‘Personhood’ author inspires man to push for gay marriage amendment
A 23-year-old Lakewood man who plans to meet with legislative staff Tuesday to review his proposed ballot measure to allow gay marriage in Colorado says he was inspired by 20-year-old Kristi Burton, who sponsored the controversial "personhood amendment" on last year's ballot, Lynn Bartels reports in the Rocky Mountain News. "I don't think there should be gender-specific laws when it comes to marriage in Colorado -- or anywhere," golf club salesman Stu Allen told Bartels.
Czar 44, where are you? Ethics trumps loyalty for Obama in health czar hunt
Hilzoy of the Washington Monthly thinks she sees a silver lining to this dark Daschle cloud: Obama was willing to sacrifice Daschle, a mentor and personal friend whom Obama had handpicked for two of the most important jobs in his
administration, someone he had every personal and political reason to want by his side. Maybe Obama really is serious about raising ethical standards in Washington?
Supporters, foes lining up on bill to add same-sex benefits at state level
The usual suspects are sending out alerts urging support or opposition to a state bill headed to its first hearing Wednesday afternoon that would allow state employees to add same-sex domestic partners to their benefits packages. The Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee sits down at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to hear arguments for and against Senate Bill 88, sponsored by state Sen. Jennifer Veiga and state Rep. Mark Ferrandino, the General Assembly's two openly gay members.
Daschle withdraws as HHS head; ‘meaningful health reform’ up in air
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle -- who kicked off the Obama administration's campaign to “bring meaningful health reform” to all Americans at a conference in Denver two months ago -- withdrew as the nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tuesday afternoon as criticism mounted over his late payment of more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest. Daschle stepped down less than 24 hours after delivering a plaintive apology and winning a ringing endorsement from President Barack Obama, who said Monday night he was "absolutely" standing by his choice to head HHS and steer a massive overhaul of the nation's health care system.
Personhood goes to Washington
Kristi Burton, the tireless force behind Colorado's Amendment 48, was the toast of the nation's antiabortion elite at the American Life League annual conference Friday. So much so that they even swiped the ballot measure's "personhood" moniker as the confab's title.
Live Blog: Aurora puts off considering same-sex benefits for employees
The City of Aurora, Colorado's third-largest, decides Monday night whether to offer insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of city employees.
The question could be contentious, as a budget deficit estimated from $6 million to $12 million has the city of 300,000 tightening belts at every turn. Some opponents say the roughly $50,000 annual cost to add the benefits is a luxury the city can't afford. Others say the city can't compete for employees without joining the 20 other municipalities across the state offering domestic partnership benefits. The 11-member City Council has discussed the measure at committee meetings and study sessions but remains divided, ushering it to Monday's formal meeting on a 6-5 vote. Tonight, we'll be live-blogging the debate and posting the result as it happens. Please join the discussion in the comments section below.
Aurora City Council takes up same-sex benefits question for city employees
The Aurora City Council plans to consider Monday night whether to offer insurance benefits to same-sex domestic partners of city employees. A slim majority of city council members voted the measure ahead two weeks ago, with some arguing it is essential to attract the best employees. But vocal opponents questioned the proposal's cost and asked whether the move would run afoul of Colorado's constitutional definition of marriage.
UPDATED: Disgraced Rove aide named top lobbyist for Focus on the Family
Being a serial plagiarist may no longer be the professional equivalent of a hair shirt. Look at Vice President Joe Biden. Good thing for ex-Bush administration political operative Tim Goeglein too.
He's been named the top Washington, D.C., lobbyist for Focus on the Family, according to a little-noticed "comings and goings" political column in the Fort Wayne, Ind., Journal Gazette.
UPDATE: Focus on the Family Action responds to our post below the fold.
Obama rescinds global gag rule despite Lamborn’s efforts
A day after the nation marked the 36th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision, President Barack Obama rescinded a controversial global gag rule and recommitted U.S. support for comprehensive family planning through the United Nations Population Fund.
Abortion foe Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, thrust himself into spotlight this week with a well-publicized letter to Obama urging that the rule remain in place. Sadly, Lamborn got the facts completely wrong, as well as Reuters and other media outlets.
Abortion foes mix vitriol with righteous ‘3/5ths of personhood’ abolitionism
Denver's March for Life rally at the state Capitol Thursday was as much a witness to an awkward family reunion of marriages of political convenience as a gathering to protest the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision.
Correction: State Rep. Amy Stephens was misidentified in the original publication of this story as having attended the rally. She did not. The Colorado Independent deeply regrets the error.