A busy weekend on the Western Slope
On Saturday, I had the pleasure of facing off Dick Wadhams on health care at the Colorado Medical Society. Although it was not a debate, it was an opportunity to present our different approaches to issues of concern held by the doctors in the state of Colorado.
I opened my presentation by saying that in the interest of transparency, I needed to point out that I am a registered nurse and a member of both the Colorado Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association. I don’t practice nursing these days. I am also a certified psychotherapist. I do not have a practice, but I use my skills every day as state party chair. That got a laugh. And I have a doctorate in theology. My only comment on that is when all else fails, there is always prayer. That got a laugh too.
The Democratic Party holds common concerns with the Colorado Medical Society on the need for universal health care. (I was in the room earlier in the day when they voted it as their top priority). I also feel that doctors and clients need to have input on what the system of delivery will be. They wanted to know if we supported SCHIP, and I pointed out that all of our Congressional representatives supported the legislation which would provide coverage for 11 million children in the U.S. They wanted to know how to get their issues into the platform and what priority health care would have. I pointed out that all of the Democratic candidates for President have health care proposals. However, I emphasized several times that they needed to get involved in the caucuses next year. And they wanted to know who would win the 2008 Senate race, and I said we would!! It was a good session, and I had great conversations with participants both before and after.
Dick Wadhams gave the Republican line. We have all heard it. He talked about tort lawyers and dissed the “Hillary” single payer plan. He defended the Republican resistance to SCHIP. He said his candidate would win. A few people talked to him after the lunch. Oh, and despite his oft cracks about the convention coming, he congratulated all of us on getting the DNC to pick Denver.
Then it was on to Granby to meet with Autumn Phillips who is the new editor of the regional newspaper in Grand County. If you recall, the newspaper office was one of the buildings bulldozed by an irate citizen. It has been rebuilt, and I got a tour of the building. The old giant printing presses were rescued and have been restored. Autumn and I discussed how we might publicize the caucuses and prepare folks for participation on Feb. 5, 2008. We will be in contact and work out the details in the next month.
My next stop was a retreat with the House Majority Caucus, who were meeting near Winter Park. It was great to have dinner and then spend an evening discussing, of all things, health care. This morning I gave a presentation on what the state party was doing, the upcoming community events for the convention and the process for selecting delegates. As with any gathering, the best part of the time there was talking with individual legislators. I am very proud of the people we have elected to represent us in the Colorado General Assembly. They did a great job this past session, and I expect no less for the coming year.
The week coming up will be no less challenging. Gov. Bill Richardson is in town this coming week to kick off his Colorado campaign. I will see him tomorrow. On Tuesday, I am co-host of a fundraising lunch for Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana and then attending a joint reception that evening with him and Gov. Ritter in support of Project New West.
Wednesday, Christine Pokrandt, Margaret Atencio and I will head down to Pagosa Springs. We will be attending a CDP fundraiser with Colorado’s First Lady, Jeannie Ritter. While most of the organizing is being done by Archuleta County, we have invited all of the SW counties in the surrounding area. We hope there is a great turnout.
We come back on Thursday in time for me to pack my bags and head for the Association of State Democratic Chairs meeting in Kansas City.
Pat Waak, Chair