Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Ritter for governor? Colorado Lib: "Democrat candidate for governor Bill Ritter announced that Barbara O'Brien would be his running mate today. I dropped by the press conference and snapped the photo shown here. There was only one question asked by the media. 'Why announce your running mate so early?' Ritter responded by citing the qualifications that, in his mind, will make O'Brien a great lieutenant governor." Category: Denver November 2006 Election 5:49:13 PM    comment []

Ritter or Beauprez for governor? Bill Ritter is expected, "to announce today that he has picked Barbara O'Brien of the Colorado Children's Campaign to be his running mate," according to the Denver Post [January 18, 2006, "Ritter to name running mate"]. From the article, "The early choice of a woman appears to be an attempt to balance the ticket for Ritter, the former Denver district attorney who is opposed by some traditional elements of his party because of his stance against abortion rights." Meanwhile Bob Beauprez officially launched his campaign for governor yesterday, according to the Denver Post [January 18, 2006, "Beauprez off and running"]. Beauprez, "gave a preview of the issues he will focus on during his campaign: illegal immigration, quality health care, the ability of families to choose where their children go to school, water rights, renewable energy and government fiscal responsibility. While he said combating illegal immigration primarily rests with the federal government, he also said Colorado and other states have the power to help solve the problem. Beauprez did not address specific plans, however...He vowed to construct a statewide water plan that would focus on conservation and additional water storage so that urban areas don't continue "drying up our farms and the rural communities.'" Here's an article about Bill Ritter from the Rocky Mountain News [January 18, 2006, "Abortion issue a twist in Ritter campaign"]. They write, "If Hickenlooper stays out of the race and Ritter is the Democratic nominee, it's not clear how his position might affect the general election. Both Republican candidates, Congressman Bob Beauprez and former University of Denver President Marc Holtzman, are also anti-abortion. The election is widely seen as a tossup, with either party able to capture the governor's office." Marc Holtzman is in hot water over his comments about Mayor Hickenlooper and Denver, according to the Denver Post [January 18, 2006, "Ex-councilor quits Holtzman's camp"]. Yesterday Ed Thomas (former Denver City Councilman and candidate for Auditor) quit the campaign. Category: Denver November 2006 Election 6:26:59 AM    comment []

Gay marriage amendment? Pastor Ted Haggard from Colorado Springs is pushing a state constitutional amendment that will define marriage as between a man and a woman but not allow domestic partnerships, according to the Denver Post [January 18, 2006, "Gay-marriage foes unite"]. From the article, "The group, calling itself Coloradans for Marriage, intends to back an amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman and go no further, said the Rev. Ted Haggard of Colorado Springs, president of the National Association of Evangelicals... "Though specific ballot language is still being drawn up, the common ground over the scope is a significant step toward making Colorado the latest gay-marriage battleground. Gay-marriage bans have passed in all 18 states that have voted on them in recent years, and 11 others are expected to make state ballots this year..." "Haggard argued that the institution of marriage deserves constitutional protection and that civil unions are a matter for the state legislature." Category: Denver November 2006 Election 6:15:27 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2006 John Orr. Last update: 2/1/06; 7:36:35 AM.