Welcome to the Colorado Democratic Party
Barack Obama is coming to Colorado on March 18, 2007. He joins Bill Richardson, John Edwards, and Chris Dodd, who have been in the state as Presidential candidates within the past month.
Barack Obama is coming to Colorado on March 18, 2007. He joins Bill Richardson, John Edwards, and Chris Dodd, who have been in the state as Presidential candidates within the past month.
March 13th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Good job, Pat, and all who put this together! Hope all of us Dem blog readers can help keep the energy and information flowing in this new effort.
Very nice that Colorado is no longer just part of “flyover” country for the candidates.
March 13th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I wanted to share a letter published in today’s Denver Post regarding the precinct caucuses:
***********************************************
Plan to revive presidential primary in Colo. (letter to the Denver Post, 3/13/07)
Re: “Colo. primary revival,” March 8 news story.
It’s being suggested that we have a presidential primary election in 2008, followed by our neighborhood caucuses across the state a few weeks later.
This is a bad idea. In Iowa, presidential candidates spend about $40 per caucus attendee. It would be similar here in Colorado if our caucus system was given the same TLC the Iowa system receives from the Iowa media, civic leaders, and the major political parties. Instead, we get a stream of these efforts at reform where none is needed.
Nothing would weaken our caucus system more than splitting it off from the presidential race. People who are against this misguided change should speak out now.
John Wren, Denver
**************************************************
I believe that this is the same gentleman who sponsored many Meet-Up meetings several years ago when there was a ballot measure to eliminate the caucuses. I attended one of the meetings. John is a believer in the precinct caucus system, and so am I.
The present and future health of precinct caucuses seem like a worthwhile area for Democratic Party activists to blog about.
My opinion: Precinct Caucuses are true grassroots politics, worthy of the attention of Democratic (and Republican) party activists. I agree with the letter writer that the caucuses in Colorado can succeed if they are nurtured. Now, the caucuses seem many times to be left to wilt on the vine.
The attendance and enthusiasm that I saw at the caucuses in 2004 and 2006 was the best I had ever seen. I believe that our elected officials and party leaders should be putting more resources into holding successful caucuses. What’s wrong with child care, snacks, money for descent room rentals, etc? Put some money and organization into the event and the people (i.e., We Democrats) will do the rest!
March 13th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
It has never been our intention to undercut the caucus participation. The language we suggested to the legislature asks that we move up the precinct caucuses to Feb. 5, only in Presidential years. The idea of a primary came from on of the Republican representatives. I agree with Tom that we should work to make the caucuses more successful than ever.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:07 am
The DSCC was in town yesterday talking to the CDP about next year’s Senate race. It is clear that Colorado is at the top of the list for a seat to be gained. It is important to strengthen our numbers in the U.S. Senate if we are to continue to do the business of the American public. We welcome the DSCC’s interest. Meanwhile, we are very focused on expanding our communication strategy and beginning the training for 2007.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Pat,
Do you have more information on the Obama event? I would like to attend, but Im not sure where, when or how much.
Thank you.
March 14th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Regarding Feb 5 caucuses: At a Lone Tree Democrats meeting last night, Andrew Romanoff confirmed that he’s expecting a late bill to be introduced shortly to move the caucus to Feb 5, only in presidential years. I don’t see it on the General Assembly site yet, but we should see it soon.
In my own opinion I think the media may have mis-reported the notion that there was serious support for holding a primary instead of a caucus.
Regarding the Senate race: Given Mark Udall’s base of support in Boulder, those of us in historically “red” counties will have special responsibility to win support and maximize turnout to put Mark over the top. Mark doesn’t have to win Douglas County or the rural counties, but he needs to do well there. We think we can win it for him.
March 14th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Monroe,
The larger event is $100. Here is the link to sign-up:
https://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/denver
March 14th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Nice start! Are you all planning to add the blogs of elected officials to your blogroll? Of the top of my head I know of:
Morgan Carroll
Bernie Buescher
Andrew Romanoff (http://andrewromanoff.blogspot.com)
thanks!
Louella
PS It would be great to have a link to return to the general blog at the bottom of the page (after reading comments) instead of having to scroll up and click the CDP logo.
March 15th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Louella, thanks for the suggestion. I’ve added a “home” link to the page footer, and added the blogs for Representatives Carroll and Buescher and Speaker Romanoff to the blogroll.
March 15th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Last night I was at a meeting of the Boulder County Democratic Party. One of their presentations was a detailed process of formulation for the BCDP’s platform. Given the challenges last year, I have asked them to share their plan with us so we can distribute it to other counties. Meanwhile interested people could check out their website. Pat