The NBA trade deadline came and went yesterday; the Denver Nuggets are still sadly mediocre. It’s time to Get More Smarter with Colorado Pols. If you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below (here’s a good example).
► Carnival barker U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Yuma) continues to make an absolute fool of himself with repeated conflicting statements about a new Supreme Court nominee. As Mark Matthews reports for the Denver Post:
Three days after U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner left open the possibility — ever so slightly — that he might consider a U.S. Supreme Court nominee offered by President Barack Obama, the Colorado Republican slammed shut any chance of that prospect in a radio interview with Dan Caplis on 710 KNUS.
Asked his opinion about the high court vacancy, Gardner said the successor to the recently deceased Antonin Scalia “ought be chosen by the American people through the election of the next president.”
Pressed by Caplis on what he would say to the argument that he should wait to see who the president nominates, Gardner responded: “Again, I think we’re too close to the election. The president who is elected in November should be the one who makes this decision.”
Gardner’s answers on Thursday differed from a written statement he released Monday. In that statement, he registered support for the position of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said Scalia’s seat “should not be filled until we have a new President.” But Gardner also indicated there might be one scenario in which Senate Republicans might back a White House nominee.
Gardner has been traipsing around the country campaigning for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s Presidential campaign. Perhaps “Con Man Cory” should spend some more time in the office trying to get his story straight.
► Republicans in a State Senate committee killed off legislation intended to help deal with the rising rates of crippling student loan debt. We don’t envy Republicans who will now have to try to explain why they sided with bankers over Colorado families on an issue that is quickly rising in importance for voters.
► There’s a new report out on Colorado’s roads and bridges. Prepare to cringe in 3…2…1…
A report from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association found America’s bridges are in bad shape. In Colorado, some of the most congested highway bridges in the country are falling apart and are way past their prime…
…The report released Thursday shows nearly 10 percent of the country’s bridges need major repairs. In Colorado, there are more than 8,600 and some 521 — or 6 percent — of those bridges are classified as structurally deficient.
Structurally deficient means key elements on the bridge such as the deck or parts of the structure are considered to be in “poor” or worse condition. The report goes on to show some 851 bridges — or 10 percent — are functionally obsolete, meaning they have substandard design.
The report notes that Colorado is doing a pretty good job of maintaining roads and bridges given the limited funding options for infrastructure projects. Come on, Republican legislators, get with it here; the free market fairy isn’t going to fix this problem.
Get even more smarter after the jump…
► Chelsea Clinton and actress America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty,” if that helps) are campaigning in Colorado today and tomorrow on behalf of Democrat Hillary Clinton. With Colorado’s March 1 caucuses right around the corner, they’re bringing back the Big Dog, too; former President Bill Clinton will stump for Hillary in Colorado Springs and Pueblo this weekend.
► Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Cortez) continues his fist-shaking tour of Congressional District 3, taking to the road to complain about one thing or another with the federal government. Tipton was in Alamosa recently to bellyache about too many regulations for small banks, blaming President Obama even though Republicans control both chambers of Congress.
► Legislation that would extend the statute of limitations on sexual assault cases in Colorado should soon clear the State House and move along to the State Senate. The proposal would double the current limitation to 20 years.
► A state House committee unanimously approved legislation to toughen penalties on strangulation.
► Conservation Colorado released a new website that maps all existing and planned oil and gas drilling projects in Adams County. Fracking and other forms of drilling are moving ever closer toward heavily-populated residential neighborhoods.
► Check out this reader diary on the prospect of allowing supermarkets to sell alcohol. Anybody can write a diary here at Colorado Pols — if it’s well-written and sourced, we’ll promote it to the front page.
► Politico examines the relationship between Republican Presidential candidates Marco Rubio and Jeb! Bush. Did Rubio betray his mentor, or did Jeb! misread the situation himself?
► Saturday is a big day in South Carolina for the Republican Presidential field, which seems to be turning into a three-man race. A poor performance in South Carolina could mark the end of Jeb’s Presidential hopes.
► Bernie Sanders is surging in Nevada, a state that Hillary Clinton desperately needs in order to maintain the perception that she is still the Democratic frontrunner.
Get More Smarter by liking Colorado Pols on Facebook!
You must be logged in to post a comment.
BY: JohnNorthofDenver
IN: I’m Gabe Evans, and This is the Worst Ad You’ve Seen in Years
BY: Conserv. Head Banger
IN: I’m Gabe Evans, and This is the Worst Ad You’ve Seen in Years
BY: davebarnes
IN: Weekend Open Thread
BY: harrydoby
IN: Get More Smarter on Friday (Oct. 4)
BY: MichaelBowman
IN: Weekend Open Thread
BY: Gilpin Guy
IN: Weekend Open Thread
BY: JohnNorthofDenver
IN: Friday Open Thread
BY: spaceman2021
IN: I’m Gabe Evans, and This is the Worst Ad You’ve Seen in Years
BY: 2Jung2Die
IN: Friday Open Thread
BY: psyclone
IN: BREAKING: Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters Gets 9 Years
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop with regular updates!
I'd like to make a confession. When I read, "the free market fairy," I immediately drew up the Pols "Stop Being Poor" picture of Lockwood in my mind. I'm sorry.
Equally effective
Hooray for the Free Market Fairy!
goddess knows I can't stand Lockwood, but the word "fairy" is dragging along some pretty ugly history. Please resist the temptation to use it.
It's a fair cop.
I think our age is showing. Wonder how many 20 somethings have ever noticed that the word was once used as a slur.
Saw an article in the Post today about the sorry patchwork of sidewalk/no sidewalk in parts of Denver preventing kids from going to school or disabled to travel easily without winding up in busy streets at some point. Another example of private solutions to a public problem, reliable public access to safe walk ways for pedestrians, proving completely inadequate. Of course the problem is the worst in poorer areas where people are least able to bear the private cost of paying to install or maintain their own little stretch of sidewalk for thousands of dollars. You're walking along and suddenly the sidewalk just stops, maybe picks up later, stops again.
Sadly, I think that's pretty much universal. Sidewalks are public access, but privately developed and maintained in many communities. A major metro like Denver, though, should have regulations and building codes and such. Older neighborhood are probably worse in part because regulations were less strict way back when.
Right Wing threats against law enforcement agencies in wake of Bundy/Malheur Wildlife Refuge Occupation
These are the Accused Felons encouraged by countless Republican media and political leaders.
Could be Z, but I don't think they will have the Bundy clan to lead them for awhile.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/18/1487064/-Federal-grand-jury-hands-down-16-federal-charges-against-Cliven-Bundy-and-crew-for-Nevada-standoff?detail=email
You don't understand. Police are under constant threat because of the Black Lives Matter movement, not because of Constitution-loving 2nd Amendment defenders and freedom-defending Sovereign Citizens.
Sanders' Speaking Fees Are Nowhere Near Clinton's and He Donates It All to Charity – Alternet
I believe the is required under Congressional rules, James.
You and your points of fact. Party pooper.
"Denver Nuggets are still sadly mediocre….." Pols must not be a basketball fan. The Nuggets have a good solid core of young players who listen to the coaching staff and are getting better with each game. Will there be glitches and hiccups? Of course; when the starting point guard and center are rookies; and the starting shooting guard is in his 2nd year. But I like the look of this team going forward.
P.S. I grew up in Indiana, so I think I have a good command of basketball.
They are what they are. Here's hoping they WILL be better down the line.
I'm with CHB. Bet you don't even watch the Nuggets.