Friday Open Thread

By popular demand we posted more than just a Q&A today, but if that's not enough, have an open thread.

Comments

[CrankyGOP]

Anybody wanna discuss the slow political bleeding to death of the Governor? His national communications guy who was to get him elected president is leaving in July, Ref C is killing him and can't get out of political first gear, rumor says his chief of staff is leaving and that some of the Cabinet who aren't older than dirt or who can find a better job are looking to jump. And neither GOP guv candidate wants to be within a mile of the guy.

[Alfalfa]

As a pro-C guy, I'd have to agree that Owens so far is getting killed on this, at least publicly. Maybe the polling shows something different, but the perception is that Caldera and the II are kicking some major ass on this issue. And the Guv's response? To debate Dick Armey? Jeeze, that'll get people excited....

Do the pro-C people think all the big names and "talent" they have on board is enough to get it passed? It's early, but the anti-group is out there and making a connection to people, and our leader on this wants to debate a retired member of COngress from Texas. Who's running this mess?

[goper]

The Owens team has been far more stable than Lamm or Romer's during their first seven years. Owens has only had two chiefs of staff--Romer had three in his first few years. And many of his original Cabinet members are still in the Cabinet, with the departures usually into higher office (Suthers) or the Bush Administration ( Trujillo, Mencer, among others) Itis not unusual for Administation officials to leave in an Administation's last year as the opportunity to do better financially presents itself--again look at Romer and Lamm. Finally Owens is doing the right thing for Colorado despite what Grocver and Jonnie C think--and his poll numbers in the mid 60's show Coloradoans agree.

[jerry]

Survey USA does regular 50 state polls measuring each governors popularity. Owens now ranks as the 16th most popular governor in the country--with only one governor ahead of him who has served as long. The opponents of Ref C are clearly trying to weaken Owens which is odd since he is also one of the most conservative governors in the country. Another example of the Right's uncanny ability to turn on itself..

[Alan Salazar]

goper -- Your facts are wrong about Romer having three chiefs of staff "in his first few years." Romer was elected to three terms. His Chief of Staff, Stewart Bliss served for the first 8 years, followed by Med Porfido who served in Romer's third term. Romer's press secretary, Jim Carpenter, served as Chief of Staff for the final year of the Romer Administration. If your point is about longevity of chief of staffs, Romer had the same guy for his first 8 years. Governor Owens has had two over 7 years, so far.

I know all this trivia because I was Romer's Deputy Chief of Staff and 94 re-election campaign manager, and I still burn a little candle for the man.

Alan Salazar

[alan salazar]

goper -- Your facts are wrong about Romer having three chiefs of staff "in his first few years." Romer was elected to three terms. His Chief of Staff, Stewart Bliss served for the first 8 years, followed by Med Porfido who served in Romer's third term. Romer's press secretary, Jim Carpenter, served as Chief of Staff for the final year of the Romer Administration. If your point is about longevity of chief of staffs, Romer had the same guy for his first 8 years. overnor Owens has had two over 7 years, so far.

I know all this trivia because I was Romer's Deputy Chief of Staff and 94 re-election campaign manager, and I still burn a little candle for the man.

Alan Salazar

[Alan Salazar]

Before Meg kills me, her name was/is MEG Porfido, not Med Forfido....

[CH-Ch-ch-changes]

I dont' know that it is a meaningful comparison. It would seem to me that it would be more meaningful to look at all the staff changes in Romer's last 4 years compared to Owens' last 4 years.

[Alan Salazar]

Ch-Ch-Ch-changes, I like to think the changes Romer made were for the better! Former Romer taffers will tell you that people were hanging on till the bitter end; they had to crow-bar us out of there...

[CH-Ch-ch-changes]

Alan - I don't know what staffer's were thinking. I do no from the outside looking in that it seemed things were "in flux." Having worked in quite a few political offices in earlier years, it doesn't seem strange to me that staffers would be leaving for other opportunities at this point.

There is one year left and one legislative session. I would guess that the ones with an exit strategy are implementing it.

I guess this is a long way of saying I just don't see the big deal.

[Alan Salazar]

goper --I forgot to include Mike Beatty --who served as Chief of Staff in 1994. So I have to amend my blather by correcting my own memory. Apologies to Mike and maybe this is a sign from God I should stop checking this webpage...

[Henry]

"Med Forfido" has a nice ring to it....

[Alan Salazar]

Goper --I owe you and the blog readers here an apology. A reporter friend of mine reminded me that Romer started out with Bob Dickeson as his chief of staff, so that means I was full of sh**. For the historians out there, Romer had five chiefs of staff over 12 years. Ah...hubris...

[yes - but]

Yes - but we all just love that you actually post under your real name. You earn kudos for that, alone.