Begin the New Year with a Laugh: We Can All Cry Soon Enough

By Julian Dunraven, J.D., M.P.A.

Honorable Friends:

Happy Twelfth Night! This is the last day of Christmas. Tomorrow is the Epiphany and, as the Magi commence their visit, the holidays will sadly draw to a close. Before I get back to commenting on the New Year, though, which is quickly filling up with many mad events (El Presidente has already pounced on the insane appointment of Sen. Who), I thought I would share a few light hearted reflections on 2008.

This first video comes from Jib Jab. Their annual, “Year in Review” series of videos never fails to entertain, and the “2008 Year in Review,” is no exception.

The second video recap of 2008 comes from “Uncle Jay Explains the News.” Uncle Jay seems to be quite an entertaining and sensible fellow, and his other news briefings are worth a glance or two as well.

I hope you enjoy the levity. Tomorrow the Dunraven will be back to his usual raucous squawking.

Around The Colorado Blogosphere 111307

For the most comprehensive coverage of the 2008 Senate race between Republican Bob Schaffer and Democrat Mark Udall--

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For in-depth analysis and updates on "bag man" Bill Ritter's executive order on unions, visit Ben DeGrow.

Best Destiny has some more thoughts on Veterans' Day:

So on this day in which cities and banks celebrate our Veterans, please take a moment to think not just of the 3800 who have died in Iraq, and all of those from WWII and Vietnam who we tend to think about so easily, but take a moment to consider the lesser-known heroes who have done some amazing hard work around the world that never get memorialized properly.

And thank all of them for their service.

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If Denver can't get a small mail-in election in 2007 counted on time, what will happen next year when the Presidential election could once again hinge on a few dozen electoral votes, and the eyes of the nation have to wait for Denver's bumbling election officials to call on the SWAT team once again to count ballots?

Official Countdown To 2008 Democratic National Convention

A long list of to do's for the Democrats by next August 25.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Governor Bill Ritter, and DNC Chair Howard Dean kicked things off Wednesday with a little speechification and a rally at the Pepsi Center.

DNC Opens Office In Denver

Democrats have chosen the office to be used for the Democratic National Convention next August.

Must have been a slow news day.

Schaffer’s Fundraising Figures “Inconvenient Truth” For Left

I'm stealing Ben's title, 'cuz I couldn't have said it better myself.

He deconstructs Jason Bane's ColoradoPols entries characterizing Bob Schaffer's fundraising numbers ($717,000) as disappointing in relation to Mark Udall's Q2 $1.1 million.

Read the rest of the analysis.

Hillary, Bill Clinton In Colorado

Today's funny lede:

Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Clinton will be in Aspen this weekend, although for different reasons.

Ya think?

Allard Stumps For Romney In Iowa

Sen. Wayne Allard hasn't done much in the way of endorsements, but Mitt Romney picked up the conservative's support in yesterday's trip to Iowa:

Allard, considered one of the more consistent conservatives in Congress, is here to tell Iowans that Romney is OK by him - on tax and budget issues, on family values issues, the whole gamut.

At Sunday night's low-key dinner, local chiropractor Sara Mesick asked Allard how Romney, who is Morman, can overcome skepticism from some evangelical Christians who have openly questioned the beliefs of his religion.

Allard said that if the campaign devolves into a fight over religion "there'd never be a Jew or you-name-it" who is elected to political office. He defended the values Romney has shown during his life and said, "If they carry your values, that's what it's all about."

This is the first time Allard has been on the campaign trail at this stage of a presidential election. He said the work isn't hard, especially for a trained veterinarian.

After all, Allard said, "When your conversation lags, you talk about their pets."

And given the recent attention paid to Romney's dog, having a veterinarian's endorsement can't hurt.

What is interesting is Allard throwing his support behind the former governor, and not Fred Thompson, his one-time colleague in the U.S. Senate. Does the Colorado Senator doubt Thompson's conservative credentials, or doubt his ability to win? It's not like he is trying to pick a candidate for his coat-tails, since he is retiring and not running for reelection.

Protestors Dictate Rules Of Engagement To Denver For 2008 DNC

First, they tried to play it off as negotiations to keep the protests at next year's DNC "non-violent".

But what protestors have proposed would be a restrictive proclamation that would curtail police officers' ability to ensure public safety:

A city councilman expressed outrage this morning that the council will consider a proclamation initially drafted by a protest group that calls for restricting police tactics during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The one-page proclamation headed for a council vote next Monday is based on a compromise version of the original statement proposed by the Recreate 68 Alliance, which is organizing protests for the 2008 Denver convention.

The group's Web site vows to make Chicago's 1968 Democratic National Convention — notorious for its brutal, bloody clashes between Chicago police and anti-Vietnam War protesters — "look like a small get-together in 2008!"

"I think it's amazing that any can special interest group — right-wing or left-wing — can tell the Denver Police Department and the mayor and City Council how to run our city when it comes to dealing with the protesters at the DNC," Councilman Charlie Brown said, adding he "absolutely" opposes the proclamation.

"I have complete faith in (Denver Police Chief) Gerry Whitman and the police department is sworn to uphold the First Amendment and it will continue to do so," said Brown, stressing his support for the right to peacefully protest.

Protest planners cite 2004's heated protests at both Democrat and Republican conventions--referring in part to fenced "Free Speech Zones" that they found offensive. The councilman is correct to point out that it is perhaps unprecedented (at least in Denver) for protestors to attempt to dictate rules of engagement to the DPD and the city in general.

No one questions the protestors' unfettered access to First Amendment protections--ones that this blogger has enjoyed on numerous protest occasions. This proclamation, however, lays out a plan to create a "positive" spin in the media in relation to expected protest complications (the inevitable arrests, citations, etc.) and put Denver and the police department on the defensive. An excerpt of the proposed proclamation:

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER:

Section 1. That the Council calls upon Mayor John Hickenlooper and other city officials to affirm and uphold the exercise of First Amendment rights in Denver upon the occasion of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Section 2. That the Council calls upon City officials to take affirmative measures to uphold and protect the rights of speech, expression and association, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, including the creation and implementation of systems and procedures to ensure that (a) there is reasonable and prompt action on permit applications for public demonstrations, marches and rallies; (b) use of force, including the use of horses, pepper spray or other aggressive means to police public demonstrations, is restricted except to the minimal extent required by legitimate law-enforcement purposes; (c) demonstrations may occur in close proximity to and within sight and sound of the Convention delegates, consistent with reasonable security concerns; (d) restricted use of four-sided enclosures or barricades to confine the movement of people at public demonstrations except in limited circumstances based on legitimate and reasonable security concerns, and in such circumstances ensure that such enclosures have sufficient openings to allow people to exit, return and move freely around the demonstration site.

You can check out Recreate68 here.

This isn't the first time that Denver appears to be on the verge of caving in to protestors who flout laws and city regulations in order to be on the "right side".

The protest planners, led by Ward Churchill lacky Glenn Spagnuolo (also of Recreate 68), have preemptively assigned blame for any potential protestor/police confrontation at the feet of Denver's finest:

Recreate 68 organizer Glenn Spagnuolo said people forget that protesters went to the 1968 Chicago convention planning peaceful opposition to the war and things only turned ugly after police aggressively attacked demonstrators.

"Instead what (protesters) had to confront was a bunch of brutal pigs, which was the Chicago Police Department," Spagnuolo said.

"We're meeting early with the (Denver) police department in hopes that they don't recreate what the Chicago police did," added Spagnuolo, who along with the American Civil Liberties Union met with top police and city officials about two weeks ago.

"So far the city has been pretty open to talking with us. I've been pretty pleased with the communications so far with the city of Denver."

"We're planning nonviolent, peaceful protests, but we are going to exercise our constitutional rights and we're not going to allow anyone to take them away from us," he said.

In other words, let us behave like spoiled brats--destroying property, trashing public areas, blocking traffic, intimidating Convention delegates, and other sorts of "free speech" mayhem and excess--and don't even think of calling us to account.

Spagnuolo also gets away with attacking obliquely the Denver police and security personnel with his "brutal pigs" comment. Just the sort of respectful, "nonviolent" and "peaceful" protests Denver can expect next summer.

The Drunkablog! has more on Glenn's "philosophy".

Udall Files For Senate Run

Rep. Mark Udall confirmed his much-anticipated but unsurprising intention to run by forming a committee for Sen. Wayne Allard's seat as the Democrat's candidate in 2008:

Democratic Congressman Mark Udall on Monday filed federal paperwork to run for the Senate and announced he has raised $1.5 million for the campaign.

Udall has made no secret of his intention to run next year for the seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Wayne Allard, who is retiring. Udall has not yet formally announced. Udall indicated that a formal campaign announcement would be set for later this year.

Udall said Monday he raised $334,882 for his Senate campaign in the first three months of the year, bringing his total cash on hand to $1.537 million.
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"There's a lot of focus on this race," Udall said.

Some analysts have said candidates could spend a total of $20 million, which would make it the most expensive in state history.

Udall said Democrat Ken Salazar spent $10 million to win his seat two years ago and he expects to spend at least that much.

"It's too much money. It's a shame Congress costs that much," Udall said.

A shame, yes, but the reality in a bitterly divided nation.

Udall had more to say on his intended run:

"I intend to run a campaign that breaks the old mold of bitter and partisan politics, in favor of one that is about bringing Coloradans together," Udall said Monday. "Our country is facing deep crises at home and abroad. We must find a way to successfully end the war in Iraq and mount an effective strategy against terrorism, and we must build a safer, stronger and more prosperous America. We can only meet these challenges by working in new ways that reach across old partisan divides, and elevate our public debates. That is what I have always strived for in my political life, and it is my intention to build a campaign organization that matches the best expectations of Coloradans."

Colorado Confidential has more on Udall's "unity" platform, building bridges, "I'm not from Boulder" rhetoric, universal health care, etc.

Allard Endorses Romney; Giuliani In Town For Fundraiser

Sen. Wayne Allard's endorsement of Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney had my head spinning:

Colorado Republican Sen. Wayne Allard is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, the campaign announced Monday.

Allard praised the candidate as someone who could bring “a much needed breath of fresh air to Washington.” He is the fifth GOP senator to publicly back Romney.

“After reviewing Governor Romney’s impressive resume and having the opportunity to visit one-on-one with him about his vision of innovation and change for America, I am proud to announce my endorsement of him,” Allard said in a statement.

Romney noted the Colorado Republican’s commitment to fiscal conservatism and homeland security.

“Senator Allard’s record of leadership and commitment to change make him a valuable addition to my campaign team,” Romney stated. “In Congress, he has fought to restrain spending while working to ensure that Americans are safe at home and abroad. Senator Allard understands, as I do, that we must bring innovation and transformation to Washington if we are to meet the new generation of challenges facing our country today.”

Colorado Conservative Project sums it up nicely: Allard endorses Romney, conservatives weep

The Political Pale Horse asks, "What the hell?"

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**Update--Giuliani fundraiser cancelled due to VA Tech massacre

Meanwhile, former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in town tonight to raise cash . . . but has also appeared to make a comment that marginalizes social conservatives in the GOP:

“Our party is going to grow, and we are going to win in 2008 if we are a party characterized by what we’re for, not if we’re a party that’s known for what we’re against,” the former New York mayor said at a midday campaign stop.

Republicans can win, he said, if they nominate a candidate committed to the fight against terrorism and high taxes, rather than a pure social conservative.

“Our party has to get beyond issues like that,” Giuliani said, a reference to abortion rights, which he supports.

Social conservatives prepared to make allowances for a moderate candidate like Giuliani can accept compromises, or are at the very least willing to entertain a candidate that will at least take them seriously. Ostracizing them with flippant comments dismissing the importance of the issues social conservatives hold dear will do nothing to endear him to skeptical GOP voters hesitant to countenance a socially liberal Presidential candidate.

John Kerry Visits Denver, Touts New Book

Sen. Kerry was in Denver Sunday, flogging his new book and talking politics with the (liberal) folks at the Tattered Cover book store, trying to capture some of the heat (pun intended) generated by Al Gore's Global Hysteria Tour:

Kerry said he wants to increase awareness about environmental issues and the things everyday people are doing to make a difference.

"This doesn't belong to a democrat or a republican or a conservative or a liberal," Kerry said. "These are just practical real things that every American needs to think about."

Kerry eventually opened up the room to questions which ranged from the current presidential race to America's role in Iraq.

"The consequences are obviously disastrous," Kerry said. "This is the most disastrous foreign policy choice made in any country anywhere in modern time."

Because nothing sells to the liberal/Democratic crowd like a little Bush-bashing. One can debate the merits of the Iraq War--but "worst foreign policy choice" anywhere since the French Revolution (roughly the start of the modern era)? Is he serious?

And what of talk about running for President again in the future?

"Could that change?" Kerry said. "It might. It may change over years. It may change over months. I can't tell you, but I've said very clearly I don't consider myself out of it forever."
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When asked whether he expected that decision to change in time for the 2008 race, Kerry said, "If suddenly the field changed or the dynamics of the nation shifted, who knows? You might look at it differently, but I don't see that. I don't foresee that. That's not where I am today and that's not what I'm doing."

Kerry's one shining moment in the political sun came in 2004, when a rising wave of anti-war sentiment combined with the perennial anti-Bush rhetoric to produce . . . the second highest vote count received by a Presidential candidate ever. Of course, he lost to George W. Bush, who won both the electoral college (meaningful) and the "popular" vote (meaningless). He is unlikely to see that level of support again, as the majority of Kerry's supporters voted not for him, but against Bush.