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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(R) Jeff Hurd
(D) Adam Frisch
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
52%↑
48%↓
State Senate Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
80%
20%
State House Majority
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DEMOCRATS
REPUBLICANS
95%
5%
August 31, 2010 07:23 PM UTC
74 Comments
I’m voting for Governor Tancredo.
the primaries are over and we’re onto the general election now. Either that or he actually wants to depress the Dem turn out in a tough election so the candidates we picked, especially Bennet, all lose and he can say I told you so. Of course that wouldn’t work for the unopposed Hick or any of the other unopposed candidates but never mind.
It’s just that Sirota is a career whiner who couldn’t care less about who is or isn’t elected, just like Limbaugh is a career blatherer. The difference is measured in the millions of bucks disparity in remuneration. Although, here’s a thought. He could try attacking GOP candidates and their policies. He could get paid for columns and appearances that way, too. Maybe he really doesn’t know the primaries are over.
I think Sirota cares very deeply who gets elected, because he is after the almighty dollar, just as Limbaugh is. They’re both career blatherers, and Obama getting elected has put many millions of bucks into the wallets of Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Palin and the rest of them.
Sirota sees this and wants his, too. So should Maes or Tanc manage somehow to get elected, Sirota just might make a lucrative career out of beating on them day in and day out.
Either that, or Sirota is a hopeless purist doomed to a forever unhappy existence.
I’d say that what he isn’t is anyone to whom a serious person ought to pay attention in formulating political views or making voting decisions. Must say though, he does manage to make a living. Suckers really are born every minute on both sides of the aisle.
he’s trying to influence the deep thinkers here on Colorado Pols (cough, cough, hack, hack) in an effort to move our more progressive party in a more progressive direction.
I have held the conviction for some time now that someone needs to stand up publicly and exclaim that taxes are not evil. Taxes are good. Taxes pay for very important things. Even conservatives like to pay for defense and all sorts of whiz-bang new military hardware and exotic intelligence systems.
Taxes are very much investments in our future. If we refuse to acknowledge the importance of taxing ourselves appropriately, then we do in fact cede the whole argument to the far right. It will be their frame that rules the conversation.
The right still does want to “starve the beast” and shrink it until “it is small enough to drown in the bathtub”. And if we refuse to acknowledge these things and let them have their rhetorical way, we are doomed as a modern, advanced, developed society.
I for one appreciate Sirota keeps hammering away on these things. Hick needs to straighten up and address the issues we face and be much more creative than his rhetoric suggest he will be or our state will drop down into the ranks of Mississippi and Alabama in terms of economic and educational opportunity.
Yeah Team!
I agree with you JP, but you’re going to piss off a lot of the Polsters here who view politics like their own personal glory days with the high school football team.
For too many it’s progressive enough just to say you’re progressive.
(OK, granted, I’m in a mood tonight, but I’ve been working on a calculus that says a plurality of Coloradoans might actually fare better with a Governor Maes. Given our constitutional and budgetary strictures there’s only so much damage that a Governor Gilligan Maes could do. But for Denver and the Metro area, having to face the prospect of a Mayor Romer looks to have the makings of an apocalyptic fustercluck.)
He’s a good man and has been a very effective councilman for my district. I support him and will work for his election.
Romer- not so much.
and I agree with what you’re saying about the strictures which bind our Governor. It is a fairly feeble position at best. But it serves us poorly to have the standard bearer of the Democratic party sounding so much like a Republican candidate with absolutely no pressure forcing him to do so.
Hick can start acting like a serious Democrat and a progressive Governor.
Screw Maes (and Romer).
I like to clown around, but seriously, I would rather see Maes as Governor than I would see Romer as Mayor, and I would HATE to see Maes as Governor.
It’s my fervent desire that neither will happen.
asinine anti-MM positions, would it?
Not a concern for me since college roughly two lifetimes (35 years) ago. (I would like to see full legalization some day because of the practical, legal, and fiscal impacts; but that’s another thread for another time. I hope that California’s proposition passes this year.) As far as MM goes, I do think it has some valid applications as a legitimate therapy. (And, yes, the program is being abused here in Colorado . . .)
I haven’t yet seen Mr. Duplicitous take a position on anything that’s lasted for more than about two months. He’s asinine in all positions from my vantage and simply untrustworthy.
if we wouldn’t have stupid programs like Race to the Top forced on us by the federal government, we could keep our education dollars here in Colorado. Local control, people.
and Neanderthal Man was a hoax
Those frog head mounts with antlers that they sell at the truckstops? Not real.
jackalope
You’ll have to ask what’s-his-name if jackalopes can be found in the Kiddies Illustrated Bible. May have been a pair on Noah’s arky arky.
Bring in the expert.
if your school district accepts Race to the Top funding?
I don’t think the Gov race is a cakewalk or a done deal as many are portraying. Perhaps Hick realizes that at less than 40% and a block of undecideds of about 20% and the liklihood that Tancredo will either go away or lose people as it gets closer to the election, he still has a ways to go. I think his I am a fiscal hawk mantra makes sense.
Maes has his faults, but this is shaping up to be a rather unusual year and I don’t think Hick has or should count his chickens before they hatch.
I have $100 on Hick. You get the field:
Tin Foil Danny Maes, Tom the Tank, and any other whack job. Put up or shut up.
I just think the race has been prematurely called. If you are asking who is more likely than not to win? Hick. If the question is with the current volitility and the possibility of someone dropping out could things change? I think they still could and that Hick is wise to play things as he is.
When is Maes dropping out?
when their ability to get elected is seen as hopeless. If Tank stays in and the polling has Hick at 40%, Maes at 32%, Tank at 15% and Undecideds at 12% a week before the election, if Tank does not get out, Maes could still win.
Hick still has some work ahead of him.
is that it is very rare for a major party to have as ludicrous a candidate as Tin Foil Danny Maes. John Andrews, who got 40 percent, was even further to the right than Maes. But Andrews wasn’t the figure of ridicule that Maes has now become and at least never sneered that bicycles are a tool of international communism/the UN.
The tank is a political extremeist, but objectively far more qualified than Maes — a former Congessman, former member of the JBC, a legislator, a regional Dept. of Ed administrator for Reagan. His base can’t be wished away. Head to head, Hick would still beat Maes. in a three way, it’s going to be a blowout. And a self-fulfilling prophecy as well…no serious money will go to Maes, which fact, in itself, will ensure that no serious money goes to Maes.
with victory all but assured, why is he running so far to the right? Why is his rhetoric so strongly anti-government spending and anti-tax so early in a race he is expected to win in a walk? Is this the real Hick?
I remember Hick ran as an independent to win the mayorship and I always questioned that. I am a strong believer in party politics as a bulwark against what the other side can do if they gain power (witness that last R administration and Congressional majorities). It was almost a whisper campaign that he was really “one of us” (wink, wink, nod nod).
so… why?
I think you are right .
The first rule in campaigning is don’t take anything for granted. Hick still has to campaign as though he’s in a tight race. Because if Tancredo drops out tomorrow, Hick may find himself behind.
than the Beej. The poor thing got all the way into college with almost no general knowledge on any subject and next to no ability to reason, no ability to tell fact from fiction or to apply rudimentary logic. And he’s a math major, for God’s sake! Teaching innocent others! The Horror! Buy this poor kid a do over. Contribute now!
others like BJ seem handicapped by it. No ability to engage in critical thinking. No real, genuine curiosity about the world.
are as good as those backed by easily accessible documentation. The result of all that you’re special just because crap? If you say Spain is in Asia, honey that’s your opinion and it’s as good as anyone else’s. Here’s your smiley face and your A+. Unfortunately public schools spent many dark years going through that phase too.
We’re not going to throw money at the problem,” is not the same as no new money.
“There is no appetite” among the public for new taxes is not the same as tax cuts.
Apparently fairly stupid. At least, low reading comprehension skills.
He hasn’t won and will not win the allegience of all Romanoff supporters. Get over it. Some of them believed their guy was done wrong and that if Michael walked on water his ankles would actually get wet. From what I hear there are a few teachers in the Denver Public School system who feel the same way.
won his only election.
what does this have to do with a Hick Diary? Stay with us now…
as I was rapidly scrolling and reading I had a dyslexic moment and thought you “Hairy Dick”
That’s funny. Now that would be a divinely inspired typo!
In addition, I think most voters assume (correctly) that more money will not improve our schools.
From the original post:
It helps to actually read the post you are commenting on.
You’re a Democrat, right? Do you want your candidate to run on a platform of false promises, stating that he’ll fund education and ask voters for new taxes to do so?
In the video he states that he wants to figure out what state Government can do in relation to economic development. Should we cut taxes as a part of that? Maybe.
Would you be in favor of cutting taxes for renewable energy companies to incentivize further development of that industry in Colorado – especially since neighboring states aren’t hampered by TABOR and other disincentives we have here?
Would you be in favor of providing start up businesses that would utilize beetle kill wood products? What about tax cuts for teachers?
What about tax cuts for whiney nitpicking journalists?
“how do you cut taxes?”
which is not the same as: “I will cut taxes”
It was a question. But I take back the “stupid” comment. I promote you to “duplicitous”. You’re welcome.
what part of what Hick said in regard to taxes
is untrue?
We’re in the middle of a horrid economy with unemployment hovering at around 8% in this state. What parallel universe do you live in, David, that makes you think the public is looking to pay more taxes when they can barely make their monthly mortgage?
Why then broach the subject unasked? His opponents aren’t gaining any traction on him. Nothing they’re trying to tar him with is sticking. So why this emphasis and why so early in the campaign?
He should back off his rhetorical anti-government flourishes IMO.
Why should he run left? I don’t see him running an anti-government campaign at all. I haven’t heard that kind of rhetoric from his campaign. He said tax cuts could be part of an economic development plan, that makes sense if done in moderation and if the budget can handle it.
Did he say he would have vetoed previous tax cuts previous legislators passed? Does he say he supports the crazy ballot initiatives?
The emphasis he’s showing is of a moderate running a campaign in a moderate state. Why should he pretend to be something he isn’t when Democrats are going to vote for him anyway? He is speaking to the moderates and the independents, not the liberals.
the state I live in has already slashed state spending to the bone. In fact, it has singularly addressed all of its budget problems with an ax on spending. There isn’t even any debate about trying to find new sources of revenue or even trying to overturn the abominable TABOR.
The issues our state faces aren’t moderate or liberal issues. If you really think the correct approach is to drive us to the bottom of the pile relative to every other state in the union, then I guess that is a platform you can support.
As far as higher ed is concerned, we’re already at the point that the funding we do provide is essentially meaningless and our in-state tuition is no real advantage.
But of course, it is easier to say “Oh, that’s just a liberal talking. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’d rather see a Republican win.” rather than have a substantive debate on the implications for our state of these kinds of policy decisions.
You really missed all the debate about repealing a myriad of tax exemptions, probably the most contentious debate of the last legislative session? If the Republicans are to get any traction in legislative races, it’s due to votes Democrats took on these new sources of revenue. And there’s plenty of work being done about how to salvage the state now that Ref C has expired.
every voter hates taxes, and everyone is anti-government, except when it touches them personally (witness the gentleman telling McCain to keep the gummint’s hands of his Medicare!).
What needs to happen is a concerted effort by those of good faith to bring home to the voters why investing in our state is so critical. Why good infrastructure leads directly to good, high-paying jobs. Why they will lose essential services if we don’t find a way to untie the Gordian Knot that is Tabor.
If our side hammered home these messages as relentlessly as the other side hammers home the idea that taxes = bad, then we’d at least have a shot at fixing these problems.
But I fear that many “progressives” in Colorado actually do hold the opinion that taxes are bad. They blame the electorate and that they are just being wise in following the popular mood, but I think if that’s the case then they are showing a distinct failure of leadership.
I’ve been here all along and have seen our state slide to the bottom too. I’m not happy about it either.
There’s plenty of debate about finding new revenue and repealing TABOR, reality usually wins at the end of the day.
The issues facing our state aren’t partisan but our elected offices are. If you really want Hickenlooper to campaign on a platform of repealing TABOR so that he can raise taxes, you’re not only giving fuel to Maes, you’re helping 60/61/101 get passed.
Then we’re in a worse place than before.
As you know there are two ways to repeal TABOR: the general assembly can refer a measure to the ballot, or a citizen backed ballot measure. The legislature has tried in the past, but with the politics it has been hard to get something meaningful through.
As far as I know, not a single citizen has tried to repeal TABOR through the initiative process.
Go forth and git ‘er done, jps…
make me accountable for my words! I see how you are Car 31.
So now, where does one get funding to start an initiative process if they can’t self-fund? That would be an important first step I think.
I did a quick search and was reminded of Amendment 59 in 2008 (how quickly we forget). This didn’t repeal TABOR but tried to establish a savings account for education with the tax rebates people would have received under TABOR.
(and for sh*its and giggles, Google Dougie Bruce’s 2008 op-ed in the paper that shall not be named about Amend 59)
Romanoff and Johnson (bless their pointy heads!) introduced a measure in the legislature that year, which failed.
Here’s a link which gives you info on who supported 59 and possible interested parties. Ask David T to join the fight, he’s a Boulder CEO type. This is right up his alley.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C…
Go forth and kick ass.
http://www.pollster.com/blogs/…
Hick is +17 in favorable.
CrazyDanВ® is -12.
CrazyTom is -32!
That includes teachers and PERA recipients. There are homeless former private sector workers out here getting food stamps when they can.
I’ve been called a Republican 🙂
inability to see that the number one issue right now is creating private sector jobs. Put people to work in the private sector, and the economy will start to hum again. We private sector Democrats have supported the party all these years. It’s time for all Democrats to support something other than their special interest group.
I am a middle-aged white male. However, I don’t subscribe to the idea that you seem to be pressing Bud that public sector spending to increase demand in an otherwise depressed economy is a bad thing. It isn’t and we need lots more of it.
The private sector is sitting on obscene amounts of cash and they are not hiring, not matter how fat their profits or how large their cash hoard.
Hard to build private sector jobs when the private sector refuses to invest in capital intensive projects and refuses to hire.
Bring on those shovel-ready public works projects boys and girls!
I’ve heard so much whining from the special interest groups this year: give me money, give me money, give me money without any regard, empathy, or support for the millions of private sector people out of work. If the public sector money is going to create jobs, fine; but that’s not what the special interests are whining about. And the private sector is sitting on their money. My out-of-work neighbor says he’s being told by companies right now that no one will be hiring for two or three months. Hmmm.
this is such a broad and vague complaint you’re raising I have no idea what you’re talking about really.
so what exactly are you driving at here?
It is about money for education. Hickenlooper said money for education would be tight (well duh). Sirota turns this into a very generic anti-tax, anti-government zeitgeist. I agree with Hickenlooper. Until there is some improvement in the economy, money most likely will remain tight for education. Sirota doesn’t offer a plan of what to fund and how, just a generic complaint.
My point is everyone needs to suck it up. Those who are unaffected by the “Great Recession” act as if it is some little rift in the economy. It isn’t even a top priority for many in the upcoming election. I have been greatly affected by the Great Recession, and I believe many are wearing rose-colored glasses.
You may disagree because you still have a job, but the situation you describe at your company is one that I saw go on for a few years before they moved most of the operation to India.
and I have dealt with extended unemployment several times over the past decade, so don’t judge me.
I disagree because I think this whole idea perpetuated by the right and bought into by many on the left of belt-tightening in the face of severe contraction in demand. It is the exact wrong prescription for our economic woes.
As has been eloquently said by JO on a different diary, you just can’t compare federal monetary issues with a home budget. So we need to put pressure on our federal leaders to stimulate this economy by sending large sums of money back to the states.
And at a state level, we must find ways to raise revenues, even in the midst of this downturn. I am not suggesting you need to personally pay for this Bud if you are already unemployed and strapped for cash. But the impacts of the Great Recession are not being felt equally across the board. There are still many, many people in this state who are more than capable of lifting a little harder, contributing a little more financially to fund the services we need to keep our state the desirable place to live it has been.
If we continue to “tighten our belts” collectively, in the public sphere, then we will continue to contribute to the downward spiral we find ourselves being sucked into. The Japanese “lost decade” will seem like something we will wish for if the worst comes to pass.
He didn’t do that here, and the topic was funding education. I would like to see the bigger picture for Colorado in the present economy and the projected economy for the next three to five years with education as a piece of the pie. I still think that if the job creation doesn’t happen, many of the other pieces will have to wait for additional money. It seems we have to agree to disagree.
it isn’t just about education. It is about the apparent anti-government themes Hickenlooper is developing in his campaign at a very early stage and with nor pressure from any corener to do so. That is what I get from Sirota’s diary and the previous diary on Hick’s “clean campaign” commercial.
I just think we have huge, major issues to worry about right now, and Hickenlooper is the least of them. There’s 60, 61, 62, and 101. There is keeping far-right Ken Buck out of office. There is re-electing our current Democratic congressional delegation.
I’m not an angry leftie, and this type of talk two months before an election just annoys me. I turned Sirota off again this morning. It probably didn’t take more than five or ten minutes before I decided he had to go (pretty common occurrence for me).
before you turned the station?
I am happy with Hickenlooper for governor. I’m hoping he can help create some jobs. I’m sure the ad wouldn’t move Hickenlooper to the top of my list above defeating Ken Buck, 60, 61, 62, and 101, the congressional Democrats, and the local Democratic candidates. I did catch a bit of Thom Hartmann and Bernie Sanders today. They did not spend any time trashing Democrats. I’m sorry anyone in Colorado ever gave Sirota a microphone. I used to enjoy listening to 760 am in the morning. NPR had some interesting stories this morning.
I don’t think it would work as well without the visual to go along…
a continuation from the ‘paid hack’ diary…
A “no new taxes” pledge this isn’t, but it doesn’t take much of a crystal ball to foresee a lack of will to increase revenues through taxation since that would require a tax referendum during an economic downturn. As a prediction it’s pretty spot on, but not something to bring up in election rhetoric since any plan to increase education revenue is going to be called a weasel tax increase by the Right.