you’d have more to spend on TV ads. Later, you refused to help a 65 lb. constituent find employment, while simulateously helping political cronies find work. You and your staff even solicited resumes from constituents who worked on your campaign so that your staff could seek positions for them in the Obama Administration. You offered to help a failed Colorado Congressional Candidate get work via Raum Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff. You promised you’d talk with him personally at the Gym. There are witnesses to these things, Congressman! But when asked to help this no-so-connected quadraplegic, you and your Constituency Director replied: “We don’t do employment.” Walk the walk, Congressman, it’s EASY to talk the talk…
Congressman Perlmutter has also let individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans down pretty badly in other ways since he came to Congress in 2007.
– He promised to eliminate the backlog of VA disability claims. But it’s now climbed to a historic high, nearly one million, mostly hurting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and service personnel STILL in the military! And that’s just the disability claims!
– He promised (in writing) to help Vietnam veterans children with spina bifida improve their lives by getting adapted housing, adaptations to vehicles, up to a four year degree, and independent living services unrelated to an education program. He didn’t lift a finger to do any of this despite letters from the VFW reminding him of his promises.
– His first bill in Congress targeted epilepsy research (in head injured veterans), a disorder his daughter is affected by, a clear conflict of interest, and an interest he bragged about repeatedly. Even nonveterans called him on this one since he’d failed to follow up on his written campaign pledges to veterans.
– Members of Perlmutter’s compensated campaign staff stole signs from his Primary Campaign opponents hours before the election! I witnessed this activity, and am willing to take a lie detector test to substantiate the allegation. Are those who stole the signs willing to take such a test? Has the statute of limitations run out on this one? I don’t think so.
– He told voters at numerous events not to give campaign contributions to Bill Winter, a Marine Corps veteran with 10 years military service and a Democrat running for Congress in the neighboring 6th Congressional District against Tancredo. He informed contributors they would be throwing their money away and should give it to him instead. Although I confronted him regarding this unethical behavior and elicited a verbal commitment from him that he would cease doing it, he continued this unseemly practice.
– Perlmutter promised that veterans forums like the Veterans Forum held early in 2007 at the Ben Nighthorse Campbell Auditorium would be repeated every three months or so to ensure that District veterans and their families could have a continuing exchange with the Congressman about their unique concerns. Regular forums have not been held as promised.
– Perlmutter’s staff failed to follow up on repeated requests by this advocate on behalf of a 65 lb. quadraplegic Perlmutter constituent for more than a year for assistance in obtaining help with the Immigration and Naturalization Service. To compound this poor service, Perlmutter’s Director of Constituency Services, after meeting with the constituent, then repeatedly failed to respond to email requests for information and assistance from the same constituent and his advocate. Later, when asked if Reinvestment Act funds (in connection to which this constituent desired to seek small business contract opportunities) was to be transferred from the Federal Government to the States (e.g., the State of Colorado), the same staffer quickly but inaccurately asserted it was not. Despite the quadraplegic constituent’s plea not to be sent to the Immigration Service for any reason other than to obtain a Green Card, he was referred there by Perlmutter’s Constituent Services Director only to receive fingerprints, which had already been on file for many years at the Immigration Service. Moreover, the fingerprinting equipment was totally inaccessible to the quadriplegic man, and alternate printing means required more than two hours of arduous missteps and fumbling, resulting in outcome that was totally unnecessary since, again, his prints were already on file. The constituent received no apology for any of Perlmutter’s staff failings, even though the Congressman was personally informed of the delay of more than a year that this constituent experienced despite repeated attempts at intervention.
It is my opinion that Congressman Permutter is a well meaning fellow seeking an endless stream of friendship and approval, who runs scared. Like many politicians, he tries to please far too many. His Government at the Grocery program is a perfect example of this philosophy. It’s designed, of course, to touch base with as many voters as time permits, giving each the impression that their Congressman is continually serving them. But performing constant outreach to constituents, many of whom have rather insignificant problems compared, for example, to profoundly disabled veterans returning with disfiguring wounds, paraplegia and quadriplegia, blindness, burns, PTSD, and other conditions from our two wars, or bedbound civilian constituents like the individual referenced above puts a small congressional staff to poor use. It may be good politics, but it’s lousy prioritization for those in greatest need. Ed’s second problem is in selecting some highly unqualified staff: E.G., People who steal campaign opponents’ yard signs, and scam veterans widows of their pension money (yes, that’s another story). Staff members who won’t stand up to him and tell him, hey, this guy is a quad who’s willing to work out of his bed. Let’s help him, and back off of these photo ops, and grocery gigs. They’re sycophants. Are all of his staff in this category: NO! Are too many? Yes. Ed knows, it. They know it. And many of us know it.
Well, there’s more. But that’s enough for now, District 7 constituents. I can’t wait to hear defenders tell me how Ed walks on water. But please remember, I knocked on doors for this guy, raised over $3,000 in a house party, manned the phone banks, sent out over a hundred emails to Colorado Veterans for America (that’s right, Ed, I sent those out, not the guy who pretended to), donated to Ed’s campaign, and recruited veteran marchers for Ed’s parades via email blasts. And much more. So, you’re not telling me anything I haven’t seen up close and personal, and once believed. I’ve just seen both sides of the coin now, folks. I took my blinders off when an acquaintance near death’s door needed a little help, and Ed and his staff turned their backs on him. I’ve got emails, videotape, and other records. Let’s see if Ed’s willing to share his files on these matters (without changing the subject).
I’ve had the opposite experience with Perlmutter and PWDs — and I’m a longtime disability advocate. When I asked him to help a friend of mine who is a wheelchair user, I saw him do exactly that.
I suspect there’s more to the story than you’re posting here; perhaps Perlmutter doesn’t have jurisdiction to help this fellow, perhaps it’s still working it’s way through the (sloooooooooooooow) system, or perhaps someone who had that case on their desk isn’t with the campaign any more — who knows.
I’m not familiar with the situation, but I am very familiar with Perlmutter and how he treats people — with dignity, respect, and kindness. He’s done his best to help an ailing grandfather who was mistreated by law enforcement in another state, even though he can’t earn a single vote doing his best for someone over there.
I’ll ask him about this (and I bet I’ll get a side to the story that isn’t mentioned here).
Actually, I cited a multitude of disability-related issues, most of which can be fact-checked. For example, the Congressman’s first campaign website stated his veterans’ platform unequivically. Now, he’s not so unequivical. In fact he didn’t do anything on the spina bifida legislation. Veterans suggested he simply send a letter to John Salazar who served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Didn’t happen.
The backlog of nearly a million disability claims speaks for itself. Obama, who I also worked to help get elected, rarely talks about the issue, which as you can imagine, is pretty darn critical to war veterans. I haven’t heard other Dems like Perlmutter bragging about this one either. I guess it’s just not the top priority they once said it was. Like it was in 2009 when the Secretary of the VA said the backlog would be eliminated in 2010.
No, it’s not working it’s way through the slooooooww system, which would be a death sentence for this man anyway. His has Spina Atrophy, and I think I mentioned is quadriplegic and weighed 65 lbs. Isn’t it amazing how even disability advocates can be persuaded a politician walks on water once THEY’VE been given the red carpet for ONE of their friends.
Don’t be so EASY, cowgirl. Advocacy is a very serious undertaking!
In 2008 I interviewed Steny Hoyer, Jim Langevin (the only quadriplegic congressman), Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and more about disability issues. I also marched with ADAPT and covered the Atlantis community. My coverage of disability issues and the 2008 presidential race was selected by the Library of Congress for archival, specifically on that subject, and qualified me for press credentials at the DNC — one of my co-authors went to the RNC. I was one of the first writers to predict Sarah Palin’s VP nomination and cover her son’s developmental disability. On the day she was named, my post predicting it and discussing the younger Palin’s Down Syndrome got so much traffic that it crashed the entire site hosting it!
I remember sitting on a wheelchair user friend’s lap at six years old to help him talk to Congressmen about the ADA and IDEA. I’m a member of CCDC and a supporter of ADAPT. In my current job, I’ve successfully advocated for the hiring of people with disabilities. I work in the online media industry and have consistently advocated for universally accessible design and helped to make the site I work for more accessible with each redesign. I may not be a veteran (and I readily admit that anyone who is knows much more than I do about veterans’ issues!) but I have worked to publicize Freedom Service Dogs’ work to provide service dogs for veterans with TBI, SCI, and other injuries. They know me–not under this name, but the director would remember my real name.
I’ll let the misogyny in your post slide, because I understand that you’re hurt and angry on behalf of your friend, but don’t think it wasn’t noticed and identified as such. I hope you feel better soon.
Now, there YOU go again! Advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities requires that we hew closely to the facts and issues, not seek to impress others with where we’ve been, who we’ve met, what we’ve predicted, etc.
If you truly have an interest in Congressman Perlmutter’s constituents with disabilities, please re-read the initial email, and focus on the issues. As I wrote in reply to your first comments, the issues can be fact-checked in most instances. Are you at all concerned that 800,000 veterans disability claims are backlogged? Then ask Perlmutter what specific steps he’s taken LATELY to solve that issue! And when he reassures you that the problem will be solved in 2015, please tell him you’re an advocate for disabled individuals and that’s just not good enough.
Or when you tell him you read that his District 7 constituent (no, not some other district constituent) waited more than a year to get help from his staff (and that the help resulted in a wasted trip for fingerprints he didn’t need despite his plea that he NOT be sent on a wild goose chase (see, people whose spines are about to crumble to dust don’t need the aggravation), he was nevertheless sent to Immigration Service for fingerprints and nothing more); then you might suggest the Congressman encourage his staff to be more sensitive and competent in the future. That’s all.
And when you check those campaign promises regarding children with spina bifida who the U.S. government has concluded may have their conditions due to an increased incidence in their disorder due to dioxin exposure of their fathers during service in Vietnam, you might tell the Congressman not to make promises he doesn’t intend to keep.
Now, this isn’t misogynism. It’s sticking to the issues.
And if you’re referring to my simple reference to your handle here at ColoradoPols: ProgressiveCowgirl, abbreviated as ‘Cowgirl,’ then maybe you’re too sensitive for this line of work. You’ll notice I use my REAL name, because I stand by what I write. Advocates have to do that.
Like I said, I’m not mad, because I understand your friend’s situation has you rightfully and deeply upset. But I just wanted you to know I didn’t miss the implication and I don’t appreciate it. Playing dumb won’t help — you’re obviously smart and just angry.
How much time have you spent working on women’s issues this year? Way less than I’ve spent working on disability issues? I thought so. I have immediate and enormous threats to my own basic human rights to deal with, and I have time to work on disability issues. I’ll keep that advocate label, thank you. I don’t need your approval to know that the work I do and have done matters.
Like I said, I’ll ask him about it. There’s an email in my profile that you can use to send me any documents you’d like me to remind him of. I know Perlmutter, so I suspect there’s more to the story than you’re letting on, but I see him often as a volunteer and I will talk to him about this. Is the gentleman whose situation you’re referring to in this country illegally? If so, I’m not sure what a single Congressman acting unilaterally can do to grant him amnesty, but if you have specific recommendations that are within the Congressman’s power, I will certainly tell him that I feel he should act on them.
Where in the world did you get the idea that the constituent asked Congressman Perlmutter to “grant” him amnesty? Not from anything I wrote.
Again, advocacy requires sticking to the facts. It’s not EASY work, and one can’t let themselves be EASILY persuaded by their Congressman or his staff to buy into BS schoomzing unrelated to the issues. This 65 lb. constituent (he weighs far less now) requested his Congressman’s help in WORKING with the INS. The Congressman’s staff failed to follow up. They failed repeatedly despite my follow up with more than one staff member on SEVERAL occasions over the period of MORE THAN A YEAR. Then when they finally met with him at my insistence, they sent this desperately fragile individual with a disability on a wild goose chase (despite his plea that they not endanger his life unless their was at least a chance he might benefit). Then they failed to answer multiple emails from him and from me. But that was just one of many disability issues outlined. And you’re still a HUGE fan of this guy. Again, my advice to you: don’t be so EASY.
I’m fascinated by anyone, especially disability advocates, who are so EASY when it comes to being coopted by politicians, corporations, bureacracies, and the cult of personality. Read my original email and ask yourself if you’d like to be treated like this constituent. Like these veterans and their children.Try not to change to subject when you answer yourself, not me.
And now you accuse me of using the word in connection with misogony. Whew, you are a piece of work, ProgressiveCowgirl.