The HD-56 Soap Opera

by: chris82

Thu Mar 27, 2008 at 11:32:03 AM MDT

The Denver Post finally picks up the wackiness going on up in House District 56 with Republican candidate Muhammad Ali Hasan. My guess, this seat is safe for the Dems.

Muhammad Ali Hasan: Master of the Terrible Press

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 15:54:27 PM MST

If only Republican Muhammad Ali Hasan could turn his fantastic ability to generate horrible press into votes. The man who gave us, literally, "The Worst Press Ever" is back at it again. From The Summit Daily News:

A temporary restraining order was filed against state representative candidate Muhammad Ali Hasan by his former girlfriend and publicist Alison Miller.

Miller accused Hasan, a Republican who is running to represent Eagle County in District 56, of harassing her by text message, attempting to break into her e-mail, and then repeatedly demanding that she sign a waiver saying she would not sue him for doing so, according to court documents.

The temporary restraining order was filed on Monday and a hearing for a permanent order is scheduled for March 10.

According to the order, Hasan cannot be within 100 feet of Miller or her children and must stay away from her home and workplace.

Miller, a former Vail Daily reporter, alleges Hasan kept tabs on her whereabouts and shows up unannounced despite being asked to stop. she also alleges Hasan tried to threaten her into signing the waiver.

"(The situation) led up to him taking me to his attorney's office just two hours after I was released from the hospital and was ordered to bed rest and was on pain meds and anti-nausea meds, and he demanded I sign the documents before he took me home," Miller wrote in a court petition.

To fully understand why this story is completely UNsurprising to anyone who has followed Hasan, check out this post from earlier this year. On the bright side, apparently he is no longer the "Mayor of Commitment-Phobia-Ville."

Worst...Press...Ever. Ever.

by: Colorado Pols

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 10:04:09 AM MST

The Westword story isn't damaging because it is a hatchet job by the reporter. The story is damaging because of Hasan, his family and advisors, who seem completely oblivious to the fact that a reporter is in their midst. Hasan comes off as a complete and utter (we won't say it, but it rhymes with "goose tag") in the story, which includes these gems:

Republican Announces, Sort Of, in SD-8

by: Colorado Pols

Tue Oct 16, 2007 at 16:05:21 PM MDT

We get a lot of press releases here at Colorado Pols, and some are better than others. Of course, others are also stranger than some, including this one from Republican Muhammad Ali Hasan, who announced today that he is thinking about announcing his candidacy in Senate District 8.

Eagle County resident and political news commentator Muhammad Ali Hasan has filed as a candidate for Colorado State Senate District 8 with the Secretary of State. While a final decision on a run for the seat is not expected until January, Hasan has decided to move forward in the process to adhere to state campaign laws and to allow for more liberty in exploring his options.

"I have a deep respect for campaign laws," Hasan said. "Since there is no provision for exploratory committees is Colorado, filing shows everyone I am serious about thoroughly evaluating a possible run. I plan to use the next few months to have conversations with residents and local party leadership before making my final decision."

You've got to love that first quote. I have a deep respect for campaign laws. Well, that's certainly good to know.

But the strangest part of the release is that it includes a quote from a random person in Glenwood Springs who specifically mentions the fact that she doesn't endorse Hasan, making this the first press release we've ever received highlighting a non-endorsement:

Jeannie Ford Artez of Glenwood Springs said she is also impressed by Hasan's energy and eagerness.

"Though I haven't decided who to endorse yet, personally I think he is a terrific young man who is very bright," Artez said. "I have very much enjoyed meeting with him and I look forward to seeing what he is going to do."

Huh? Could Hasan not find someone who could, you know, actually endorse him? Did he just meet this person on the street and ask what they thought of him?

The full press release follows.