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August 30, 2005 08:00 AM UTC

Republican Logjam

  • 107 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

It’s only Tuesday, but Republicans seem to be lining up for primary fights this week.

Yesterday Governor Bill Owens appointed Gigi Dennis as Secretary of State, which compelled Mike Coffman’s campaign to issue a statement that the elected State Treasurer is definitely running for the Secretary of State job in 2006 — even though Dennis doesn’t sound willing to step aside. Dennis refused to say whether she planned to run for re-election in 2006, but she gave up a $108,000 a year federal job to take the $68,500 a year SOS job and you’ve got to think she isn’t terribly interested in looking for another job in 16 months.

Meanwhile, as we first reported back in July, State Representative Josh Penry announced this week that he was running for State Senate in District 7 (Republican Ron Teck is term-limited). Republican Matt Smith had already announced his intentions to run, and expressed disappointment that Penry would also join the fray. From The Grand Junction Sentinel:

A former lawmaker running for the Western Slopes open state Senate seat said hes disappointed his newly announced rival isnt staying put.

Grand Junction Republican Matt Smith said Monday he had hoped Rep. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, would continue to serve western Colorado in the House…

…”Josh barely has 120 days in the Legislature,” Smith said. “I, like many, had hoped that Josh would build some experience in representing House District 54.”

Smith held for eight years the seat Penry now holds. Unlike his GOP opponent, Smith said, hes got that experience under his belt. Both men stress the importance of Republicans backing a strong candidate who can help their party take back control of the Legislature from the Democrats in 2006.

Penry points to his margin of victory over his Democratic opponent in 2004 and such first-year legislative benchmarks as his Water for the 21st Century legislation.

Smith points to his eight-year record in the House. “Im running on experience and getting the job done,” he said.

As we discussed last week, both Democrats and Republicans expect control of the State Senate to be a tough battle, and a Republican primary in an open seat probably isn’t what the elephants were hoping for. Similarly, the GOP already had a strong candidate for Secretary of State in Coffman, who now may have a primary fight with Dennis, and there wasn’t even a Democrat ready to challenge for SOS.

Republicans are out ahead in several races around the state, but they’re also starting to get in each other’s way.

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107 thoughts on “Republican Logjam”

  1. Matt Smith is nothing more than a shadow in Penry’s rear-view mirror.  Voters don’t elect candidates just because they can’t find another job.

  2. Go Josh.  Josh Penry will make an outstanding State Senator and a strong voice for the Western Slope.  Its time for new vision. 

    Matt Smith is a tired old has-been that won’t get out of the gate in this race.

  3. Smith sounded whiney today.  I don’t know how he thinks he can run.  I don’t think Walcher supporters in Mesa County will vote for him after he refused to endorse Walcher in the 04 general.

  5. Matt Smith can only go to the State Senate as an Independent. In fact he would be the favorite if he ran that way and the Democrats got behind him.
    After all he backed his good pal John Salazar who might return the favor.
    ASto Marc Holtzman I see that Elway and George Foreman are scheduled to campaign for him. Is that actually true or Penny Parker simply reprinting a several months old Holtzman press release of dubious validity?

  6. FSR:

    No doubt, most R’s  know that Smith is a Democrat anyway.  John Salazar has Smith to thank for his seat, so maybe you’re right, Salazar might even return the favor and campaign for Smith.

  8. It is interesting how many names Josh Penry can come up with to post as.  Very interesting.  If only Mesa County voters gave a damn what was on ColoradoPols, he might have a chance…

  9. Hey interesting:
    Can you point to ONE (just one) legislative accomplishment of Rep. Smith?  We all know the he single handedly defeated Ref. A (sigh) along with his potato farming buddy but other than that can you help me out?

  10. Penry did show he could work in bipartisan fashion  with Democratic Sen. Jim Isgar.  Between them, they passed the water roundtable legislation, a small but useful beginning in ending the east-west water wars that Matt Smith, John Salazar and other old-line Western Slopers epitomized.  Smith banging the anti-A drum may have been popular, but did nothing to aid either side of the mountains in finding solutions.

  11. INTERESTING….
    Clearly you are not an operative.  Penry is in Denver today sitting in an interim committee hearing that is due to end soon.  Really, its lights out for Matt.  I heard that a poll was commissioned that is showing Penry beating him by double digits.  Sorry shortstack…the party’s over!

  12. Some things never change when it comes to Mesa County Republicans bashing each other.  Both Penry and Smith are decent people.  And, I’m sure they can show those who would choose to play in the dirt what it is like to be class politicians.

  13. Goodgrief:

    Well, keep on dreaming… The 3rd parties will probably come out against Smith, because of his record and Smith will piss and moan about how dirty Penry’s campaign is…that’s how the old guys do it, demonize their opponent rather than own up to their record.  Guaranteed Smith will get mean and dirty.  It’s what he did to Walcher, and it cost the R’s the 3CD.

  14. Wow!  Matt Smith, along with John Salazar single-handedly [sic] defeated Referendum A!  And they were able to get EVERY SINGLE COUNTY IN COLORADO to vote against it?!  Gee, if I were sitting in Mesa County deciding who to vote for, I’d sure want someone with that kind of immense power working for me in Denver!

    … and I’m still weeping over the slam that I’m clearly not “an operative”.  I don’t know how I’ll ever get over that.

  15. JJ –
    What? You’re trying to make Walcher a sympathetic character in this dialogue? You are seriously smoking something.

    I happily watched from the sidelines last year and witnessed no dirty dealings from Smith. Walcher, on the other hand, campaigned like the ethically-challenged, pathologically-ambitious attack dog that he is. People in Mesa County get Greg Walcher and won’t have the wool pulled over their eyes. Over-the-top rhetoric like Matt being a Democrat and supporting Salazar won’t stick, especially if someone from Walcher’s campaign says it.  Matt, like MANY Republicans stayed publicly neutral after Walcher won the primary. That does not constitute support for Salazar.  The only reason Walcher won is because there were four candidates; three of them split the moderate and moderate-hard right (Smith, Rippy and Aljanich), while Walcher garnered the hard-right vote (which, interestingly, Penry is pandering to now, after having campaigned as a centrist last year).

    I don’t expect either Josh or Matt to get down and dirty. I expect hard-hitting issue challenges, but that’s it.  It’s the jokers in the peanut gallery that Penry calls “supporters” that get my ire up.  When I saw Allard’s west slope rep at Josh’s event yesterday, I pretty much got the picture that Walcher was still pissing and moaning about his loss.  It was interesting to watch Derek Wagner huddle with former Walcher supporters – I overheard a few petty, mean comments being generated by the Walcher folks.

    I don’t dislike Josh, so don’t misrepresent my comments (which is your M.O. in this blog). I like both Matt and Josh and find them to be stand-up guys.  I’m very disturbed by the blatantly dishonest characterization of Matt on this blog. Penry should take his supporters to task for engaging in this type of gutter politics.  This is something we expected out of the Bjorklunds, not Josh Penry.

  16. JJ:  Well, before Penry and Smith even have an honest say, there are already enough of the “bashers” on this comment page doing the dirty work for both.  Maybe that’s just how it goes.  I realize these are just personal opinions–perhaps a form of therapy or just their way of venting.  Too bad.

  18. Harajukugirlz… (wow, is that a Mesa State cheer team name?)

    Not defensive, just really angry that good men like Josh and Matt are being trashed. Read my post again.  I like Matt.  I like Josh.  I don’t like the blatant lies and misinformation that Josh’s supporters – like you – are disseminating about Matt. Clear enough?

  19. Hey JJ is smoking something I guess all I’m saying is that Smith was a big baby last election,so he shouldn’t be surprised when people dis him.  It was his unwillingness to come behind Walcher that will cost him.

  20. GoodGrief,
    I tend to agree with you about both being good men.  What continues to bring me back as a Penry supporter is when I ask myself the question: Whose star is brighter?  We all know that the state legislature is a proving ground and a bench for future governors, senators and congressman.  Matt had his shot and can’t let go.  He refused to bow out gracefully to fight another day.  Instead he stayed “neutral” (I see we use that word loosely here) and didn’t help a fellow Republican.  Bottom line is Penry will out-walk, out-fundraise, out-work and flat out beat Matt in a primary.  Lets get behind the future of our great party instead of opening old wounds!

  21. Good grief, JJ.  You have so little regard for the intellect of the voters.  And such childish debate tactics, too.  Clearly, you are no Greg Walcher. (that’s a compliment and a “dis” at the same time, in case you’re wondering).

    No doubt that Matt is vulnerable because of that move, but I think he’ll overcome it. Not gonna share why I think that, but nonetheless I’m very confident.

  29. Waaahhh, JJ and Harajukugirlz… you guys are so good at dishing it out, but you can’t stand it when it gets dished back at you.  I love it! How easy this is going to be….

    That said, I agree with “guyscomeon” – time to put the sharp objects away and try to recover some of my humanity at home.

  30. By intellect of voters you mean voters that vote for candidates based on a 30 second spot, looks, marital status, last name, etc…

    These are all researched results as reasons given at exit polls for ones support of a candidate.  All I can say is that Matt better be able to raise a boat load of money to match Penry’s presence on TV or his goose is cooked.  Maybe he shouldn’t have signed the 65K maximum pledge.  YIKES!  First mistake in the book.

  32. Both Josh and Matt are a bit…er, challenged in the looks department. You have Lurch on one hand and Uncle Fester on the other. 

    Oh, Morticia, my little flower…. I’m on the way.

  33. I, like a lot of Republicans on the Western Slope, am disappointed Josh has decided to needlessly challenge Matt. Josh is doing fine in Matt’s old seat and can have it for as long as he wants it, keeping it firmly in GOP hands. Josh, like any other Republican in the state, should know the GOP needs to focus on taking back the majority, and petty fights like this are not going to help us do that. This is an unnecessary primary that will divide the county–once again. If Josh chooses to take this course, he, like Walcher, could end up burning his bridges on the Western Slope and decrease his chances of making it on to bigger and better offices. I hope Josh will reconsider and do the right thing for the party. He’ll find people respect him for that more than engaging in a fight with Matt.

  35. That’s really witty Adams, but I have to agree with smokingJJout.  I think Penry will outraise Smith 3 or 4 to 1.  Take some advice from me though Adams, don’t joke openly in this room, some people take it so personally.

  40. I imagine that this race will bring out the worst in everyone.  After all, I think Matt started it when he wouldn’t drop his petty selfish ambitions and get behind the Republican – Greg Walcher.

    What comes around goes around – and when Matt loses we fully expect him to whine and not get behind Josh as well.

    Finally, Matt’s campaign manager Gay Hammer is known for dirty campaign tactics.  His best supporters like Barb Brewer use nasty tactics as well.  She ran a pretty nasty campaign against Janice Ward for Clerk too.

  43. Harajukugirlz,

    There isn’t any leadership to speak of. If this is the work of Owens and his cronies, it only further convinces me they should be sent packing. I would hope Josh has the sense not to listen to a section of the party that has no future.

  44. Disappointed.  I agree – don’t listen to a section of the party that has no future.  That is a good description of Matt and his friends (no future).

  45. Dark Horse,
    You just gave your hand away. In one posting you slammed Gay Hammer and Barb Brewer. That puts you squarely in the Bjorklund/Farina camp. Which means your political future is nil. Josh Penry needs to watch out for you… you’ll turn your back on him, just like you did with Matt, when it is politically expedient for you to do so.

  46. Disappointed:

    Did I say BO?  I agree with you, he seems to have helped the D’s more than the R’s and I think its good for our party that he is leaving soon.  Party leadership may also include those in yhe house and the senate…others as well…Smith I believe, has damaged himself beyond repair.  I don’t believe he’ll make it out of the primary.  The sad thing is, if he would have endorsed Walcher in the general, not only would it have helped the R’s to possibly retain the CD3, but the 7th SD would have been Matt’s.  It’s really all too bad.

  47. You crack me up.  You apparently don’t know much because THEY are not fans of Janice Ward – AND they are good friends with Brewers.

    In fact – I believe Brewers and Bjorklund are in the same camp.

  51. Tom Jones – Duh! We all know that Josh isn’t really looking at SD7. Josh wants CD3. From a strategic standpoint, I can see why he would want to challenge Matt; if Matt wins SD7, he’d be perceived as a stronger CD3 candidate than Josh. The difference is Matt would actually serve out his entire term in the state Senate before setting his eyes on CD3 again.  I got $400 that says Josh would start campaigning for Congress two years after taking office in the State Senate.

    I have lost some respect for Penry over his impatience and blind ambition. He should have listened to his mentor, Scott McInnis (the man who gave him a phenominal career start), and built his equity with the party by helping heal our obviously big wounds.

    You’ve got baggage now, Josh. Welcome to the real world.

  52. Dark Horse,
    I’m tempted to call you stupid, but I actually think you’re playing at being ignorant. As I watched your posts over the last few months, first you tried to act like you were an outsider looking in to Mesa County politics, then you had other posts that clearly indicated you were a Mesa County resident and know enough “inside baseball” here to prod the alleged discussions in this blog.

    So, really… anyone who plays in Mesa County GOP politics knows that the Brewers and Bjorklunds are on the outs.  It looks like there’s a three-way rift to mend here.  What label do we give the Bjorklund crowd, since everyone loves that?  We have Country Club Republicans and Populists… how about Self-Righteous, Blatant Lying Hypocrites for the Bjorklunds?  No, no, no… as much as the moniker is appropriate, it doesn’t have that punchy, soundbite feel. Let me think on it some more and get back to you.

  53. I can?t imagine that Barb Brewer would openly oppose, or quietly work against, Josh Penry.  The Brewers/Whitings are pro-life, and so is Penry.  Matt Smith is unapologetically pro-choice.  To say that the Brewers would oppose Josh just seems totally wrong to me.  My hunch is that they will back the conservative Penry, because they agree on the issues.  Besides, this is Barb?s chance to line herself up personally.  Rumor has it that she is going to run for Clerk in 4 years, or maybe even Assessor this year.  Look at the convention last year ? who controlled the crowd?  The Penry/Rowland/Meis crowd.  It would be crazy for the Brewers to jump out in front of that bus if she has her own aspirations.  This is actually Barb?s chance to position herself.  But like I said, none of this posturing is probably important, because Penry is a conservative and Matt Smith isn?t, and that?s what the Brewers have always said matters.

  54. Penry isn?t going to run for Congress.  Cong. Tom Reynolds (the king maker who runs the NRCC) asked him to run against Salazar this time, and he told them he doesn?t want to live in Washington again.  If Penry makes a move long term, it would be in Colo State government.

  56. Lurker:

    I wasn’t aware of that.  So, either you are Bjorklund or Brewer.  You exposed your hand.  Fact is Callaspadeaspade – Brewer’s and all the rest of the nut cases in Mesa County play personalities over the issues.  That is why they will stick to Matt Smith no matter what he does with his actual votes.  And, that is why they apparently don’t like Bjorklund either.  Because they actually stand for something.

  57. CASAS-Your point is right on–however, BB is all about herself.  I do think however, out of her own self interest she would support Penry, but sometines with Brewer, (no matter how you slice the logic) she’ll do whatever she THINKS will benefit her.  While speaking of labeling people lurker, instead of
    populist for Brewer, I would use the term opportunist.  BTW it is possible that Brewer may face a primary in her bext run for office, I think she may find herself getting smoked once again.

  58. Penry, I mean, “TruthSquad”:

    “Penry told the NRCC ‘no thanks'”…. yea right.  What an arrogant statement.  DC Republican leaders “asked” him to run against John Salazar and he turned them down…. my ass. 

    Penry truly believes he is the golden boy of the Republican Party.  I’m personally sick of his arrogance in the house.  Go ahead and run.  I’m looking forward to not hearing your loud mouth around here anymore. 

    If he thinks he’s getting Scotty’s endorsement, he’s got another thing coming.

  59. Truth Platoon:  another envious YR that could never get people to view you as a leader huh?  Regardless of what you think about Penry, fact of the matter is he is regarded as a rising star. 

    Josh knows he is not going to get the Innis endorsement….errrr uh McInnis endorsement.  Fact of the matter is, its not needed.  Matt always self implodes, has no fundraising capacity, and is viewed as a selfish prick.

  64. TP:  Since you are obviously a Democrat staffer in the House as you refer to not having to hear his loud mouth “around here” anymore. 

    I suggest you quit reading this blog and get busy measuring for drapes in the minority leaders office.  Let us take care of our own primaries.  Maybe you and Whacky Waak can find a “real” candidate for governor from your side of the isle since I am sure Ritter is much to conservative for you!

  66. Dark Horse:
    Oh, that’s rich. I’ve been accused of being many things before, but never a Brewer or a Bjorklund.

    Thanks for the chuckles, oh Dark One.

    … seriously, that is so ironic.

  67. Dark Horse,
    Now that I’m over my laughing fit, I just read the rest of your post. You say the Bjorklunds “stand for something.”  Yeah, dirty politics and giving Christians a bad name.

    Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not the Bjorklunds’ positions on TABOR or social issues that I have an argument with; it’s their eagerness to destroy fellow Republicans who don’t share their same level of stridence on those issues. And it’s their martyr syndrome, too.  They whine constantly about how dirty tricks were played on them and Shari lost (twice) because those dirty “RINOs” ignored the so-called truth (that was peddled like snake oil). Do they really think voters have forgotten all those mailings Shari sent out?  Not on your life. Personally, I have a nice, big fat file.

    And so I’m clear: The Brewers aren’t high on my list of favorite people, either. They may be pleasant at the luncheons now, but I am far from trusting anything they, or their supporters, tell me. 

    Guess that makes me a Country Club Republican, eh? So be it.  Pigeon-hole me, if you will (and I’m sure you will).

    Word to all those MCGOP voters who are on the fence about SD7: the Bjorklunds and Alan Farina support Josh Penry – they were at his announcement. Please relay that to anyone who was a supporter of Steve ErkenBrack last year or Gayle Berry the time before.

    Any candidate who condones the tactics used by the Bjorklunds will never get my vote.

  68. Yes, the Bjorklund’s and Farina were at the announcement, as were a number of other leading conservatives.  They were standing next to a who’s who of CEO’s, bank Presidents, and business leaders in the community.  Imagine that: a candidate actually building bridges, rather than prolonging the fight.  Can you say juggernaut? And if you were worried about tactics, note the positive message that came from the Penry announcement and the, well, non-positive response from the opponent.

  69. So Lurker, It appears that you like neither the Brewers nor the Bjorklunds.  And you say that you won’t support Penry because the Bjorklunds support him.  But what if the Brewers support Smith?  Does that mean you vote for the unafilliated, undervote, overvote?  Is this really any way to pick a candidate?  Can’t we just vote for the person we like best, rather than keeping score of how many of a candidates supporters we like?  Or should we pick our candidate based on whether we like the Bjorklunds or Brewers more?  This is all very strange.

  70. Bridges: Josh is “building bridges.” Okay, I can see the campaign tactic starting to form. I can also see it disintegrating.  Josh doesn’t have the corner on the business community’s support, as much as he’d like to think so.  And if he was really interested in building bridges, he’d stay in his House seat. I have spoken to a great many business people in the community who have said Josh threw away an opportunity to be a real leader in the party. And they are disappointed that he opened the flood gates for yahoos like Dan Wilkenson and Rick Wagner to run for 54. 

    Way to build those bridges, Josh!  You are dividing us further.

    To “so”: You know, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t base a candidate on his or her supporters. I’d like to disagree with you, but I can’t. Too much damage has been done and it is not easy to dismiss the Bjorklunds.  I’d really like to. I’d like to dismiss them to wherever they came from before they nearly single-handedly divided our party. Not even the Brewers and John Whiting could do that.

  71. Lurker:
    You are so inconsistent it scares me.  First of all this article is about Josh vs. Matt – if you take your eye off the ball you may lose your own race or worse cause your candidate to lose (on second thought – it would be good for you and others to run a campaign against Bjorklund or anyone else who is not running for office).

    Secondly, in one post the Bjorklund’s have nil for a political future.  Then the next post it is too early to dismiss them and they have so much power they single-handedly divided our party.

    I don’t think they are worth worrying over that much – in fact they seem to be pretty quiet lately.  Haven’t seen or heard from them in the paper for awhile.

    So, let’s focus on what is important.  Is it some past personality from your distant past or Matt Smith or Josh Penry that is important now?

    For my money – I am backing Josh because he holds my values.  Matt never really represented us well.

    Go Josh.

  72. Lurker: 

    You’re just bitter.  Whatever your problem is, you need to get over it.  We don’t need people like you in our party spewing venom.  You made my point with your stupid, mean-spirited comments. 
    By your comments, I’d say you’ve been effectively “outed” BB. 

    TruthSquad: I think referring to Smith as a “selfish prick” is over-the-top.  I’m supporting JP, but I don’t like to hear that kind of talk.  It puts you in the same catagory as “lurker” – which by the way is a well-suited name for her.

  74. The so-called “implosion” may have been been a result of the current mud-slinging that actually began at the beginning of this comment page, which is certainly reminiscent of past Mesa County GOP mud-slinging tactics.  ‘Hope everyone can move on and not continue to be the brunt of jokes throughout this state.

  76. I don’t think anybody gets a pass, or should be overlooked for the ugly statements that have been made throughout these comments. 

    It’s my understanding that Penry and Smith are actually friends (right now), but after some supporters (either way) get done with their dirty deeds, these two may not be friends for much longer.

  77. I’ve been watching this Matt Smith vs. Josh Penry debate for a few months and have mostly refrained from diving into it. But this week’s stuff is horrible, all the way around.

    For what it’s worth, here’s my opinion. I think the nastiness that has been directed at Matt Smith and his campaign manager, Gay Hammer, over the past few months has been childish and undeserved, not to mention blatantly false. 

    The other day, Josh called Matt Smith a friend. I hope that wasn’t just lip service and am willing to give Josh the benefit of the doubt. So, Josh, if you’re aware that your supporters are spending time engaging in character defamation of two good people who have never done you a wrong turn, I hope you’ll do the honorable thing and tell them to stop.  You know Matt and Gay are good people who have never needed to play dirty pool to win. You and I were both there during Ron Teck’s and Matt Smith’s campaigns and know this to be true.

    Everyone, let’s start a new trend and realize that we can support our chosen candidates without defaming their opponents or supporters. I also have a problem with the Bjorklunds and Brewers, but want to play hardball with the issues, not personalities.

  78. Well let it be noted GG, that your friend lurker has been VERY nasty to a lot of local R’s in this post.  It may well cost her. 

    I also agree with Rushian, Truth Squad should apologize for the “prick” statement.  That was uncalled for.

  80. GoodGrief:  Josh was the one that called Matt his friend during his announcement.  However, when Matt was called for comment, instead of saying he looks forward to a healthy debate with his good friend Rep. Penry he chooses to accuse Josh of dividing the party as if SD 7 is his for the taking.  I do apologize for the “prick” statement, it was gutter.  I think this campaign can be friendly and issues based.  It will also be the last one for Gay Hammer and Linda Bowman (Lurker) as the new generation of Mesa County politicos have moved on from accepting and paying for their tired tactics and strategies.

  81. TruthSquad: ‘Glad to see you step up and apologize.  Like I said earlier, these two gentlemen can take this campaign to a higher level than Colorado has seen in the recent past.  How refreshing would that be.  I appreciate the Devil’s Advocate comments.

    By the way, TruthSquad, while you apologize on the one hand, are you now making outright accusations of the anonymity of everyone on this comment page?  Since you seem to know, what are the names of everyone else?

  82. Truth Squad,
    I saw the same news report where Matt said he was disappointed that Josh was running.  He spoke honestly and gave voice to the same reaction I had. I can’t speak to how many others feel the same way, but I suspect there are more than a few.  Anyway, it would have been disingenuous for Matt to say he looked forward to debating his friend. Who would look forward to that? Two friends don’t look forward to competing for the same job, especially in a fishbowl. I give Matt a lot of points for not saying the politically expedient or expected soundbite.

    Now, I don’t know what you have against Gay and Linda, but neither of them are dirty campaigners.  Did one of them beat your preferred candidate(s) in the past and you haven’t gotten over it? I don’t know who Lurker is, but it isn’t Linda’s style to do that kind of garbage.  Back off and don’t stoop to Lurker’s level.

  83. And, I’d like to add that if this is how the “new generation” of campaigners operate, I’m really disappointed in their style of campaigning.  They’ve been taking cheap shots at Matt and Gay for months instead of talking about issues. So, let’s drop this Who’s Who guessing game of blog participants because no one is going to admit to anything. For all we know, it could be the Democrats in Mesa County egging us on to hate each other more.

  84. DA, by new generation I mean recently elected folks across Mesa County i.e. Meis, Rowland, Penry, Ward, Hautzinger who have chosen not to hire Hammer.  Penry’s 04 race was unprecedented for that seat in the amount of money he raised and the TV exposure that he purchased.  Case in point regarding Hammer: the direct mail piece of which a letter was sent out from Scott and Lori spelled the McInnis’ last name wrong.  Gay did the mailing.  It was total amatuer hour.  These are the things that I am talking about.  By “operate” I mean subscribing to new and innovative ways to win campaigns other than the tired, unproven tactics of Matt’s consultant (and I use that word loosely).  He would have whipped Walcher had he had a competent consultant.  But you can’t hire competency unless you can raise money.  Lights out!

  85. Truthsquad,
    Phew, you need to relax man. This anger is gonna kill you.

    I appreciate your clarification of what you meant by “next generation.” Point taken for future reference. So who is bashing Matt, then? I can forgive some over-eager 20-somethings for engaging in smack talk (is that term still used?), but if it is anyone over 30, they should be ashamed.

    As for the 3rd CD race last year, apparently you didn’t know this, but Gay wasn’t brought on board Matt’s campaign until less than ONE MONTH before the Primary.  In that short time she almost made up all the ground Matt ceded to Walcher. How many votes did Matt lose by? A little over 100 I believe.  That is an amazing thing Gay Hammer did.  I would not continue bashing her any further, if you truly support Josh.

  86. DA:  No anger here man.  Just looking at this thing practically.  We all know that money is the mothers milk of politics.  Matt can’t raise it.  He has never raised more than 50k for any office he has ran for.  Heck, Tipton raised 100k for his 3CD run this cycle against an incumbent. 

    If Gay was a good general consultant she would have been able to raise the necessary dollars to come on board much earlier than 30 days and actually get Matt across the finish line.  That’s what GC’s do…raise $$$

    Was I right about the mailing though?!?!?!  She’s and amatuer and that is not a slam, just a fact.  As for who is bashing them, I have no idea.  And yes, I will still accept the term “smack talk” as a legitimate slang term for the english language.

  87. Truthsquad:
    Could you please explain what you mean by “… she would have been able to raise the necessary dollars to come on board much earlier than 30 days…”?  She wasn’t asked to join Matt’s campaign until a month before the primary. Where’s the confusion here? There was no early plan on Matt’s part to bring her on board once enough money was raised. Matt made the mistake of thinking he could do this himself and finally got wise, but too late. I think he’s learned his lesson.

    I can’t tell you about the letter… it’s at home and I’m (gasp) slacking off at work. Maybe she wrote the letter, but even to good copy writers, typos happen. I catch them in the Sentinel, DPost, Rocky, and other major publications every day. Not to mention in all the press releases I read from our national elected officials.  I’ll have to find the one I saw on the RNC website and relay it to you.

    You are entitled to dislike Gay – she’s won enough campaigns to have accumulated detractors – but be honest with yourself and the rest of us when you characterize her abilities. She’s honest, she’s blunt, and the media love her for it. No BS with Hammer. Okay, so IF she wrote the letter, and IF she made a typo (which I will verify), that’s not a strong enough argument for calling her an amateur. You are kinda grasping at straws, friend.

  88. DA, not just a typo but spelled McInnis’ name wrong.  That is pretty huge! 

    As to raising the necessary dollars, asked or not, I am sure Matt would have accepted her services pro bono where she could have raised money of which could have been used to retain her full-time.  Good consultants convince candidates what is right instead of them having to learn the hard way as you put it.  Of course I am operating under the premise that she is one of Matt’s most trusted advisors of which I assume is still the case.  I appreciate the banter my friend!

  89. DA,

    Me thinks thou defendeth thy mother too much!

    The only thing said about your mommy dearest was that she loses campaigns.  While we’re at it she known for being a dirty campaigner.  The is help for people who are into self denial.

  90. Oh my gosh, ODS — first, Lurker is accused as being Linda; now you accuse Devil’s Advocate.  Do you really think only one person has a positive opinion of Gay Hammer?  You are obviously out of touch with reality.

  91. Not hard to change names on this site WHATSUP.  I do find it interesting though that since DEVILSADVOCATE started posting we haven’t heard from LURKER who was called out at Linda Bowman.  Perhaps I was right….makes you go hmmmmmm.

  94. Actually if you know anything about technology you know that your posts can be traced back. 

    So when Garry and wife post – or Linda Bowman or even me for that matter.  Trace that post back to whom.

    Cudo’s to the anonymous people who started this blog – They use an anonymous service.  You guys really thought this thing through didn’t you!

    LOL

  95. Gay Hammer and Linda Bowman are experts at winning campaigns that are not challenged!  I can’t recall a single campaign either one of them has won with an opponent.

    However, when ever they run one it usually slogs the entire process down into the mud.  Then they lose anyway.

  96. At the risk of egging you nice people on, I would have to say I’m really shocked at the level of pettiness that has been shown here. This is truly a new low. Even I’m surprised.  I think I’ll take the advice of some smart people and stop posting here.  So, have fun.

  98. Hey, this is actually kinda liberating.  For years Those two have been dragging people thru the muck with the help of the TV or Paper. 

    I even heard that LB is trying to remove hardworking people from the executive board of Mesa County. 

    Kind of a bummer when you get this stuff thrown back in your face in public for a change.  Eh Linda…

    It’s a new paragdigm where you don’t get to control the message anymore Linda B. and Gay.

  99. Chalk one up for the good guy’s…finally!  Nothing like not winning and then taking your ball and going home.  Sounds like a recurring theme for the Smith camp…lose, get pissed, and stomp off.  PENRY! – PENRY! – PENRY!

  103. Yes, PR, I suppose we have stomped on the corpse of the defeated…

    ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

    WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, WE WILL ROCK YOU!!!

    GO TEAM PENRY!

    WOO! WOO! WOO!

  104. Josh and Matt are both at such a higher level that they are probably embarrassed if they even take the time to read what’s been going here.  To both Josh and Matt, I hope you have a better team of support than what has been witnessed here.

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