Marc Holtzman Q&A

We are excited to present our first published Q&A with a real, live politician here at Colorado Pols. Marc Holtzman, Republican candidate for governor, was gracious enough to answer our 11 questions and agree to answer your questions throughout the day on Wednesday.

To submit questions, click on the comment link below and leave your question. Marc will check in throughout the day and answer as many questions as he has time for.

Please help us to make this an ongoing feature here at Colorado Pols by sticking to a couple of rules:

1. Please be gracious. This is a unique opportunity to ask questions of a gubernatiorial candidate in a public forum, so whether you like Marc or agree with what he has to say, please be gracious and polite with your comments and questions.

2. There's 21 months until the November 2006 election, so we can't expect any candidate to have a fully developed platform on issues. Please don't ask Marc to outline in detail his education plans, for example, because it's just too early for
him to have a complete answer. Keep in mind that it's okay for any candidate for 2006 office to be a little vague on some answers this early in the game. If this were October 2006, then anything is fair game. But it's not.

Without further ado, let's get started with 11 Questions with March Holtzman. The answers to these questions are completely unedited and appear in full as Marc Holtzman answered them.

Are you putting together a campaign to run for Governor of Colorado in 2006?

Yes.

Why would you want to be Governor? What makes the Governor's office better than, say, U.S. Congress or U.S. Senate, besides the fact that the job comes with a cool house?

The governor can make the most measurable impact on people's lives. Colorado is at an important crossroads. The next governor has the capacity to do much good. I prefer the challenge and satisfaction of executive responsibility. Drew Lewis, former US Secretary of Transportation and an early mentor, once told me that he'd rather run his own gas station than be on a committee of one hundred to rule the world. I feel the same.

What are the three issues that interest you the most that make you want to be Governor?

If you don't mind, I will mention four.

First, Coloradans want a governor who will fight to protect our environment and quality of life. This means having a detailed plan on growth and preservation of our natural resources like water. Coloradans are deeply concerned about protecting our special quality of life. A lack of planning and leadership threatens the essence of what makes our home special. As governor, I will lead Colorado toward better alternatives and work for solutions that will protect our environment while respecting private property rights.

Second, the state of K-12 education needs much more work. While progress has been made during the past six years, a lot more needs to be done. I will elaborate further in the next several months, but for now let me state that we need to do more to put our children first. Measurement is good but improving the quality of our schools requires more than just teaching to a test. Teachers, those who struggle and sacrifice on the front line in this, the most noble of causes, deserve much more support and encouragement than we currently give.

Third, I want to work for even more quality job preservation and creation. Colorado is now part of a global economy. As governor, I will lead our efforts as Colorado's salesman-in- chief. There will be a strategy to help empower and support economic development in rural communities that may not have enjoyed the prosperity of the Front Range. As former Colorado Secretary of Technology, I take pride in having led Colorado to the number one ranking among the 50 states in the percentage of technology jobs per thousand. But more needs to be done on many fronts.

Fourth, the next governor will need to address the challenges posed to every Coloradan by rising health care costs and system wide inefficiencies while not giving an inch on quality. As governor, I will strive to alleviate the plight of Colorado's uninsured and to expand affordable coverage for everyone.

What do you say to people who think that running for Governor is too big of a jump for someone who hasn't held prior elected office?

I am firmly of the conviction that the person best qualified to hold public office will always be the candidate with the best combination of promising ideas, vision, enthusiasm and energy -- and not simply the one who has the most "time in grade." A fresh perspective is an enormous asset. The people of Colorado want a problem solver, not a professional politician, as their next governor -- and I have always been a problem solver. I also think it is important to remember that public service experience does not only come in the form of prior elective office. I take enormous pride in my tenure as Colorado's Secretary of Technology. Private sector experience is an asset that can prove enormously valuable to a public servant as well. The governor acts as the state's CEO, and this is an area where I will bring a great deal of experience.

Have you hired any consultants to help you out right now? If not, who are you sounding out for advice?

I am reaching out to many Coloradans in all walks of life for advice, guidance and counsel. It is too early to hire a staff. I am focused in spending most of my free time right now just listening to what is on the minds of my fellow citizens.

Does TABOR need to be altered? If so, why? If not, why?

I strongly support TABOR and am reluctant to see any fundamental change. Most people who talk about changing TABOR have hidden agendas to raise taxes and/ or grow government. It is interesting to me how conveniently many people forget that TABOR already allows the government to retain more money - all it requires is a vote of the people. In any event, I think it would be wise to see what comes out of the legislative session before commenting further.

What do you see as your biggest strength RIGHT NOW as a potential candidate for Governor and how to you plan to highlight your strength?

My ideas and plans for Colorado are my greatest strength. Politics is most importantly about ideas and about bringing people together to find a better way. People who know me are familiar with my track record as a consensus builder and a problem solver. I will work tirelessly to build support for my vision for Colorado's future.

What do you see as your biggest weakness RIGHT NOW as a potential candidate for Governor and how do you plan to address it?

This campaign is more than a year and a half away. Pacing one's self for a marathon not a sprint is something I am learning every day.

If challenged in a primary, how do you see yourself appealing to your party's base and then opening up during a general election?

I am not a candidate who will have different messages for different groups. I am who I am, and I hope people will agree that I possess the leadership skills, passion, integrity and ability to make Colorado proud.

If you had the ability to snap your fingers and make one Colorado sports team win a championship this year, which team would it be and why?(assuming NHL hockey still existed, of course)

As DU president, I was enormously proud of our NCAA championship last year! The victory inspired pride and good feeling all over Colorado. More important, the values of integrity and honor which Coach Gwozdecky teaches our students will serve the players for the rest of their lives. I hope that we will repeat as NCAA champions.


If elected, do you promise to put Hawaiian Punch in all of the drinking fountains in Colorado?

Interesting idea, but I’m more of a Gatorade guy.

Do you have a question for Marc Holtzman? Comment below, and Marc will check back throughout the day on Wednesday to answer as many questions as he has time for...

Comments

[Gail Rothstein Forstater]

Dear Mr. Holzman,
I am quite amazed at the journey you have taken thus far(since day school). I congradulate you.
Tell me what your biggest draw in the political world is now. You know our country and world needs the wisest of leaders...there is much work to be done..So I do wish you the best.
Have you heard from Phlip H.? I would like to be able to contact him too.
all my best,
Gail

[Tucker Krauth]

Mr. Holtzman:

Where do you stand on the Republican Culture of Corruption? Are you for illegal wars, treason, and looting the US treasury, or will you stand with America against the BushCorp war criminals?

Whether Democrat or Republican, Coloradans everywhere have grown extremely tired of the larceny and corruption in Washington. Would you give Colorado a square deal, and actually work for the people, or are you just another bought-and-paid-for Tom DeLay clone?

Please Advise.

Yours Sincerely,
Tucker Krauth
Lyons, CO

[Ken Stutzman]

Hi Mark,

I've been contacted 3 times by the following phone number wanting me to take your survery 571-522-1322. I'm on Colorado's no call list, so please remove me from your list.

Ken Stutzman

[Bryanov Brocksky]

This nimrod had a computer robot call my house at 8:29PM on March 7, 2006. My young duaghter was sleeping and I had just turned the lights down and turned on a John Tesh CD to romance my woman. I think he might be trying to form a robot army to oppress the people and keep us from breeding! DO NOT VOTE FOR ROBO-Holtzman.

[Jennifer Platt]

Yet another political candidate who cannot count! The automated survey Marc Holtzman sent to interrupt my day and serve his needs for being noticed said it would take 15 seconds. Three minutes later I was still being manipulated towards his narrow minded viewpoints by despicable (Marc, I know you like that word) leading questions. Well, you directed me to this website, so here are some questions for you:

How long have you lived in Colorado? And what makes you believe that with such a short experience here you are entitled to direct policies for this state?

What exactly was your connection to President Reagan? Since Rumsfeld, Cheney, and former President Bush also all got together in that administration (which created Saddam Hussein's military strength), are you possibly just a plant to support their illegal wars, backwater policies and financial pets, like Halliburton?

Are you, like they are, someone who so despises America that you are willing to use your highly remunerated "public service" position to provide the poor with no options but military service, and to provide the people with nothing but lies and corruption?

Are you throwing gasoline on the fires of bigotry and chauvinism, promoting hate and separation, by your policies denying people health care and education, denying people financial protection, denying us all clean environments and accountable industrialism?

Are you hoping to undermine the freedom won by women for their own reproductive health? Is this one of your altruistic inspirations? Or is it the profitable strategy of your campaign financiers?

Look, as you say, all you really have are ideas. But I don't think they're valuable ones. Please, go to some other state and run for governor there. We've had enough set backs here in our beloved home of Colorado.

[Seth Martin]

I know from the phone survey that I took that you want to make sure that the schools spend at least 60% of their budgets in the classroom. I think this is a great idea. Right now, about 50% of the budget goes to transporation alone. How are you going to get the schools to spend that much money in the classroom, without compromising transportation?

[Tom3]

Hey Holtzman:

Did you know that all the employees at DNR cheered and had a party when you quit?

Why do you think you would make a good governor when you were a complete screwup at DNR?

How much money did you get kicked back to you from your consultant pals who did the crappy job at DNR?

[Native-Mother-of-3]

Mr. Holtzman,

I would like to see someone represent our state with high sense of ethics and ideals. I for one would like for someone to step up to the plate and take care of the Columbine families who have been victimized by the Colorado Legislative system. Did you know that of the hundreds of thousands RESPECT LIFE plates, none of the money raised went to the families of the Columbine tragedy??? Did you know that the state told them that the money had already been spent and that people had to donate above and beyond the $25.00 fee to get the families any compensation??? This was misrepresentation to the general public and a slap in the face to these families. I would like this situation to be made right for these families and to hundreds of thousands of us who purchased the plates with the understanding that the money was benefitting this community.

Additionally, I am so tired of the Democrat vs Republican jargon. It would be nice to have a non-partisan Governor who would look out for the best interest of all families in Colorado and not just their own political agenda. (Hint, I am a registered Republican).

Thank you for your time.

[Jennifer Coe]

Have you ever been married? Do you have any children?

What is your position on abortion and gay rights issues?

[Merl Sorensen]

So far it appears to me that this race is being run by a bunch of 7th graders from several candidates. This latest effort by Ms. Mendenhall is a classic example, only minimized by Maloory's comment about "our girls.....beat up the boys" Pretty stupid from both of them. BTW, I am not a supporter of any candidate at this point. I'm waiting for an adult campaign to step up.

[shirley]

Where are you campaign funds coming from. It seems you have commercials every hour on the hour on the radio and frequently on TV, railing on the incompetancy of Bob Bopreau. This costs a lot of money and would like to know who is paying the bills. Also would like to know your stance on unions.

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[Godiva]

Hi. This world is given as the prize for the men in earnest; and that which is true of this world, is truer still of the world to come.
I am from Taiwan and learning to speak English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "If that doesn help you make up your mind then you can read our.To over stimulate parasites into nervous collapse."

Thank :o Botan.

[Erin]

Good morning. Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.
I am from Guatemala and also now'm speaking English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "During the hokey, the pattern performs at all investment team prices, as never as a available away investments."

Waiting for a reply :D, Erin.

[Kei]

Could you help me. In the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.
I am from Senegal and also now teach English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Business & time may better pay this pun."

Thanks for the help :o, Kei.