President (To Win Colorado)
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(D) Kamala Harris
(R) Donald Trump
80%
20%
CO-01 (Denver)
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(D) Diana DeGette*
(R) V. Archuleta
98%
2%
CO-02 (Boulder-ish)
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(D) Joe Neguse*
(R) Marshall Dawson
95%
5%
CO-03 (West & Southern CO)
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(D) Adam Frisch
(R) Jeff Hurd
50%
50%
CO-04 (Northeast-ish Colorado)
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(R) Lauren Boebert
(D) Trisha Calvarese
90%
10%
CO-05 (Colorado Springs)
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(R) Jeff Crank
(D) River Gassen
80%
20%
CO-06 (Aurora)
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(D) Jason Crow*
(R) John Fabbricatore
90%
10%
CO-07 (Jefferson County)
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(D) B. Pettersen
(R) Sergei Matveyuk
90%
10%
CO-08 (Northern Colo.)
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(D) Yadira Caraveo
(R) Gabe Evans
70%↑
30%
State Senate Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
80%
20%
State House Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
95%
5%
July 15, 2009 01:44 AM UTC
30 Comments
He claims to be an Independent. As if no one has a clue that there’s only one in Congress. I hate to break it to him but if you’re being ambushed by a guy like Mike Stark, he knows who’s in Congress and he already knows what party you belong to.
The real question is why is John Salazar so fucking embarrassed to self identify as a Democrat and has to be shamed into admitting it?
Ambush video is really the best way to engage someone, anyone. The best approach is to act like you’re friendly and then give’em a gotcha-act toward the end (“everybody knows it!”). I probably don’t agree with J.S. on heathcare reform, but I know that this kind of video attack irritates me. Is that the goal of Geraldo, Jr.?
Also, I’m all sweetness and light and I’m not complaining about anything.
fumbling aside, this kind of “journalism” is rude and embarrassing. Someone please tell this Mike fellow to get a grip and then get out of peoples’ faces.
What an inconsiderate prick.
He’s clearly annoyed, and gave the answer in a sarcastic manner because he knew someone was trying to “gotcha!” him.
This is a great example of why blogs are not a replacement for actual journalism.
to say your new demeanor is freaking me out?
Also, I agree, FDL ought to be embarrassed about this clip, not Salazar. And I tend to like FDL a great deal.
Personally, I’m meta-ghetto-fabulous, in a non-ethnic sort of way.
and making it my new sig line. That is just divine.
Personally, I’m meta-ghetto-fabulous, in a non-ethnic sort of way.
..but beware of those who may accuse you of “blogging about beta.”
🙂
(But I will credit you. :))
This is not journalism, this is an asshole with a camera. I’m proud of Salazar for not taking the bait.
I plan on having a lengthy discussion with Salazar’s staff tomorrow.
I couldn’t give a shit less if he stands with his party. I only care about whether he cares about me.
How do you find anybody on Salazar’s staff with whom to have a discussion, lengthy or not?
And I wonder how we’re supposed to recognize Salazar without his hat?
Lastly, I think Salazar cares, but his staff doesn’t give a shit.
and you look for the boots.
But at least he’d tell you upfront that he is a Republican
Good that he’ll admit it, but what good does it do him?
.
for as long as he wants it.
.
I think Rep Salazar handled that totally appropiately and with a lot more diplomacy and time than most of us would have done.
Cameraman was an asshole. But dismissing him misses the point.
Fact: It’s damn hard to get elected officials to talk about WTF they’re up to, ie, what they’re going to do in our name and why they’re going to do it. That’s the problem, not the asshole with the camera. Assholeness on the part of frustrated citizens, right or left, is a symptom. Has anyone here seen any real interview with Salazar about how he’s going to contribute to the big health care remodel? Why is he walking away from the camera? I say Salazar should damn well talk to the jerk — or talk to someone else, someone besides the movers and shakers paying to meet him at a WashPo “salon”!
look, if this cameraman really had important questions for Salazar he should have made an appointment (elected officials are usually pretty bullish on getting press) or asked his questions through a more legitimate venue (press conference, statement from communications, etc.).
Just by ambushing someone doesn’t give you a right to more specific answers. Politicians talk in generalities because they need the wiggle room to compromise and get things through.
Salazar doesn’t and shouldn’t stoop to this hack’s level, I don’t care what his position on health care is.
Also, why are you so concerned that Salazar “contribute to the big health care remodel”? You do realize that the only committee remotely related to it that he’s on is Approps, right? And not even his sub-committee. Salazar was never going to be a player in health care remodeling, he’s not going to introduce his own bill on this or anything, so why would you expect him to have an opinion on someone else’s bill a day after it comes out. Geez.
Press conference? Statement from communications? I can do that for you: “Rep Salazar is weighing the serious matter of reforming our broken health care system. All options are on the table. He is committed to working to find the very best solution for Americans and for Coloradans.”
I’m not concerned that Salazar contribute to the remodel. He is contributing. He has a vote. And he knows about the forces at work on him and the other people with a vote. I want to hear about it.
Why be an apologist for semi-communicative representatives? Baffled.
that is one handsome mustache. Does it come with the district? At least Salazar doesn’t bleach his like his predecessor.
It’s funny to watch you all defend Salazar by attacking the dude with the camera as somehow “ambushing” him. Anyone who’s ever attended one of his events (when he finds time to visit his district) knows that this is how he answers questions ALL of the time. He’s an empty suit embarassment for our state. I think even HE is still trying to figure out how he wound up in Congress.
interesting or relevant to contribute?
I mean, really?
You cannot honestly say that Salazar is some kind of intellectual. Give me a break. Just because we don’t agree with you does not mean it isn’t interesting. The statement was very interesting, and even Salazar’s fellow Members joke behind his back about his lack of intellect. I’m not saying he is not a nice guy, or that he didn’t win his seat honestly, but to leave the impression with your statement that he was meant to be in Congress because of his intellect is insane. I have been to MANY events Salazar has taken questions at, and that is how he answers questions. He is simply unable to go very far off of the talking points, and that is a fact! His rise to Congress despite his inability to talk past what is on a sheet in front of him, or farming. It is as interesting as how someone like Musty made it to Congress.
you’re upsetting the dog
I spent close to an hour talking with him and it was mostly listening on my part. There is no way over the course of that that a person can fake their intelligence level – that would be way too much to memorize in advance.
I’m not claiming he’ll be winning a Nobel prize in physics next yer – but he is clearly a thoughtful intelligent person.
When I interviewed Rep. Salazar he was very open and forthcoming. He did not dance around or avoid questions.
Healthcare was not a primary topic of discussion but it did come up. And it included this, which is pretty specific and I think a very good point.
Finally, people ask for a specific answer to a general point when what legislators have to do at the end of the day is vote up or down a thousand page bill. Yes it’s nice to have them draw a line in the sand one 1 or 2 basic issues. But for someone like Salazar who is trying to find that moderate path, it’s how the entire bill balances out that matters. And that means he waits to see the final result.
This is not journalism. It’s gotcha-how-do-I-self-promote-and-all-my-blogger-friends-get-a-good-yuck-out-of-this. Salazar was upset, clearly, about the questioning in an ambush style, and was digging at the yellow journalist by saying he was independent. It is totally legit to say he wants to see a bill and then make a decision.
Rep. Salazar waited until the last minute–or at least his staff wouldn’t share his position. His constituents had to wait to see the vote. That’s OK I guess. But I think I prefer politicians who tell me where they stand, or at least what they are thinking.
As for the ‘ambush,’ while I find this approach to accountability a little harsh I wouldn’t toss out the tactic altogether. I also don’t find the Congressman’s answers too satisfying. I hope and urge that Rep. Salazar push for and support a public option. I also think he’s a bit overly-cautious in his approach, it is by now a pretty safe district for him.
For those who don’t know, Mike has a long history of getting under peoples’ skin. He was all over former Sen. George Allen after his “Macaca” moment, confronting him on his Confederate leanings (and got assaulted by Allen’s bodyguards for his effort…). Prior to that he had a reputation for sneaking past Rush Limbaugh’s very good screener.
It’s what Mike Stark does, and while I agree it’s abrasive, it’s also sometimes the best way to confront someone with some uncomfortable questions.
Hate the jacket.