On my radio show today GOP gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes said his “short list” for Lt. Governor includes someone from Weld County with both executive experience in the Governor’s mansion and legislative experience as an elected member of the Colorado General Assembly.  Face the State has speculated that it might be either Senator Kevin Lundberg or Senator Scott Renfroe.  He wouldn’t say whether he was considering a man or a woman.

Neither Lundberg nor Renfroe has executive experience.

So who does? I thought of Greeley Mayor Tom Norton who served as CDOT director under Governor Bill Owens and was president of the Colorado State Senate during the 1990s.  But that was really just a wild guess — one that I don’t think is accurate.

A listener provided a great guess.  Someone who endorsed Dan Maes well before Scott McInnis’ “water” gate scandal. Someone with both executive experience as the head of DORA and legislative experience as the elected representative from HD 50.  I’m embarrassed that I didn’t think of this person.  My apologies to my friend Tambor Williams, who would make an excellent Lt. Governor.

Tambor most recently appeared on my show to explain her role on the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission.

Tambor would be a great choice, but then I am biased because I think Tambor would also make a great Governor. Remember this is all just speculation. Maes will make his announcement tomorrow. Until then, have fun speculating.

Every year I watch the Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade. Usually, I am half of the broadcast team for 1310 KFKA. This year, Scooter McGee took my place so I could simply enjoy the parade from the comfort of the mobile studio. Because I didn’t have to broadcast, it afforded me the great luxury of observing the crowd as onlookers watched the parade. And as I have done for the last few years, I provide my parade observations:

First, it was held on Saturday, July 3, to accommodate Sunday religious services, which I think is a kind gesture but it’s odd having the 4th of July parade on July 3rd. This really messed up my internal calendar.  Today, feels like Sunday instead of Monday.

Second, it’s still boring. I’ve been critical of the Stampede parade in the past because it is sterile.  A few years ago, the Stampede Committee put a stop to the traditional water gun fights.  They also put a stop to throwing candy and politics.  As a result, the parade is dull and one dimensional.

There is one thing that really struck me — how they received elected officials, candidates for office and their supporters. The reaction seemed to reflect the mood of a country that has little faith in its political institutions as the economy continues to falter.

When the Democrats, including Congresswoman Betsy Markey, Denver Mayor and gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper, and senatorial candidate Andrew Romanoff, passed by my spot, there was no booing, hissing, clapping, cheering or jeering. There was nothing — just erie silence.  The only attention they got was when my colleague George Gray briefly interviewed all three for the parade broadcast.

Last year , Markey was met with silence as well.  But this was different.  It seemed directed at the entire political class. I have no idea if they got the same reception along the rest of the parade route but it was nothing but silence from my position.

In this very conservative community, Republicans didn’t fare much better. There were polite claps but not the usual cheering.

This tells me that candidates, especially incumbents, will have to work a little harder for every vote.  This is a tough crowd.

Congresswoman Betsy Markey has time to play  UPS union member and get some TV face time:

But she has no time to answer constituent questions or questions from me.  Questions that I have posed to Markey’s office that have gone unanswered:

• Before the Cap and Trade vote I sent several emails asking which way she was voting. Neither she nor her office ever responded, but apparently she did speak with Denver Post columnist Susan Greene.
• After her yes vote on ObamaCare, I asked her to come on my show to explain her vote.  Her spokesperson Ben Marter responded once but never with any available times for an interview.
• Immediately after Mexican President Calderon’s address to Congress I sent an email to Marter asking if Congresswoman Markey stood and applauded when Calderon criticized the new Arizona law on illegal immigration.  I also asked if she supported his characterization of Mexico’s violent crime being traced to the US and the sunset of the “assault weapons ban.”
• On Saturday, I sent an email asking her position on legislation requiring states to allow collective bargaining for first responders, especially considering that both Fort Collins and Weld County voters have rejected such measures.

Markey delivers for UPS but not answers for voters.  Thanks to WhoSaidYouSaid for keeping an eye on Betsy Markey.

So how much did you pay in taxes?  Want to send government a message besides just your check?  Then find a Tea Party near you.  Check out the list below and join in the fun.  I hope to visit Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins so I can be among friends and promote the Independence Institute’s petition gathering process to defend Colorado from ObamaCare.

I would love to go to a Tax Day Tea Party in Lamar or La Junta.  If you are headed that direction, please follow up with details.

Denver - 10:00 am to 1:00pm
Colorado State Capitol
200 E Colfax
http://www.hearus-now.org/taxday2010.html

Colorado Springs - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Acacia Park (downtown)
http://www.theconstitutionalisttoday.com/come-to-the-tea-party/

Fort Collins - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Washington Park
301 Maple Street (behind City Hall)
http://www.NorthernColoradoTeaParty.com

Loveland - 4:00pm to 6:00pm
South Shore of Lake Loveland
http://www.loveland912project.org/home

Estes Park - 11:30am to 1:00pm
Bond Park (downtown)

Grand Junction - 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Lincoln Park (12th and North Ave)

Pueblo - 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Pueblo County Courthouse Steps

Woodland Park/Teller County - 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Lions Park - Gold Hill North
Corner of Hwy 67 X 24

Montrose – 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm
Old Courthouse
South First Street

Montrose (yep, there are 2 in Montrose) - 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Corner of Main & Townsend

Delta (This one is on Saturday, 4/17) 10:00 am- 12:00 Noon
Delta Courthouse

La Junta - 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Santa Fe Plaza
More info: Kathy and Betty - 719.853.6683 or 719.384.2473

Lamar - 4:30pm
In front of Courthouse

Greeley - 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Greeley Post Office, West 10th Street

www.greeley912.net

It’s no news flash that Congresswoman Betsy Markey’s bid for a second term to represent the 4th CD is in doubt.  However, if Markey wins re-election and Democrats retain control in the state house, they have plans to make sure Markey’s seat is never again in jeopardy.

David Thielen, a Boulder County Democrat and contributor to the Huffington Post, blogged during the county assembly and provided some insight as to their strategy courtesy of Democrat Congressman Jared Polis who spoke on Markey’s behalf:

Now going in to speaking for Betsy Markey - “the fighting 4^th Congressional District.” Talking about the tremendous impact and difference that Betsy has made (boy is that true!). Then discusses getting Betsy in this time, then with redistricting we can make her seat safe (I think Betsy can hold it without redistricting - but hey, every little bit helps)

In other words, the Democrats plan to change the boundaries of the 4th CD to Markey’s benefit. Republicans in the 4th CD, consider yourself warned. As I said at the Weld County GOP assembly when I spoke on behalf of Scott McInnis, the election of 2010 is the most important in a very long time.

While asking for his party’s nomination for  candidate  for Sheriff at the Weld County GOP caucus on Saturday, Sheriff John Cooke received three standing ovations.  It’s understandable why. Crime rates and response times are down in the nearly 4000 square miles that make up one of Colorado’s largest counties.

During his speech Cooke held up a copy of the Denver Post and told the delegates that he serves them and not those in Denver or at the state capitol. He referenced a an editorial that took him to task for saying he will encourage his deputies to use their discretion when enforcing the new enhanced emissions area, which requires nearly all Weld County residents to pay $25 to get an emission test when getting license plate tags renewed.

Cooke told the Post:

I’ll tell them [deputies] to use their best judgment and not necessarily write that ticket….It’s already affecting the poorest people in this community, and I would rather have the person going to work rather than trying to run around and come up with $800 to fix his car.

Older vehicles are most likely to fail, thus hurting those who can’t afford late model cars.  The new law will cost Weld County residents millions of dollars at a time when the County can least afford it.  Weld County still is grappling with the collapse of New Frontier Bank and the second highest unemployment rate in Colorado.

Cooke and others including Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway do not support the new law and argue it will hurt the least among us and that Weld County’s air already is clean.  Working with the oil and gas industry, which spent some $30 million, Weld County is in compliance — within the allowable limits for ozone pollution.  Denver merely wants our clean air so it can comply with new EPA standards. From the perspective of Weld County residents, Denver needs our clean air and we have to pay for it.

Memo to the Post editorial board: if you drive even one mile-per-hour over the speed limit and law enforcement sees you and doesn’t ticket you, that officer is using his “best judgment.”

As much as the delegates applauded Cooke for all of the above, his staunch support for the Second Amendment brought down the house. He believes it is the right of every individual to protect himself, his family and his property.  The loudest and longest standing ovation came when he said, “I haven’t and won’t put the name of any concealed weapons permit holder into a statewide data base.  It’s none of the state’s business…”

As a conservative, I was proud to be on the stage with him along with State Senator Scott Renfroe, Greeley Police Chief Jerry Garner, Firestone Police Chief David Montgomery all of whom spoke on the Sheriff’s behalf.

As John’s wife, I understand why they cheer him. I love him too.

Delegates gave him what he asked for — their support and the nomination.

Results of the Weld County straw poll:

Governor: Scott McInnis 664, Dan Maes 590, John Hickenlooper 1

Senate: Ken Buck 982, Jane Norton 213, Tom Weins 74, Cleve Tidwell 19, Steve Barton 5, Vincent Martinez 1

4th CD:  Cory Gardner 688, Diggs Brown 192, Tom Lucero 159, Dean Madere 54

2nd CD: Stephen Bailey 88, Bob Brancato 56

At the end of last year Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO 4) joined the Blue Dog Coalition, a self described group of 54 conservative and moderate Democrats that focus on fiscal issues including a balanced budget and the national debt.   A review of Markey’s voting record leaves one to wonder if her support for fiscal reform is all bark and no bite.

Markey is a freshman democrat lawmaker from a conservative district (voter registration favors republicans by nearly10 percent) that voted for John McCain in 2008.  She is the first democrat to represent the 4th CD since Wayne Aspinall in 1973.  The Cook Political Report calls the 4th CD a “toss up” for 2010, which is why Markey has tried so hard recently to appear as a fiscal conservative.

Early in 2009 she voted for or supported unpopular legislation such as the stimulus package, card check, and cap and trade.  My friend and fellow blogger Randy Ketner did an excellent job of highlighting Markey’s short legislative tenure.  His lengthy “Colorado Political Analysis 2010” appeared on Red State.

It seems that Markey is reading the tea leaves, which are telling her to move to the right or at least look like she is moving to the right.  Recently Markey has voted “against” her party on both health care and raising the debt limit, but in reality she voted with party leadership on all procedural and amendment votes only voting against leadership on the final vote.  That way she can position herself as independent of the democrat leadership without upsetting them.

Take health care for instance. Markey says she voted against H.R. 3962 Affordable Health Care for America Act because she claimed it did not do enough to “cut health care costs that crushing our businesses and families.”  She claims to support health care reform just not this specific piece of legislation. 

If that is true, then why did she vote no on a motion to recommit the bill?  According to GovTrack, Markey voted no on House Vote #866 which was “a final opportunity to revise” it before passage.  A motion to recommit sends legislation back to committee with instructions on how to fix the bill.  It can be used constructively or can be used to kill a “bill before it moves to a final up-or-down vote in the House.”  If Markey is serious about health care reform but not this bill, why vote to move it along instead of fixing it in such a way that she can support it?

Another example of Markey voting with democrat party leadership on rules and procedures for unpopular legislation then voting against them on the final tally is H.J. Res. 45 to increase the statutory limit on public debt.  This one is interesting because 38 Democrats voted not to raise the debt limit, 22 are freshman lawmakers facing competitive races in the fall, 17 are Blue Dogs.  Of the 17 Blue Dogs, only four enabled party leadership with procedural votes that allowed the debt limit resolution to go to the floor of the House.  Markey was one of those four. 

Markey voted yes on Roll Call Vote #45, which ordered the question: “Providing for consideration of the Senate amendment to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 45) increasing the statutory limit on the public debt.”  She then voted no on Roll Call Vote #46 on “agreeing” to an increase. 

Markey played the same game with H.R. 1106: Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, which allows bankruptcy courts to modify mortgage contracts.  She enabled democrat leadership when she voted no to recommit and yes to proceed.  On the final vote she said no. 

These aren’t the only examples.  I’ll highlight more as we get closer to the November vote.

The 4th CD is the heart of Ag country in Colorado.  Weld County is the 8th largest Ag producing county in the United States.  While Congresswoman Markey can claim to be a fiscal conservative, our sensitive olfactory receptors can detect a load of manure when we smell it.

Congresswoman Betsy Markey’s pivotal yes vote on the controversial cap and trade legislation may come back to haunt her as she seeks re-election  to represent Colorado’s 4th congressional district.

Within Markey’s district is Weld County, the country’s  eighth largest producing agricultural county in the United States.  Reuters just reported that  Bob Stallman, head of the American Farm Bureau Federation, made the following statement about cap and trade:

American farmers and ranchers ‘must aggressively respond to extremists’ and ‘misguided, activist-driven regulation … The days of their elitist power grabs are over.’

Despite pleas from the global warming alarmist crowd, Stallman warned Americans that cap and trade would destroy farmers, ranchers and those who rely upon them.

Vast amounts of farmland could become carbon-capturing woodlands under cap-and-trade, “eliminating about 130,000 farms and ranches,” said Stallman. One federal analysis says 8 percent of crop and pasture land could be turned into trees by 2050 because trees would be more profitable than crops.

Good luck defending your vote Congresswoman Markey.

I love being right (on many levels)!  Back on June 23, 2009, I discussed Governor Bill Ritter’s “war on Weld County” and posted the following:

Thanks to Governor Ritter and his environmental policies, Weld County is seeing high paying jobs go to other states and its tax base rapidly eroding.  Ritter won Weld County in 2006.  He won’t win it in 2010.

Turns out I was right.  Of course, I did not anticipate that Governor Bill Ritter would not seek re-election and therefore could not win Weld County. 

Let the speculating and handicapping begin.   Wise conservatives will realize Ritter’s exit is not necessary good news for the Republicans.   He would have lost.