As soon as we read that Enron hedge funder John Arnold and his wife Laura were paying for a $4.5 million lab at the University of Denver to study good government, we had to ask – what’s in it for Democrats? The grant is technically from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and will pay for the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the Barton Institute for Philanthropy and Social Enterprise at DU. The purpose of the so-called lab, according to Colorado Politics:

“The government research partnership will help state official more fully evaluate policies and come up with ways to improve existing programs, as well as other new ways to benefit Coloradans, according to the governor’s office.”

So, this is an extension of Governor Hickenlooper’s TBD? Either way, if the Arnolds are involved, there must be a liberal campaign angle.

Over the past few years, Arnold and his wife have given over $500,000 to liberal causes here, which includes $300,000 to the pro-Amendment 66 campaign and $150,000 given to the despicable Mainstream Colorado, which reached a new low by using the murder of Jessica Ridgeway to score political points. Nationally, the Arnolds have funded some exceptionally liberal projects, including:

  • $200,000 to uber-liberal Wendy Davis‘ gubernatorial sacrifice (she lost by 20 points to the Republican candidate)
  • $2 million to ProPublica, which is a left-leaning media organization
  • Up to $5 million to each of the following organizations: ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
  • $117,800 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (compared to about $1,100 to all Republican Party organizations in total)
  • Arnold donated an amazing $1.5 million to support an effort to change the primary electoral system in Oregon to the top two vote getters in each election.
  • Up to $100,000 each to NARAL, Obama Victory Fund, and Kick the Can Telluride (a local soda tax – so odd for a libertarian to support?)
  • Up to $50,000 each to the Colorado Coordinated Campaign, and the Democratic National Committee
  • Up to $50,000 each to an assortment of left wing political candidates, including Annise Parker (the Houston Mayor on a witch hunt against pastors who disagreed with her), Rahm Emanuel (Obama’s former Chief of Staff), and more.

This is a project worth keeping an eye on PeakNation™. Seems less good government and just more government, period.