7 Republican Wins

Since everyone seems to be doing their own little post mortem of the soon-to-be-over Legislative Session, I figured we here at Colorado Pols needed a little insight into the Republican lay of the land, as well.  And so – the top 7 Wins of the last five months (7 Failures to follow on Monday):

1.    When Republican Legislators met way back in November and December to determine upcoming Legislative Leadership, they made two obvious decisions: they needed a term-limited and interim Minority Leader in the House, and in the Senate - they wanted a future king. They had both when session opened in January.

Naysayers were dubious of the new House Minority Leader Joe Stengel. Outside of the metro region, county party leadership couldn’t understand where King, Harvey and Schultheis had gone to. Conservatives believed Stengel would cave on the social issues and moderates believed Joe would tow the Governors line. Both camps proved to be wrong. With Mike May in the background and Dave Schultheis working the Righters, Stengel has proven to be exactly what the Republican House Members were looking for: a peer who would be responsive and responsible, without looking out for potential future (personal) political gain.

And Mark Hillman has proved to be an energized and astute State Senate leader; he has been seen at every major Republican event (even the Lincoln Day Dinners in Alamosa and Ouray) and has increased his own name ID tenfold in just four short months. With his recent launch into the State Treasurer race in ’06, Hillman has proven he also understands the need for: a. Early Fundraising and b. Team Building. Look for Mark to have his CM hired soon, and expect he’ll report well over 20k in this first cycle (remember – we’re talking a TREASURER’s race that is still 18 months out.)

2.    As soon as Governor Owens announced his impending ‘deal’ for Referendum C, Conservatives were quietly high-fiving each other over the expected upcoming VETO’s. Their rationale was simple: with Bill abandoning the Fiscal Righters, he would overcompensate with the veto pen in an attempt to prove he really hasn’t left the Conservative Team. And so far – they’ve been Right.

3.    Caucuses like The Republican Study Committee and Republicans First may seem divisive at first glance, but if these groups, and others like them, are successful in their attempt, they may well prove to be the future of the Republican Party in Colorado: Social Group’s who mobilize, fundraise and are inclusive for like minded folks. 

      

      The Study Committee may demonstrate (with good PR) that Conservatism is more than just Gay Marriage and Life while Republicans First (with it’s all-inclusive mentality) may bring those “I’m conservative but not THAT Conservative” R’s back into the fold.

4.    Republicans got the message last November; 527’s are the future (at least for this next cycle) in fundraising and message development. Go to any Republican Social Group these days, and you’ll discover everyone is chatting about “non-profit status”, “campaign intent” and “coordination”. Even more importantly: “five-twenty-seven” is no longer a dirty word for R’s. Yea – we got the clue on this one. Thanks, Democrats Four, for the spanking. It proved to be a learning lesson for us all.

5.    An earthquake happened over at the State Party Headquarters, and nobody even noticed. R’s have a new National Committeeman, State Chairman, Executive Director, Communications Director and Fundraiser.  The votes for the Executive Officers and Committeeman were, on record, unanimous and the doors managed to remain unlocked when our new ED showed up on scene. 

      

      Already, the new Chairman (Bob Martinez) is traveling the State, has instituted “regional meetings” and has sent out over 3 separate pieces of fundraising material. Yes – he gets it. As for the new National Committeeman, (Bob Schaffer) he’s already traveled no less that two times to DC, has regular conference calls with National and has adopted his new pet project, the Judicial Confirmation Network.  For those who were initially suspicious, Schaffer has proven he’s also “Big Picture Bob” – shoring up even the Moderates in the Party with down-home, we’re-all-the-same rhetoric.

6.    Coalitions, Coalitions, Coalitions. In the last three days, I have received no less than 10 emails (three from Issue Specific Groups) asking me to call Bill Owens Monday morning to express my concern over SB 28.  But I gotta tell you all – those issue specific groups were the kooks, gunnies, and lifers. Never before (okay, it happened in The Primary) have I seen so many coalitions united in The Cause.  (And really – I wouldn’t volunteer to be in the Gov.’s office come Monday.)  If the Republicans can keep those coalitions engaged, activated and mobilized – our power, come November ’06, may just prove to be overwhelming. Because if this is just the practice round, we’ve proven to have gotten over that “bitter primary” in ’04.

7.    In January, Republicans were already staking themselves out in separate camps. From the Governors race to the Treasurers Office, the future was looking like two years of arm-wrestling and maneuvering. But miraculously (and not without the help of RNC and Martinez), once-statewide Candidates starting finding better uses for their respective contributions.

      

      Beauprez discovered the fire-in-his-belly for Governor. Coffman realized he had a path he needed to follow, and it had nothing to do with State Service, but rather National. Hillman shored up his early endorsements and Paschall trained his eye on CD-7. Mitchell quickly got the hint that the Democrats had him on their hit lists, Wiens decided his area of expertise is really in fundraising (527), Campbell sees the perpetual writing on the wall (Federal Investigations are still ongoing), and Coors discovered he might just like Canada (and Martin) after all, literally abandoning party politics for the business sector once again (his father would be proud.)

In just five months – the Republican Candidates have started looking down the road further than the next election; it’s all about the Party - and that’s proving to be enough once again.

Comments

[Jake]

Redhawk, Your bais on the 7th is getting boring and tiresome. "Paschall trained his eye on CD-7." Are you for real?? He hasn't announced, doesn't even have a committee registered and has virtually no chance to win.

Meanwhile, O'Donnell has not only announced his candidacy, he has been hiring staff, raising money and lining up endorsements!

Coffman bows out and now you are trumpting Paschall!?!?!?!? We all see where you are coming from, and in the end, it will be on the losing side of this race.

[Black Eagle]

Red Hawk-

You really don’t know what the hell you are talking about, do you? What little "inside information" you have, you exaggerate until the point of being fictional. Even your facts are off in lala land, Sometimes it seems as though you are well informed within a small circle of activists but your relationships don’t continue outside of that SMALL circle.

- Red Hawk fabricates fact: You didn't see Senator Hillman at the Routt County Lincoln Day because it isn't until next Saturday, May 14th. Do you even know where Routt County is?

- Red Hawk’s small circle of friends: Every post you talk about Christian Coalition and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, it’s almost as though your only friends are Dudley Brown, Mark and Jon Hotaling, and other “kooks, gunnies and lifers” of the sort.

Please Red Hawk; do all of us conservatives a favor. Shut up!

You exploit your little circle of friends on a blog, you reveal information that everyone already knows about anyway, and you make it blatantly obvious just exactly who you really are (LT). I guarantee that a large portion of the “inside information” that you post was probably given to you in confidence and you feel that it is okay to spread those tips freely because of your anonymity. I would suggest if you wish to remain involved with you “kook, gunny, and lifer” friends, stop pretending you know what is going on in Colorado Politics. And get off the blog.

[RedHawk]

I meant Ouray – not Routt, and I appreciate the catch and have made the necessary changes.

Concerning Paschall: it must not be general common knowledge that Paschall intended to run against Hillman for the State Treasurer’s race. Even up to mid February – Paschall was calling Congressional and State Leadership looking for endorsements. Once he determined there would be no support for him (even his friends had already committed to Hillman), he started exploring other options, and then CD-7 came up.

With Paschall leaving that particular state wide race, life became much easier for Hillman (yes, Hillman would have won anyway – but Paschall would have been a serious thorn). My comments regarding Paschall were directed to the Treasurers Race, not the 7th.

[Black Eagle]

I can see how you got Routt and Ouray counties confused. There SO close to each other. Like I said before, seem as though you just make things up as you go.

Get over it, you suck and it would be better for the party if you just gave up.

[Thomas]

Seems to me, Black Eagle is concerned he might be mentioned in 7 Failures and has decided to preempt the upcoming criticism. Eagle – many us read Hawk’s posts and like ‘em. Yes – we sometimes disagree with her – but that’s the whole point of the “Comment” section. If you disagree with her 7’s then clearly say why. If you notice a factual flaw, say so. More than likely, it was a simple mistake. We all make them, man. Also – before you continue to attack someone’s anonymity, realize that you too are posting with obscurity. In fact, you probably have quite the history of posting and lobbing hardballs while well entrenched behind your own little barrier of safety.

[Donald E. L. Johnson]

Nice post, Red Hawk.

While the Rs' activists may unite regardless of their positions on issues, I don't think independent Rs or independents will be so party-oriented.

But, you seem to be correct in your assessment that the Rs seem to have a strong statewide lineup for '06, which must be driving the Ds crazy, because they have no obviouse leaders or front runners that I can see at this time.

So, does this mean we'll be discussing General Assembly candidates for the rest of the year for the Rs, while the Ds figure out how to spell "governor?"

[weldco]

In regard to the article, Mitchell isn't afraid of the Dems who have him on their lists, he just felt he could do more for the cause in the Senate

[jeffco]

Then Mitchell is telling people different things - which could really be the case. I've also heard him say that he would be attacked in a state-wide race, and that he doesn't want to expose his young family to similar "pink suit" commercials and mailings.

[Realist]

Red Hawk - Not sure why there is so much excessive hostility to your post, but I found it interesting. Thanks for your insight. I look forward to the next one on "failures." Also, I hope someone does a similar one on the Dems.

[Alva Adams]

Everybody's favorite Democrat, Rebel Dem, will have the Donkey's take on the session later this week.

[Red Ranger]

Check out some interesting commentary on Sen. Hillman here --> http://kingofthehillman.blogspot.com

[On Point]

Red Hawk - your continued disdain for Coors sickens me. You have no idea what is being planned and who is coordinating it. This Republican (AKA a huge 527) will have the likes of Pete Coors all over it raising more money in an hour than you would be capable of raising in a lifetime. You are very quick to applaud and recognize 527's as an effective campaign tool and then take shots at those who are forming them. Im sure, as the other animals did in the story of The Little Red Hen, you will be in line to reap the benefits of a victory in 2006 no thanks to your help with the harvest.

[$$]

I don't read disdain there. If anything, Red is admitting what most everyone already knows; Coors made a lousy candidate. He should have stayed in the fundraising business for that party, and I for one am glad he's back to doing that.

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