The Colorado Republican Business Coalition had two interesting speakers for its monthly lunch meeting today.
First, Director Matt Arnold of Clear the Bench Colorado spoke about his organization. He spoke of three cases where he believed to be the Colorado Supreme Court’s most egregious: Bill Ritter’s illegal property tax freeze, the Telluride Land Grab, and the redistricting decision of earlier this decade where the court redrew the lines. His organization supports voting to not retain four Colorado Supreme Court justices in 2010. As Colorado’s judicial retention process is a joke, I support his efforts. However, while the Telluride case was certainly an egregious overreach of eminent domain, it was not unconstitutional (as I wrote here).
Second, Dick Wadhams, State Republican Party Chair, spoke. His demeanor was positive. Obviously, he believes that Democrat overreach will be their downfall over a period of time, especially in regards to the increased taxation and fees imposed on the state in flagrant violation of TABOR. He pointed out that the Republicans gained two seats in the Colorado House, and that it was the Republican Party’s first gain of seats in that chamber since 1994. One interesting tidbit was his belief that Governor Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper have a strained relationship. Apparently, the Mayor wanted the US Senate seat to which Governor Bill Ritter appointed Michael Bennet.
Dick Wadhams also stated that primaries are good things and make the party stronger, as long as they are not nasty. Therefore, I assume that he supports Tom McDowell’s State Senate bid, at least in principle.
by
Civil Sense
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