Colorado Politics, News and Inside Information

Weekend Open Thread

Have at it.

Do You LOOK Like a Congressman?

We've discussed here before how appearances can make a big difference in the minds of voters, and we've also had fun with our Facial Hair Face-Off contests in response to that old rule that you can't win if you have a moustache.

In terms of appearance, it certainly didn't help Democrat Dave Thomas when he ran against Congressman Bob Beauprez, for example, that he looked like a shaggy sheriff from the Wild West while Beauprez has a more distinguished look to him. And it's not going to help Democrat Angie Paccione beat Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave if she doesn't drop the Pam Grier Foxy Brown hairdo.

Well, it turns out that there's some actual scientific research to back up this idea that looks DO matter. According to Scientific American (ABC News also has the story):

Friday Open Thread

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That Herb Rubenstein Guy

The Denver Post reports today on the candidacy of Democrat Herb Rubenstein for CD-7, something readers of Colorado Pols first knew about two weeks ago. But if the way Rubenstein handled his first major press foray is any indication of the type of candidate he'll be, we aren't going to see him rise much higher on the CD-7 Line than 20-1. From The Post:

"If a carpetbagger is anyone who has moved to Colorado since 1960 looking for a better life, I bet 80 percent of the room would stand up. People can call me any name they want, but I'm the guy to offer a new voice and a new energy to politics," said Rubenstein, 52, a Jefferson County Democrat who plans to kick off his campaign on Saturday.

The longtime Washington, D.C., lawyer and, more recently, business consultant did his research about congressional districts nationwide and picked Colorado's 7th as his best bet to snag a seat. He moved to the Golden area in March, then wasted little time before filing his campaign papers Wednesday.

Yikes! We had originally heard that Rubenstein had lived in Colorado for a year, but it turns out that he only moved here in March. That's not going to go over well in this race. It's one thing to be a carpetbagger who moves into the district from somewhere else in Colorado; it's another thing entirely to move into the state and the district only because you wanted to run for congress. Ask Alan Keyes how well that worked out.

Q&A Reminders

Due to a busy Senate schedule this week, Senator Wayne Allard has asked for a few more days to answer your Q&A questions. In order to accomodate Senator Allard, the Q&A will now be posted on Wednesday, June 15, rather than today as previously scheduled.

Don't forget -- today is the last day to submit questions for State Senator Doug Lamborn. Follow this link to submit questions for the Q&A to be published next Friday, June 17.

Questions for Congressman Bob Beauprez will be accepted through June 14. Ask a question of Congressman Beauprez by clicking on this link.

Questions for former Denver District Attorney and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter will be accepted through Friday, June 17. Follow this link to ask your questions of Mr. Ritter.

Jefferson County Treasurer and potential Republican candidate for CD-7, Mark Paschall, will participate in a "live" Q&A on Tuesday, June 14.

At Least They're Not Your Legislators

And now, another edition of...At Least They're Not Your Legislators.

According to 9News.com, Pinellas County (Florida) Sheriff's deputies will soon begin pulling over teen drivers who haven't broken any traffic laws. The deputies will follow teen drivers in unmarked cars, and if they don't break any traffic laws for a few blocks, they will pull them over and award them with gift certificates for free movies or movie rentals.

WHAT?!?!?

From 9News.com: "Deputies will follow them for a short distance, down a thoroughfare and we will watch their driving," said Sgt. Glenn Luben, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "Once we identify a good safe driver, we attempt to follow them to their house or open shopping area."

Sure. That won't scare the absolute crap out of anybody. It should only be a matter of time before some poor kid panics and drives into a tree because of the flashing lights behind him. And at the risk of sounding too politically correct, isn't this profiling? Should we really be approving police to start pulling people over for no reason? As one parent pointed out, "It's scary for parents too. There's so many kidnappings and other things going on; I'd be concerned for my child."

We're concerned for the citizens of Pinellas County who have to deal with those public officials. What was that meeting like? Can you imagine everyone sitting around and saying, "You know, that's a really good idea. We should absolutely start pulling people over for not breaking laws."

Coloradans in New Hampshire

According to The Union Leader of New Hampshire, Congressman Tom Tancredo will be back in the state of the first Presidential primary on Saturday:

Tancredo, who may run for President, will participate in the Republican State Committee's "Issues and Answers Series Breakfast" at the Holiday Inn in Concord. Tancredo is gaining more attention as a maverick on the immigration issue. After a recent appearance in Colorado, the Denver Post reported that Tancredo likes to tell a story of being screamed at by George W. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove. The congressman had said that the blood of another terrorist attack would be on the hands of the President and Congress because they have failed to tighten the nation's borders.

According to Tancredo, Rove told him never to "darken the doorstep of the White House again." He wears the scolding as a badge of honor.

Also in New Hampshire this week was Democratic political consultant Mike Stratton, who oversaw Ken Salazar's U.S. Senate campaign and the failed Senate campaigns of Tom Strickland. According to The Union Leader, Stratton was advising New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as he navigates the 2008 presidential waters in New Hampshire.

Denver Three Won't Die

The Denver Three, you'll remember, are the three people who were booted out of a President Bush "town hall" event on social security back in March. There hasn't been much news about them now for more than a month, but like that weird smell in your grandmother's house, they just won't go away.

Democratic congressional members Mark Udall and Diana DeGette, along with Senator Ken Salazar, have sent a letter to the director of the Secret Service to ask what the latest is on that investigation. Here's the letter:

Wayne Allard Q&A Date Moved

Due to a busy Senate schedule this week, Senator Wayne Allard has asked for a few more days to answer your Q&A questions. In order to accomodate Senator Allard, the Q&A will now be posted on Wednesday, June 15, rather than tomorrow.

And the Shuffle Begins

Senator Mark Hillman will be our next (acting) Treasurer. In an announcement to be made later today, Mark will resign his Senate Seat and fill-in for the now Activated Mike Coffman.

The fall-out from this news has already been reported here, but as a refresher – look for Greg Brophy to be named Senator in Vacancy Committee, leaving his House Seat (63) up, as well.

As for Hillman, this is a great coup… the appointment will allow him to run as an incumbent (though not officially) for the position he has already filed for, while concurrently ending all talk and speculation of a Primary against Joe Stengel.