Colorado 2010

[Vepres]

Might as well put this up now.

The Governor's race is looking to be very interesting. Moderate Democrat Bill Ritter is running for reelection with falling approval ratings. Surprisingly, much of that fall was due to Hispanics no longer supporting him. To make matters worse, he had to make significant cuts, particularly in eduction, to deal with the loss of revenue from the recession. However, Colorado's economy is far stronger than most of the country's economy with an unemployment rate of ~7% that is falling.

Ritter pushed for a "new energy economy", and continues to do so. A large number of bills designed to encourage the use of renewable energy have been signed by the Governor. He also signed the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act last spring. According to The Children's Hospital in Denver, the bill would, if executed correctly, generate over $1 billion in revenue and insure over 150,000 Coloradan children as well as increase Medicaid payouts. However, opponents argue that the fee administered on hospitals to generate the revenue would hurt the healthcare system.

The two main candidates on the Republican side are Fmr. CO-3 Representative Scott McInnis and minority leader of the state Senate Josh Penry. Penry railed against corruption in his party and is seen by many as what the next generation of Republicans should look like. McInnis has money and is more established, but can a man so conservative win in such an independent state?

[Landslide Lyndon]

I don't know about his accomplishments but Ritter seems to be very adept at making enemies.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Might as well put this up now.

The Governor's race is looking to be very interesting. Moderate Democrat Bill Ritter is running for reelection with falling approval ratings. Surprisingly, much of that fall was due to Hispanics no longer supporting him. To make matters worse, he had to make significant cuts, particularly in eduction, to deal with the loss of revenue from the recession. However, Colorado's economy is far stronger than most of the country's economy with an unemployment rate of ~7% that is falling.

Ritter pushed for a "new energy economy", and continues to do so. A large number of bills designed to encourage the use of renewable energy have been signed by the Governor. He also signed the Colorado Healthcare Affordability Act last spring. According to The Children's Hospital in Denver, the bill would, if executed correctly, generate over $1 billion in revenue and insure over 150,000 Coloradan children as well as increase Medicaid payouts. However, opponents argue that the fee administered on hospitals to generate the revenue would hurt the healthcare system.

The two main candidates on the Republican side are Fmr. CO-4 Representative Scott McInnis and minority leader of the state Senate Josh Penry. Penry railed against corruption in his party and is seen by many as what the next generation of Republicans should look like. McInnis has money and is more established, but can a man so conservative win in such an independent state?

McInnis represented CO-03 not CO-04.

[5280]

Does anybody know if the 2010 election is an open primary? I'd like to be able to vote for whoever I want regardless of party affiliation.

[Lunar]

I believe Colorado has open primaries?

[Vepres]

I believe Colorado has open primaries?

Nope. Ironic as we have a high proportion of independents.

[Vepres]

McInnis declared at a forum at Colorado Christian University that he was "100% pro-life". This is a slide to the right, as he was a moderate on the issue in congress. Dan Maes came off as a hardcore social conservative, but he doesn't really stand a chance. Penry challenged McInnis' switch on the abortion issue and stated, "I'm pro life. I believe in traditional marriage. And I have a consistent record of that." However, it is unclear as to whether Penry would support civil unions or not (if he does, he won't bring it up now).

http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_13739171

[5280]

Colorado needs to have an open primary.  If not then, whatever that sucks.

[Vepres]

[cry]Penry is out of the race[/cry]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/governors/co-gov-penry-to-exit-race.html?wprss=thefix

[Lunar]

Hah, now the GOP will be stuck with McInnis, that's a little sad even if he's a better candidate is a far less authentic one.

[5280]

Bill Ritter is a arse clown, I had enough of that fool.  I'm voting for McInnis.

[Lunar]

Bill Ritter is a arse clown, I had enough of that fool.  I'm voting for McInnis.

What is your biggest complaint? 
 
I know he's unpopular, but a lot of that has to do with being forced to do budget cuts.

[Vepres]

Bill Ritter is a arse clown, I had enough of that fool.  I'm voting for McInnis.

What is your biggest complaint? 
 
I know he's unpopular, but a lot of that has to do with being forced to do budget cuts.

That, plus he's done little to help the Hispanic community, has had a fairly conservative record when it comes to unions, appointed an unknown to the Senate, has been charged with destroying jobs in the oil and gas industry in the state (I don't think this is true), and has been fairly hands off when it comes to his legislative agenda. He signed a bill in April 2009 that would create a "hospital provider fee" to increase the coverage of the state Medicaid program. While the  results could be good, some would say the taxes would hurt quality and efficiency.

[Lunar]

Oh, I know liberal complaints about him, god I have to read their emails to his campaign every now and then   He just doesn't seem like that unlikeable of a fellow or that much of failure, Colorado is doing okay economically but balancing a budget is just rough since you gotta hurt somebody.

But Independents are the most important group in the CO electorate, Ritter is making specific targeted messages to the Democratic base, like on the public option (which doesn't really matter).

[Vepres]

Oh, I know liberal complaints about him, god I have to read their emails to his campaign every now and then   He just doesn't seem like that unlikeable of a fellow or that much of failure, Colorado is doing okay economically but balancing a budget is just rough since you gotta hurt somebody.

But Independents are the most important group in the CO electorate, Ritter is making specific targeted messages to the Democratic base, like on the public option (which doesn't really matter).

Yes, add to that that the fact that he has had a low profile and has been pretty hand-off in the legislative side of things, the main thing people notice are his big cuts this year.

I honestly think that, if McInnis becomes the GOP nominee, a strong third party/independent candidate could emerge as neither are too appealing IMO.

[Vepres]

Fmr. Congressman Tom Tancredo is considering running in the Gubernatorial primary, which would make for an interesting primary!

He said that he supported Penry and that he was disappointed when he dropped out, and thus is reconsidering whether he'll run or not.

http://www.denverpost.com/localpolitics/ci_13751820

[Aizen]

I certainly won't be voting for Bill Ritter. How dare that bastard raise my college tuition. Of course, I can't vote Republican either. I'll probably vote third party and won't give a damn if/when Ritter loses.

[Vepres]

I certainly won't be voting for Bill Ritter. How dare that bastard raise my college tuition. Of course, I can't vote Republican either. I'll probably vote third party and won't give a damn if/when Ritter loses.

Third parties FTW! (er, FTL )

I think there is a possibility a strong third party candidate emerges in this election, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[5280]

Right now I'm either voting for McInnis or 3rd.  I need to see who the 3rd party candidate is and what their policies are.

[Lunar]

I certainly won't be voting for Bill Ritter. How dare that bastard raise my college tuition.

Is it being raised 32% mid-semester?  then quit complaining seriously.  no one likes anyone that complains when they only got an A- on the midterm, and you are that person right now, don't be that person that nobody likes

[Lunar]

Oh, I know liberal complaints about him, god I have to read their emails to his campaign every now and then   He just doesn't seem like that unlikeable of a fellow or that much of failure, Colorado is doing okay economically but balancing a budget is just rough since you gotta hurt somebody.

But Independents are the most important group in the CO electorate, Ritter is making specific targeted messages to the Democratic base, like on the public option (which doesn't really matter).

Yes, add to that that the fact that he has had a low profile and has been pretty hand-off in the legislative side of things, the main thing people notice are his big cuts this year.

I honestly think that, if McInnis becomes the GOP nominee, a strong third party/independent candidate could emerge as neither are too appealing IMO.

dawg, if you define the terms of how you interpret "strong" I'll bet you <$25.

[Vepres]

Oh, I know liberal complaints about him, god I have to read their emails to his campaign every now and then   He just doesn't seem like that unlikeable of a fellow or that much of failure, Colorado is doing okay economically but balancing a budget is just rough since you gotta hurt somebody.

But Independents are the most important group in the CO electorate, Ritter is making specific targeted messages to the Democratic base, like on the public option (which doesn't really matter).

Yes, add to that that the fact that he has had a low profile and has been pretty hand-off in the legislative side of things, the main thing people notice are his big cuts this year.

I honestly think that, if McInnis becomes the GOP nominee, a strong third party/independent candidate could emerge as neither are too appealing IMO.

dawg, if you define the terms of how you interpret "strong" I'll bet you <$25.

By "strong", I mean in the relative sense. 5%< statewide.

[Aizen]

I certainly won't be voting for Bill Ritter. How dare that bastard raise my college tuition.

Is it being raised 32% mid-semester?  then quit complaining seriously.  no one likes anyone that complains when they only got an A- on the midterm, and you are that person right now, don't be that person that nobody likes

1. Your analogy is borderline retarded and doesn't even make sense. I suggest you try again as I know you can do better.

2. It's going to be raised 7-10%. That's still significant and it is actually something that directly affects me unlike most  things in politics. That is money that could be going to alcohol or something. So I can "whine" if I damn well please.

[Lunar]

I may or may not have typed that coming home from a bar right before I passed out, evidenced possibly by me attempting to make some sort of PayPal bet at the same time.

[JohnnyLongtorso]

It's sounding like Tancredo will be running:

http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-tancredo-govs-race-111109,0,518466.story

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Best news Ritter's had in a while.