In an article in Denver Westword this morning, House Democrat Speaker Pro Tempore Claire Levy claims the Democrats likely have the votes to overturn the death penalty, despite a recent poll showing 68% of Coloradans oppose the move.
Unfortunately, the Westword reporter didn’t ask Levy why she would push a bill so heavily opposed by the people of Colorado. Here’s what Westword‘s Sam Levin did report:
Before Representative Claire Levy proposes legislation to repeal the death penalty in Colorado, she wants to be sure that it can pass.
And after more discussions with her fellow lawmakers on the topic, she says it seems like the momentum is right to get rid of the death penalty — even if one of her Democratic colleagues is adamantly opposed to the move.
“I can’t say with certainty…but I’m getting more confident,” Levy says. “Those of us who are sponsoring it want to be sure we are going to be able to pass it before we introduce it. We are getting in confident in that.”
The Democratic colleague referenced above is Rep. Rhonda Fields, whose son and fiance were gunned down after her son agreed to testify in a murder trial. His killer is on death row.
The optics of this debate couldn’t possibly be worse for Democrats, but with control of both chambers at the Capitol, it seems somewhat likely that the bill will reach the Governor’s desk. Knowing that Governor Hickenlooper is hyper-sensitive to polling, here’s a brief breakdown of what Coloradans said in a recent poll by the Tarrance Group — a highly respected Republican polling firm.
Per a Colorado Observer scoop:
The results of the survey back that conclusion, with a whopping 68 percent of poll respondents saying they oppose abolishing the death penalty in Colorado, compared to just 27 percent who said they favored an end to capital punishment.
When asked specifically whether accused Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes should receive the death penalty, those polled said he should by margin of more than 2 to 1 (59 percent to 27 percent).
Support for the death penalty jumped to 69 percent when respondents were told that abolishing the death penalty could lead to overturning Nathan Dunlap’s convictions for the grisly 1996 murders of four Denver-area Chuck E. Cheese restaurant employees.
Backing for capital punishment was consistent across political party lines, with a majority of Republicans (81 percent), Democrats (57 percent) and Independents (66 percent) all opposed to outlawing Colorado’s death penalty.
Even self-described “liberals” were evenly split on the question, with 49 percent saying they opposed scrapping capital punishment.
Do House Democrats really plan on making Governor Hickenlooper protect Aurora shooter James Holmes from the death penalty? Welcome to the world where Frank McNulty can’t save your ass, Hick.
Absolutely!!!!
So can I take you with me to go speak to the parole board when the freak that murdered my Mom comes up for parole again?
Yeah maybe we should abolish the death penalty,… and maybe we should set anyone that is still sitting on death row free. I mean theyve been punished enough right? All they did was kill people's sons and daughters and brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers,… no biggie. And the idiot that shot up the movie theater? Maybe a couple of years in a nice mental facility,… or even rehab,.. and then lets make sure he has a nice job when he's done,… after all, murder is no big deal right? I like the idea,… I mean if someone really pisses you off,.. and you have 10 years or so to spare,.. just go kill them,…. I think the Dems have it right! In fact,… why don't we close all the jails! We can turn them into community centers! And we can rename abortion clinics "Family Planning Centers" since a lot of them are just being used as a form of birth control anyway! And lets make sure that we don't offend anyone,…. No matter what they say or do! Absolutely! What a plan! SMH
I have always been against the death penalty.It seems as though it is used against black men especially. I don't have any facts.
At some point in our lives I think we can all relate to some degree. 🙂
Hmm… something you can relate to or am I off base?
It's the memory of his old girlfriend that is creepin' back into his mind. He can't get over her. When he thinks he has, here it comes again, just creepin'……
I like the song, but I don't understand the lyrics. Would you care to enlighten me, David?
Now on to Eric Church.
And thank you, Rob McNealy. You're the best! xoxo
Thank you, God! xoxo <3
He subscribed. XXooXXX Group hug!
Please, pretty please. 🙂
Rob McNealy, can you find it within your heart to subscribe to David's posts? <3
OK David, Smooth.
He can subscribe to my posts like I do his.
I'd have to delete several hundred.
Could you delete a fair weathered friend and bring Rob back? Just a thought…
I love Rob. He defriended me. Now I'm over the limit and Facebook will not allow any further new friends.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OZhw-aQTP8 I really dig the lyrics.
No, David, I haven't seen his video. Would you care to share?
David K Williams Jr., yeah I know, you love the state about as much as I do. 🙂 But really, is there a chance you and Rob McNealy could kiss and make up? 🙂
David, Maybe you should stop that then? 🙂
Rob defriended me. Must've been something statist I said. You know how much I love the state. 🙂
Regarding music, I'm lovin' me some Eric Church these days. The song "Creepin'" is one of my favorites at the moment. Have you seen the video?
David K Williams Jr., for the last hour or so I've been engaged in some really deep conversations here on fb. Take a look at Rob McNealy's page and you'll know what I'm talking about. I'm fried. lol! I'll have to take a look at this tomorrow. Have any good music you'd like to share tonight?
As I wrote before in another forum:
Here is one of the issues where, generally, the Dems are on the side of less government and the Republicans on the side of government power.
The death penalty is an abomination. If you don't trust the state to deliver health care, regulate banks, or pick up garbage, how can you trust it to decide who to execute? It makes no sense.
Repeal the death penalty. It is the limited government position.
(I fully anticipate arguments about an "eye for an eye," how criminal prosecution is a legitimate government function, and how it costs too much to keep people in jail for life. Allow me to respond: 1) An "eye for an eye" is Old Testament law. Read the Sermon on the Mount. 2) Criminal prosecution is, indeed, a legit state function. However, the state screws up so much, we should not give it the power to make mistakes it cannot undo 3) It costs less to keep them in jail for life than to execute them. I know the counter argument already: Do away with all the appeals and it will cost less. My response: see #2. The fewer appeals, the more likely a mistake is made.)
Another pro-death penalty argument soon to be posted, no doubt: People are convicted and sentenced to death by a jury of their peers, not by the state.
My response: I love juries. I don't want any restriction on their current powers. I believe in the Fully Informed Jury. (search for FIJA).
When it comes to criminal cases, the jury hears only what the state employed police find in their investigation, they only hear about what the state employed District Attorney decides to tell them, and they only know what the state employed judge lets them know.
The jury is always misinformed given these limitations.
Since when does a poll determine right and wrong? A belief in the death penalty and limited government are completely inconsistent.