President (To Win Colorado)
See Full Big Line
(D) Joe Biden*
(R) Donald Trump
80%
20%
CO-01 (Denver)
See Full Big Line
(D) Diana DeGette*
(R) V. Archuleta
98%
2%
CO-02 (Boulder-ish)
See Full Big Line
(D) Joe Neguse*
(R) Marshall Dawson
95%
5%
CO-03 (West & Southern CO)
See Full Big Line
(D) Adam Frisch
(R) Jeff Hurd
50%
50%
CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado)
See Full Big Line
(R) Lauren Boebert
(D) Trisha Calvarese
90%
10%
CO-05 (Colorado Springs)
See Full Big Line
(R) Jeff Crank
(D) River Gassen
80%
20%
CO-06 (Aurora)
See Full Big Line
(D) Jason Crow*
(R) John Fabbricatore
90%
10%
CO-07 (Jefferson County)
See Full Big Line
(D) B. Pettersen
(R) Sergei Matveyuk
90%
10%
CO-08 (Northern Colo.)
See Full Big Line
(D) Yadira Caraveo
(R) Gabe Evans
70%
30%
State Senate Majority
See Full Big Line
DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
80%
20%
State House Majority
See Full Big Line
DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
95%
5%
February 28, 2016 08:07 AM UTC
58 Comments
Unfortunately, CO is only having a non-binding straw poll. How does a candidate capitalize on that? Are results even to be accurately measured? Up here the precinct caucus dude/ette is to count hands. I've been encouraging folk in each precinct to photo the post it page and to count themselves, out loud
What are some other caucus tips to keep the Hillary folks from running roughshod over Sanders voters? I missed the caucus training, and haven't found the promised videos.
If you're concerned about it and know that the person elected caucus chair is hyper-partisan, then you should work to get the secretary elected as someone who brings balance to the caucus. You should agree on the results, and be sure you double-check the math and the final reporting forms. And most importantly, you should be active in the caucus discussions.
resistance is futile, MJ! We have bands of aging feminists poised to bash those bernie-loving college kids with our walkers if they dare to show up. Come over to the dark side and we'll give you a forbearance on those college loans.
Clinton supporters running roughshod over BS supporters? What a trite and uncalled for comment. I thought it was the Sanders supporters who view themselves as saviors of the party and are willing to go on fanatical suicide missions for their glorious Sudden Convert to the Democratic Party? I'm betting the Pink Panthers aren't going to be as big a threat as some wonky Democrat who asks BS supporters how his eminence is going to wage war on Wall Street and crush it without declaring Maritial Law and disbanding Congress? How exactly is he going to kill the corporations so that they are never a threat again? That's the kind of stuff that BS supporters should fear the most. That and how he plans to implement income redistribution so that a lot of money is transferred from the wealthy to big government programs. How's that going to come about without Congressional approval? You have bigger things to fear than that some middle aged women who believe peaceful revolution occurs with good Supreme Court picks and strengthening unions by filling Labor Relation Board positions are going to raise their hands twice at the caucus.
Not really, GG. In Iowa, there were some pretty sketchy moves by the Clinton campaign – such as declaring victory before the final tallies were in, 6 coin tosses for delegates to county conventions which mysteriously went 6/6 in favor of the Clinton camp, no written record of voice votes, ("we just counted and then people left") and more.
I didn't follow Nevada as closely, and obviously South Carolina was a big win for Hillary, as was New Hampshire for Sanders- but if Colorado is close, it behooves us to watch out for similar sketchiness. As someone who purportedly believes in democracy, you should also want to avoid dubious caucus moves, and keep everything on the up and up.
You seem to have a lot of venom and strange preconceptions towards Sanders and Sanders supporters – why is that? And would you feel comfortable with any outcome that wasn't a clear Clinton victory, or would you question it….closely?
We know Hillary Clinton is ruthless. It's actually one of her selling points. Her supporters shrug off any accusations of unfairness or shady dealings. If they also, like you, demonize and ridicule Sanders supporters, it makes it that much easier to disregard competing votes and indulge in dubious caucus moves. The end justifies the means, right?
Currently, Clinton has 90 "earned" delegates to Sanders' 85. Then, she has 453 pledged superdelegates. So you should just calm down,GG. Hillary has the superdelegates in the bag,evenif she isn't the people's choice when all is said and done. Just save your blood pressure, dial it back some, and know that your nominee is willing to win by any means necessary…and probably will.
you forgot the part where Hillary sold her soul to Satan. Are you starting to calm down?
So getting creamed by 74% to 26% makes Bernie the people's choice? That sounds like Rubio math to me. I notice you didn't address how Sanders is going to work his miracles in Washington to achieve his Utopian workers paradise but instead chose to play the victim card. When faced with scorching criticism about fairy tale solutions you blame the critics.
How about you atoning for being a Bernie Bitch by seeking out a Clinton supporter at the caucus Tuesday and find something in common with them? One of the things I like about the caucus process is that like minded people get together and spend time together discussing their candidates and choices and also taking the time to leave as a cohesive party that understands that the real conflict is not inside that room.
GG this is getting ugly. You just called me a Bernie Bitch. That is not fucking OK. You are not doing your candidate any good at all here, by the way.
And I have plenty in common with Clinton supporters, thank you very much. Some of my good Dem friends are very much in the tank for her. We'll argue, much more civilly than you apparently, but we'll be all good once the nominations done.
How about taking your own advice? For sure nobody else will…your tone and choice of words is pretty sure to alienate anyone remotely interested in your point of view.
In fact, you are now in my personal “twilight zone” along with Casper the friendly CD1 candidate, AC, Moderatus, and Voyageur. Getting crowded in there, but at least I don’t have to see your vicious bullshit.
My bad. You just attacked the integrity of Mrs. Clinton as viciously as you could and that's what you call civil? We're kind of like the kettle and pot. Let me reiterate that I don't write to influence anyone's vote or preference. That's such a rookie blogging goal. I don't care how you vote at the caucus but you should at least show some respect towards the candidates in your own party even if you can't answer how your preferred candidate can achieve his lofty goals without Congressional support.
indeed.
Sorry I broke the Detente Duke but I was provoked. I try to play nice but I've been in some pretty dark places in the human psyche since my diagnosis and have had to walk through some valleys of fear without anyone beside me so when I came out of my initial despair, I was a more twisted individual no doubt. I have no patience with phonies anymore and consider pissing off sanctimonious people as more entertaining than watching another rerun of Gunsmoke. I live in a twisted world Duke where bending down to tie my shoelaces is a triumph and being able to fire off spur of the moment zingers fun.
Oh, not too concerned…mama can take care of herself….
I am not here on this planet to judge anyone, my friend. I am sorry to hear of your struggles. My best wishes and hope for peace and recovery, GG.
Ultimately, we all have to deal with our own Karma…
Sounds like you caught a bad break, Gg. Hang in there. We can gorgive the occasional sally — I believe Mama calls those moments a "full voyager".
More best wishes,GG.
Duke – There is a difference between some respect and no respect. There is a lot that I happen to like about Bernie’s message and making income inequality a national issue like the deficit or fighting terrorism. It is a great way to shift the conversation away from the Republican obsession with hurting the poor because they are lazy.
I like some of the populist anger that he has channeled into calls for reform. Income inequality is a major hurdle in our society and debates on how to achieve a greater chance for opportunity is a good thing.
Where I disagree with Sanders is his scapegoating of a minority and blaming them for all the ills in the world. Scapegoating the rich isn't all that different from scapegoating immigrants. I think this is why he is tanking with minorities. They understand the negative effects of scapegoating in ways that affluent college kids can't.
The other thing that I think Sanders is weak on is deliverables. How many of his signature issues (Break up the Banks, Tax the Rich, Free College for the qualified and Single Payer) do you realistically think he can enact in four years. I can't think of one that I would bet money on that he could get past Congress. For all the talk about Clinton being an incrementalist and too slow, I'm afraid that Sanders if he won would be faced four years later have nothing but empty promises to show for his time in the White House. In the software trade, we call it vaporware. It's voodoo policy that is magically going to get passed because everybody is really anger towards the scapegoats. That sounds a lot like the Jewish Bankers Conspiracy in 1930's Germany. Maybe the rich few are the source of all our problems but inciting hatred against them isn't necessarily a healthy thing in my mind. I would like to see him expand his idea of revolution to encompass non-government solutions like empowering uniions and infiltrating the board rooms of corporations with progressive board members who rewrite CEO contracts. It doesn't have to be a we/they war. That part of the Sanders solution is a real turn off to me.
mama it was a low blow to accuse me of trying to use my writing to influence the minds of other people to get them to change their behavior. Talk about a disrespectful insult. It's like peeing on the enemy's flag.
You have no idea where I've been in my life or what my thought processes are when I write but I hope you believe me when I say that I have no hope or expectation of changing any of your beliefs in all your negative shit when I comment on your public postings. I don't know why you seem to think that slinging mud will benefit your candidate but you get to decide what you are going to post and I get to reply and ColoradoPols is one of those few sites in the universe where free speech is protected. I love this site for it's no holds barred candor. I like your writing most of the time (I really do) and we had some fun with limericks recently so don't write me off just yet. I hope you enjoy your caucus tomorrow night and stay positive with your fellow Democrats. It could be a big win for us in November if we stick together.
I hope you're not this rude in real life.
Depends on whether I'm dealing with people who love thinking they are important.
Please, people. Our feelings on a blog like this are our own problem, nobody else's. GG or anybody else here can call me whatever they want to call me. I honestly don't understand this compulsion to hand out etiquette advice. It's just a blog. We can all participate or not, take the heat or not. Being thin skinned on a blog makes no sense to me.
Grow a pair, people (with apologies to the PC brigade who want us to get rid of any pithy turn of phrase deemed not sufficiently feminist. It's a nice old figure of speech and I like it. Sue me. Or call me an asshole. Whatever).
I was once called a scumbag (guess that's non-sexist anyway since scum is gender free and I think the person who insulted me thought I was a man at the time anyway) right here on this blog and nobody caught me whining about it or scolding anyone for being so crude or begging for a more elevated tone. In fact, mixing it up can be very exhilarating. Or maybe it's just something in my third generation Chicago DNA.
Take a little pride in being able to take a punch. You can defend blog friends with facts instead of tiresome scolding. You can trade a few insults. Trust me. Just puff out your chest and say "I can take it, asshole". You'll feel better.
You've taken some nasty shots at me before; but nothing outside the realm of normal blog discourse. But, the nasty and sexist "Bernie Bitch" name calling has no place on this blog. I cannot believe the moderators tolerate that; and that your friends on this blog condone it.
I think, Zmulls, my earlier comment I would submit as a sort of operating principle around here.
Ultimately, we all have to deal with our own karma… –
Of all the things I admire about this blog and its creatures, and they are many, this may be the one I most cherish. I support GGs' freedom to be a jerk as much as I support mamas freedom to be better than that…or not.
GG and I have already had our discussion on the matter. I strongly believe we should never restrict our speech. unless it damages another person..Mama has not been damaged (pissed off, yes) by GGs' attitude and ascerbic prose…only he has…
You need to double check your own link. Hillary has 90 pledged delegates to Bernie's 65. 85 is his number once you add in his super delegates, in which case the comparison is 543 to 85. And since the numbers look like Hillary will in fact win more states and more votes and more pledged delegates, in what universe does that not make her "the people's choice"?
Ask me again in a couple of weeks. If I'm wrong,I'll admit it.
I don't think I'm wrong.
I think you have the wrong impression of Clinton supporters when you assume that accusations of unfairness and shady dealings are shrugged off. In my case, there are other things that I think are more important to the qualifications of a candidate then who they have worked for. These are qualifications that from my perspective are equally ignored by Sanders supporters. In particular, I'm interested in how candidates handle adversity. How do they deal with defeat and do they get back up after getting punched in the face? As some one who knows what it is like to have a life shattering experience and be low to the point of hopelessness, I am in awe of Mrs. Clinton's ability to forgive an unbelievable breach of trust and find a way forward with her marriage and with her career. Forgiveness is one of those eternal human attributes that shines forth when expressed through our lives. I really like how Mrs. Clinton has handled the low points life and think she will probably spend her last days with the love of her life. Anyone who propagates the Clinton conspiracy that they are an estranged and dysfunctional couple who only stay together out of political convenience are despicable people whose opinion are of no value to me and who I will shun at every opportunity. Mrs. Clinton fits my criteria of a leader who has the emotional and mental toughness to face adversity and find a way through. I don't ignore your concerns. I just have a different set of standards for deciding my preferences.
GG, I can tell you for a fact that similar things happened in 2008 in my own precinct. One candidate's supporters tried to mislead a largely uninformed caucus on procedures, and succeeded at least in part. Some people play hardball politics at caucuses, and some people like to use their knowledge of the rules like Harry Reid does in the US Senate.
I can tell you PR that Gilpin County Democrats have had very wise county chairs going back to 2008 who have tried very hard to make it a fair and inclusive affair for all. Best of luck in your caucus tomorrow and I hope you love voting as much as I do. It's going to be a good night for all of us.
I am a moderately experienced precinct captain (now a precinct committee person). It is sometimes difficult to contain the enthusiasm of passionate people. I am well aware of this as I am sometimes called upon to restrain my own outrage and aggression. There are rules..too numerous to list them all here…I don't have a scanner. but…There is a place for candidate representatives to sit. they may not participate in any discussion. Each caucus meets and selects a spokesperson to address the group for 2 minutes. Then you vote and divvy up delegates to the county assembly. No general back and forth. bad idea.
…except about the platform, of course, which, in Mesa County is new and different this year.
The Coloado caucuses are more than a non-binding straw poll. The preference poll (not the preceding straw poll) determines how delegates are chosen to the County conventions, and the County preference polls are then used to choose delegates to the State Convention. The State Convention preference poll determines delegates to the National Convention.
Our caucus packets contain a spot to record individual preference poll votes, and we also record delegate preference results for the state party. Accuracy should be validated by caucus-goers, who should be able to watch the tallies recorded and signed by the caucus chair and secretary. There is a challenge process.
Technically non-binding but in my HD, HD38, delegates selected for each candidate have typically stuck with that candidate. We have always been very meticulous about accurate counts and honoring those counts. Can't speak for other HDs. We've always had great honest officers in our HD and, in my experience, in the entire Arapahoe County party structure of which my HD is a part (almost entirely).
Things just got very interesting: Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Vice-Chair of the DNC, endorses Bernie.
Here is a working link
She is absolutely fascinating. Combat veteran who resigned an elected position to finish her Iraq tour, comes back to get elected to another position.
… AND old enough to constitutionally qualify for the ticket come election time.
That link doesn't work for me, Michael.
Conventional wisdom says Bernie wins because we are a caucus state. But Hillary won both Nevada and Iowa. MY guess is basically a draw when delegates are tallied. We will see.
You were right when you mentioned our history of picking "kinky losers" (i.e., Rick Santorum in '12, Mittens in '08, Jerry Brown in '92). I'm really surprised Kucinich didn't beat Kerry in '04.
I'm predicting Bernie by 54% to 46%. (That's a big improvement for HRC after her God-awful 32% in '08.) Bernie kicks ass in Vermont where he's up by about 75% right now. He also wins in Minnesota. Massachusetts ends in a virtual tie (51-49% one way or the other).
HRC wins everywhere else. HRC wins the most delegates. By far…..
Sounds about right. But if Hillary wins Massachusetts, no matter how narrowly, I think the fat lady will start singing.
The only way I switch from Bernie to Hillary is if she announces her running mate is Kinky Friedman….
Ride on, Jewboy! The Clinton Friedman ticket carries Texas and Florida!
Try this, V.
Curious V, it worked for me.
Me too
I agree with PR. be watchful, even a little suspicious.
The great thing is that Bernie is going to really increase our attendance.
Actually, Gray, attendance has been down for Ds compared to 2008. I expect the same here.
I know. But, our little county is pretty contrarian. We'll see. I'm hoping to elect a couple of younger committee people
We definitely need new blood. So I hope to see it. I don't really care who wins Colorado caucus. I want to go D in November and maybe pick up Coffman seat in the bargain.
That would be an outcome satisfactory to me
The top race preference vote (e.g., prez, US Senate or governor) is how both parties traditionally have done their delegate selections at caucuses. I realize the GOP will not do a preference vote for prez because of their – ah – unfortunate experiences in the past.
Just out of morbid curiosity, does this mean they are doing a preference vote for the US Senate or nothing?
Frank, None–the Rs election of delegates this year at caucuses and county assemblies is not based on any preference vote. Of course, a candidate preference for any one or more offices might influence who gets elected as delegates, but not by any formal process. For example, Rep Gordon Klingenschmitt is running for SD 12, and I understand he is working to load delegates from those precincts with his supporters to get onto the primary ballot at the SD 12 Assembly.
At least on the Democratic side (and I believe the Republican side, too), the President is the only race on the Convention ticket. Senator preference determines Assembly delegates this year. (Governor does when they're on the ballot, and I guess the Congressional races are the top of the ticket when we have neither state government nor US Senate races to vote on. That won't happen until the 2024 Presidential election – CO-Sen 3 (Bennet) 2016, Gov. 2018, CO-Sen 2 (Gardner) 2020, Gov. 2022, nothing 2024, Gov. and CO-Sen 2 2026…)
from Washington Post 2/28/16
Winning at all costs. There it is.
Not exactly what Mitch McConnell is saying:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-party.html?_r=0
Reply
– See more at: http://coloradopols.com/diary/81080/weekend-open-thread-148#sthash.5tAPQOpY.dpuf
GG, I unblocked you for a minute….regretting it. But I'll reply briefly, as I in fact do have bigger things to worry about than a flame war on a leftie blog.
You pretty much said that you're in a dark place in your life due to illness and find that getting on Pols and firing off zingers at "sanctimonious people" is fun. In other words, you're in pain, and this is your place to vent. I happened to get in the way when I ventured to ask for advice about dealing with well-documented Clintonian overreach at caucuses. Maybe Gilpin County is squeaky clean as you say, but that certainly is not generally true.
You decided that I made a good target and unloaded both barrels. I'm not only a "Bernie Bitch", but "sanctimonious" "a phony", "posting negative shit", and I don't know what else. I'll just say this:
There are plenty of Hillary supporters who don't resort to such insults. On this blog, however, I observe that most of the really "negative shit" is coming from Hillary supporters, and directed towards Sanders supporters. There are also plenty of people who are ill, in pain, carrying great turmoil and stress in their lives, who somehow still manage to discuss issues and policy on political blogs without being complete jerks. Food for thought.
You know what mama? This is a blog and one where people are free to post anonymously which can be very freeing, allowing the letting off of steam under another persona in a way that maybe they wouldn't want to do as their real selves or couldn't do because of job or position issues. Some are happy to be really nasty even without that anonymity. Sure some of us are dicks sometimes but it's just a blog. You're getting way too upset over this. If GG is too much for you then you're right to do yourself a favor and block.
And all the "negative shit' is not coming only from Bernie supporters, you know. What about Bernie supporters' hysteria over HRC supporters somehow taking over caucus by nefarious means? Iowa has long had problems with counts. I don't know why because I only know my own caucus in an Arapahoe County HD. I know that vigorously arguing for your choice and trying to change people's minds is perfectly OK, in fact what you're supposed to be free to do at caucus. I know that I've never been to one in my HD that, when the arguing is over, the procedure isn't followed to the letter with perfect fairness on the part of the HD Chairs and officers no matter who they support.
One of the things that we do at caucus is elect PCPs (precinct committe persons). Every caucus is a new beginning. If you've been a PCP it doesn't just carry over. You have to show up and be elected again alhough, with the shortage of people volunteering for the positions, getting elected mostly consists of saying you'll do it and everybody else saying "fine". If there are unfilled slots (always are) HD Chairs can appoint later.
If you're that concerned about corruption in your HD and/or County have you thought of becoming a PCP? Encouraging like minded friends or neighbors to get involved as PCPs? Maybe going on to becoming an HD Chair or other HD officer? There's Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Once you're in at ground level you can attend County reorganizations where County officers are picked. You can find out about the people seeking those positions and support good trustworthy people. You can be as plugged in as you want to be.
Maybe things are as shaky as you seem to think in your County and HD. Maybe you're being a little over the top paranoid. Being a part of it is best way to see what's really going on and to work to make it better. I strongy suspect that the caucus results will accurately reflect the real count, that most delegates will stick with the candidate they were elected to support even though, strictly speaking, they don't have to. Generally the only people running to be selected as delegates feel pretty passionately about their candidate. The super delegate system is what it is and, yes, it gives the party establishment outsized power but that's a separate issue that has nothing to do with dirty tricks at caucus.
Anger and insults are very definitely not confined to HRC supporters. We see that here every day. You seem as bitter, angry and quick to assume the worst about HRC supporters as any of them are concerning Bernie supporters. Most on both sides simply sincerely believe they've made the right choice, may believe those who don't see it their way are idiots but have no intention of engaging in nefarious behavior to make sure their candidate wins. Think Voyageur. I'm sure he has every intention of playing it fair and square at caucus no matter how insulting he may be to those who don't share his views on HRC or on feminism in general. Bet GG does too.
Al of which is why we should separate caucus from the Presidential voting.
a voting primary would increase turnout, solve the challenge of those disenfranchised for logistics and law, and eliminate caucus …hi jinks where the experienced caucus goers take advantage of the less experienced.
have a caucus, by all means. Lock the doors to outsiders and build the party!
But vote for Presidential nominees.