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September 01, 2005 08:00 AM UTC

Strange Irony for Rutt Bridges

  • 28 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

Democrat Rutt Bridges continues to look like the strong leader he had been trying portray when he was running for governor. Bridges dropped out of the race for governor last month because when he decided that he didn’t want to be a candidate himself, and his classy withdrawal almost showed more of his character than had been revealed during his brief campaign.

Bridges has now returned his campaign contributions, but in a letter to supporters he encourages them to donate that money to the ‘YES’ on Referenda C&D campaign — with a pledge that he will match those donations himself. From the Rocky Mountain News:

“I believe this November’s election is as important to Colorado’s future as next year’s legislative and governor’s races,” Bridges said Wednesday. He mailed the refunds and matching checks this week.

“I’m enclosing a full refund of the money you contributed to my campaign,” he wrote in the letter. “You shouldn’t have to pay for my mistake.”

Bridges filed his candidacy papers on June 2 and by June 30 had raised $131,699, according to secretary of state records. He dropped out on Aug. 11, saying he didn’t think he had the “skills or the stomach to be an effective politician.”

Bridges said Wednesday he couldn’t immediately recall how much additional money he raised during July and August. Each donor received a refund check on the “Bridges for Governor” account; a personal check from Bridges in the same amount made out to Ref C; and a stamped enveloped addressed to the Ref C campaign. Donors who decided to keep their refund, rather than sign it over to Ref C, were asked to tear up Bridges’ personal check.

Whether or not you agree with Bridges that Referenda C&D need to pass in November isn’t the point here. What stands out about Bridges is that he is putting his actions, and his money, where his mouth is on C&D. It’s a strange bit of irony that he looks more like a guy who might have made a good governor now that he isn’t running.

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28 thoughts on “Strange Irony for Rutt Bridges”

  1. There should never have been a question Rutt would have been a good governor because he has good leadership and management skills.  The political process is the problem. 

    Lots of good people won’t subject themselves and their families to the process.  It’s a shame.

  3. Rutt Bridges is a class act and I’ve appreciated his leadership for a long time. This is a hard thing for a Republican to admit.

    Keep making everyone think, Rutt.  Best to you and yours.

  4. A prime example of someone willing to stick their neck (and their wallet) out for a major issue that impacts every citizen in this state.  My hat goes off to you Rutt and I’m so sorry that the “progressives” in this state were unwilling to support such a stand up guy.

    This is also the reason (as a Democrat) that I have a problem with the so-called “progressive movement” plaguing Colorado democratic politics (as well as the national Democrats) right now.

    When it’s time for the “progressives” to pony up the cash, all I hear are crickets and the sound of closing checkbooks.  Sorry to say, but I don’t see Mike Miles or his bunch matching dollar for dollar nor, do I see much coming from Pat Waak and her ragtag crew at the state party with regards fundraising right now. 

    This is it CO Dems.  If C&D doesn’t pass, stick a fork in us because not only will the next state legislative session be a wash but so will the next two election cycles.

    It’s time to wake up “progressives” and put your money and some viable leadership where your big mouth is…

  6. BTC is raising cash for Ref C&D and has been promoting events strongly geared towards educating Progressives on how to get out the word on C&D.  As a Be The Changer and a self-proclaimed Progressive, I have been giving out almost all of my spare cash and several weekends of my time while trying to recover from an unemployment spell.  The CDP spent a goodly part of last weekend promoting C&D to local party officers at the summit and Central Committee meeting.

    So I’ll kindly ask that you re-consider your remarks, Mr. Griffin.  Perhaps you could stop groundlessly disparaging Progressives, Be The Change, and the Colorado Democratic Party, and start getting involved enough to know just how active those groups are in supporting C&D and growing the party in general.

  8. Phoenix Rising:

    Regardless if you agree with my comments or not, the fact remains that the CDP’s fundraising efforts are in the toilet right now. The fact also remains that Mikes Miles, nor ANY Be The Changer for that matter, will NEVER match C&D contributions dollar for dollar like Rutt Bridges or the rest of the moderate democratic insiders who are the usual liberal suspects writing the BIG checks when push comes to shove.

    Time and time again, moderate Colorado Democrats have funded the majority of the major campaigns in this state and should be the ones taking the majority of the credit for the gains made this past election cycle.  All the while, BTCers were crying in their beers from August 10th, 2004 till now… 

    I have been involved in Colorado democratic politics on more levels than you’ll ever know but this “progressive movement” being shoved down my throat by CDP operatives is a train wreck waiting to happen and I want no part of it.  It saddens me to think that all of the gains we made last election cycle may be lost if we continue to allow BTC and our “new and improved” party to lead Colorado Democrats down the primrose path of complete and utter failure.

  9. I guess some people can’t be pleased; I would have worked for the party regardless of whether Chris or Pat were in the Chair…  Fortunately, from all the commentary I heard at the CDP meeting last weekend, a vast majority of those attending (and all those I heard commenting about it) thought it was one of the most successful and productive meetings ever held by the CDP, and they were all generally pleased with the party.

    I personally would like to see a broader tent at the CDP, and I know a lot of disaffected Unaffiliated and Green voters that want to know the Democratic Party hears their concerns.  Imagine the difference getting the Greens on our side in CO-4 might make…

  11. Hey Phoenix
    Good points
    How much money is now in the CDP coffers?
    What is being done about the brewing scandal over the Denver Democrats bingo operation?
    I am sure that Chairperson Waak being a proponent of full disclosure will demand that her friend and supporter Sharron Klein submit the bingo operation to a full and complete audit.
    Won’t she now?

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