November 03, 2005 09:00 AM UTC

Lynn Bartels Q&A

•  
• by: Colorado Pols

What happened on election day? Who are the winners and losers?

We asked Lynn Bartels of the Rocky Mountain News some of these very questions, and so can you when she stops by for a LIVE Q&A today from 11:00 a.m. – Noon. Ms. Bartels has been one of our most popular Q&A participants in the past, so we’re happy to have her insight and candid answers once more.

As always in our Q&As, we only have one rule: you may disagree, but you may not be disrespectful. Rude and inappropriate comments will be promptly removed.

We asked Ms. Bartels to answer just a couple of quick questions on Tuesday’s results to get us started, and we’ll leave the rest to you.

Click below for the Q&A…

Post-Election Q&A with Rocky Mountain News political reporter Lynn Bartels

1. Okay, what happened?

I think there are number of reasons why Referendum C passed, but start with bipartisan support, including GOP Gov. Bill Owens and the Democratic controlled legislature.

Mix in real Coloradans who have felt first hand the real impact of budget cuts.

Consider the magic of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper jumping out of airplane in support of Ref C, and the impact of a fiscal tightwad like former Republican Senator Hank Brown appealing for voters to approve the measures.

Dont forget Andrew Romanoff, the Speaker of the Colorado House. The times Ive heard him speak on Ref C – in a message filled with serious facts and funny one-liners – Ive often thought, If I were sitting here and knew nothing about TABOR and heard him speak, Id probably walk the plank if he told me.

And although the governor took lots of heat over this from national anti-tax leaders, he really did risk everything to support the referendums. Our poll last month showed the governors favorable and unfavorable ratings have been almost the same the last three years. (Theyre certainly higher than George W.s.)

I think confusion is part of it, too. The opponents were accused of distorting the facts, but the reality is the supporters of the ballot measure had their own tactics, too. There was much discussion, as you know, about the without raising taxes.

Lets not forget the unusual coalitions. Here you had the Colorado Springs and Boulder city councils agreeing on a tax measure. You had big business working side by side with labor unions.

Everybodys amazed that Arapahoe County approved Ref C. I am — but I shouldnt have been. Consider this unusual team working on its behalf: Sens. Suzanne Williams, an Aurora Democrat and retired teacher who supporters most liberal causes, and Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, a pro-school choice, pro-voucher conservative. Theyve rarely agreed at the legislature but they really championed this.

Opponents painted the Republicans who supported Ref C and D as squishes. Nancy Spence is as about unsquishy as they come.

2. Who is the biggest winner and biggest loser after Tuesday?

The Rocky Mountain News had a list in this Wednesdays paper. Ill refer you to that with this caveat: leading opponent Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute made both categories!

3. Referendum C passed but D failed – what’s the difference?

Theres a huge difference between them. If D had passed and C had failed, it would be a whole different world.

I think your question is more of a why and my answer is: Beats me! 

Ive heard all the theories: accidental, on purpose, D was hard to read, etc.

Many stories I wrote mentioned Ref C in the lead and D way down in the story or not at all. There was a reason for that: The opponents arguments were focused on C: it grows government, it destroys TABOR, it prevents the state from learning how to do with less.

At some debates, where Republicans opposed both measures, there was a backhanded compliment for D that at least voters knew where the money was going.

4. What’s next? Will we see a lawsuit?

Lawsuits have been threatened, but as the governor pointed out Wednesday, Doug Bruce got TABOR on the ballot in 1992, but hasnt had much success over the years in suing over TABOR issues.

5. How will this change the 2006 legislative session?

Without C, I think the session would have focused on difficult budget cuts. Let me see, kids in wheelchairs versus seniors in nursing homes — who gets the ax?

With C in place, I see a return of more partisanship. I totally see the GOP strategy next year as being: Hey, we may not have wanted this extra money but now that its here, you want us in charge. Seriously.

6. What do you think this means for the next round of candidates for statewide office? Who might enter the governor or treasurer’s race, for example, now that this is over?

And once again, my e-mail box is filled up with speculation about Hick!

Do you have a question for Lynn Bartels? Ask away in the comments section below. Ms. Bartels will be answering questions LIVE from 11:00 a.m. – Noon.