Denver November 2004 Election
Democrats here in Colorado and nationally really want a big name to run against Ben Nighthorse Campbell this year. They're hoping to pick up a Senate seat here facing retirements in the South and having other seats nationwide under attack (see Tom Daschle). It looks like they're now trying to snare my old boss, Wellington Webb, for a run, according to the Rocky Mountain News [January 30, 2004, "Democrats urge Webb to consider Senate bid"]. From the article, "Gates and national party leaders still hope to attract a big-name candidate to join the field of three political newcomers - Mike Miles, Brad Freedberg and Larry Johnson - who are seeking the party's nomination. Already, Miles and Freedberg have complained that their organizing and fund-raising efforts have been hurt by the party's wait for a better-known contender." Mr. Webb, I'll help you start your weblog.
Here's an article about fundraising in the Senate race from the Rocky Mountain News [January 30, 2004, "Campbell war chest doesn't scare Dems"]. Senator Campbell has about $1.3 Million on hand, Mike Miles has $50,000 while Brad Freedburg raised $8,000 in 2003 and has loaned his campaign $40,000. Both Miles and Freedburb feel that they'll be able to raise enough dough to run if they get the nomination. Where's George Soros?
Here's a story about yesterday's decision by Supreme Court Justice Breyer in the Colorado redistricting case from the Denver Post [January 30, 2004, "U.S. court denies stay"]. From the article, "Attorney General Ken Salazar said the denial by Justice Stephen Breyer, who is responsible for such requests from Colorado, means the state's congressional boundaries for this November's general elections will be the same as they were for the 2002 elections. State Republicans filed their request for a stay on Monday, hoping a new GOP redistricting plan could be used in November. The GOP then filed a full appeal on Wednesday. The nation's high court could take months to rule on the full appeal. Colorado GOP chairman Ted Halaby said Republicans are undeterred and will push ahead with the appeal."
The Bell Policy Center filed paperwork with the State yesterday to put changes to TABOR in front of voters in the fall, according to the Denver Post [January 29, 2004, "Fiscal reforms target TABOR"]. From the article, "A group trying to reform Colorado's constitution to loosen the state's spending restrictions has drafted a package of specific proposals and plans to put one on the ballot this fall. Of the proposals coming from the Bell center, one would eliminate TABOR but still require voters to approve tax increases. Another would tie the size of the state budget to a fixed percentage of the state's personal income. One Bell proposal and the Bighorn measure would address TABOR and limit the K-12 spending mandated by Amendment 23 during tough economic times."
This is going to be a fun issue to watch this election season. The Bell Policy Center has a list of TABOR resources here. Democracy in the 21st Century == a computer and an Internet connection, and showing up to vote.
5:48:20 AM 
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