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February 28, 2017 10:02 AM UTC

The Denver Post, Sen. Cory Gardner's Bestest Friend

  • 37 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols
Cardboard Cory.

An editorial in today’s Denver Post continues a tradition that local political observers have become keenly aware of in recent years, not just around Sen. Cory Gardner but other favored Republican politicians: a disregard for the editorial board’s stated values in order to protect individual lawmakers.

But yes, today the editorial is about Cory Gardner, and his lack of public availability during last week’s congressional recess, which came to a head with a “town hall” held in Denver attended by over 1,500 to express their concerns to a cardboard cutout:

[W]e’d like to come to the defense of Gardner.

Certainly, it would be easier to defend Colorado’s first-term Republican senator if he had braved the crowds this week, at least once. Other Republicans appeared at forums knowing full well they would take a lashing from constituents upset about what has been a slap-dash roll-out of huge policy changes by the White House and Congress.

But Gardner’s position of not attending or holding town halls last week during Congressional break is defensible…

The Post makes the argument that because the event at Byers Middle School last week was “organized by liberal opponents,” he was right to avoid it. And they give Gardner some credit for the non-public meetings he had last week with various interest groups and local leaders. You might not agree with that assessment, but it’s not an unreasonable point of view–maybe a little high-handed, but that’s to be expected from an editorial board.

Unfortunately, from here things go off the tracks in a hurry:

[F]rom a purely strategic perspective, with Republicans in power and poised to tackle real policy changes for the first time in six years, it’s good to have a voice at the table in Gardner… [Pols emphasis]

Giving Gardner space to be a diplomat also makes good sense to us. These are tricky waters for more-moderate Republicans to navigate. There’s something to be said for public restraint in the face of antagonism.

To be an effective Republican senator these days, Gardner, who didn’t vote for Trump and once called him a buffoon, needs to pick his battles.

Yes, it’s important for lawmakers to know the impact of their decisions, but hearing repeated heartbreaking stories about preexisting conditions is only so helpful, [Pols emphasis] when Republicans have already expressed multiple times they want to find a way to protect those who before were unable to get coverage except in state-run high-risk pools.

Chuck Plunkett.

Folks, there’s two ways to look at this. If you believe the protests that have raged since President Donald Trump’s inauguration are the contrived product of “powerful forces behind the scenes,” as this editorial suggests, you’re probably going to, you know, get tired of all those “heartbreaking stories” about people whose lives have been saved by health care reform.

But if you believe these protests are legitimate, expressing real worries from real people, “hearing repeated heartbreaking stories” doesn’t fatigue you. It motivates you.

The Denver Post’s editorial board has repeatedly come out in favor of specific policies that Gardner is poised to dramatically and adversely affect with his votes. Gardner’s dogmatic vow to repeal the Affordable Care Act has not been balanced by answers to the pressing questions about what the replacement will look like. On the central issues of health care, immigration, abortion, and so many others that the Post editorial board has opined on, Gardner stands either in opposition to them or is not answering questions.

What kind of “voice at the table” do they honestly expect Gardner to be?

And that brings us to the same question we’ve asked in the past: how can the Post “come to the defense” of a man over and over who opposes everything they stand for? Do the Post’s own stated values on the issues matter less than backing the hometown player–to the point of disparaging Coloradans telling their “heartbreaking stories” at protests?

Because increasingly, that’s what it looks like. And it is very bad for their credibility.

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37 thoughts on “The Denver Post, Sen. Cory Gardner’s Bestest Friend”

  1. On one hand, I feel like we may be seeing a renaissance of journalism.  My wife and I put in a subscription to the New York Times Digital.  Then I look at the Denver Post.  I had become mildly irritated with them for probably 12 years now.  The Gardner endorsement in 2014 was the straw that broke the camel's back for me.  Yes. Udall ran a bad campaign.  But they have endorsed candidates who have had worse problems than that.  Some of them lost.  Some of them won. 

     

    But, one thing was glaring.  People were sending many correspondence with Gardner's office about ACA.  He then posted a video of himself on his FB  page reading a letter on the Senate floor calling for repeal of the ACA.  The comments on that post were brutal, as well they should have been.  The DP doesn't want it's delicate sensibilities subjected to another story of how ACA repeal will affect those with preexisting conditions.  Think about the sensibilities of those people who would be affected by repeal.

    Honestly, I wouldn't entirely blame Gardner for not going to the "with or without you" town hall.  But he could and should have had one of his own.  He would have been able to field questions in a less hostile environment.  But the reason the WOWOY townhall was held is because he won't do his own townhall.

    1. Senator Bennet is not in the majority party.  He is also not in the President's party.  8 years ago, you laid everything at the Dems feet.  Now, you have the trifecta and you (including your hero Senator Gardner) are in the hot seat.  Also, he is the one that wants to advance Trump's agenda.  Not Bennet.  You made being accountable to angry mobs a consequence of being in power when the Dems were in charge.  Now, it's your turn.

      1. Expecting Con Man Cory to be accountable (like most Republicans now that they control all branches of the government) is like expecting to catch a greased pig with your bare hands.  Very messy and not very effective.  

        The protests will continue to build and as the elections come around again, we'll need to make sure they hear us loud and clear.

          1. Unlike you, I believe in democracy.  2018 will be here before you know it, or have you already forgotten?

            BTW, I think RepugTurds describes you and your ilk pretty accurately 🙂

          2. How about 2018?  Huh Moldy?

            Man.  U mad bro?  Wait.  You always are.  You always seem so angry in your posts.  Trying to brandish your "troll" cred by calling us libtards?  I don't think that will get you on the payroll with Koch, Inc.

            There are worse things than being a libtard.  We could be you. 

      1. Bennet can't win a primary if he votes against the ACA. Sort of like Gardner can't win a primary if he doesn't vote to repeal. That's the problem with the collapse of the Republican Party. At least Obamacare is squarely in the middle.

        Of course, if the Republicans kill Obamacare, then the swing of the pendulum would probably come back to Single Payer. Is that what they want?

        I'm looking forward to 2018, and the end of the 100 day Reich.

        1. To C.H.B.'s point below, we can give credit where credit is due.  His vote on public lands was in step with the Colorado electorate.  The real test would have been whether McConnell needed his vote on that particular issue, which he didn't.  He's really good on the federal hemp legislation.   That doesn't mean I get to give him a pass on other things.  He sprinted across the eastern plains as a Congressman,  from town hall to town hall, with his Repeal and Replace routine.  Fanning the flames of division. 

          To your point, ParkH, it's what he had to for re-election.  In fact either one of two things could be true now as we look back: 1) he knew all along there was no plan for replacement, or 2) there was a plan and at some point the House leadership abandoned the plan.  Which begs the question: if the answer is behind door number two, when did you know this?  

          But these issues go deep for me.  He also advocated for the gutting of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.  Gutted.  Zero. Because it was what Chuck and Dave wanted.  He even bucked the Colorado Farm Bureau on that one – and clung to the boys from Wichita. 

          I think we can all agree we should strive to make this a nation that is measured by how we treat the least amongst us.  I'm just not buying what they're selling right now. 

          1. "advocated for the gutting of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program………"  There are savings to be had; sometimes substantial savings; in every government social program. Issues are not black and white; as those on the far right who want to gut everything; or those on the far left who want to preserve every last dollar; would have us believe.

            And, Michael, did you see the recent Post write-up about the town of Burlington? They appear to have placed the bulk of their "economic eggs" in one basket, a private prison in their community that has closed. Seems to me they need a good dose of wind turbines and industrial hemp to revive things. 

            1. My understanding is that Drumpf is reversing the Obama order that closed it. They will be back in the money as soon as we can resume filling the beds with immigrants and pot smokers.

              1. For sure, Curmie. I would also like to see CHB back up that claim with some data. I am not saying he is wrong, (there is some anecdotal evidence of abuse, but not much empirical information), but I would love to see some real numbers..from somewhere besides NewsMax.

                 

                1. More than 100 Billion (That's Billion, with a "B", people!) in administrative waste at the Pentagon:  

                  https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/pentagon-buries-evidence-of-125-billion-in-bureaucratic-waste/2016/12/05/e0668c76-9af6-11e6-a0ed-ab0774c1eaa5_story.html?utm_term=.da20061b6c4f

                  But, by God, let's focus on Social Programs, because my cousin's stepfather's niece said she once saw someone drive up to the Piggly-Wiggly in a Cadillac, and use her Food Stamps to buy Twinkies!  Twinkies, do you hear??? 

                  1. Typically, that $125 billion will wind up in the pockets of those who already have much more than they need. Read waste to meant "theft" and "graft" and such.

                    1. I'm a long time occasional contributor to the Center for Defense Information, started in 1971 by several retired military officers to try and combat waste in the Pentagon. CDI is now part of the Project on Government Oversight. Another worthwhile group to consider is Taxpayers for Common Sense. Also, Citizens Against Government Waste. For Michael's information, TCS is a strong supporter of the BLM's methane gas rule.

                2. Recall, folks, that I spent a lot of years working in social service programs, including work on direct caseloads. Did I write down every instance of fraud or suspected fraud? No, but one does get solid "gut feelings" when one knows so much about peoples' personal lives. As in, relatively able bodied persons not wanting to work, even with counseling, and getting onto food stamps due to lax eligibility rules.

                  2. So, what kind of "gut feelings" did you get, and what information were you getting from your observations into other people's personal lives?

                1. Sure, you could reap bushels of money (see what I did there?) from actual large-scale waste and abuse, but how can that rival the pleasure that apparently comes from taking access to food away from poor people?  

            3. C.H.B. re: the Kit Carson situation it reminds me of the Marley quote: "In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty".  Kit Carson county is an ocean of wind, sunshine, land and water.  Had they not bought in to the faux hysteria (see my post on today's thread re: Brophy) by Tri-State and the Colorado Rural Electric Association a decade ago that 'Coal good', Renewables Bad' they might even, as a community, own the shimmering white towers just north of Burlington that are owned by out-of-state Duke Energy.  The same people who would eschew someone who lost their job for taking unemployment or food assistance have now taken $9mm from our legislature to soften the blow and are back wanting more.  Instead of giving hand-outs, the state could focus particularly on building partnerships between the organic food entrepreneurs on the Front Range and small communities on the plains.  I know of one specific food company in CO poised for explosive growth that goes out-of-state to find its organic grains; they're also looking to expand their production lines.  A well-regulated marijuana industry in the City of Burlington could provide any number of jobs and tax revenue.  Hell…build it next to the Sheriff's department.  A focus on CBD production could bring them all kinds of jobs.  

              It's a sad state of affairs when you're community has to hope the prisoners come back so you can save yourself….from yourself.  (Trump may be solving that conundrum as we speak). 

              RE: Cory on the SNAP program.  I wrote a diary about the plight of the most-challenged in CD-4 on Father's Day, 2013.  You'll need to read it in the context of 'time'.  A time when there were (and still remain) significant challenges amongst the working class on the Plains.  The need for food security and medical access is well-documented.  My point: Cory's votes – to zero out the food stamp program – was driven by Chuck and Dave.  His voting record and actions at that time were 100% in line with the boys from Wichita. While Chuck and Dave are more in the shadows today, I remain unconvinced that any of his positions rest upon what's good for his constituents – they're predicated on what someone else wants. 

              I don't revel in having to make an issue of these things.  It's not often you have a US Senator that is both a 'homey' and you've known for a long time.  My grandfather bought every wheat drill he ever owned from the Gardner family.  I wish we had a different dynamic between the Senator.  I just don't see him taking any brave position on the issues that could make life significantly better for the bulk of the people on the Plains, sans the ones who already feed at the federal trough.

    3. Cory Gardner is doing a great job in Washington. 

      You are probably right, Fluffy. When you consider for whom he is actually working. The Koch Brothers, Big Oil in general, Big Pharma, Monsanto, Goldman Sachs, etc….Yep, he is doing a great job for his employers

      1. Oh those damn social engineers. Radicals!! You know, the ones who just want a robust middle class, clean air, clean water and good public schools.  They. Must. Be. Stopped. 

    1. Pluck Funkett is fun to say! FunkPluckit! PluckFunkit! Everybody say pluck funkett!

      "Fricking" now has some serious competition in la casa de mamajama…

       

  5. Senator Gardner joined Governor Hickenlooper and Senator Bennet in a joint letter to Emerald Expositions, owner of the Outdoor Retailer shows, urging them to bring the shows to Denver when their Utah contract is done. Gardner also had very positive things to say about public lands in today's print edition of the Post, and in the on line article yesterday (2-27).

    Compared to other Western Republican senators, Gardner IS a moderate, especially when compared to Senators Hatch and Lee in Utah who want to roll back the Bears Ears National Monument designation and last session, co-sponsored a bill to open up designated wilderness areas to mountain biking. And then there is good old Dean Heller (R-NV) who is sponsoring a bill to roll back the Gold Butte National Monument designation in that state. Got to make that BLM land safe for the Bundy clan to graze their cattle. In contrast, Gardner has been totally absent in any effort to roll back the Chimney Rock and Browns Canyon monument designations here in Colorado.

    1. Color me unconvinced…one issue does not a moderate make.

      And his absence on a specific bill now and then only means he is too busy fundraising in some sunny location.

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