Coyote Gulch

Thursday, June 1, 2006

DemNotes: "...Democrats are unchallenged by a single Republican in 11 of Colorado's 65 House Districts. Meanwhile, Democrats have candidates in 63 of the 65 House districts (I've heard that in at least one of the two remaining seats, there was to be a vacancy committee meeting to select a Democratic candidate - the deadline for that was today). As far as I know, that kind of imbalance in favor of the Democrats is simply unheard of.

"So, let me be the first to congratulate the first members of the next session of the General Assembly: Reps. Cerbo, McGihon, Judd, Terrance Carroll, Madden, Weissman, Jahn, Soper, Peniston, and Curry. Kathleen Curry's place on this list is even more impressive, because that seat was held only two years ago by a Republican, and was highly targeted in 2004. House District 61 is a swing seat, and it shows the amazing job that Rep. Curry has been doing in a rural district. Don't let anybody tell you that Democrats can't win in rural Colorado!

"Also, congrats to the Democratic voters in HD 13. They will get to select the next State Representative for that district, as well. Claire Levy and Jim Rettew both made the primary ballot - but no Republicans bothered to run! I met and heard both at the Gilpin County Assembly in April, and I can tell you that the folks in HD 13 will be very well represented no matter who they choose."
"denver 2006"
8:37:36 PM

Holtzman for governor?
Mt. Virtus: "Two breaking news stories this afternoon for a quick read: Associated Press, 'Colorado Candidate Fined for Illegal Ads' Rocky Mountain News, 'Holtzman Not on Ballot' For Marc Holtzman, this would have to qualify for the classic definition of 'bad day.'"
"denver 2006"
7:43:25 PM

Gore for president?
Political Wire: "A new 'Affective Encryption Analysis' study conducted by Media Psychology Affiliates is predicting with '93% accuracy' that 'a landslide victory for former Democratic Vice President Al Gore in the 2008 presidential election. However, should Hillary Clinton gain the Democratic nomination, any potential Republican challenger will win the presidency.'"
"2008 pres"
6:12:58 PM

Polarization between those in power and those who put them there
Peggy Noonan: "The problem is not that the two parties are polarized. In many ways they're closer than ever. The problem is that the parties in Washington, and the people on the ground in America, are polarized. There is an increasing and profound distance between the rulers of both parties and the people--between the elites and the grunts, between those in power and those who put them there."

Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for the link.
"denver 2006"
6:10:39 PM

Fundamentalism and conservatism
Andrew Sullivan: "You have in this a classic example of the distinction between conservatism and fundamentalism. Conservatism seeks to govern society as it is and as it evolves. It allows for diversity and federalism and local rule. Instead of demonizing minorities, conservatives seek ways to integrate and include them and foster responsibility among them. Fundamentalists, in contrast, begin with an a priori religious deduction - homosexuality is Biblically or 'naturally' wrong and homosexuals as such do not exist - and proceed to enforce that view on everyone."
"2008 pres"
6:03:02 PM

Holtzman for governor?
Colorado Pols: "Republican Marc Holtzman's campaign has reportedly been found guilty of coordination for the 'If C Wins, You Lose' committee and fined a paltry $4,000. This will be a minor PR hit in the short term, and the Bob Beauprez campaign may try to use the news stories in some attack ads, but otherwise it went away with a whimper."
"denver 2006"
5:57:05 PM

Huckabee for president?
Daily Kos: "When people look at the GOP field for 2008, they worry about McCain or Allen or even Romney. You want to know who the strongest GOP candidate would be, the one that would make me lose sleep at night? Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. The guy is a scary good politician and the more Republican voters see him around the country, the more support he'll get."
"2008 pres"
7:11:23 AM

Unity08
Echoing the Wash Park Prophet's sentiments, David Harsanyi blasts Unity08 in his column in today's Denver Post. He writes, "Well, it might as well be Kumbaya. The quixotic third-party candidate has done little more than sink a couple of major- party candidates. Ralph Nader and the Green Party, ironically enough, helped undercut Al Gore's hopes in 2000, while Ross Perot and United We Stand America stuck it good to George Bush I in 1992. I've thrown my vote away on a third- party candidate, too - just for kicks. Wasting your vote can be quite liberating, but let's acknowledge it serves no practical purpose other than spoiling someone else's fun. So what is the point of Unity08? Jonas tells me that perhaps an independent might throw his (or her) hat in the ring. This person will be preferable to the candidates selected by the 'fringe of the party' - Democrat or Republican. This candidate, he hopes, will focus on issues that are actually 'important and crucial.'"
"2008 pres"
7:05:18 AM

SB 179

Governor Owens signed SB 179 (pdf), according to the Durango Herald. From the article, "Senate Bill 179 sets aside $10 million to help small communities pay for studies required before new water projects can be built."
"colorado water"
6:56:42 AM

Development of oil shale to require large volumes of the West's limited water

Three U.S. Senators (Salazar, Domenici, and Hatch) are in Grand Junction to get a briefing on oil shale development, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Will it be a going proposition? New energy sources may need coddling early on but should show long-term financial viability. What are the environmental impacts? Using the complex technology Shell Oil is researching in northwestern Colorado, oil shale processing will require large volumes of the West's limited water. And Shell's process will demand expansions of coal-fired power plants and high-capacity electrical lines in the remote area."

Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News.
"colorado water"
6:36:11 AM

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