“We can’t fire all the career politicians this year, but we can fire one.”
As announced last Friday, here are some excerpts from Robert Blaha’s website, newly minted primary challenger to otherwise ultra-safe Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs:
Robert believes it’s time to bring business experience to Congress. It’s time to breakthrough the federal red tape, complacency and stagnant stalemates – and have our voices heard in Washington, D.C.
Founder of Human Capital Associates based in Colorado Springs, Robert has achieved success by listening, responding, studying and creating coalitions to benefit small businesses and large corporations and nonprofits.
Robert is a nationally recognized expert in analyzing leadership and business processes to streamline organizations, cut costs and increase efficiency, productivity and profit.
Prior to establishing HCA in 1993, Robert held key and senior management positions for Ford, Monsanto and Engelhard & Asea Brown Boveri. After a successful career in major industry, he turned to small and startup businesses, creating jobs and opportunities in the community. Nearly 18 years later, stirred by the economic crisis and loss of jobs Robert turned his focus and abilities to public service.
It’s a pretty lightweight resume overall, folks–we’d say that Robert Blaha is running for the same reasons as two-time GOP primary opponent to Doug Lamborn, Jeff Crank, subsequently of Americans for Prosperity. It’s the same dynamic of widespread dissatisfaction with Lamborn driving Blaha’s run, one of the most doggedly loyal and uninspiring Republicans in Congress. As Lamborn’s original 2006 primary opponent, Crank was arguably better equipped to carry this flag–and still couldn’t get the job done in two attempts, though the second was hobbled by a third vote-splitting candidate in the race.
Regardless, we assume that Lamborn’s aforementioned loyalty to the GOP party line will assure him the resources he needs to flick away all but the very best-qualified primary challengers: no matter how much conservatives in CD-5 would prefer a leader they can be proud of.
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other candidates splitting the vote.
there were about five candidates in the original primary and the rematch was a three-way.
Though in 2006, the race between Crank and Lamborn was so close that some media outlets mistakenly called it for Crank.
http://coloradoindependent.com…
In 2008, you could argue that Bentley Rayburn’s role was clearer.
In 06 when it looked like Lamborn was going to lose, he made a statement to the effect of, “I think 532 people hate America and want to give it to the terrorists” or something like that…does anyone have/remember the quote?
He’s overhead.
a name like Blaha.
When Crank was running against Lamborn, many from outside El Paso County had a hard time believing my opinion that Crank would be worse than Lamborn. Crank is smarter and meaner, and therefore more dangerous. I don’t know anything about Blaha beyond the bio. But–yes, as hard as it may be to believe, it is possible to find worse than Lamborn in El Paso County.
then it becomes more likely for Ds, at the state convention, to put up a credible opponent
in 2006 (Lamborn’s first congressional election) and 2008. The Dems got 40% and 35%. Registration in El Paso County (not exactly 5th District, but close) is D 22.0%, R 42.5%, U 34.7%. As much as I would like to be optimistic, it ain’t gonna happen for even a credible Dem. It was not Lamborn’s wit, intelligence or eloquence that won him the general–just the R beside his name.
That said, it is always good to run a credible candidate, even in a certain loss. It helps all other races, etc.–not to mention the possibility of the “dead girl or live boy”/”lightning strike” scenarios.
Also, famous for Bob Loblaw’s law blog.
(Any Arrested Development fans out there? And, if so, how about Hick’s “To Be Determined” project? Reminiscent of the Bluth’s TBD fundraiser, no?)
Yes, major fan here. It’s sophisticated humor, brilliantly written and yet juvenile at the same time. Perfect blend of humor in my book.
to Bob Loblaw
sadly, was for TBA, not TBD. Different scourge.
He worked for some major firms like Ford and ABB, then started his own company 18 years ago. Looks like a real company too, not some PO box bullshit thing.
Competence. What Lamborn dosen’t have.
I hear Perry Haney’s got a video, and Brandon Shaffer is busy editing Longmont out of his.
Isn’t this fun? Where’s Hank Eng when we need him!
Dude is flat out ballin !
You know, it’s within your rights to put up a diary poking fun at Perry Haney or Brandon Shaffer if you wanted to! But since those primaries aren’t exactly being ignored here, do you think it’s proper to ignore Lamborn’s primary, or are you just upset that a real Republican is calling out the establishment?
Do they think it makes them trendy, which doesn’t help with political gravitas, or are they just too lazy?