Republican Secretary of State Gigi Dennis is still being grilled over changing a handful of campaign rules that may adversely affect Democrats over Republicans. As Karen Crummy of The Denver Post reports, Dennis’ assertions that politics did not play a role in changing the rules are sounding more than a little hollow:
Republican Secretary of State Gigi Dennis made controversial changes to Colorado campaign-finance rules after requests from lawyers who work for the state GOP, gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez and a powerful Republican political committee, records show.
The attorneys filed documents with Dennis’ office in February requesting limitations on the campaign activities of some traditionally Democratic groups, such as unions and small-donor committees…
…Lawyer Scott Gessler, who does work for Beauprez and his campaign, and attorney John Zakhem, who counsels both the GOP’s Trailhead Group political committee and the state Republican Party, said they made the in-person requests to Dennis on behalf of themselves, not a client.
But Gessler acknowledged politics played a role. “It was not my sole motivating factor to help Bob Beauprez, but was I conscious of it? Yes,” he said. “The rules are riddled with exceptions that help out Democratic constituencies.”
———–Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today unveiled his Colorado Health Plan, which a press release says is “an ambitious blueprint for fixing the state’s broken health-care system by reducing costs, increasing insurance access and improving the quality of care.”
Ritter and Republican Bob Beauprez were scheduled to take part this morning in a health care forum at the Children’s Hospital in Denver.
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Beauprez, meanwhile, continues on his path of doing whatever he can to promote his “Both Ways Bob” nickname. Yesterday he unveiled a wildlife management plan that he said would allow the state to physically shift big game herds around oil and gas developments. As the Grand Junction Sentinel reports, critics were quick to point out that Beauprez’s newfound interest in wildlife doesn’t mesh with his prior record on the issue:
Shortly after Beauprez’s announcement, his critics lambasted the candidate for his vote record in Congress and what they called his “double speak” on environmental issues. Beauprez’s Democratic opponent, former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, said the proposed off-site wildlife habitat mitigation fund was another example of Beauprez having more than one stance on a critical issue…
…Ritter cited several examples, including a recent offshore drilling bill that Beauprez voted for that included provisions to reduce the royalties paid to local and state governments for oil shale development. And, Michael Huttner, executive director of ProgressNowAction.org, said given Beauprez’s Congressional record and the “unreliability” of severance tax funds, he had serious concerns about the efficacy of Beauprez’s proposed wildlife initiative.
Shortly after Beauprez’s morning press conference, ProgressNowAction.org…cited Beauprez’s support for the Aug. 10 Bureau of Land Management drilling lease auction before Gov. Bill Owens and the Colorado Roadless Areas Review Task Force pass along their recommendations in September.
It sure sounds like another “Both Ways Bob” moment, but that’s not our big interest – we just want to know whose job it will be to move herds around oil fields. How do you put that on a resume?
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Young Republicans at Mesa State College in Grand Junction held a mock marriage ceremony yesterday where eight people were married to goldfish. According to Erik Lincoln of The Grand Junction Sentinel it sounds like the Young Republicans were trying to send a message. We just can’t figure out what that message is supposed to be:
Mesa State Young Republicans President Allen Haggerty, a 20-year-old junior, said the group doesn’t think legalizing same-sex marriage would result in the legalization of fish-human unions. The group does believe marriage is defined as between a man and a woman, and that it is also the best family structure.
“We need a line drawn, and it’s already drawn,” Haggerty said.
Haggerty, wearing a Bob Beauprez campaign sticker, said the event was not to show support for lieutenant governor candidate Janet Rowland’s comment earlier this year about same-sex marriage and bestiality.
“I support Janet Rowland,” Haggerty said. “I think bestiality is taking it to the extreme.”
A short quiz, in honor of these Mesa State students. Yesterday’s protest was intended to show that:
1. Fish make good mates
2. Bestiality is bad
3. Janet Rowland is bad
4. Gay marriage is bad
5. Gay marriage is okay
6. Gay fish marriage is bad
7. Gay fish marriage is good
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A Jefferson County school teacher was placed on leave yesterday for
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