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Who’s next in the 3rd CD?
With word leaking out that Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo., could become Agriculture Secretary Salazar, let the speculation about his successor begin!
Per Colorado Revised Statutes 1-2-202, Gov. Bill Ritter will set a date for a vacant election to fill the 3rd Congressional District seat prior to the 2010 general election.
But who would be the frontrunners in such a race? Political Notebook has singled out a series of pols on both sides of the aisle. Let’s see who you think would be the top contender on each side of the aisle.
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If we’ve left someone out of either party’s frontrunners list, the comments section awaits your patronage.
Note to the reader: All of the politicos mentioned in the above surveys were picked after consulting with local armchair quarterbacks. None of the above pols have announced their candidacies. Just to be clear, this all is purely speculative and nonscientific.
*Capitol photo from the Associated Press.
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Congressman John Salazar responds to Cabinet speculation
Spurred on my rumors that Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo., might be on President-elect Barack Obama’s short list to head the Department of Agriculture, the federal lawmaker issued the following statement to Political Notebook:
“I am humbled that I may be under consideration as a possible nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. Should President-elect Obama honor me with a nomination to Agriculture, I would certainly consider it. However, at this time, I am continuing my work on behalf of my constituents in the 3rd Congressional District and preparing for the many difficult challenges facing the 111th Congress.”
Salazar is one of only a handful of farmers serving in the Congress. That said, his mention as a Cabinet contender has been a recent innovation among the chattering classes.
That said, according to a report on the Bloomberg wire, Salazar’s name has received some serious backing from his congressional peers: “The (Congressional) Hispanic Caucus letter recommends Colorado Representative John Salazar for agriculture secretary, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion for Housing and Urban Development secretary and Texas Assemblyman Rick Noriega for veterans’ affairs secretary, among others.”
As a final caveat that has to linger in some Democrats’ minds: If Salazar leaves his congressional seat, it could open the door for Republicans to take back the seat in a special election.
*Salazar photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Ritter pitches for a “job creation” bailout in televised interview
Following a meeting between President-election Barack Obama and the nation’s governors, Gov. Bill Ritter, Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm sat down on “The News Hour” to discuss the economic downturn.
In addition to saying states would like money for safety net programs — food stamps, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, etc. — and infrastructure projects.
Ritter also made the case for a job-creation-geared “bailout” package: “Well, we need a stimulus that creates jobs. If you look at the $700 billion-plus bailout that happened, I don’t think that it had as its main target how you create jobs.
“And I don’t think there’s a better way to do that than transportation infrastructure, other kinds of infrastructure, building that out, and doing it in a way that addresses this unemployment problem, because the unemployment problem is creating a real problem as it relates to states being able to fund the safety net and provide other government services.
“It’s very interconnected. And if you don’t create jobs, then all the other stimuli that we’ve provided are going to be, I think, not as meaningful as if we actually changed the unemployment rate and turned the job creation into a net positive over the next couple of years.”
Ritter’s televised comments came the same day that Russ George, director of the Colorado Department of Transportation and a former Republican speaker of the House, told the Joint Budget Committee that public transportation projects could help the state work through the recession.
“There are some investments in dollars in the economy that have a better effect. … The best investment dollars are those that go into the ground. Those that build things on the ground or in the air,” George said. “The dollars spent on (those types of projects) create other jobs that adds to other incomes. We think the jobs that are invested in public works … may have a multiplier as high as eight times”
What do you think?
*Ritter photo from the Associated Press.
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Why did Musgrave lose? She speaks up, in a Georgia robocall
Curious about why Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., lost her race against Democratic Congresswoman-elect Betsy Markey? Well, a robocall in Georgia has shed some light on the matter.
According to a report in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, Musgrave has blamed her loss on “vicious attacks and lies” from liberal groups. Her comments came in a robocall in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race.
“Leftist special interests from around the country poured money into my district to defeat me. They overwhelmed us with money. And they smothered the truth with vicious attacks and lies,” she said in the call.
It’s not exactly a concession, but it is Musgrave’s first at-length public comment on her loss.
*Musgrave photo from the Associated Press.
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Ritter, Salazar start their 2010 fundraising efforts, race
Is it too soon to look ahead to 2010? Two of Colorado’s incumbent Democratic pols don’t think so.
According to The Denver Post, Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., have started fundraising for their respective re-election campaigns nearly two years out.
From the article: “Ritter’s campaign raised nearly $500,000 this year, and Salazar had $1.83 million on hand as of the close of the third quarter, records show.”
Both candidates reportedly have fundraisers planned for this week.
What do you think?
*Salazar, Ritter photo from the Associated Press.
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Colorado’s attorney general argues before the U.S. Supreme Court
Colorado Attorney General John Suthers argued his first case before the U.S. Supreme Court today during oral arguments in Kansas v. Colorado. The SCOTUS blog, one of the most authoritative sources for all things Supreme Court, has the background on the case (linked here), in case you’re interested.
Political Notebook got its hands on a transcript from the morning’s hour-long orals. Here is the blow-by-blow recap of the arguments:
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Our favorite (non-legalese) moment? When Suthers referred to Justice David Souter as “Justice Ginsberg.” According to the transcript, Souter laughed off the attorney general’s error:
“MR. SUTHERS: Justice Ginsburg, 1920 —
“JUSTICE SOUTER: I’m greatly flattered.
“(Laughter.)
“MR. SUTHERS: Justice Souter, Justice Souter, sorry. Justice Souter.
“JUSTICE SOUTER: You’re not the first to have done that.”
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In all seriousness, perhaps, Suthers seemed — from the transcript — to go over very well with the justices, eliciting laughter on four different occasions in his arguments with the court.
His opponent during arguments, according to the transcript, only elicited laughter once.
*Suthers photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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McNulty needles DNR head
As Harris Sherman, executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, began to discuss his agency’s 2009-2010 budget with the Joint Budget Committee today, state Rep. Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, could not resist prodding the Cabinet official.
“I am pleased the department is engaging in forest health … though I am concerned you are using money that take funding away from water projects,” McNulty said. “We can get into that at another point.”
McNulty, one of Amendment 52’s sponsors, was subtly referencing a report from Sherman’s agency that said the plan to devote severance tax revenues to roads would drain the state’s water budget.
Sherman did not immediately reply to McNulty’s query.
*McNulty photo from the Associated Press.
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Notebook closed … for now
Political Notebook will be on vacation from Friday, Nov. 21, until Monday, Dec. 1, exploring a new state. I’ll be back just in time to look ahead to the 2009 sessions of Congress and the Colorado Legislature.
While you’re here, I’d like to thank your for visiting and turning this afterthought side project into GJSentinel.com’s top blog. If you have any ideas about how to improve the blog — which will be 19 months old on Dec. 7 — through regular features, more polls, online live-chats, more video postings, community events, etc., please send me an e-mail.
Until we return, take care and happy Thanksgiving
*Airplane photo from the Associated Press.
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Penry remains on committee to advocate for several rural projects
Incoming Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, said he opted to hold onto his seat on the Capitol Development Committee in an effort to advocate for several projects in rural Colorado.
“There are a couple rural projects that are a priority for me. … I just want to make sure we continue to push for those,” Penry said.
None of the projects, he said, are at Mesa State College.
That said, Penry and the Capital Development Committee are not going to be swimming in money this year. According to the Colorado Legislation Council’s latest revenue forecast, there will be next to no money available for capital construction. (See page 2 of the report for the 2009-2010 fiscal year revenue forecasts.)
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As a bit of background, it is unusual for a state lawmaker elected to a top leadership position to keep his or her seat on a committee. Hence, Penry opted to pass his seats on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Education Committee to Sen.-elect Keith King, R-Colorado Springs.
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Salazar backed Dingell during Democrats’ chairmanship vote
Though Congressman John Dingell, D-Mich., lost his chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, he did garner the vote of Congressman John Salazar, D-Colo.
Salazar’s chief of staff confirmed to Political Notebook that the soon-to-be third term congressman got behind Dingell instead of Congressman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
Waxman won the chairmanship in a 137-122 vote.
Congresswoman Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who does sit on the committee sent out this statement following the vote: “The winds of change have blown through Congress today. I congratulate Chairman Waxman on his selection as chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I have worked closely with him on issues including the environment and consumer protection and look forward to serving with him to move our nation’s agenda forward. I also pledge to do everything I can to heal any rifts in the committee and the Democratic Caucus.”
*Salazar photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Mesa County finishes compiling official 2008 election vote tallies
The final vote tallies are in. The Mesa County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has completed its official tally of every ballot cast in the 2008 general election.
In the race between outgoing state Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, and Rep.-elect Laura Bradford, R-Collbran, it appears that Buescher only won the mail-in voting category. In early voting and Election Day voting, Bradford edged him out.
Here are the complete results. Enjoy:
Mesa County’s official 2008 election results
*Ballot photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Arizona’s looming electoral clash
Wandering a bit through the West — and in preparation of Political Notebook’s impending vacation — let’s take an early look at what could the region’s hottest U.S. Senate race, after Ken Salazar’s re-election bid, that is: the possible electoral tussle between Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano and Republican Sen. John McCain.
Barring a Cabinet appointment, as The Fix points out, Napolitano is widely expected to run against the failed 2008 GOP presidential candidate: “Those familiar with Napolitano’s thinking believe that a challenge to McCain is a real possibility, and that the rapid growth in the state — largely via the influx of political independents and political moderates — could accrue to her benefit in a clash of political titans.”
Both pols are popular in their home states and throughout the region — as evinced by their headline events in Grand Junction earlier this year.
What do you think?
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UPDATE: Apparently we spoke too soon. Still feel free to vote. Consider an exercise in armchair quarterbacking.
*McCain, Napolitano photos from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Author of anti-Buescher signage going out of business
In a sign of the times, Mike Gregg, one of outgoing Democratic state Rep. Bernie Buescher’s more vocal critics is going out of business, according to The Daily Sentinel’s new “Mobile Junction’ blog.
As my colleague reports: “Mike Gregg, owner of the dealership at 2800 North Avenue, decided to retire and made the decision to close the lot about two weeks ago, said Orville Powders, who has worked at Mike’s for 10 years.
“The dealership has been a Grand Junction landmark for 30 years, Powders said, though it was known by a different name in the past.
“Mike’s Auto is known by passersby for the conservative political messages that often adorn the marquee in front of the dealership, which now reads, ‘Everything must go, quitting business.’”
Though the darkening of his sign might disappoint some local conservatives, it’s probably a safe bet his penchant for letter writing will continue.
*Buescher photo shot by Political Notebook. Sign photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Penry: ‘Bernie would be a very good pick by the governor’
Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, would make an excellent secretary of state, according to incoming Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction.
“Bernie would be a very good pick by the governor,” Penry told us in an e-mail. “Bernie is fair, he’s a capable administrator and he understands the nuance and complexities of the election process. I think Bernie’s selection would be received favorably by many Republicans — I know it would by me.”
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Naturally, Political Notebook had to ask Penry about comments from a political commentator that he and Denver Broncos safety John Lynch could be doppelgangers.
Penry responded this way: “Yeah we’re practically twins. And common looks is only the start of it. We both went to global leaders in post secondary education — him Stanford, me Mesa State.”
If Lynch has a good sense of humor, it appears the pair share that quality as well.
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Wolf’s ‘beachhead of conservatism’
Outgoing Delta County Commissioner and former Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate Wayne Wolf has, in reflecting on his unsuccessful electoral bid, concluded that his efforts “established a beachhead of conservatism in Western Colorado.”
Here are Wolf’s thoughts on the matter, sent in an e-mail to Political Notebook:
“I am grateful for the support of the majority of the voters in Montrose, Delta, Mesa and Rio Blanco counties in the recent election. Those counties elected the more conservative of their county commissioner and state legislature candidates. We have established a beachhead of conservatism in Western Colorado.
“We got Congressman (John) Salazar’s attention. As shown by his recent front page Sentinel story, he will make sure we know when he votes against a spending bill or two and will seek the greatest publicity possible when he brings us a piece of bacon or two. Otherwise, I expect he will generally continue to support Nancy Pelosi and her liberal anti-business agenda.
“As I campaigned in the Grand Valley I met many good people. I will support the next challenger for the House of Representatives from the 3rd Congressional District. Historically, two years after a Presidential election the out party gains seats so the next Republican candidate should have a better opportunity.”
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Do you agree? Beg to differ? … The comments section awaits your patronage.
*Wolf photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Buescher application sparks buzz about his chances for appointment
If case you hadn’t heard, outgoing state Rep. Bernie Buescher, D-Grand Junction, has thrown his hat into the ring to succeed Congressman-elect Mike Coffman, R-Colo., as the next secretary of state.
Buescher’s application — along with one from outgoing Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver — has received quite a bit of attention online. From Coloradopols: “With a tip of the hat to our resident applicant, most would agree that Buescher and Romanoff are the two standouts on this list — and a cursory look at the pros and cons of each suggests that Buescher would be the strongest candidate to hold the seat for Democrats in 2010.”
What do you think?
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UPDATE: You can find a list of all 20 applicants at PolitickerCO.
You can examine Buescher’s application linked at Face the State or at Scribd.com.
*Buescher photo shot by Political Notebook.
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Allard mum on Stevens vote
Outgoing U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., is keeping mum about the fate of his colleague Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, heading into what could be a contentious vote Monday to kick the convicted felon out of the GOP caucus.
According to Allard’s spokesman: “The senator has made no comment regarding Senator Stevens and does not intend to do so publicly at this point.”
A group of Senate Republicans, led by Jim DeMint, R-S.C., have called for their colleagues to expel Stevens from the GOP caucus, following the senior Alaska senator’s conviction on seven corruption charges last month.
The vote would be one of Allard’s last actions before Congressman Mark Udall, D-Colo., succeeds him next year.
*Allard photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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RMN endorses the concept behind Penry’s 2008 ballot measure
Though Colorado’s voters struck down state Sen. Josh Penry’s attempt to confront part of the state’s transportation funding shortfall, the concept behind the Grand Junction Republican’s plan received a vote of confidence from The Rocky Mountain News’ editorial board this weekend:
“That’s why we hope lawmakers tap at least some of the windfall of severance-tax money slated to flow to the Department of Natural Resources. That’s what Amendment 52 would have done, of course, but it was a constitutional measure, not a statute, which is the main reason we opposed it. Lawmakers could protect severance-tax funding for communities impacted by energy production while still dedicating tens of millions of dollars to transportation — and do so while the Department of Natural Resources budget continues to grow.
“Transportation deserves to be a higher priority for lawmakers. They’ll be tempted to get additional funding entirely from new revenue streams. That temptation needs to be resisted, and it can be. A statute based on the concept of Amendment 52 could use a current, robust revenue stream to finance an essential public good.”
In case this argument seems odd to you, The Rocky Mountain News’ editorial board opposed Amendment 52, but primarily on the grounds that it would have inserted yet another fiscal mandate into the Colorado Constitution: “Had sponsors taken the statutory route, we could have wholeheartedly supported it.”
What do you think?
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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Penry waits to declare the GOP Senate committee appointments
Interesting in finding out which GOP state senators are appointed to various legislative committees? Well, you’re going to have wait a little while longer.
With the exception of Sen.-elect Al White, R-Hayden, remaining on the Joint Budget Committee, the GOP’s incoming Senate minority leader, Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, is waiting to see how the undecided Senate District 26 race plays out to make his appointments.
“The Democrats appointed their candidate, who is ahead at this point,” Penry said. “I’m not going to make any final decision until the results … of the provisional (ballots) are in, which will be first thing next week.”
*Penry photo from The Daily Sentinel archives.
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When political kitsch backfires
One of our favorite pieces of political kitsch has to be a quixotic photo of state Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, embracing the “tax monster.”
We’ve posted it above for your viewing pleasure. And, if you haven’t had enough, here’s a second tax monster pic, though this one shows Rice kicking the monster out of a room. (Who would have thought tax monsters would wear such nice shoes?)
However, as Rocky Mountain Right has shown, this sort of photo certainly can have its drawbacks. Next to the photo, the conservative blog has referenced a car fee that state lawmakers and the governor are considering bringing back for the 2009 legislative session.
Perhaps Rice and his colleagues should get a photo of them hugging a “tax cut” monster. Or, perhaps more prudently, they should forego hugging monsters.
*Rice photo provided by the House Majority office.
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Looking ahead: Ken Salazar’s chances in the 2010 election cycle
The Fix at washingtonpost.com has highlighted U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar’s seat as one of the Democratic Party’s few soft spots looking ahead to the 2010 election cycle:
“Democrats have far less vulnerability; only one incumbent up for re-election (Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar) won with less than 55 percent of the vote in 2004 and several potential races are entirely contingent on one Republican candidate deciding to run.”
That said — and his 2004 election results in mind — the blog does not cite Salazar as one of the endangered members of the Senate. (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is on that list, by the way.)
What do you think?
*Salazar photo from the Associated Press.
Latest comments
No big surprise that Salazar supported Dingell. They’re both “Blue Dogs” and see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues.
Interesting non-statement by DeGette. How did she vote? She didn’t say.
... read the full comment by Ralphie | Comment on Salazar backed Dingell during Democrats' chairmanship vote Read Salazar backed Dingell during Democrats' chairmanship vote
Holy Sahuaro Batman !
Just let the poor loser RETIRE in peace,
Bernie
... read the full comment by Bernie | Comment on Arizona's looming electoral clash Read Arizona's looming electoral clash
I for one am not supporting Ken Salazar. When gas prices were high, I sent many e-mails to all my congressmen. Salazar was toting the Democratic line of “energy independence through renewable resources.” Unfortunately we will NOT be energy independent
... read the full comment by Jody | Comment on Looking ahead: Ken Salazar's chances in the 2010 election cycle Read Looking ahead: Ken Salazar's chances in the 2010 election cycle
Loved your comments! For a HAS BEEN, ol’ Gene is still in pretty good shape and sharper by far than Thomason could ever aspire to be. hehe
... read the full comment by Nancy McCarroll | Comment on Crossing Chuck Norris' friend on the Grand Junction City Council Read Crossing Chuck Norris' friend on the Grand Junction City Council