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.

Criminal Illegal Immigrants Reported, But Not Deported

"Reports to ICE soar, expulsions don't"

Gee, there's a shocker:

"Law-enforcement officials harbor doubts that their enhanced reporting of suspected illegal immigrants in criminal cases has led to any increase in deportations by the federal government."

Yet another job those picky, lazy Americans won't do.

This law was touted by Colorado's Democrats as among the "toughest" immigration policies "in the nation". Another broken promise--all hype, no follow through--and Democrats knew that before the bill passed.

This is why enforcement-first Americans don't buy the what Senators like Ted Kennedy, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Mel Martinez (or even President Bush) are shoveling:

Police agencies in Colorado turned over the names of at least 15,000 suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities during the second half of last year.

Their offenses ranged from minor infractions to first-degree felonies but each referral was in compliance with a new state law designed to get tough on illegal immigration.

Law enforcement officials, however, debate whether the new law is having its intended effect.

They said they doubt the enhanced reporting has led to any more deportations of criminal illegal immigrants.

"I still sense that there is simply no infrastructure in the federal system in place to actually do anything with these undocumented aliens beyond the occasional, token deportations," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.

The law, enacted by the legislature in 2006 as part of a statewide crackdown on illegal immigration, required all cities and counties to report any suspected illegal immigrants arrested or cited for crimes to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

And these are the illegal aliens arrested for committing crimes. If the Feds won't do anything about illegal immigrants who flagrantly break the law (aside from being here illegally), how can we expect them to do more if and when a new shamnesty bill is passed?

Do the politics think we are simply gonna trust them (wink wink, nudge nudge)?

For more on shamnesty, visit Michelle Malkin, Freedom Folks, and Lonewacko.

Bob Schaffer Chats With Hugh Hewitt

Former Congressman Bob Schaffer discusses the war in Iraq, Democrats' defeatism, and a possible run for Colorado's open Senate seat in 2008. (no direct link, scroll to April 25, hour 3)

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.
. . .
"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.