RUNNING TO THE LEFT: Hickenlooper Announces Support For Impending $1 Billion Tax Hike Campaign

Published on May 22, 2013 by

Democrats applaud Hickenlooper for signing SB213, the bill attached to the impending $1 billion tax hike campaign

In a sign Governor Hickenlooper has all but abandoned any hope at retaining his moderate political brand, yesterday he announced his support for an impending $1 billion tax hike campaign.

Reports The Durango Herald‘s Joe Hanel at the bottom of a piece about Hickenlooper signing the attached SB213:

Hickenlooper pledged Tuesday to campaign for the tax increase once the sponsors pick a single initiative.

This, folks, is big news. In 2011, Hickenlooper steadfastly refused to take a public position on the Prop 103 tax hike ballot initiative, earning the derisive nickname “Chickenlooper.”

Currently tax hike proponents are deciding between raising taxes through increasing the flat tax rate, or creating a graduated system, with higher incomes being taxed at an even higher rate.

The fact that Hickenlooper has already agreed to back the billion dollar tax increase, without even knowing what form it wil take, is a risky move.

A recent poll that purposely over-sampled Democrats found that voters strongly oppose a tax increase, no matter what form it takes.

From our post on the poll:

Magellan polled 675 respondents from April 24-25 and found an overwhelming opposition to income tax hikes, with 55% of respondents opposed to the idea of raising the state income tax from 4.63% to 5.35% to only 36% supportive of the idea.

When asking about a graduated income tax hike, with those making less than $75,000 seeing their taxes go up 1%, while those making over $75,000 would see a 3% hike, the opposition increased slightly with 56% opposed and 35% in support.

We honestly can’t think of a single ballot initiative in Colorado history that started at 36% support to 55% opposition that succeeded in the end.

In a still fragile economy, voters simply aren’t willing to hand over more cash to the government.

With Hickenlooper’s approval rating already underwater with independents, this certainly can’t help his political standing.

 

DISCLAIMER REQUIRED: Hick’s Gun Control Signing Statement Puzzles Colorado

Published on March 21, 2013 by

At first glance, Democrat Governor John Hickenlooper’s signing statement from yesterday’s gun control bill signing seemed odd, but perhaps Queen of Colorado Political Media, the Denver Post‘s Lynn Bartels, hit the nail on the head when she tweeted the following:

First, the statement starts out with a mea culpa and some backpedaling:

“In signing HB13-1224, we acknowledge that some have expressed concerns about the vagueness of the law’s definition of “large-capacity magazine.” By its terms, the law does make illegal any magazine manufactured or purchased after July 1, 2013, that is capable of accepting, or is designed to be readily converted to accept, more that 15 rounds of ammunition. Similar language is used in other states’ statutes limiting large-capacity magazines.”

Translation: Other states do it, we’re really not the bad guy here.  Well, except that Colorado isn’t New York, and the state’s needs are different here.

Then, there was the most puzzling part, as noted by Bartels, the lengthy explanation of how this bill was supposed to be interpreted by the court.

“We also have heard concerns about the requirement in the law that a person who owns a large-capacity magazine prior to the law’s enactment may legally possess that magazine only as long as he or she “maintains continuous possession” of it. We do not believe a reasonable interpretation of the law means that a person must maintain continuous “physical” possession of these items. Responsible maintenance and handling of magazines obviously contemplates that gun owners may allow others to physically hold and handle them under appropriate circumstances. We are confident that law enforcement and the courts will interpret the statute so as to effectuate the lawful use and care of these devices.”

While we certainly hope that the courts interpret this law to account for temporary physical possession changes with as much leeway as possible, the fact remains that it’s not the Governor’s job to tell the courts how to rule.  If he wanted the bill to be interpreted this way, he should have driven this legislation so that it actually read that way.

Again, we have to ask, who’s in charge in the State of Colorado?

 

CHICKENLOOPER STRIKES AGAIN: Hick Signs Gun Control Legislation

Published on March 20, 2013 by

This morning at about 9:45 a.m., Democrat Governor Hickenlooper signed into law far-reaching gun control measures that would expand the background checks on gun purchases to include some family members and that would limit the size of ammunition magazines that would render nearly all magazines illegal.

With opposition for this legislation came from all sides, it would appear that the Colorado State Legislature is running roughshod over Gov. Hickenlooper. Hick has flip-flopped on guns and is now forced to play defense on oil and gas (we’ll see how good at D Hick really is in the coming weeks).  Other than civil unions, which is a perennial issue and not Governor-initiated, has he addressed anything he promised to address in his infamous State of the State speech?

The question has become who’s really in charge in Colorado?  In other words, is the tail wagging Hick?  Or is Hick hiding behind the legislature?

The Tim Gill-purchased legislature has pushed a far left agenda for years, much to the chagrin of Hickenlooper who portends to be a moderate.  The key agenda items he outlined in his State of the State speech this January included passing the DUHigh bill to make our roads safer in light of Amendment 64, foster a friendlier business climate to attract new businesses, pair gun control with mental health initiatives, and others.

What the Gill legislature has delivered, as the Peak mentioned earlier, is gun control, sex ed, cow’s tails, civil unions, adultery laws, and overturning the death penalty.  Finally, if anything, Democrats in the Colorado State Legislature have made the business climate worse, having already sent at least two businesses packing.

Then, of course, there was the national influence (Mayor Bloomberg and Vice President Biden) on gun control that left Coloradans, again, wondering who’s really in charge.

Whether Hick isn’t standing up to the legislature or he’s hiding behind it, it would appear that Chickenlooper has made his appearance again.  You can call Gov. Hickenlooper a lot of nice things, but you can’t call him a leader.

 

CHICKENLOOPERED: Hick Gives Ultimate Non-Answer To Immigration Question On CBS’ Face The Nation

Published on February 25, 2013 by

Governor Hickenlooper has an amazing ability to say absolutely nothing during interviews with the press. While we’re sure his staff are appreciative, the rest of Colorado’s citizens (and the press) are probably less than pleased to get a stream of hot air in response to serious, substantive questions.

Case in point came this weekend when Hickenlooper was interviewed on CBS’ Face the Nation and the question of immigration came up. The Guv was asked whether the border should be secured before a path to citizenship is given to those in the country illegally, or if both processes can happen at the same time. Here’s how he answered, in only the way Hickenlooper is allowed to:

“I don’t have as much of a problem doing the border security first. They do have to be done together. [Peak emphasis]

But in the end, you do really have to focus on the whole problem at the same time. You’ve got to look at employment, identification, and making sure 20 years down the road we’re not going to get back in the same position.”

I’ll take all of the above for 400, Alex.

Chickenloopered!

 

HICK HEDGE: Governor Tries To Have It Both Ways On Bain Capital Messaging

Published on May 30, 2012 by

The attacks on private equity by the Obama campaign have left business-friendly Governor Hickenlooper in quite a bind. He can't pull a Cory Booker and trash the anti-business attacks and risk the Obama campaign's wrath, and he can't join them with his full-throated support either and risk alienating the business community in Colorado.

When asked about the Bain Capital attacks by The Washington Post, Hick did what he usually does when confronted with tough issues, he hedged. 

From a WaPo article this weekend:

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat and a successful restaurateur, said he made a point of telling Obama stories during his recent visit about the local entrepreneurial spirit. Hickenlooper said he was pleased that Obama also wove some of those entrepreneurial stories into his public remarks that day. He is among those who support the president’s message about Bain but concede that they do not know whether it will work.  

“Does it really outsource a lot of jobs?” Hickenlooper said. “Does it downsize companies? That’s a message that, if it takes hold, is something that voters are going to respond to.”

But, Hickenlooper added, “it’s too early to tell which arguments are persuading people.”

See what he did there? He made sure all of his business community supporters knew he did his level best to tell Obama about the importance of entrepreneurs and investors, while at the same time signalling to Democrats that he is on their side. 

Hickenlooper also wasn't quoted giving his personal opinion that Bain Capital is bad, like Congressmen Ed Perlmutter and Jared Polis hypocritically did at Obama's Denver fundraiser. He just dons his political analyst hat and says the attacks might work. 

This has become a pattern when it comes to Hickenlooper and the campaigns of fellow Democrats.

While Hickenlooper continues to refuse to endorse Obama officially, he'll gladly raise money at private events. While Hickenlooper refused to officially endorse a slate of Denver School Board candidates, he had plenty of nice things to say about only one of the slates running. He even did this on the Prop 103 $3 billion tax hike, when he refused to take a position on the ballot measure, but dog-whistled liberals by saying he was "sympathetic" to those who want to raise taxes. 

Which is it, Governor Hickenlooper? Are Bain Capital and private equity firms "vampire capitalists" or aren't they?


 

CHECKING IN WITH CHICKENLOOPER: Has The Good Governor Graced President Obama With An Endorsement?

Published on May 25, 2012 by

On the upper right hand side of this site we have a "Chickenlooper Counter" tracking the days, hours, minutes and seconds that Governor Hickenlooper has refused to formally endorse President Obama. It tracks back to the moment Obama filed his re-election papers at the Federal Election Commission in 2011.

One liberal complained yesterday that it was time we take down the counter because Hickenlooper was at the Obama fundraiser in Denver yesterday. 

Well, we have yet to see a formal endorsement offered by Hickenlooper, so up it stays. 

It's clear that Hickenlooper is supportive of Obama's campaign, but it's striking that the governor of a swing state, who was encouraged to run for governor by Obama himself, has yet to offer a formal endorsement. 

It appears Hickenlooper doesn't want to stain his brand with the unpopular Obama. He'll be glad to raise cash for the President, but a public endorsement forces him to publicly pick sides and become political — something the governor has tried to avoid doing at all cost. 

Hickenlooper told the Colorado Springs Gazette in November that he was "likely to endorse" Obama, but begged off from offering a formal one when asked. And we have yet to see one offered since then.

Even more damaging than not offering an endorsement, Hickenlooper has taken to becoming the Handicapper-in-Chief of Colorado, telling Politico last July that Obama will "have a hard time" winning Colorado. He walked back that statement in September, we're sure after plenty of pressure from Chicago, saying Obama "probably can win" Colorado.

Beyond not offering an endorsement, Hickenlooper has even said he doesn't plan on stumping for Obama in Colorado (outside fundraisers that is). 

We're not sure how many political reporters out there would let their home state governor skate in non-endorsement land, but it appears Colorado's press corps isn't interested in pinning down the Guv. Which is why our counter remains up — as a reminder of an inconvenient fact unreported by the MSM. 

When Hickenlooper finally does endorse Obama we'll be glad to remove the counter, but while Chickenlooper continues to hide, it stays up.


 

CHICKENLOOPER COUNTER: How Long Will Governor Hickenlooper Hide From Endorsing Obama?

Published on February 10, 2012 by

In an effort to draw attention to a meme that we feel has been entirely missed by the press in Colorado, we have added a new tool to our site. On the upper right side of the page, you can now find our handy dandy "Chickenlooper Counter" that counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds since President Obama filed for re-election and Governor Hickenlooper has hid from endorsing his campaign.

According to the Federal Election Commission, Obama filed for re-election on April 4, 2011 at 11:51 am. In the 312 days since, Governor Hickenlooper has steadfastly refused to endorse Obama's campaign. 

He told the Colorado Springs Gazette in November that he is "likely" to endorse Obama, but refused to do so when given the opportunity. He also told the Gazette he has no plans to stump for Obama's campaign, claiming his public speaking skills aren't up to the job.

While we don't doubt that an endorsement will come eventually, Hick has his eyes on 2016 after all, it's incredibly interesting to us that he hasn't already.

Obama has already made three campaign stops in Colorado, giving ample time and opportunity to Guv Hick to bestow his blessing on the President's re-elect, yet he hasn't. 

Maybe that's because as Hick told Politico last July, he thinks Obama will "have a hard time" winning Colorado. 

As readers of this site know, Hickenlooper doesn't exactly have a reputation for sticking his neck out on issues that don't enjoy broad public support. 

There's a reason he's earned the nom de guerre "Chickenlooper."

Hick may have avoided taking sides last year during the Prop 103 tax increase debate, but it will be considerably harder to steer clear of the 2012 Presidential campaign, especially as Colorado is likely to be one of the few states that decide the whole race.

Even a smooth operator like Hick can't hide from that.

The question is just how long his hiding will continue. 


 

TO BE DETERMINED: Hickenlooper’s New Group Underscores His Reluctance To Take Positions

Published on January 9, 2012 by

When we charge Governor Hickenlooper as a "finger in the wind" politician, or one afraid to take a position on the big issues, aka Chickenlooper, things like Hick's new initiative called TBD Colorado only underscore our point.

TBD Colorado, which stands for To Be Determined Colorado, is described by Ed News Colorado as "the administration's planned initiative to gather public opinion on the challenges facing Colorado and how to deal with them."

Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia described it to Ed News, saying “the idea was the governor’s, but he does not have an outcome in mind. We don’t want people to think we are advocating for any particular course of action.”

Of course not! Why would people think the Governor would actually advocate for any particular course of action? That would be leadership. 

In other words, Hick is now using taxpayer funds to make sure he makes the politically sound move on policy. It also means that Hickenlooper is basically admitting he won't take a position on a policy until he knows where public opinion resides on the issue. 

Under former one term Governor Bill Ritter it would have been leadership by Blue Ribbon Commission.

Hickenlooper, it appears, prefers leadership by polling and focus group. If an issue doesn't seem overwhelmingly in Hick's favor, he will ignore it. 

Last year, it was Hickenlooper hiding from taking a position on Prop 103. 

Last week, it was Hickenlooper hiding from taking a position on the Olympics.

In typical Hick fashion, rather than say "yes or no" to an idea, instead he hides behind the vail of "weighing his options" — which is code for "waiting for poll results."

At some point, Hickenlooper will have to be held to account for his opinions. Even those on the left are willing to go on record with The Denver Post to air their complaints about Hick's reluctance to lead.

Can’t take a position on hosting the Olympics? What’s next from the Governor, a hedge on Mom and Apple Pie? Everything with Hickenlooper it appears is "to be determined."  


 

‘CHICKENLOOPER’ LIVES: Bipartisan Agreement That Governor Hickenlooper Hides From Tough Tests

Published on January 2, 2012 by

When the Peak and Liberal Loon Carol Hedges agree, one of two things is happening: the end of the world is upon us, or you've found yourself an indisputable fact. In the case of Governor Hickenlooper and his penchant for hiding under the governing table it's the latter — although it could be both if the Mayans are right about 2012.  

This weekend The Denver Post published an analysis of Governor Hickenlooper's governing philosophy in his first year in office — namely that he doesn't have one. Pulling quotes from the political left and right, the consensus the Post found was that Hickenlooper hides from controversy and ducks most issues that would require taking a position that doesn't poll over 60%.  

From the article by Tim Hoover:

[O]bservers across the political spectrum say the Democratic governor's luck — or skill as many call it — at avoiding controversies can't last forever. Hickenlooper is still presiding over a state in the throes of its worst budget crisis since the Great Depression, and he's facing a 2012 legislative session many are expecting to be a massive partisan brawl.

Or to sum up Hick's style in his first year in office in one word, as we have done here at the Peak and the Post article quotes: Chickenlooper.  

In the article Hick pushes back against this narrative, complaining to Hoover, saying, "where is it in the rule book that you have to always take a side and be part of these divisional arguments?"  

Governor…you ran to be the man in the arena….so get in it.    
On the left Hick gets a kick in the shins from state Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and Liberal Loon Carol Hedges, who both exhibit a bit of exasperation with Hickenlooper's ability to govern with the least bit of leadership possible.  

"I think people will expect him to be a little more proactive in introducing an agenda," whined Shaffer.  

Annoyed that Hick avoided taking a position on the $3 billion proposed tax increase known as Prop 103, Liberal Loon Carol Hedges cried about his continued tactic of silence on the big issues, asking rhetorically "how long can that go on?"  

Hick's leadership MO even earns a bit of snark by liberal Denver Post columnist Ed Quillen who said in an article making predictions for 2012:  

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat elected in 2010, will be rumored to take a stand on some issue, although details will be sketchy and much speculation will ensue.

A narrative first proffered by the Peak has now become a mainstream, bipartisan view about the Governor.

While Hick may have solid approval ratings, Tim Hoover pointed out recently that his popularity is still drastically below where failed one term Governor Bill Ritter was at the same point in his tenure.

If Hick continues to hide, he may end up following the same path as Ritter — which doesn't lead towards the White House in 2016. 

 

CHICKENLOOPER NARRATIVE TAKES GRIP: Stapleton & Gessler Call Out Governor For Dodging Governance

Published on November 22, 2011 by

Secretary of State Scott Gessler and Treasurer Walker Stapleton are the latest prominent conservatives to offer a stinging rebuke of Governor John Hickenlooper's hands-off, hide-out, tuck-duck-and-cover approach to governing the state of Colorado. Stapleton and Gessler both gave a thumbs down to Hickenlooper's approach in speeches before the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University last week.

Stapleton, having never held elected office before, found the approach particularly frustrating. Per the Colorado Statesman's Ernest Luning:

“It’s dawned on me, after spending my entire life in the private sector, that politics is a strange business,” said Stapleton, cracking a bemused smile. The reason, Stapleton said, is that “the less you do, the more popular you are. Think about how backwards that is.”  

It’s not like other professions, Stapleton continued, where more ambition and accomplishments usually lead to higher stature. “In politics, as long as you can sit comfortably on the sidelines when it comes to controversial issues, you’re popular. And we have a governor who’s incredibly adept at sitting on the sidelines on consequential issues facing our state.” [Peak emphasis]

This line of criticism might be familiar to our readers, as we have been highlighting Hickenlooper's hiding for some time on these pages. From the $3 billion tax hike known as Prop 103 to Congressional redistricting, Hick has refused to even let the voters of Colorado know where he stands, let alone wade into issues that cry out for some executive leadership. 

That's led not just conservatives but liberals to complain that the Governor is being greedy with his political capital. Liberals seem to believe Hick isn't "paying his fair share" of the burden when it comes to passing liberal legislation. 

Some high profile legislators, like State Senator Greg Brophy (R-Wray), have even penned Peak columns criticizing the Governor for his weak-kneed ways.


Only two days after Brophy hit Hick for hiding on dealing with the Occupy Denver squatters, Hick and Denver Mayor Michael Han(d)cock sent in the riot police to clear the camp. Which is to say, wake up Republicans. Hickenlooper is not immune to legitimate criticism. If he's wrong, it's your duty to say so.

Like, for example, Hick's BS excuse on why he couldn't tackle the budgetary behemoth that threatens to single-handedly kill the state's spending future — Medicaid. He claimed it was illegal to curtail Medicaid spending, despite fellow Democrat New York Governor Andrew Cuomo having tackled that entitlement only a few months back. We called the Medicaid cops on Cuomo, but they told us Hickenlooper has no idea what he is talking about. It was just another excuse to avoid a tough issue. 

Remember, as Hick let slip to Washington Post conservative commentator George Will, because Colorado is a such a politically balanced state, Hick believes he gets to "avoid the big fights."

Hick doesn't get to "avoid the big fights," he has just been allowed to by too few Republicans willing to call the Governor out.

Maybe, just maybe, Republicans in Colorado have grown weary of giving our weak but popular Governor a free pass. If they stay at it, maybe the Governor will actually be forced to, you know, do something. And if he doesn't, who knows, maybe his popularity will bear the consequences.

 
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