Dear Owen,
Let us first say that we think you’re awesome. We’ve watched your short career in the State Legislature with great anticipation, and we’ve been excited about what the future holds for you. Until the past two days. Buddy, we have to be honest with you, you aren’t handling this well, and we really want your star to continue to rise.
Elections are about finding the best candidate for the job. Like we said, you have a lot going for you, and you’re definitely a rising star, but we’re not sure you’re ready for a seat in the U.S. Senate. And, it’s not because of who you are – who you are is great. It’s because, at this moment, we think you need a little more experience, and a little more gravitas. You just need a little more seasoning. We want to see you be successful in the State Senate and produce a track record of accomplishment. Other opportunities will arise, but this is the wrong time for you.
That said, there are two ways you could handle this. You could swallow your disappointment and be a happy warrior, as President Ronald Reagan suggested. Or, you could wage a bitter and divisive campaign with no chance of victory against a clear frontrunner.
We cannot imagine how disappointed Rep. Amy Stephens must be – she’s been in the legislature for six more years than you have – and, yet, she’s taken the high road. She’s decided to bow out gracefully and her status in the GOP will certainly take a positive bump because of her decision to be selfless. That could be you, too.
And what about Ken Buck? There’s a guy who really put winning the seat ahead of personal ambition. He practically gushed class by stepping aside to let the biggest dog go into the fight against Mark Udall.
Let us be blunt, Owen. You are better than this. We expect more of you. You should use this circumstance to grow and improve and prepare for the next fight, not dissolve into a sniveling baby on the fringe of the party. This is your decision – and yours alone. But, we hope you’ll ignore the din of the consultant class telling you what your bruised ego wants to hear. Your legacy is on the line – do you want to be remembered as the sore loser or the selfless leader who subordinated his own desires for the good of his constituents?
Your choice. Choose wisely.
In friendship,
Colorado Peak Politics
It has truly gotten to the place where it is embarrassing to call one's self a republican. This thread alone shows the discourse and concerns the party has and I'm sure it is no different around the country. I really appreciate those that are not afraid to speak out about how unhappy they are withe the GOP. I support them, we have problems.
First let people run for office and stop slamming them. Get rid of the inside political system of caucuses and conventions and let the people decide who we want to be our candidate.
We must bring our country together and until we understand that no one person has all the answer and that we need to let the people decide and then get behind that candidate for a better tomorrow. It is difficult when we have appointed candidates by 1800 delegates trying to represent the entire state when in fact it is all inside politics. History in Colorado shows that does not work.
I do believe it's time for the people to rise and rise up strong, like no other time in history. Set some examples that our kids will be proud of. Yes the Tea Party is a good place to start, after all it has gotten nation wide attention and all we have to do is now take it over the top with a strong leader and maybe candidate that everyone will support. This spring when we have Tea Party meetings on the capitol instead of a few thousand or on last report a few hundred attending we should have a few hundred thousand and make it a family even. Fill the streets of Denver. Did you know that more pot smokers go to 420 than we have Tea Party attendees. That's embarrassing.
We can make a difference. We might not all agree on everything, but most of us on the right agree we need to protect our country and I really believe most on the left feel the same way.
It starts by getting candidates into office that are not afraid to speak up. This popularity contest has to stop. Just because you shook someones hand doesn't make that person a fighter. Nor does serving in politics make them worth their salt. We need people that have dealt with diversity and struggle and fought the battles of corporate America and not afraid of a few political repeats in Washington. Then we can move and shake them and get some changes in America and at the local levels.
Those few congressmen we have in congress today say nothing, they vote , draw a check and take holiday's and this has to stop. We only get their newsletter and a few local meetings each year. We need leaders with guts to make some noise. I hope the people of Colorado will soon find and support someone that is indeed not afraid of the need to make a difference even if it means putting their life on the line to challenge those like Harry Reid and even our own McConnel and Boeher. They put their pants on the same as we all do and they are just men with big head not smart one. This is exactly what our founders did and it's time for a repeat. . It way past time and we are losing. I don't know about you but I am sick of it. Let's join together for change.
this is weak. if we only support career politicians to be career politicians, we are self-defeating. we need people with this type of experience. I'm not sure whose photo this is above or who wrote this, but it's weak. Semper Fidelis.
I would very much like to see Randy Baumgardner as one of the Senatorial Candidates on the Primary Ballot in June yet I am circulating petitions for Owen Hill to petition on the ballot. Why does the Republican Hierarchy and their mouthpieces feel the need to manipulate the grass roots?
And people wonder why the state is controlled by Democrats these days? Anyone else tired of being fed the best candidate money and connections can buy?
You would be a fool to support a Rothschild Republican. If the GOP wants to play games show them the losses come election time. Vote Independent if you have to!! Rothschilds have both parties and if you want someone to support the people not corporate America and the banks then you need to really start looking at what they do and forget what they say.
Let me see. Republicans are about freedom and personnel responsibility. This article is why establishment republicans need to go. This is nothing more than propaganda from the RINO establishment. If this is the way politics are in Colorado. Then I am glad I don't live there. This open letter is a embarrassment for republicans. I hope Owen beats the crap out of the establish candidate. By this article he deserves to win.
Wow, hate to see letters likes this. Especially with an obvious bias. This is not the GOP Party of late, and nothing Ronald Reagan would have said with all the facts. You are wrong CCP, very, very, wrong.
Evan Marchese – Thanks for the Libertarian talking points. The problem that you fail to realize is that too much damage is done in the primaries when everyone attacks the front-runner. Owen Hill is a half-term state senator who lost his first stab at politics and had to run from his parents' address in order to win. I don't mean that to be some kind of cheap shot – I'm only pointing that out to show he is as unproven as you can possibly imagine. Do you happen to remember the last half-term anything that ran? The press and the Democrats ate her for lunch. He can run if he wants but he's probably going to blow it for himself and his future if he does because all he can do is attack the front-runner. With so little experience, he can't point to ANYTHING at all that he's accomplished because there isn't anything. All he can do is try to tear people down. I recommend he doesn't do that but I'm just little ole me.
But I would be careful who you call "the establishment" if I were you. It has a ring of elitism to it. Not only that, but there is something to be said about the "game of politics." It's how you win. Stand on principles all you want – nobody really cares and if you've been paying attention for the last five years and two presidential elections, that should be apparent to you. Learn how to play to win and we might just do that someday, for a change.
David Brown…that's the problem. Politics is a game to the establishment and we libertarians stand in opposition to that game. If people are turned off by his lack of political game playing experience then he will loose in the primary which is how the process is designed to work. If he wins the primary then he is a better candidate than your guy. We're simply tired of having establishment game players shoved down our throats. And quite frankly most of us no longer care what the party establishment thinks because their lack of constitutional principles is what's gotten our nation in this mess.
David Brown Thanks for the clarification DB. I think the issue is that we have to move away from "the establishment" against the "tea party" against the "paulbots" against the … Let's unite together under the Constitution and Liberty and take back our country before it is too late!
Dan Smith – ^^^^ THAT!!! ^^^
Owen needs more experience in the legislature to be really ready for the Senate,And We need a replacement for Michael Bennet in a few years.Problem solved
Vikki Haas Walton – I'm talking about the online bullies when I refer to them as "Paulbots." I was disheartened at the way Paul supporters, genuine people who supported their candidate are different – like, night and day – from the grassroots people who showed up at the caucuses to support their guy and got railroaded at both state and national. We had two of them in our precinct alone and I voted for both of them.
Isaiah Hess – I'm not attacking Owen Hill. In fact, I've said numerous times that I like him. I even went so far as to check some more on him and every last syllable I read I liked. I agree with every one of his votes that he's taken. So nice try but don't try to muddy the waters by attacking me. All I'm saying is he should keep his powder dry and watch his step regarding who he attacks if he wants to proceed or he'll end up pissing off the entire Republican base and end up having no chance in 2016. Trust me, that's good advice because I've almost forgiven Amy Stevens for her Amycare escapade… Almost.
How condescending…..based on his positions I bet he has a better chance if steeling Udal's seat as he may actually peal off some pro marijuana moderate liberals from Udal. While at the same time keeping the since the base certainly won't vote Democrat. They are terrified that the religious right will loose its hold on the Republican party. If the electorate nominates him the then he is the candidate that his constituency wants which is the essence of democracy. Go Owen!
David Brown, I make no promises. All I'll note is the double-standard of you attacking a candidate and then you insisting that we at the Owen Hill campaign don't.
We are dedicated to this race and carrying the banner for liberty. People should have a choice in who they want as their nominee, and we intend to continue to offer them that choice.
Donald E. L. Johnson "If you can't wind the back room dealing, you're unqualified for office." Is your name really Francis?
Donald E. L. Johnson #3. We agree. Therefore, let's work to change that!
Oh and thanks for no name calling and sticking to the subject . . .oh wait, nevermind.
David Brown As a "Paulbot" I will say that the Paul people were not the bullies. It was those who wouldn't allow due process of nominations, who don't follow the rules or make new ones, or who said something passed when it had not, the list is endless. It is not being "pissed off at the world" it is standing for the principles of liberty and seeing them destroyed within our own "supposed" party.
David Brown Why do we need attacks? How about talking solutions instead? No record–good. That means no ammo for Udall.
Drive away real Small Government Republicans and independents. You'll help Obama Democrats win lots of elections, live with hard left state and U.S. Supreme Courts and whine your ways to your cremations.
Donald E. L. Johnson No newcomer. Just someone who has finally seen that the fight is no longer between parties but between centralized government versus self governance. Our country is being destroyed from within. Each party needs each other to feed off the anger they constantly create against the other. It's only been in the last decade or so that the GOP has started showing the public that the feeding is growing more towards cannibalism of its own. Elections are won and lost not through the "faithful" or the funding, but through the passionate grassroots (who are being sidelined by the oligarchy) and the Independent vote (which is growing at an exponential rate as people get fed up with party lies). That is–if the ballot box is not rigged but that's another whole discussion. Just look at the recent recalls down in Pueblo for example. Big money didn't win. Interestingly, it was the Dems who signed most of the petitions because the focus wasn't geared toward the guns, it was statements Morse made of (paraphrasing here) "I don't listen to my constituents or read their emails." So let me end with this: "It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." Samuel Adams Don't give up, just step out of line and decide to take back our country.
Shanneen Barron Of course, there is no Democrat establishment. And the tea party pretender leaders don't dream of being the GOP establishment.
Denise Ruth Myrup LOL. Good luck with that.
I guess it shows a complete disrespect for the constitution on both Udall and Gardner. That's why I see them as one in the same.
I understand your desire to not get attacks on Gardner, but you must understand, many of us peaceful, law abiding citizens would like to see Cory Gardner indicted on Felony charges. Meaning prison time.
Donald E. L. Johnson, obviously, it's time to do things differently from how they've been done over the past 60 years!
Even very rich people who fund their own campaigns lose if they can't show voters that they're ready for the offices that they seek. I don't see Hill showing that he's ready for more than another term in the state senate.
Kevin Hotaling The opening post simply advises Hill on how to proceed if he wants a future in politics. It's right on. If Hill won't listen, his political career could be a lot shorter than it could be. That's politics. If you can't handle it, you should find another profession, but no one will make you do that except voters who will tire of you.
Denise Ruth Myrup – pffft.
Why should everyone but you shut up?
I don't think Owen Hill is playing clean. He's acting like a spoiled brat and pretending to be unhappy with back room deals, which is what politics is all about. If you can't win the back room dealing, you're unqualified for office, imo.
David Brown, name calling and implied profanity do nothing for party unity, even if you're using it to underscore a fact. Period.
Vikki, I guess you're new to politics. Welcome.
Voters really have little to say about who decides to run for office and who doesn't. All candidates self select because they're ambitious and most have nothing better to do in life. If a candidate doesn't show ambition, no one will draft them.
The money primaries are the real elections. Candidates are interviewed and vetted by people with money and, usually, experience in sizing up employes as well as political candidates.
After big money places their bets, the candidates either become very quiet because they have few resources or they drop out as Buck and Stephens have done. The candidate who has impressed big contributors, pundits and others soon becomes obvious to all. This often happens before any caucuses or conventions or primaries.
So, by primary time, we're lucky if we have two candidates to consider. Often there is only one who has a real chance of winning.
If you want a say, spend thousands of dollars on campaign contributions, run for office and get involved as few do.
Don't fool yourself. Nobody's afraid of the rookie, Hill.
Ricc, you sneer pretty well yourself.
Kevin, I can't think of an election over the last 60 years that was won by an intellectual or principled politician. Such people belong in libraries, not politics.
Delusion will get you nowhere. Hill has no chance. Most of the party is swinging behind Gardner, and he's unlikely to screw up enough to lose the backing of the party. He's no more perfect than any human.
1. Candidates self select and drop out when their campaigns fail. That's what's happening in the senatorial contest. Were Big Money folks involved? You bet, without money, Buck and Stephens failed and Hill is floundering. Gardner looks like he'll be competitive.
2. Owen is a Ph.D., I guess. So he knows history and he's a worker and learner. But he's no Ted Cruz, Mike Lee or Rand Paul. He's a rookie and acting like it.
3. There are no Small Government politicians in Denver or Washington. In one way or another, they all want to spend more money and use government to advance their social issues and other causes.
Judith LeDean Very interesting and good post. Thanks.
Denise Ruth Myrup – 14,000 Republicans in Boulder County alone didn't bother to vote in that last presidential election. That FACT speaks for itself. I encourage everyone to come to caucus and participate – it's two lousy hours every two years. But the plain fact is, the vast majority of these people aren't going to. That isn't "disparaging" – your words – anyone. It's the simple truth. We'll be lucky if we get 3,000 people out of what is it? – 40,000 Republicans in Boulder County to show up, even though our country is falling apart around us. We could have had a decent House representative in Longmont if we would have simply shown up and elected her. AND SHE WAS/IS LIBERTARIAN!! So excuse me if I lose all respect for these libby types who sit on the internet and blow smoke up everyone's ****.
Huh? You can throw accusations around like "You're all talk. You're all a bunch of windbags," and call us "whiners," but CPP is above "harassment?" Project, much?
David Brown, I'm not only going to caucus, I'm a district captain who's covering an orphan precinct and encouraging republicans in that precinct, as well as my own, to come to caucus, no matter who they may be supporting. I'm not a whiner, but I do believe primary elections benefit the voters by allowing the candidates involved more opportunities to communicate their positions, compared to candidates who aren't involved in primaries. If you're really concerned about party unity, and garnering support for Cory Gardner, you'll refrain from disparaging those of us who don't see this race the same way you do.
Kevin Hotaling – And Libertarians are a nasty lot. I followed all of their bullying from all of the Paulbots all through the election last year. They are just like the lefties – they go through life all pissed off at the world.
Who said we should call of the caucuses and primaries?
Kevin Hotaling – there isn't any bullying going on! At least, none that any of us knows about. Asking someone to step aside for the good of the party is not "bullying." CPP doesn't have to retract anything – listen carefully… All they did was concur that a long and protracted primary fight does nobody any good. The FACT – key word – that Hill can't win this is entirely relevant and worth bringing up. Nobody knows who he is and he's only got six months to introduce himself because he's basically done nothing in his short time in the State Senate. I doubt if he's even a minority leader on a committee, although I don't that for sure. And it's the truth that if he stays in and attacks Gardner, that will hurt him should he decide to run in 2016. I'm sorry if the truth hurts… Wait… No I'm not.
Isaiah Hess – What? The whole point of the article is that Owen Hill is not a candidate who can beat Udall, or at least not yet and that in lieu of a protracted and damaging primary fight, he should step aside. Did you even read the article Mr. State Coordinator for Owen Hill?
Never mind. Instead, how about YOU promise Owen will use the primary to get his name out there and sort of introduce himself to everyone and NOT ATTACK GARDNER. If he does that, not only will I listen with an eager and thoughtful ear, but I can promise you so will many, many others. I will also look forward to it! What say you?
Thank you for the support, Justin!
David Brown, your comparison of Gardner and Udall is irrelevant. This is the primary, not the general. Or is your best argument for Gardner is that he's not Udall? That's basically what you're saying.
David Brown neither has ole woman Clinton – but – a lot of jackasses want her to be president .. talk about a joke ..
Kevin Hotaling
And CPP has the right to their opinion without being harassed. And the GOP has the right to try to convince a candidate who has no chance at the nomination to step aside and wait for 2016 in order to avoid a protracted primary battle that does nobody any good, whatsoever. (See Romney, Mitt, Summer 2012)
Judith LeDean What's wrong with not wanting to regulate the marijuana industry/tax marijuana?
How much experience do you have in the Marijuana debate? I'd love to talk to you more about this, Judith, in depth, if you would like. I think there are more pieces of information regarding taxation/legalization that you are missing, but I can wait for you to reply, respectfully.
I stand with Owen Hill. RINO Republicans in the state of CO are a dying breed. Its because of brave constitutional conservatives like Owen that illustrate hope for our nation!
David Brown – I agree that we all need to improve. However, no one, not even the crazy liberty types, has called Cory Gardner a "snivelling baby." No one, not even the crazy liberty types, has called for Gardner to "resign or else." There is really no comparison between trying to bully a candidate out of a race and some commenters complaining about such a distasteful action. CPP could have fixed this with a simple retraction but instead took to twitter, repeatedly tagging Udall, so that everyone could see the lunacy they started. Again, no comparison. I suggest that you reconsider who is spewing the real "nastiness."
David Brown – I've never asserted that anyone should support Hill. I've asserted that he has the right to run without being badgered, intimidated, and belittled by his own party members. This isn't a complex issue: we don't manipulate elections; we don't call one of our party's candidates a "sniveling baby."
While CPP has been preaching about "playing politics," it's really just been undermining our election process and destroying any chance that Gardner once had of connecting with the grassroots. Not very savvy. You should be outraged along with the rest of us.
Kevin Hotaling – I don't see a whole lot of respect to either CPP or Cory Gardner in any of these threads. In fact, I see zero. Perhaps the half-cocked libertarian response is what ought to be in check.
I know Libertarians were screwed by the establishment in CO and ME at the national convention and you have a right to be pissed. But Gardner didn't have anything to do with that and neither did I. What am I supposed to do about that, turn a blind eye to all the nastiness from them in the future? Well, I'm not going to do that because I'm not very good at taking nastiness from either lefties or libertarians. Sorry. It's a weakness of mine.
Kevin Hotaling – I think I'd rather hear all the reasons why anyone should support Hill. Maybe you could enlighten both the writers of the article and me, both at the same time…
Peter Hendrick
I'm not happy about those votes either. He did vote for border security at least. But did you bother to look at Udall, especially since you claimed he's worse? I doubt it:
NDDA – yea
Cybersecurity Act of 2012 – yea
Dept. of Homeland Security Authorizations – yea
FISA amendments – yea
Electronic Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Review Act – yea
I'll give you "slightly better" than Gardner on some of those issues but that isn't all there is. There's also all things fiscal and Udall is the worst senator we've ever had, including Bennett. And you can't vote to one, single vote from Owen Hill that he would vote differently than Udall or Gardner.
You're not "lying." You're just ignoring everything that isn't convenient, like the $70 billion they just bumped our deficit by over the next two years, which Udall voted for and Gardner didn't, or the $17 trillion in debt that doesn't bother Udall in the slightest. How's that Obamacare working out for ya?
David Brown – Let's restart: the American political system is only as strong as its people and the process by which they elect representatives. Please be respectful to the people; help them adhere to better values; help them better understand political philosophy. Please be respectful to the process; vigilantly guard the institutions that work; amend those that don't. Is CPP living up to these basic standards? Are you?
David Brown – This article threatens a candidate, calls him "sniveling", and all-but calls for the cancellation of the caucus / primary process. Yet somehow you assert that it's that commenters who are attacking Republicans and disparaging candidates? It might be worthwhile to reread this page with fresh eyes.
Have you ever heard of compromise? That is what is needed in this party, when will the old style GOP get with this century instead of lagging behind. Sounds like we have a bunch of RINOs in the Colorado GOP!!! That needs to stop ASAP!! Let that soak in and think about it!!!
I'm not a liar.
He voted for CISPA, he voted for indefinite detention, he voted for NDAA, he voted to extend the Patriot act. If anything, HE IS WORSE THAN UDALL.http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/30004/cory-gardner/61/national-security#.UxDSp3-9KSN
"If you want a chance to win, you need the liberty vote. "
In other words, if you don't do as I say, <bleep> you.
Peter Hendrick
Please don't tell me you did something you obviously didn't do. If you had gone onto votesmart.org, you would clearly see that they are not "one in the same." First of all, Cory Gardner does not vote with Obama 99% of the time. http://thecoloradoobserver.com/2014/02/udall-voted-with-president-obama-99-percent-of-time/
Here is the record on just some of the conservative issues:
FreedomWorks: Mark Udall – 0%; Cory Gardner – 62%
Club for Growth: Mark Udall – 9%; Cory Gardner – 86%
Heritage Action: Mark Udall – 0%; Cory Gardner – 67%
Citizens Against Government Waste: Mark Udall – 14% ; Cory Gardner – 67%
National Small Business Association: Mark Udall – 50%; Cory Gardner – 66%
Eagle Forum: Mark Udall – 0%; Cory Gardner – 100%
Vote however you think best but can we at least keep it honest?
David.
Take that path and you will lose. If you want a chance to win, you need the liberty vote. I've already looked at votesmart, and it solidified Gardner and Udall as one in the same. You blame liberty delegates for wanting weak candidates, but your solution is to alienate the liberty delegates and guarantee a democrat victory. You've been warned, as we warned you Romney would result in a loss to Obama, Gardner will result in a loss to Udall. It's your choice now.
Peter Hendrick
That's fine Peter and I don't completely blame you. I choose a different tactic. My one lousy vote against the communist is one vote closer to getting him/her out of office. I don't have a problem voting for a candidate who isn't perfect because there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. You can review his record at votesmart.org in whatever sort order suits you. But I won't be surprised that you won't since you have your mind made up to not care if even more of your rights are taken away when Udall is re-elected.
David Brown
You got it. I don't like Cory Gardner and I will try and get all votes away from him to the libertarian ticket. I could not care less who wins between Udall and Gardner. And if you guys nominate him, it's your own stupidity for nominating an unelectable candidate. Just like Romney.
They tried to tell Dan Maes that he couldn't win. Guess what? They were right. The Constitution Party candidate finished better than Dan Maes. Why couldn't Maes win? He said all the right things, after all. Because nobody knew who he was, that's why. And nobody knows who Owen Hill is. Hill says all the right things… But don't they all?
Jon Kl – I didn't say he did, but I can't see what else he can do. He has no record to run on. Most would say, "I voted for this or that or I did this or that." He can't say anything like that in a forthcoming debate. The only strategy he can possibly have is to attack Gardner as some "big government" establishment type, and he's nothing of the sort, not even close. I hope he doesn't. Hill is my favorite for the 2016 race against Bennett so far. I would like to see him in some leadership roles in the state senate over the next couple of years and take some official stances so people at least have a foggy clue who this guy is. Is anyone out there sure Owen isn't some big government type himself? Don't they all sound just like Owen Hill in the beginning?
He could use the primary to get his name out there and not attack Gardner and I would be fine with that. I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm just afraid he won't, that's all. All our debates usually turn into what we saw with the presidential debates where they all go after the front-runner and he's weakened beyond anything recoverable for the general. That doesn't bode well for trying to win at least one election for a change.
Michelle FireEater – Gardner is not a theocrat, not even close. And if I sound like I am screaming, then it's probably because handing the election over to someone who is infinitely worse, based on a temper tantrum is… well… how do I put this? Stupid.
Sigh….. while my post was not meant to debate candidates, it was in response to the notion that we as good little Republicans should forgo any primary process and just shut up and color "or else". (There is another party that comes to mind that adheres to a top down do as we say philosophy… hmmmm)
Yet, here we are, once again using straw man arguments (let's attack someone's punctuation, shall we- because that is a more important pressing issue- that'll learn em) instead of focusing on the issue.
Peter Hendrick – and we will all lose. That strategy would have merit if we either 1) had a parliamentary system where we could form coalitions, or 2) if you didn't get even worse with Mark Udall. What you're really saying is, "I don't want Gardner and will keep him from winning so the other guy can win who is really worse than Gardner." It's biting off your nose to spite your face.
David Brown Although I don't see much difference between the two personally, it is entirely possible that after a brief period of time to look and consider that some of Owen's support may have asked him to step aside and he might have. Or maybe not.
Either way, this piece of childish, backstabbing, patronizing venom should have no place in our relations with each other. My comment regarding support for OH in the beginning was regarding the nature of blowback – what happens when you behave aggressively when it's not called for.
If you have an argument one way or the other, then make it like a grown up who is respecting the person they disagree with. This sort of trash is horrendous – agreement with the underlying strategy or point does not mitigate the consequences of such juvenile methods of promoting it. This piece is disgusting, but I think you're attack on me is an even finer example of the GOP has failed for two decades at putting limits on government, has failed repeatedly at garnering votes even from their own party members.
No one who wants government limited is interested in candidates who are tepid on rights, who are theocrats or hard to tell apart from Democrats – they do not suddenly become interested because someone is screaming at them that they are just being stupid.
David Brown, Cory Gardner supports indefinite detention without trial. In addition to his big gov record, I will never support him. I will get everyone I can to vote libertarian. Cory Gardner, and anyone that supports indefinite detonation without trial, is a traitor, and should be imprisoned. I guarantee you, Cory Gardner is the Mitt Romney of this race, a guaranteed loser. David Brown, how you can't see that is beyond me. It's as bright as day. But if you want to be blind, by all means, obstruct those of us trying to win the race.
David, when did he do that?
I'm not angry but I am a whole lot frustrated that we can't unite as a party like the Democrats do and actually show up and vote. We get all wrapped up in how we think the world ought to be and if it doesn't turn out exactly how we want we take our ball and bat and go home and sign up for Obamacare. It would be different if Owen Hill actually had a record you could put up against Gardner's. But he doesn't. The article is correct – it isn't his time. He needs to accrue some positive accomplishments. Words don't count as positive accomplishments.
That would be nice Jon but all Owen can do is attack Gardner. And if he does he can count me out for any run in 2016 against Bennett.
Julie Nudelman Forrester Naye Why? Think about it… Please!! All he can do is attack Gardner – the guy that actually HAS a record. All that does is turn people off and they do what they always do. They stay home and don't bother and we get to keep Obamacare. Please, give this "we the people" crap a rest. We need to learn how to play this freaking game of game of politics and at least pretend we would like to actually win an election once in a while. Because I truly think you people don't even care about that. You watch, by the time this day is done, one of you will actually admit you don't care about winning elections and turning this fascist state that has formed over the last five years around. You'll give us more fascism, just so you don't supposedly vote for the "big government" guy. Excuse me but none of you make any sense, at all.
David Brown did you even read what I wrote? Keep wondering why even Republicans won't vote for Republicans while you poop on your countrymen. It is the attitude of this editorial, the attitude of those who treat everyone who has a slightly different opinion as their enemy that is killing us. I got SPIT ON at a convention, once. SPIT ON by some old guy.
That and this here crap is killing us, not me. CPP didn't even wait a SINGLE DAY before calling someone actually holding a seat names. THAT is our problem, not me or whatever candidate I choose to support or not (and I don't like any of them so who cares.)
You are a jerk, the CPP and the GOP leadership are a bunch of jerks. That's the problem, not whether or not you are getting an ulcer over someone choosing a different candidate to support than you.
Good day sir. I hope you have better manners in person or no one will elect you to be a delegate to support your candidate!!
Michelle FireEater – So support someone with NO EXPERIENCE whatsoever, with virtually no name recognition and no record. Sounds like a winning formula to me… NOT!!
David Brown… The FEARED success. If Sen Hill were not a threat, why would they bother to urge him to leave the race??????????????????
Sen Hill is THE ONLY ONE who referenced Our U.S. Constitution during the Denver Post Debate. If we as a nation, don't start hiring servants to represent "We The People" and to adhere to the Constitution, we are doomed to lose the country our Founders risked everything to build. There is no compromise on this. Our representatives must be expected to protect our Sacred Charter or be fired. Senator Owen Hill will.
Funny… All you self-righteous naysayers haven't said one word why Owen Hill SHOULD get the nomination. All you all have done is tell why Republicans suck, the GOP sucks, Cory Gardner sucks and CPP sucks. Yep – that'll make for a great TV ad and debate topic.
David Brown I'm a PC, have been for a long time and am getting ready to assume the VC spot in my county party. I hope that makes you feel better because you seem really angry and that is another reason no one like the GOP anymore, because you're a bunch of smug jerks who act like it is someone else's problem why you lose so loudly.
They don't bother voting because there is nothing worth voting for, and the inability to court the easiest vote in the world to get – the box checkers – is not the fault of the box checkers, but of a party that continually tries to sell them short on everything.
I'm here, I'm working on it, to a small measure of success every year, in spite of folks like yourself continually trying to elect fascists and theocrats as if more of the same will solve your problem.
See you at caucus, David!!
It doesn't get any more "big government" than Obamacare. Keep it up and you'll get Mark Udall and all the Obamacare your little heart desires.
Kenneth Karolchik-Griffin I never said he was perfect. Convince me Owen Hill and try to do so in coherent sentences. Hint: punctuation would be nice too. (I didn't say "proper punctuation" – just try some on for size and see how it fits.)
David Brown conservative establishment supporting rinos, that is all it is conservative? bigger gov republicans are not conservative just rinos. your post is why the gop will keep losing , blindness is what you seem to have. they call themselves conservatives but they are not when they support illegal wars spying on americans ndaa,cispa i can keep going , surely not conservative just big gov. bush was a CONSERVATIVE BUT HE WAS BIG GOV SO NOT A CONSERVATIVE ONLY by gop establishment terms. david brown stop supporting bs conservatives who are nothing more then biggov establishment shills. cory gardner is no conservative no matter how many establishment sites you post with a fake grade. buck is no conservative just a selective rights big gov est tool.
cory has a big gov record nothing more if you want to lose nominate cory. owen hill can win if the gop est would stop back room deals and giving you bs talking points.
most republicans records these days only show them to be big gov obamney(romneys). The gop est and your so called conservatives paved the road for everything bush/obama have done. keep talking and the gop will be fossil fuel with cory,buck and likes of the est shills. haven';t you heard the gop is dying and if you want to travel down the same establishment road again look to lose again like the last 8 years, wanna go for 12 seems you do.
I really, truly, honestly doubt you and any of these other whiners will join any campaign. I doubt any of you will even show up to the caucuses this Tuesday. 14,000 "Republicans" in Boulder County didn't bother voting in the last election and by default, chose to elect Barack Obama to another four years. You're all talk. You're all a bunch of windbags.
Julie Nudelman Forrester Naye – What "success?"?????????????? He hasn't DONE ANYTHING!!!!
Kenneth Karolchik-Griffin – Bullshizzle!
Americans for Prosperity: 88%
American Conservative Union (congress): 92%
Eagle Forum: 100%
Club for Growth: 86%
That looks like a CONSERVATIVE record to me. Owen has no record, NONE. So that means in the debates and in the ads, all he's going to be able to do is attack Gardner. It just makes more sense for him to wait another two lousy years to take on Bennett, when we'll need one of us – and I have no doubt he is one of us. He needs a record he can win on, and he doesn't have that yet.
Judith LeDean not sure how "not voting to regulate or tax" something is bad. You know he's a Republican, right?
I'm not defending OH – I have a major issue with him – I just find this whole thing amusing. It's like Republicans are saying the least reliably limited government person should get the nod when I thought that was the whole point, limiting government.
Hilarious. I am probably stuck with Hill, anyway, cuz Cory hates my rights just a little more than Owen does. NICE JOB REPUBLICANS lololol
corys voting record shows he already is big gov establishment .
cpp is a liberal left paper not conservative . they just pose as conservatives. they want UDALL to win as well as the gop est. cory cardner would make obama/bush 2016 police state PROUD!!
CPP/cory gardner and the gop est want UDALL to Win that is why they are attacking OWEN.
gop est fossil fuel over fracking. new fuel source coming soon to colorado.
Judith LeDean cory gardner has a big gov record that would make obama/bush 2016 police state proud, cory gardner has a horrible voting record makes the dems look small gov.
The gop will lose if they do not nominate Owen hill. The gop establishment aka cory gardner (biggovgop rino)wants the dems to win. That is why they (gop est corruption ) want the dems to win, cory gardner = loss before it begins. OWEN HILL is the only republican who can win. will the gop est throw another election?? looks like it, sincerely republican.
Will the gop become fossil fuel? they will with the likes of big gov loving cory gardner.
Well this is a fun patronizing letter… Condescension so neatly written with a nice pretty bow. Ok, republicans, time to fall in line and pull the R-lever that we supply for you. Um, no thanks. Each of us will support the candidate we think is the best, and would prefer some choices. If you think people like Gardner is the best thing you can offer, no thanks. Gardner reeks of used car salesman to me. I felt like I was talking to a Jake Jabs commercial. Glad I'm not in his congressional district anymore.
I'm a Republican precinct delegate in the Midwest. I get daily requests from the RNC to donate to help defeat the Democrats. I reply on their facebook page that when the RNC and its hacks at the state level stop harassing and challenging Tea Party/conservative/libertarian candidates that I'll think about sending some money.
I am sick and tired of the hypocritical Republican Establishment party hacks on the RNC playing the conservative card when fund raising but pushing liberals and RINO party hacks for elective office and doing what ever they can to torpedo anyone right of center. Re: VIRGINIA'S gubernatorial race where the RNC withheld funds from a conservative Republican so that a liberal Democrat could win. McAuliffe won over Cuccinelli.
The RNC would rather have a liberal Democrat hold office than a conservative Republican. That has got to change.
I watched all of the cheating and conniving of the RNC and the individual state party hierarchies that went on during the 2012 primaries to deliberately cheat Ron Paul out of the party nomination and then have the gall to push a liberal party hack from Massachusetts who couldn't fill a bathtub with supporters while Ron Paul was filling stadiums.
Rand Paul said that this party has to change before we can elect another Republican to the presidency. The change has to start with replacing the RNC 's good ole boy network of insider Establishment hacks with more "Republican" minded people.
Apparently what the RNC has is contagious as it has carried over to Colorado.
Owen Hill has only participated one senatorial session and voted for 12 bills in the senate. He ran and won the senate seat and did not live in the district that he won by listing his legal address as his parents residence in order to win that particular district. He voted not to regulate the marijuana industry, voted not to tax marijuana sales and finally he voted to give illegals in state tuition
. So you think he should go on to DC with this record?
Boom! And like that we have the grassroots energy to delegate for Owen Hill.
Cory Gardner's voting record is that of a big government disaster. The only thing he voted against was a terrorist threat assessment of the oil pipelines. Check your caucus location for March 4th at the CO GOP website. If you are disgusted with big government and want to take a serious step against the status quo, show up, show up early and have some fun.
And this is why I always, always, ALWAYS send donations directly to the candidate I choose to vote for. Well, one this is for certain; I will vote for a rock before I'll vote for any candidate who's been shoved down my throat.
As a side note; your letter is quite childish and pathetic. Calling people names like you're on a middle school playground. Really? What next? A triple dog dare?
Well, I am one of his constituents & will continue to support him! This is outrageous…don't you people at CO Peak Politics care what Republicans in CO think & respect who WE believe is the best candidate for the job?! Shame on you. Your letter to Senator Hill is disgusting.
Yes. I for one hunger for the days when these types of people would show their true colors and just say, "get out of here and let those of us in the know make the decisions you little twerp." Then, you more quickly knew where you were welcome and where you weren't, who wanted to advocate for policy versus who wanted to advance his/her own power-base, and you could associate accordingly!
The faux-polite tone of this letter is the most offensive spot. All plucky buck-up-champ pretend-to-be-nice-while-you-screw-someone has Rick Santorum Wing of the party written all over it!
I couldn't disagree more. If we want the best candidate shouldn't we use the process? Establishment GOP picking the candidate hasn't worked out so well.
Hahahahahaha! What a bunch of losers! Please don't tell me this was written by adults! What are we in high school? 'Don't try to be class president you nerd, the cool kid already fits in here', hahahahahahahaha! How low can they go, how self-degrading can they be? Wake up you fake bullies, you've come to wrong playground!
COGOP Party hacks' strategy for winning: Get a Democrat and place an "R" in front of their name. Result: Democrat and Republican votes! Screw principles! YEAH!
Sniveling baby was over the top, didn't catch that until Kevin mentioned it. Owen Hill is an accomplished gentleman who deserves better.
Agreed, let's promote Owen Hill to Cory Gardner's seat.
Pathetic….. May as well call your self msnbc…. I vote for person over party. . I don't know Gardner and don't care to know him. .. Another lucky sperm Club boy the establishment says they are running
I'm so glad that Peak Politics in its patronizing "wisdom" that drips sickeningly saccharine, is instructing us that we don't need to have a primary election…let's just sit back and let the party choose our candidates…there's a real winning strategy. Gardner must be a fragile candidate.
Leif Wold – I think that's a perfectly valid assessment. However, we don't cancel the election, threaten other candidates, and sling terms like "sniveling babies" just because we have an opinion. We call ourselves Republicans because we believe in a system of government whereby the people successively promote representatives to higher levels. This article is decidedly not Republican, not constructive, and not acceptable.
Kevin, Stevens and Buck recognized that Gardner is a stronger candidate, the author and I do too. May I suggest you take a couple of steps back and look at the issue from a broader perspective? A state representative does not have the financial support or name recognition of a US Congressman.
Is the GOP or the Democrats writing for CPP? Just wondering.
Hey Colorado Peak Politics, why don't you shut the hell up and allow voters to choose rather than try and crown the nominee before the election. I've been on the fence about your credibility, and it's articles like this that prove you are nothing but establishment shill trash
Some say it was Dan Maes's stubbornness to not get out of the race that was the problem as to why the GOP lost that year. I say it was the interference BY the GOP and TANK that caused the problem.
We should throw a fundraiser for him. We can't let Gardner have the only huge war chest. Democrats: want to tick off the Republicans? Contribute to Owen Hills campaign.
It's all the establishment. This is why the GOP will NEVER win. We are so up a creek. The back room deal that took place yesterday that everyone is so excited about should speak volumes. I just sit and shake my head at the stupidity.
This is disgusting. I'm all for choice, and as much as possible. You lost me peak.
It's fine to support a candidate. It's not acceptable to insinuate that all opponents should either drop out or face retribution. It's not acceptable to equate simply staying in a race to being "a sniveling baby on the fringe of the party." If the authors are actually interested in promoting party unity, this certainly is not the way to do it.
Wow. I just completely lost all respect for Colorado Peak Politics as a news outlet. This isn't even opinion; it's signed by the whole CPP crew.
The current GOP lost both Senate seats, the Governor's office, and allowed a near complete takeover of Colorado. And now they ask an outsider to take one for the team? If they were winning perhaps…but in the current disarray that is not a good strategy.
I agree. I also support Owen Hill, but not in this race.
There's a third option: run a clean, above-board campaign, keeping the target squarely on Udall. It starts the job of setting the narrative on him early, and keeps the Republican candidates in the news in a positive way all spring and summer. It also sets the narratives on Cory and Owen before Udall gets a shot at them.
Cory wins the primary and has a strong starting position for the general. Owen proves he's a strong player and is ready for the next move.
It's win-win, so long as both candidates play clean. Owen probably would, but this article makes it clear, sadly, that Cory and the GOP heavy-hitters would do no such thing. It's a shame, but now I see why the party is on such sorry shape and why the bench is non-existent.
The cigar chomping Republicans have spoken. This has really turned my stomach and my vote.
Funny. Does this sound as though "they" are a bit worried about Owen's success?
This makes me want to get my pen out…to write a check to the future U.S. Senator Owen Hill.
Elections are about letting people have a voice on who they want to represent them. Not those who are hand-picked by the party oligarchy. The "wait your turn" mentality is why the GOP keeps losing elections. Let me be blunt CPP. This very type of back-room deals are why the GOP is losing members to the Independent and Libertarian parties in droves.
This is the most cring-worthy thing I've read all day, and I read A LOT of cringe-worthy things! Seriously, though, I wasn't all that keen on Owen for some specific reasons, but now I think I'll join his campaign for this single vague reason: anyone who can illicit such fear and loathing in the mainstream just by existing is the candidate for me!
Ps. I don't normally read CPP, and now I am so much clearer as to why. THANK YOU
WTFery is this horsepuckery? Good lord.
Question: Did Owen actually do or say something specific to bring this on or is CPP just whining uncontrollably?
That was an embarrassing read.
And there you have it folks.
Apparently, according to the above letter, our party does not believe in a Republic of the people, by the people, for the people. Primary? What primary? Sheesh. As long as Gardner and Hill are willing to run a clean race of integrity- which Owen Hill has proven to do thus far (can Gardner?) let the primary process play out. We should be ashamed to promote a shut up, sit down, and color quietly because big brother knows what is best for you mentality.
So, we should call off the caucus and primary process because your editorial staff thinks that Gardner has better connections? There was a time when we at least pretended that elections were about issues. Now we just pretend that Stephens and Buck didn't strike back-room deals. The truth is that modern voters respond to principle and vision, not partisan thuggery. And with every half-truth you spin, you make Gardner appear to even more a part of a nefarious power play. I suggest that you rescind this ridiculous post. Your choice. Choose wisely.
"sneering condescension" is an understatement
Sneering condescension is what we expect from Machine party hacks.
We keep getting told we have to vote for the most electable candidate in the Primary then we lose the general. Who cares if there is a primary, it should be decided by the people who the candidate is not party bosses and backroom deals. The fact that this happened shows everything that is wrong with the State Republican party. Gardner is the least conservative member of the Colorado Republican delegation.
We need another Ted Cruz, Another Rand Paul, another Mike Lee, Owen Is much closer to those guys than Cory Gardner.
All of those guys mentioned had about the same level of experience Owen does.
Let the people decide not the party bosses and backroom negotiations.
Look at what happened to Jeff Flake when he moved to the Senate his true colors were revealed, I would be afraid that this would happen with Cory as well.
Screw the backroom deal.
Go Owen, go.