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April 01, 2009 06:30 AM UTC

My sit-down with Josh

  • 32 Comments
  • by: DavidThi808

(Promoted for what I’m sure will be a lively discussion – promoted by redstateblues)

I got the chance to interview Senator Penry today down at the capitol. He was very gracious and generous with his time. And he comes across as a down to earth person. I can see why he’s a rising star in the GOP.

The big constant through all of the discussion is that the Democrats are in charge, they are going to do it their way, and the Republicans don’t have the votes to affect that. This wasn’t a “we’re whipped” response. And there was zero whining about it. Rather it was just facing the fact that in our representative government we Dems have the votes to pretty much do as we want. In other words, Josh Penry is dealing the hand he has been dealt.

He also gives major credit to Brandon Shaffer in how he has run the Senate for the Dems just about perfectly. He clearly has great professional respect for how well Brandon does his job. I’m also guessing he’s taking copious notes so he can do the same if the GOP gets the majority.  

We started off with him asking about my mom. I guess Colorado doesn’t look that bad for the GOP compared to the GOP’s seats in Hawaii. I think he appreciated that things could be a lot worse. And he then asked me about my blogging and if I do that for a living. That is a common question on these interviews – I think most politicians don’t realize that 99.9% of us bloggers have real jobs and we just do this for fun because we have no life.

Ok, so what did he talk about? He jumped in about the Governor’s race. He clearly sees Ritter as being very beatable. He sees Ritter’s two big weaknesses as Ritter’s rolling over for the unions and his fighting the Oil and Gas companies. He understands that is not sufficient to beat Ritter, but he sees that as bringing Ritter within range. And he says the entire GOP sees Ritter as vulnerable and that is why McInnis and others are looking to run.

He also talked about how he still needs to discuss this with his wife and if it is worth the financial and emotional hit that comes with running. We discussed how it is usually worse for the family than the candidate when the mean things get said. I think the odds are that he is going to run, but I don’t think it’s a done deal yet. With that said, I do think the one issue remaining is his family.

So then we got into the legislative session. And in terms of major initiatives coming from him – not there. This is where Josh dived in to what I discussed above, that we Dems are running things and the Democratic side is not willing to compromise far enough for the Republicans to get onboard on much of the major legislation. He clearly is willing to compromise if it’s a compromise of equals. And he understands that there is no need for the Dems to compromise that extensively as they have the votes without it.

But he then did dive into many of the specifics. On transportation, A/B and a couple of other issues he discussed what the Repubs proposed and clearly would have preferred to do it their way. But accepted that “them that has the votes gets to pass the legislation.” This impressed the hell out of me because if I was in his position I would face that with less equanimity – a lot less.

But he then dived into areas where the Repubs are able to have an impact. And there were quite a few. The issue on which he spent the most time and that clearly had the most importance for him was education. He was very complementary of Peter Groff and Chris Romer and not just the great work they have done on education, but that they have challenged the overlords (no he didn’t use that word) of the Democratic party – the AFT. He is very positive about the improvements in education that the legislature is working on.

And it did sound good to me. I think education is where we desperately need bi-partisan efforts. And it’s good to hear that we have a number of people, from both parties, concentrating on improving the terrible state of our schools rather than using the issue for partisan advantage and leaving the kids to a life of educational failure. Here’s hoping this remains a focus of everyone figuring out how to improve things.

He also talked about the Oil & Gas industry. Ok, we all have our blind spots. Josh Penry clearly feels that the Oil & Gas industry is getting short shrift in this state. Yes the Oil & Gas industry has tremendous sway over the GOP but this was not someone paying homage to those that pay the bills – this was clearly emotional. For whatever reason, this is a hot button issue for Josh.

His other major issue he wants to address is getting the rainy day fund institutionalized. He sees right now when there are no taxes available for it as the perfect time to set it up, because the funding is in the future. And I think that makes a lot of sense. He prefers this to lowering taxes when we hit the good times again and with this stance he is clearly standing up to a significant chunk of the GOP base on one of their core issues. One good measure of a politician is will he disagree with his base on a key issue – and Josh Penry passes on that measure.

So what do we have with Josh Penry? We have someone who is doing a good job as Senate minority leader, both opposing the majority party and remaining an opponent looking for chances to compromise rather than as an enemy looking for every advantage. And I think Josh’s realization that it is the Dems ballgame until the next election means they are left mostly as the party of no (although he never put it that way).

And I do think he will be a good candidate for governor in terms of the GOP primary. He clearly is willing to speak up on the issues he cares about and so it would be a robust discussion. And boy does the GOP need that.

Will Josh Penry run for Governor?

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32 thoughts on “My sit-down with Josh”

  1. I’ve known Josh for over ten years, since his days at Mesa State.  

    He’s a nice and smart man, but I don’t think he’s been a good minority leader, I think he is taking (or not doing much to stop) his party over the cliff.  

    As for the O&G issue, no matter how many times people cite industry sources indicating that the downturn is purely economics, commodity prices, and the added costs of developing CO gas (not because of rules yet to be implemented but due to lack of pipeline capacity, the added expense of developing in the Piceance–tight sands, etc.), Penry keeps repeating the talking points.  Like I said, I know Josh, he’s smarter than that, so I have a less positive interpretation of what he’s up to there.  (I don’t think it’s a ‘blind spot’ I think its purposeful manipulation).  

    1. I’ve interviewed Suthers, Coffman, Penry, & Hasan. (Upcoming: Doug Lamborn’s office is trying to find a time in Denver that fits both of our schedules.)

      Every single one is someone who I am happy to see in office. Doesn’t mean I agree with them and it doesn’t mean I would vote for them. But each one I think contributes positively to crafting the best for Colorado and is focused on makig government work well.

      And yet the party as a whole seems to be driving off the wingnut cliff. So what’s going on? I don’t think they all gave me a song and dance selling something they’re not. As the robots in the ’50s SciFi movies would say “does not compute.”

  2. is that really all he had to say about blogs, while talking to someone who is a regular contributor to a blog that rips him apart on a weekly basis? I mean, Pols has made it perfectly clear how they feel about Penry, I don’t think I’m overstating anything there.

    I happen to agree with their assessment, and I must take umbrage with your glossy interpretation of his performance as Senate minority leader:

    So what do we have with Josh Penry? We have someone who is doing a good job as Senate minority leader, both opposing the majority party and remaining an opponent looking for chances to compromise rather than as an enemy looking for every advantage.

    Penry doesn’t want to compromise. He is the ring master of the Circus of No. He has looked the other way on Schultheis, Renfroe, and Swastika Guy, and he has publicly condemned a member of his own party who had the gall to speak the truth about people who aren’t even elected officials.

    If that’s the type of leadership we could expect out of him in the Governor’s office, then I will happily take four more years of Bill Ritter to at least get competence. Hell, I would vote for a can of beans over Penry–and the can would probably govern better too.

    1. CALM DOWN – DON”T PANIC, this is just an intellectual exercise. Start breathing again.

      Ok, you back? Lets assume. What then should we Dems do if we were told that in return for our votes we could get minor tweaks to the Repub proposals – but just minor tweaks?

      I’m not saying that NO is the only response. But it does strike me as a reasonable response. What I found interesting was that it was pretty matter of fact – the Dems didn’t have to give them anything and so were not going to.

  4. What a breath of fresh air on this noxious site, David.  What I took away from your interview with Penry is that you see him as a real person and not some cartoon character like the rest of your peers on this site.  Those of us who know Penry agree with your assessment.  Do we agree with him all of the time? No.  Do we respect him and his approach to leadership? Yes.  I think anyone who spends time with Penry will see that he is smart, he’s not abrasive (like Lamborn) and he has the ability to set partisan bullshit aside when it’s time to cut a deal.  Wouldn’t THAT be refreshing on the first floor of the capitol?

      1. Bill Ritter is a smart and nice person.  However, he’s not a leader and he is a partisan.  That’s why his numbers are in the tank right now.  

        1. Bill Ritter is a partisan!? Stop the presses!

          Josh Penry, that bastion of non-partisan light, will surely lead us out of this.

          Penry couldn’t be more partisan.

        2. Mesa, do you believe Penry somehow isn’t “a partisan”? Just about everyone who’s ever discussed on this site, with the possible exception of Al White, “is a partisan.” What’s your point?

        3. Yes he is a smart/nice/decent guy on a personal level.  He’s also an amateur splashing around in a very deep pool with water wings.  Ask any dem at the capitol if they respect him?  Ask them if they fear him?  Do they wait to hear what position Ritter is going to take on something before they say anything?  No, no and No.

          Penry would beat Ritter like a rented mule.

          1. What has Penry done in his career? Has he ever been an executive at any level, other than running his Senate office?

            He’s a career politician, he has no real-world experience, and you are drastically overstating Penry’s chances at beating an incumbent Governor.

            Remember, the entire state votes, not just Mesa, EPC and DougCO. Penry has very little support outside of those areas, and it would be incredibly hard for him to win in Arapahoe, JeffCO, and Denver–the three counties you need to do well in if you want to win statewide.

            Care to try again? It’s basically the same story with all the other Republican candidates. I’m sorry, but embattled, unpopular and disrespected or not, Bill Ritter is still in a stronger position to win than anyone else.

          2. because he didn’t say yes to breakfast or whatever. David is a push over.  Of course everyone he interviews seems nice.  How many people fail to be pleasant one on one and what does that prove?  

            1. I’ve been turned down by numerous people. And many of the ones I have interviewed first turned me down numerous times.

              The reason I’m hard on Udall is that he ran away from his constituents. Three years ago he stopped having public Q&A sessions. Now granted the Rocky Mountain Wingnut Peace & Justice Center people were a handful. But I believe that an absolute responsibility of every elected official is to go talk to their constituents and answer their questions.

              Udall ran away.

      1. (and was) about your interviews with Democrats. It’s not a partisan thing, it’s a slobbering thing.

        (That being said, your sit-downs with Buescher and Kennedy were quite good and well written. But if you really think Udall is ducking you because you’re too tough on your subjects, you probably won’t ever understand.)

        1. So yes they get to drive the direction of the conversation. I do this for 2 reasons. First, there’s not a lot of value in my asking the same 5 questions every reporter asks them. All I do then is repeat the same 5 answers back.

          Second, I think what they choose to talk about delivers good insight to what matters to them. For example, not a word from Josh about the right-wing social issues. That’s not driving him.

          No interview is a comprehensive picture of everything. What I shoot for is trying to find the big picture issues that are driving that person. Because that will give you some idea of where they will focus their efforts and what they will fight for.

          1. Because, yes, politicians are always forthright and tell the whole truth when they’re talking to a stenographer hanging on their every word. They’re equally forthcoming when telling their media consultants what to emphasize in their next glossy brochure — and that’s just as, if not more, illuminating than their sit-downs with David.

            But, seriously, it’s great to know that Penry “dives in” to all sorts of subjects. He’s a go-getter!

          2. But I come to a very different conclusion about why you didn’t hear about right-wing social issues.  Penry may just be like a lot of politicians – he’s not driven by his Party’s platform but rather by the burning desire to win higher office.  That is what drives people – more than anything else – who are running for office.  In fact running for office (anything beyond dogcatcher or town council) can be pure torture if you don’t have that fire in the belly.  

            1. There are a million different ways to approach an interview. And the best results are to have 5 or 10, each from a different direction.

              But I think by and large if left to run the conversation, people tend to go to where they are comfortable. In fact, for many politicians, the conversation is going to go back to their comfort zones regardless of what you ask.

              I agree politicians are by definition good at getting a message across. But they are human and imperfect, even Obama (ex. Tonight Show). And in the long periods during which they speak, I think you do get to see a bit of who they really are.

              As to the drive for higher office, I don’t buy that across the board. My mom is driven by what she is able to accomplish. And I think that holds true for many of our elected officials. That’s not to say that they don’t want elective office too. That’s not to say that some don’t want to move up the chain too. But I think it’s a combination and I think for many it’s what they can accomplish that is the true driver.

              The ones for whom it’s all about the office generally are transparently that way, because everything is triangulated around moving up the ladder.

              1. But speaking from my own experience, the higher the office, the more overwhelming the experience of running for it is, and the more “fire in the belly” you must have to survive the experience.  That doesn’t mean you don’t have priorities you want to accomplish, but the desire to win does tend to trump all.  And I’ll add, serving in elective office does not give you unilateral power to achieve your policy goals – you’re always working with fellow officeholders, the public, and other stakeholders to carve out a successful compromise on an issue.

      2. and probably reasonably smart too. So if that’s what you discover in your little interviews so what? Conversely if you base your evaluation on not being favored with a “yes” maybe being nice to David isn’t really the sole yardstick we should be relying on.  Do you expect people to accept your invitation and then be rude or act crazy?

  6. Oil and gas companies are stockpiling record drilling permits prior to the implementation of the rules; will these companies admit they lied through their teeth–enabled by CO GOP–when they come back in force to drill, drill, drill as soon as they successfully deplete the over-supply they themselves created?

    The Sentinel is reporting today:

    The rules’ implementation follows an apparent last-minute push by energy companies to file for drilling permits under the old rules. As of Friday, 793 permit applications had been received in March by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, despite a sharp slowdown in drilling activity in the state. Acting commission director Dave Neslin said more March applications came in this week. He said the prior one-month record had been 784, set last April.

    There are in fact, plans, permits and other indications that the industry is preparing for another big drilling push–hundreds of wells proposed near DeBeque, new wells proposed in roadless forests on the GMUG, thousands of wells planned (ExxonMobile) in Rio Blanco County.  

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