Western Democrat

Meanwhile back at the ranch: Senate Edition

Seven of the thirteen Western states have Senators up for election this year: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The Republicans are defending six of these seven Senate seats. Montana’s Max Baucus is the sole defending Democratic incumbent in the group, and his seat is considered safe. Colorado, Idaho, and New Mexico will be open seats, and Wyoming will have both their Senators up for re-election, due to the death of Senator Craig Thomas in 2007.

Colorado and New Mexico look like the best opportunities for Democratic pick ups, and both states are considered swing states in the 2008 presidential contest. Our candidates, Mark Udall in Colorado and Tom Udall in New Mexico, are cousins from the long prominent Udall family.

Larry LaRocco is our Western Democrat running for Idaho’s Senate seat to replace the retiring and embarrassing Larry Craig. It would be great if red-state Idaho could turn purple.

The remaining campaigns are still shaping up. The contests in Alaska and Oregon could be particularly interesting. Senator Stevens (R-Bridge to Nowhere) is the poster child for pork gone wild and an opponent of transparency in government. The Iraq War puts Oregon’s Gordon Smith in a bind. He voted for the war and has been a Bush enabler. Yet he has broken with the Bush administration on the war, and hence will be at odds with Senator McCain on that issue.

Leo Brown | April 8, 2008 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Meanwhile back at the ranch: Senate Edition | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Oregon, Republicans, Senators

Meet the Udalls

Outside magazine has a great profile on cousins Tom and Mark Udall. Go read it and learn more about one of the great Western Democratic families.

While you're at it, please give Tom and Mark Udall some of your spare change, to assist their campaigns to bring more and better Democrats to the Senate (and more and better Udalls).

Click here to contribute to Tom Udall's campaign to take back Pete Domenici's seat in New Mexico.

Click here to contribute to Mark Udall's campaign to turn Colorado bluer than it already is.

kencamp | March 10, 2008 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Meet the Udalls | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, Congress, New Mexico

Best in the West

From the beginning of Western Democrat, it was recognized that the West offered the Democratic Party a way out of a recurring pattern of electoral defeat.

The primary season reaches another critical junction this Tuesday. Democrats looking to win in November would do well to visit 270toWin.com and look at the state polls. Poll numbers can be fickle things, but the overall impression is clear: Barack Obama would run much better in the West than Hillary Clinton. The margin is, in fact, the difference between victory and defeat in November.

Consider six states in the West. The first three were won by Kerry, and are must wins in 2008. The second three were lost my Kerry, but would have put him in the White House had he won all three.

The first three are California, Oregon, and Washington. According to recent state polls, Obama would win California by 27%, Oregon by 1% and Washington by 17%. Hillary would win California by 19%, lose Oregon by 3%, and tie in Washington.

The second three are Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada. Obama would will all three by 7%, tie to 15% (two polls), and 12%, respectively. Hillary would lose Colorado by 14% and lose in Nevada by 9% (no recent poll from this source for New Mexico).

Leo Brown | March 2, 2008 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Best in the West | TrackBack (0) California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy, Washington

Stunning turnout throughout the West

In a release, the DNC points out that turnout on Super Tuesday was stunningly high throughout the West -- which bodes well for the general election.

• In Colorado, Democrats saw twice the number of caucus-goers as Republicans—119,184 to 55,845. Yesterday’s turnout was eight times higher than that of turnout from 2004 when only 15,000 participated. [Denver Post, 2/6/08]

• In Idaho, 21,224 people caucused for Democrats, far exceeding anyone’s expectations, and forcing officials to print more ballots. [AP, 2/5/08; cnn.com, 2/6/08]

• In Arizona, 368,828 people turned out for Democrats, far exceeding the record of 239,000. [cnn.com, 2/6/08]

• In New Mexico, more than 152,000 ballots were cast, far surpassing the 2004 number of 104,000 in 2004.

• And in Utah, 122,617 people came out for Democrats, far exceeding the 33,839 who participated in the 2004 primary. [cnn.com]

It's going to be a good year.

Kari Chisholm | February 6, 2008 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Stunning turnout throughout the West | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, Demographics, DNC, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah

Obama Richardson

Over a year ago, we speculated on a Richardson Obama or an Obama Richardson ticket. What I wrote then still looks good to me. Of course, it has been clear for some time that Richardson would not be at the top of the ticket. The Richardson campaign never caught fire, and Governor Richardson wisely ended his campaign. Obama-Richardson could still be a viable ticket in the West and Midwest, but will it happen?

What concerns me and what should concern a lot of Western Democrats is that the GOP may be poised to nominate a Western candidate who can reach across party lines (McCain), while the Democratic Party may be poised to nominate (again) an uncharismatic Easterner who would have difficulty reaching across party lines and who has little appeal in much of the purple West (Clinton). Hillary is a known quantity, and her negative numbers in the West will be very hard to change.

Montana 61% said they would not consider voting for her.

Recent polls in Colorado, Nevada and Arizona have found similar distaste for Clinton.

She's carrying huge negatives out here," said Floyd Ciruli, an independent Colorado pollster who said Democratic congressional candidates would have to highlight their differences with the national party to be successful next year. "It's that liberal East Coast image that is so hard to sell in the West."

One key advisor to a prominent Democratic congressional candidate, who asked not be to identified discussing tensions within the party, went even further. "It's a disaster for Western Democrats," he said. "It keeps me up at night."

Leo Brown | January 20, 2008 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Obama Richardson | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Montana, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy

The Continued Rise of the Southwest

America’s population is making a diagonal shift from the Northeast to the Southwest. Five of the nation’s largest cities are in the Southwest: Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, and San Jose. Phoenix is now that nation’s fifth largest city, displacing Philadelphia, now at number six. Mesa and Fresno are now bigger than Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Seven of the ten largest American cities lie within 500 miles of the Mexican border. In 1910, in contrast, the ten largest American cities were all within 500 miles of the Canadian border.

What this means to the Democratic Party is that the Northeast and Midwest aren’t a sufficient base by themselves for the future of the party. With the GOP dominating the once solidly Democratic South, Democrats must look Southwest for growth and electoral majorities. Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico have a combined 29 votes in the Electoral College and a corresponding number of seats in the Senate and House of Representatives. Moreover, the 2010 Census will undoubtedly raise that number beyond the current 29. Meanwhile, neighboring blue California’s population will continue to grow, reaching perhaps 60 million by 2050 with a Hispanic majority possible by 2042.

Newsweek is already predicting that the 2008 Presidential race will be decided in the Southwest. Their analysis:

The rise of the Swing-State Southwest (and the power of the Latino voters in it) is a function of timing, geography, demographics—and the Electoral College....The Southwest's ascendancy is linked to one key demographic: its vast, rapidly growing—but still politically unsettled—Hispanic vote….Generally speaking, [Hispanics are] culturally traditional, religiously devout and open to conservative appeals from the GOP. Economic populists, all too familiar with the trials of race-based discrimination, they feel an emotional bond with Democrats, too….In 2006 the Hispanic vote that went to the GOP dropped precipitously, to 30 percent. The war in Iraq was one reason, analysts say, but the main one was the war over immigration.

Given the mean-spiritedness of the recent immigration debate, the trend away from the GOP is likely to continue and even accelerate, strengthening the future Democratic base in the Southwest.

Leo Brown | July 11, 2007 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: The Continued Rise of the Southwest | TrackBack (0) Arizona, California, Colorado, Demographics, Nevada, New Mexico, Presidential Politics, Republicans, The Big Strategy

Is the GOP losing the West?

The GOP is losing its hold on the rural vote according to a poll reported by NPR.

A new national poll indicates rural Americans are no longer reliably Republican, and the Bush administration's conduct of the war in Iraq seems mainly to blame.

"I think there are two big headlines out of this poll," says Anna Greenberg of the Democratic polling firm of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research. "The first is 'Republican Collapse in Rural Areas.' And the second is 'Rural is the Battleground in 2008."

But Iraq is not the GOP’s only problem.

Nick Kristoff of the New York Times zeros in on the Southwest and how the nativist wing of the GOP is alienating both Hispanics and moderates on immigration.

…the closer you get to the border, the more voters back politicians who are looking for middle ground — and punish those who follow the rant-for-ratings route.

He sees Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico and their combined 29 electoral votes (more than Florida’s 27 or Ohio’s 20) as potentially the biggest battleground in next year’s presidential race. And he notes that Hispanics are the fastest growing part of the electorate and make up 28% of the population in Arizona, 24% in Nevada, 20% in Colorado, and 43% in New Mexico.

Kristoff cites Democratic congressional gains in Colorado and Arizona in 2004 and 2006 as evidence that Democrats can assemble a new Western majority and quotes David Waid, Chairman of Arizona’s Democratic Party:

“Arizona is in play like never before…and the Republicans are literally handing it to us.”

Republican strategist Clint Bolick sees the same trends.

Hispanic support for Republican candidates plummeted by 10 points, to 30 percent from 40 percent, between the 2004 presidential election to the 2006 congressional election debacle, costing the GOP as many as four congressional seats. In next year's presidential election, Hispanic votes could make the difference in four Western states, including Arizona. If Republicans continue chasing Hispanic voters away, they can kiss their national electoral prospects goodbye.

Here at Western Democrat, we have always believed that the future of the Democratic Party lies in the West. The GOP is doing their part to hasten that future.

Leo Brown | June 22, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Is the GOP losing the West? | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Republicans, The Big Strategy, Urban/Rural Divide

Ritter pushes renewable energy

Bill Ritter makes good on his promise to bring greater renewable energy development to Colorado:

Raising the state’s standards for electricity produced by renewable energy will create thousands of new jobs and increase Colorado’s gross domestic product by nearly $2 billion, Gov. Bill Ritter said today.

Ritter cited a study by the Environment Colorado predicting that the state would see 4,100 new jobs, $570 million more in wages and $1.9 billion more in gross domestic product if it doubled the minimum amount of electricity its utilities generate from renewable energy — the goal of a bill now before the Legislature.

The bill, which would require utilities to generate 20 percent of their electric power from renewables by 2020, would also save 18 billion gallons of water that would otherwise be used to cool coal- and gas-fueled turbines, the environmental coalition study said.

“We have only just begun to tap the potential of a new energy economy,” Ritter said.

This type of rhetoric is essential.  By framing a renewable energy increase as positive both for the state and for jobs, Ritter neutralizes one of the principal arguments against renewable energy mandates from the outset.

Those revenue estimates are astounding.  If Western states start getting serious about using the vast renewable resources around us, imagine the immense solid revenue generating capacity we could see some of these states develop.  This could be back into the economy by private companies, to raise general quality of life.  This could be put into infrastructure development for schools, roads, other energy projects, etc.  The possibilities are staggering. 

One simple truth remains - renewable energy is the future out West.

Landon Mascareñaz | February 23, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Ritter pushes renewable energy | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Policy Issues

Now we're talking. Move the Congress to Denver.

Congressional Quarterly's Craig Crawford has a novel solution to the whole dust-up over whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi can have a bigger plane for her longer nonstop flights to San Francisco than did ex-Speaker Denny Hastert.

Convene Congress in Denver.

Yup, he really said that:

As population shifts further and further west, it does not seem fair for so many lawmakers to have such trouble getting back to their constituents. Why not a summer home for Congress in Denver? ...

The Constitution does not require Congress to meet in Washington. And wouldn’t it be nice to share those lobbyist expense accounts with restaurants in the heartland?

Hot damn. Who needs the DNC Convention when you can move Congress?

Kari Chisholm | February 9, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Now we're talking. Move the Congress to Denver. | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Congress, Media Coverage

Results? You probably elected a Democrat.

Bill Ritter gets to work:

A jubilant Gov. Bill Ritter signed his first bill into law today, creating a way for about 300,000 Coloradans to receive state assistance in buying discount prescription drugs.

"It’s the law," said Ritter as he placed five bill signing pens down and rose from  the table.

Ritter said that he pledged on the campaign trail to not only seek long-term solutions to health care, but to take immediate action to lower health care costs for the 17 percent of the state’s population without health insurance.

"We all know people who at one time or another have delayed filling a prescription, taken less medication than a doctor prescribed or didn’t fill a prescription at all because of costs," he said. "Today, we make the costs of prescription medications for hundreds of thousands Coloradans more affordable."

Senate Bill 1 will allow Colorado residents who lack health insurance to pay a one-time $20 fee to participate in program to buy discounted prescription drugs through the participating pharmacies. The program kicks off Sept. 1, and up to 10,000 types of prescription drugs could be sold at whole-sale prices, providing participants savings up to 80 percent.

Now, how's about that for results?  Bill Owens vetoed this same measure twice and it clearly enjoys the mandate of the voters.  Nothing like a Western Democrat moving in to seize the will of the people for the advantage of all.

Landon Mascareñaz | February 5, 2007 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Results? You probably elected a Democrat. | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Governors

Colorado thinking of joining the Western Primary

California and Illinois (and Barack Obama for that matter) be damned, Colorado is thinking of joining the Western Primary. Dan Slater of the Colorado party is in DC for the winter DNC meeting and gives us this update:

With the exception of four states (IA, NV, NH, and SC), the DNC’s rules do not allow any states to hold their primaries or caucuses before February 5. However, there is a concentrated effort to hold the contest in several Western states on that day — meaning a lot more attention by the candidates to those states. The State Party officers have been in discussions for a while about whether to work with the Legislature to move our caucus up to Feb. 5, joining the other Western states that are doing so. We met with academics, we talked with legislators and other political leaders, and we asked for the input of the county chairs that are the linchpin to the caucus process.

The response was overwhelming. As reported in the Rocky this morning, the Party is now working with the Legislature to make the change from a March caucus to a February 5 caucus. In response to some concerns heard in our process, we’re asking that the move from March to February only take place in Presidential years.

Emmett O'Connell | January 31, 2007 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Colorado thinking of joining the Western Primary | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, The Big Strategy

Rocky Mountain RootsCamp, Denver

RootsCamp is coming to Denver. What's RootsCamp?

RootsCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for activists, organizers, leaders and politicians to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants.

And it's in Denver now?

Rocky Mountain RootsCamp is for people who played a role in the 2006 elections in the Rocky Mountain Region and are prepared to share with others innovations, failures, old wisdom and new discoveries. It's a place to engage with exceptional people from all levels and all sectors of the progressive movement from throughout the Rocky Mountain Region with an eye towards doing things even better in 2008 and beyond. Please invite other exceptional folks you may have worked with -- from precinct captains to consultants to candidates.

OK, gimme details.

Saturday, Feb 10, 2007 from 9am-5pm and Sunday, Feb 11, 2007 from 9am-3pm. Breakout sessions will be in the Alliance Center at 1536 Wynkoop in Lower Downtown, Denver. General sessions will be next door on the second floor of the Tattered Cover Bookstore on the corner of 16th and Wynkoop.

Learn more at RootsCamp.org.

Kari Chisholm | January 30, 2007 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Rocky Mountain RootsCamp, Denver | TrackBack (0) Colorado

Run Tom, Run!

Images this: an intense anti-immigration candidate that will rally primary voters across the country, spew hate toward the Republican front-runners, thereby fracturing the GOP and delivering Democrats the 2008 election. 

It may be my personal fantasy, but one of my deepest political fantasies is crossing that illegal border called reality:

Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado is making official his interest in a presidential run.       

Tancredo, a Littleton Republican known for his hard-line stance on immigration policies, said today he's filing the paperwork to form a presidential exploratory committee...

Tancredo has said he is interested in a presidential run to highlight the immigration issue, and that he wants to challenge the views of candidates he finds objectionable, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. McCain was one of the sponsors of the Senate's immigration reform bill last year. It would have created a guest worker program and a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Tancredo backed the House bill, which would have criminalized living in the country illegally.

This set-up should be one of the must watch events of 2008.  I'm looking forward to Tom adding a little bit of his personal flamboyance to the race. 

Tom, I know you don't care one bit but here it is - I just don't want you running in the GOP primary - I want you in the general election as an independent. 

Nothing would make this Western Democrat happier.

Landon Mascareñaz | January 16, 2007 | Comment on This Post (2 so far) Permalink: Run Tom, Run! | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Presidential Politics, Republicans

Governor Bill Ritter's Remarks About Denver Securing the DNC

Newly elected Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado issued a press release following DNC Chair Howard Dean's announcement that Denver will play host to the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

THURSDAY, JAN. 11, 2007

Contact:

Evan Dreyer, 720-350-8370

GOV. RITTER PRAISES EFFORTS TO SECURE 2008 CONVENTION

Gov. Bill Ritter today praised the hard work of many people to secure Denver’s bid for the 2008 Democratic National Committee.

“The convention will have a significant economic impact not just on Denver, but it will have a ripple effect across the entire state and the West,” Ritter said. “This will be great for Denver and great for Colorado.”

Ritter said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and the entire host committee led by Elbra Wedgeworth deserve much credit for their tenacity and commitment.

“A major reason we were able to compete against a city like New York and ultimately win this convention is because Denver made important investments in infrastructure,” Ritter said. “We have the hotels, restaurants, convention space and other facilities to accommodate events like this. This puts us on the national stage and the world stage.”

kencamp | January 11, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Governor Bill Ritter's Remarks About Denver Securing the DNC | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Governors

Governor Richardson's Statement on the DNC Convention

Courtesy of Heath Haussamen, here is Governor Richardson's statement on the selection of Denver as the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

“This isn’t just a win for Denver and Colorado, but for the whole mountain west. From Montana to New Mexico, the west is the most fertile ground for Democrats. The Denver convention in 2008 will only further these efforts.”

Today's announcement by DNC Chair Howard Dean, coupled with the decision to move the Nevada caucuses to the front, only boosts Governor Richardson's potential Presidential campaign.

kencamp | January 11, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Governor Richardson's Statement on the DNC Convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Governors, Nevada, New Mexico

Ritter fills cabinet

Fmr. Colorado Governor Lamm says it best (or worst):

"Appointing people is like eating mushrooms out of your backyard," Lamm said. "You really don't know how it turns out until you've done it."

I'm still not quite sure how that works out. But I think I understand where he is going with it.

Bill Ritter is assuming command in Colorado by appoint people to fill the highest cabinet positions. As the Rocky Mountain News lays it out:

Bill Ritter, who will become the first Colorado governor in more than 30 years without any legislative experience, tapped three former state department heads when filling his Cabinet. In addition, he named three appointees who served in Denver's city government, including two former mayoral candidates.

Veteran politicos say it's good Ritter's Cabinet will be experienced because the governor-elect's only political experience comes from serving as Denver's district attorney.

Experience does matter. But it's not just any experience - sometimes it should have direct relevance to the issues at hand. Ritter campaigned hard on renewable energy for Colorado and I'm glad he went with an old hand to oversee the forthcoming development:

Among Lamm's appointments was attorney Harris Sherman to run the Department of Natural Resources. Sherman was just 33.

Sherman is 64 now and has been selected by Ritter to oversee the same department.

"Harris is a close personal friend, so I'm not very objective, but it's a brilliant appointment," Lamm said.

"You have to bring in new blood, but in this area, with natural gas booming, talk of oil shale development and water problems and everything moving so fast, Harris is the best person to hit the ground running."

I think with the Democratically controlled legislature and now controlling the Governors mansion, we might just see tons of progress coming out of Colorado. I've been talking with many people in the area and they are pretty much convinced everything is on the rise. I took the light-rail on New Year's, enjoyed the bustling downtown (got snowed on HEAVILY days before) and was generally really impressed with Colorado. The older I get, the more I enjoy it. The place has nowhere to go but up.

Let's get the Convention there and keep this momentum rolling.

Landon Mascareñaz | January 8, 2007 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Ritter fills cabinet | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Governors

2008 and House Candidates in the West

Swing State Project recently listed ten Democratic House Candidates who ran close, but unsuccessful, races in 2006, and should run again. These are good candidates who ran in tough districts and now have some name recognition for a second attempt. Of particular note is that half of these are in the West:

Charlie Brown CA-4
Larry Grant ID-1
Tessa Hafen NV-3
Darcy Burner WA-8
Gary Truaner WY-AL

The New York Times and CQ Politics recently reported a list of fifteen close 2006 House races. Again five, though not the same five, are in the West.

CO-4
NV-3
NM-1
WA-8
WY-AL

Combining the two lists already gives us seven House seats to watch in the West in 2008. Two of the seven are in blue states (CA, WA). Two are in the red states (ID, WY). Three are in red states considered to be trending purple (CO, NV, NM).

The focus in 2008 will be on the top of the ticket, but we are now seeing how important control of the House is. Continuing or expanding Democratic control of the House in 2008 may well depend on having a Presidential ticket that can run well in the West.

Leo Brown | January 6, 2007 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: 2008 and House Candidates in the West | TrackBack (0) California, Colorado, Congress, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Wyoming

Hillary may save us from a New York convention

2008 Democratic Convention Watch points to an interesting tale told by Novak, in which he lays bare a badly kept secret about a convention in New York and Hillary Clinton:

Denver lacks sufficient hotel facilities, a suitable arena and labor union support, not to mention adequate financing. But when New York was leaked as the site, the reaction was so negative that Dean delayed a decision. Party members complained that it would be the fourth out of the last nine Democratic conventions scheduled for New York. Backers of Hillary Clinton don't want her nominated in her place of residence. George H.W. Bush and John Kerry lost elections when nominated in their respective hometowns of Houston and Boston.

2008 Democratic Convention watch points out that Hillary is publicly backing New York, but that going back to the 1950s, Presidential candidates who are nominated too close to home have a hard go at it.

Wouldn't it be ironic that Clinton's pre-primary inside the party power -- before she fizzles out in front of voters and caucus goers -- could put the convention out West?

Emmett O'Connell | December 24, 2006 | Comment on This Post (3 so far) Permalink: Hillary may save us from a New York convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy

Convention Decision Postponed

Looks like the DNC is going to wait another month for the decision on the 2008 Convention. From the AP:

Party officials have been negotiating for months with host committees for New York and Denver, but a series of problems with Denver's bid — and a significant cooling of interest from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg — led Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean to seek more time to make a decision.

"Chairman Dean is going to make the best decision for the party based on the merits of each city's bid. ... Because of the holiday week, and at the request of both cities, we will announce the convention city in early January," DNC press secretary Stacie Paxton said in a statement.

What sort of problems in Denver?

Denver, which has mounted an enthusiastic campaign to win the convention, has struggled with labor issues, fundraising and logistical challenges such as finding sufficient hotel rooms. Democrats thought Denver had resolved some of its labor problems when Colorado's AFL-CIO approved a resolution last month in support of Denver's convention bid.

But problems suddenly emerged this week when Jim Taylor, head of city's influential stagehand union, refused to sign an agreement promising not to strike if the convention came to Denver.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of Denver's host committee, said a lack of full union support for the city's bid is "probably a deal-breaker" but expressed confidence the matter could be negotiated.

C'mon everybody. Let's think big picture here.

Kari Chisholm | December 20, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Convention Decision Postponed | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Presidential Politics

DNC Decision Delayed

While a decision on where the Democratic National Committee would hold its 2008 convention was expected very soon, today the DNC said a decision would come in January.

Party officials have been negotiating for months with host committees for New York and Denver, but a series of problems with Denver's bid _ and a significant cooling of interest from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg _ led Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean to seek more time to make a decision.

"Chairman Dean is going to make the best decision for the party based on the merits of each city's bid. ... Because of the holiday week, and at the request of both cities, we will announce the convention city in early January," DNC press secretary Stacie Paxton said in a statement.

Much is being made in the media of Denver's labor issues, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is now saying fundraising might be more difficult than anticipated. Let me make it simple for the DNC: choose Denver (which I know comes as no surprise to Western Democrat readers).

Denver represents the future of the Democratic party. New York represents the old-moneyed, smoke filled room, good old boys club (a.k.a. the East Coast liberal elite) that the Democratic Party used to be. So, Chairman Dean, do you want to live in the past, or do you want to build the future? At Western Democrat, we look to the future.

kencamp | December 19, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: DNC Decision Delayed | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC

10 Senators call for Denver Convention

The campaign to put the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver is picking up steam. From the AP:

As the head of the Democratic Party moves closer to choosing the site of the 2008 convention, 10 senators and senators-elect from the western half of the nation said the Mile High City is a natural choice. ...

The letter noted that since 2002, Democrats have won GOP-held governorships in Montana, Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. Last month, Democrats also picked up a Republican-held Senate seat in Montana and GOP-held House seats in Colorado and Arizona.

“In 2008, our presidential nominee will have, for the first time in many years, an excellent chance of winning several Western states, which would secure enough key Electoral College votes to restore our leadership in the White House,” the letter said. “In short, the West is the Democratic Party's new frontier.” ...

Signing the letter were Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada, the incoming Senate majority leader; Ken Salazar of Colorado; Max Baucus and Sen.-elect Jon Tester of Montana; Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico; Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad of North Dakota; Maria Cantwell of Washington; Tim Johnson of South Dakota; and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

Keep up the pressure, folks.

Kari Chisholm | December 8, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: 10 Senators call for Denver Convention | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Senators, Supporters

The New West Project

This is wonderful:

The New West Project, headquartered in Denver, will conduct research and develop strategies to secure and exploit recent Democratic gains in the Western states, party sources said.

At least four Western governors - Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Bill Richardson of New Mexico, Brian Schweitzer of Montana and Bill Ritter, Colorado's governor-elect - are expected to lead the group's advisory council, the sources said. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado and other members of Congress will provide "strategic guidance."

Reid confirmed the creation of the new organization, which he said would "build upon the leadership of people such as governors Napolitano, Richardson and Schweitzer" and "work to focus attention on the West."

This is a high level group. Consider the Western Strategy in play, my friends. It is wonderful to see this sort of institutional arrangement that will only benefit our local, state and national candidates long term. It looks like part think tank, part strategy firm, part communications development - all aspects that will be welcome by the plethora of candidates that will be running these next few cycles to take advantage of our our new promise out here in the west.

The best part of the article? The quote from an unnamed "Western Democrat":

As an example of what the new organization may do, the Western Democrat said that political professionals would analyze such questions as "the difference between first- and second-generation Hispanic voters, ... what motivates them and how we communicate with them," as well as "why a recent transplant from California, who has voted Republican all her life, is now voting for Democrats."

Good question, "Western Democrat" - it just leaves me amazed to see our namesake invoked so strikingly in an article. Methinks the author of the article, John Aloysius Farrell , might just be an reader of our humble site. If so, thanks for the article John - we'll be watching for you in the future.

It's great to have a new project designed for this express purpose and examining the multitude of new questions that are arising from the new political climate in the West. Now, if any of those people involved in the project are paying attention it would behoove them greatly to include netroots and blog outreach as an element of the project. You see, since major political focus has been absent from the West for awhile the netroots and blogosphere have been proliferating and recruiting top candidates all over the place. It would be an essential element of any plan that you should put together.

I'm excited.

Here's the The New West Project!

Landon Mascareñaz | December 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: The New West Project | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, Demographics, Governors, Legislatures, Local Government, Montana, National Leadership, Nevada, New Mexico, Policy Issues, Regionalism, Statewides, The Big Strategy, Urban/Rural Divide, Utah, Wyoming

Meaningless Historical Nonsense

How is about this for a useless argument for why New York has an advantage over Denver for the convention:

New York, they say, has advantages in fund-raising, experience in running national conventions and a track record of success for the Democrats. The last two Democratic presidents, Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in 1992, both strode onto the big stage in New York. Denver last held a convention in 1908, and the nominee, William Jennings Bryan, a Democrat, was trounced by William Howard Taft.

Yeah, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton won the White House because of the convention's location in New York. I can just imagine a voter now: "Well, I like that Gerald Ford fellow, but that was a damn fine New York Convention..." Or perhaps in 1908: "I like everything about WJB, I've voted for him the last two times he ran but now with that Denver convention I'm not too sure..."

But this is where the article gets good:

But party members across the country say that there is no doubt that Denver has hit on a potent combination of economic development goals and political ambition. A convention with 30,000 eating, drinking, hotel-room-using Democratic partiers and journalists would inject perhaps $160 million into the local economy, organizers say, and at the same time crown the city as an unquestioned capital of the interior West — and the two goals are in sync.

“A convention can provide a stage to introduce the nominee in a way that gets the country’s attention and tells a story,” said Debbie Willhite, a longtime Democratic strategist who came here earlier this year to run Denver’s bid as executive director. “And the networks can’t come in here without showing the broad plains and Rocky Mountains — that’s a very big stage.”

Sing it true, Debbie. I'm just even excited for the possibility. Denver is a city on the rise and is already the capital of the interior west and the front-line on the blue trending occurring all around our region.

Howard Dean, since you're making the call I have faith and I believe you understand the stakes: Either you take us back to where we've been before and the old stereotypes about Democrats or we forge a bright, western and mile-high path to our future as a party.

Landon Mascareñaz | December 2, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Meaningless Historical Nonsense | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, Regionalism, The Big Strategy

Denver Convention petition

Progress Now has set up a petition that you can sign to support the Democratic Nation Convention in Denver (hat tip Coyote Gulch).

Boo NYC, Go Denver!

Emmett O'Connell | November 29, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Denver Convention petition | TrackBack (0) Colorado, DNC, National Leadership, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy

Post-Election Statehouse Roundup

To quote Buffalo Springfield, "there's something happening here". Post-election, Western Democrats have made great gains in the states, building strong majorities in the legislatures and taking or retaining several governorships. Here's a look at the numbers, courtesy of NCSL.

Arizona

Pre-Election

Senate 12-18 Republican majority

House 21-39 Republican majority

Post-Election

Senate 12-18 Republican majority

House 28-32 Republican majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House - +7 seats

Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano was overwhelmingly re-elected.

California

Pre-election

Senate 25-15 Democratic majority

Assembly 47-32-1 (Ind.) Democratic majority

Post-Election

Senate 25-15 Democratic majority

Assembly 48-32 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

Assembly - +1 seat

Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected.

Colorado

Pre-Election

Senate 18-17 Democratic majority

House 35-30 Democratic majority

Post-Election

Senate 20-15 Democratic majority

House 39-26 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – +2 seat

House - +4 seats

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter was elected Governor.

Idaho

Pre-Election

Senate 7-28 Republican majority

House 13-57 Republican majority

Post-Election

Senate 7-28 Republican majority

House 19-51 Republican majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House - +6 seats

Republican gubernatorial candidate C.L. “Butch” Otter was elected.

Montana

Pre-Election

Senate 27-23 Democratic majority

House 50-50

Post-Election

Senate 26-24 Democratic majority

House 50-49-1 (Ind.) Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – -1 Seat

House – stays the same

Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer is up for re-election in 2008.

Nevada

Pre-Election

Senate 9-12 Republican majority

House 26-16 Democratic majority

Post-Election

Senate 10-11 Republican majority.

House 27-15 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – +1 seat

House - +1 seat

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons was elected.

New Mexico

Pre-Election

Senate 24-18 Democratic majority

House 42-28-2(Ind.) Democratic majority

Post-Election

Senate 24-18 Democratic majority

House 42-28 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House – stays the same

Democratic Governor Bill Richardson was overwhelmingly re-elected.

Oregon

Pre-Election

Senate 17-11-2(Ind.) Democratic majority

House 27-33 Republican majority

Post-Election

Senate 17-11-2(Ind.) Democratic majority

House 31-29 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House - +4 seats

Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski was re-elected.

Utah

Pre-Election

Senate 8-21 Republican majority

House 19-56 Republican majority

Post-Election

Senate 8-21 Republican majority

House 19-56 Republican majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House – stays the same

Republican Governor Jon Huntsman is up for re-election in 2008.

Washington

Pre-Election

Senate 26-23 Democratic majority

House  56-42 Democratic majority

Post-Election

Senate 32-17 Democratic majority (not since 1965)

House 63-35 Democratic majority

Pickups

Senate – +6 seats

House - +7 seats

Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire is up for re-electionin 2008.

Wyoming

Pre-Election

Senate 7-23 Republican majority

House 14-46 Republican majority

Post-Election

Senate 7-23 Republican majority

House 17-43 Republican majority

Pickups

Senate – stays the same

House - +3 seats

Democratic Governor Dave Freudenthal was overwhelmingly re-elected.

kencamp | November 22, 2006 | Comment on This Post (4 so far) Permalink: Post-Election Statehouse Roundup | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Governors, Idaho, Legislatures, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Room to Grow in the West

Western Democrats did well in 2006. Here is a link to some helpful maps. Particularly noteworthy were pickups in Montana for the U.S. Senate and the Colorado for governorship, plus four pick-ups in the House of Representatives. And we won the office of Secretary of State in the swing states of New Mexico and Nevada. (Think Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 for the importance of this). But we could have done better, and in 2008 we can. For the Senate in 2008 think Colorado and New Mexico. There is still room to grow in the West.

But returning to 2006, Senate pickups in Arizona and Nevada were possible. Governor’s mansion pickups were possible in Alaska, Nevada and Idaho. Additional House pickups were possible in California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming. And we didn’t win the election for Secretary of State in Colorado. These races were close enough to be considered competitive. Several of the competitive House districts in 2006 could be just as competitive in 2008.

So while we are still basking in the warm glow of victory, let us ask ourselves, what could we do better? Any campaign can be critiqued, but I think the biggest factor is that we were outspent. Jack Carter was outspent four to one in Nevada. The GOP and the Club for Growth poured a ton of money into ID-1. The national GOP was spending much more in CA-4 than the DCCC was. And so it went in many districts. Meanwhile Hillary Clinton spent $30 million defeating token opposition in New York. Now I understand that each candidate can raise his or her own funds, and the national committees carefully decide where to spend scarce resources, but more seed money in planting season and more money at harvest time would go a long way in the West. Something to think about for 2008.

Leo Brown | November 21, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Room to Grow in the West | TrackBack (0) Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Governors, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Senators, The Big Strategy, Washington, Wyoming

Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada are now blue states

Emmett pointed us to the great article from the Salt Lake Tribune that had this great quote:

A Tribune analysis of U.S. House results shows that Democrats have narrowed a 20-point GOP edge in 2000 to a slim 48 percent to 47 percent deficit in 2006. In three states - Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico - Democrats have turned their red states blue, winning a majority in the House races.

...but the article also included great chart that tells the tale. Download the PDF here, or just take a peek (click to zoom):

Kari Chisholm | November 20, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada are now blue states | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Congress, Media Coverage, Nevada, New Mexico

Tester leading...

Of course, the big story in the West is that Jon Tester is leading Conrad Burns. As of 9:30 Mountain Time, he's up 49% to 48% leading by less than 2000 votes, out of nearly 400,000 cast.

In the US House, Democrats won Arizona-5, Arizona-8, California-11 (goodbye Pombo!), and Colorado 7 (Perlmutter). It's still too close to call in California-4 (Brown/Doolittle), New Mexico-1 (Madrid/Wilson), Washington-8 (Burner/Reichert), and Wyoming at-large (Trauner/Cubin). DailyKos has a Western election results tracker.

In the governor's races, Democrats won in Colorado and Oregon - but lost in Alaska, Idaho, and Nevada.

Kari Chisholm | November 8, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Tester leading... | TrackBack (0) Arizona, California, Colorado, Congress, Governors, New Mexico, Senators, Washington, Wyoming

Checklist for Tuesday

CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) created a go-to guide on corruption in Congress to expose and hold accountable members of Congress for their questionable conduct. The list was updated in September to reflect the latest information and the resignation from Congress of three former members of the list, Congressmen Cunningham, Ney, and DeLay.
Here are members of CREW’s list in the West. Note that a Democrat made the list.

Senate:
Conrad Burns (R-MT)

Members of the House:
Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO)
Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Richard Pombo (R-CA)
John Doolittle (R-CA)
Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Gary Miller (R-CA)

Those of you living in Montana, Colorado, and Arizona are watching these races closely.

Unfortunately, some districts have been so gerrymandered that it may take more than one election cycle clean house via the electoral process. The last California redistricting was designed to protect incumbents, which may be why so many Californians are on the list. At least two of these Californians, however, are in tight races.

For Charlie Brown vs. John Doolittle, check out this conclusion from an editorial from the Tahoe Daily Tribune:

Despite the glib picture Mr. Doolittle likes to paint out of desperation, this Congressional race is not between liberals and conservatives. In fact, politics isn't really what's at stake. This election is about right vs. wrong, abuse of power, leading with integrity, protecting the earth, protecting the country and living within our means. For that Charlie Brown has our vote on Nov. 7.

For Jerry McNerney vs. Richard Pombo, check out this conclusion from an editorial in the Modesto Bee:

If you prefer the politics of extremes; if you're OK with selling off national parks; if backroom dealmaking and tainted money suit you; if you embrace out-of-balance budgets and the concentration of wealth — Pombo's your man. But he's no longer ours.

Law enforcement has already taken its toll on CREW’s list.

Let’s see how many the voters will remove tomorrow.

Leo Brown | November 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: Checklist for Tuesday | TrackBack (0) Arizona, California, Colorado, Congress, Montana, Senators

George Will Discovers the West

In today's "election scorecard" column from conservative commentator George Will:

Four years ago all eight Mountain West states -- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming -- had Republican governors. If Democrat Bill Ritter wins Colorado's governorship, Democrats will hold five of eight governorships in the Mountain West, which in the 1990s was even more reliably Republican than the South. In 2004 a change of a total of 63,508 votes in Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico would have given those states' 19 electoral votes and the presidency to John Kerry. No wonder the Democrats' 2008 convention will probably be in Denver.

Bring it on home, folks. Bring it on home.

Kari Chisholm | November 6, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: George Will Discovers the West | TrackBack (0) Arizona, Colorado, DNC, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Presidential Politics, The Big Strategy, Utah, Wyoming

CO-07: GOP Pulls Out

More good news for Western Democrats. According to the Denver Post, the NRCC has decided to pull its resources from Colorado's 7th Congressional District, in favor of trying to defend incumbent Marilyn Musgrave in CO-04 and Doug Lamborn in CO-05. The C0-07 race was previously discussed as one of the top races in this election cycle, but Ed Perlmutter has proven to be a strong Democratic candidate.

Faced with hard choices in a tough election year, the national GOP is diverting its attention and resources away from Rick O'Donnell.

[...]

"It's remarkable that one of the marquee races of this election is now rarely discussed," said Amy Walter, senior editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, referring to the 7th District race. "Folks in Washington are talking more about Musgrave's seat and the 5th District. It really shows the deepening problems for Republicans nationally."

And if Republicans are worried about Marilyn Musgrave and pouring money into that race, she must be in some serious trouble. Republicans have to believe that Angie Paccione  is about to take out their champion for "traditional marriage". Not to mention that CO-05, home of Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson, the Air Force Academy, NORAD, and the U.S. Olympic Training Center, is a traditionally Republican district, and Democrat Jay Fawcett is running a great race.

To volunteer for GOTV efforts:

Angie Paccione (CO-04)
Jay Fawcett (CO-05)
Ed Perlmutter (CO-07)

kencamp | October 30, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: CO-07: GOP Pulls Out | TrackBack (0) Colorado, Congress

Colorado GOP + Illegal Campaign Actions = More Proof to vote Dem

As if we needed more reasons.

Anyone here familiar with the Trailhead group?

The Trailhead Group was formed by Gov. Bill Owens and several wealthy Republicans, including Bruce Benson and Pete Coors, to campaign for Republican candidates.

Sounds like a great group of folks.  Anyhoo, they attempted (and did smear) a state senate candidate. John P. Morse:

At issue in the ad was an event on Halloween, 2003, when Morse was chief of police in Fountain. A man who barricaded himself in his home fired numerous shots when police surrounded his house. He was arrested and initially charged with 15 counts of attempted murder, menacing and others, Morse said.

One officer later became unsure if the shots had been fired directly at her, which would have negated the attempted murder charges. So the case was reduced to one felony count of menacing, to which the man agreed to plead guilty. He was sentenced to three years in state prison, Morse said.

But the ad, according to both Morse and Trailhead, claimed the man was charged only with a misdemeanor, and didn't state that he was sentenced to prison.

Morse filed a complaint with the district attorney's office that the ad, which ran in El Paso broadcast outlets for one week in early September, was blatantly false because court documents showed the charge was a felony and that the man was sentenced. Morse also charged that Trailhead sent out two mailers after the ad with the same false information.

Sounds pretty low.  Hard for the Colorado GOP to pass up opportunities to make Democrats look weak, even if you have to make up the ending of story it seems.

How about the recent blow-up over a despicable ad ran by GOP Guv candidate Bob Beauprez?  First off, he contended nothing was wrong:

We had an informant who followed the rules. But what (Ritter) hasn't done is say that he disputes that this is the same guy. This is the same guy ... I don't understand all the numbers but as I understand it, the numbers line up. It is a match. This is the same guy you put out on the streets again who later sexually assaulted a child, Beauprez said.

Uh...not exactly an effective rebuttal.  In fact, it turns out they didn't line up, so Both Ways Bob comes to the rescue defending the illegal actions, just a few days later:

A federal immigration agent who may have broken the law to supply information in a TV attack ad against Bill Ritter "did the right thing," rival Bob Beauprez said Friday.

Beauprez, the GOP candidate for governor, appeared before dozens of reporters at his headquarters to defend his campaign, which is the subject of a criminal investigation involving the FBI.

A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, Cory Voorhis, is now the focus of the investigation, according to a source.

Voorhis, a registered Republican who lives in Morrison, is suspected of tapping into an FBI database to give the Beauprez campaign information that was used in an attack ad against Democrat Ritter.

Using that database for anything other than law enforcement purposes is illegal. The TV spot focused on an illegal immigrant arrested on suspicion of heroin dealing whom Ritter's office granted a plea-bargain to felony farm land trespass.

Nothing like having the FBI looking into the activitiy of your campaign in the final stretch.  Check that, looking into numerous campaign activities in the final stretch: 

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the source of information the Beauprez campaign used for a series of similar attack ads that began running at the end of September.

The CBI has already interviewed staffers with the Ritter campaign. Evan Dreyer, a spokesman for Ritter, said they have provided the CBI with evidence they believe shows the federal database was illegally used to obtain information on five immigrants who received plea bargains from Ritter's office and were the subject of Beauprez's first attack ad.

"There is no way the congressman could have determined citizenship status of these defendants without accessing the confidential database," said Dreyer. "The congressman aided and abetted the commission of a crime."

I bet Bob Beauprez thought he would walk to election in Colorado and I bet he thought Ritter, not exactly the first choice of Colorado Democrats, would be an easy candidate to best.  Ritter didn't take these attacks laying down but took it straight to where it was - the heart of Beauprez's campaign.

Beauprez said his campaign had been approached by the informant this year. He said campaign manager John Marshall then began meeting with the source, who had extensive knowledge of cases involving immigrants.

He claims he didn't know any of the information was illegal.  Based on that we can also know he didn't do any research to find out if the information was correctly accessed or acquired.  Anyone with a basic understanding of campaigning knows about the separation of public records that are available to campaigns. 

Utterly sleazy.  What does it say about the Colorado GOP when its main organizational funding group is under investigation for misleading the public and their Guv candidate is standing up for someone who illegally broke the law so he could distort the record of a good man who worked hard for Colorado like Bill Ritter.  But what else can I say?  Let's let Bill Ritter do the talking:

"For a law enforcement officer to break the law and be congratulated by a congressman is something all Coloradans should be disgusted by," said Ritter. "That is a scary place for a person who wants to be governor to wind up. We should never get to a place in this country where the leadership believes the ends justify the means."

GO BILL RITTER!

Landon Mascareñaz | October 22, 2006 | Comment on This Post (0 so far) Permalink: Colorado GOP + Illegal Campaign Actions = More Proof to vote Dem | TrackBack (0) Colorado

Denver Post Endorses Democrats

The Denver Post has come out with some strong endorsements of Democrats in key congressional races.

Angie Paccione in CO-04.

We believe Paccione offers the district its best bet for strong representation in Washington. She has been a
productive member of the Colorado House, steering legislation into law to increase penalties against adults who supply alcohol to minors. She co-sponsored a tough bill this year aimed at methamphetamine abuse, which was signed into law.

And furthermore, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave is a right-wing nutjob on the same level as Mean Jean Schmidt in Ohio. Her particular object of ire is gays and lesbians. Check out the video of Rep. Musgrave speaking at the Family Research Council's Values Voters Summit over at Think Progress.

Jay Fawcett in CO-05.

Any Democrat running in the heavily Republican 5th Congressional District is fighting an uphill battle. But strip away the party labels and Jay Fawcett - with his Air Force background and resolute style - seems tailor-made for a district with five key military facilities and the nation's highest security prison.

The Post goes on to note that Jay Fawcett's opponent is off in Neverland with regard to his proposed agenda, specifically opposing any new taxes ever, regardless of what the circumstances are.

Ed Perlmutter in CO-07.

Colorado's 7th Congressional District is an increasingly extinct species - comprised in equal parts of Democrats,
Republicans and unaffiliated voters. The 7th deserves a representative who reflects its electorate, a centrist with an independent streak who is not afraid to buck party politics.

[...]

Ed Perlmutter is a moderate Democrat with long roots in the district and a proven record as a lawmake