About 100 busy business executives sat down to a breakfast last week at the Denver Country Club with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter. Ritter laid out his plan for the economy and discussed business issues confronting the state.
Ray Baker, a partner of Gold Crown Management, who guided the development of Coors Field and the Broncos stadium, said Ritter did “a good job of making his point on Referendum C,” the 2005 fiscal reform measure approved by voters.
GOP candidate Bob Beauprez opposed Ref. C, even though its failure would have curtailed state higher education and transportation programs which the business community sees as vital to Colorado’s economic development. But many business leaders can support Beauprez’s flexible plan to lower taxes, said Baker, a Republican who hasn’t endorsed either candidate.
Bruce Alexander, president and CEO of Vectra Bank Colorado, co-hosted the breakfast, along with Don Kortz, Blair Richardson and Don Bailey. He said the audience was looking for straight talk, not partisan jabber. They left feeling they had engaged in a “healthy discussion” about Ritter’s plan for economic development and for investing in transportation and higher education, he said.
“If there was one message (from the audience), it was that this isn’t about partisan politics but understanding each candidate’s agenda, how to prioritize the agendas and how to do what’s right for Colorado,” said Alexander, a Democrat.
With just 78 days before the November elections, Alexander said, “It’s actually a fun time to hear the candidates.”
More hot air?
Judging by this month’s primaries, next year’s crop of state Senate Republicans will be more conservative. Sen. Greg Brophy says the new conservatives will be younger, too – largely in their 30s, compared with the over-55 crowd that now dominates the caucus. (An exception would be Rep. David Schultheis, who is 66).
Term limits are ending the careers of several veteran Republicans, including Sen. Dave Owen, who, at age 75, is the granddaddy of the bunch. So, how will the youth movement impact the Senate? “We are common-sense conservatives,” said Brophy, 39. “We are passionate about what we believe in. Debates will take longer.”
Stengel for Senate?
State Rep. Joe Stengel has finally fessed up. Last week, while attending the announcement of Beauprez’s running mate, Stengel said he’s “definitely interested” in the Senate seat that would open up if Sen. Jim Dyer wins a spot on the Jefferson County Commission. A vacancy committee would name Dyer’s replacement. It could be an easy entre into the Senate for Stengel, who was forced out of his House GOP leadership post this year after being criticized for inflating his expense report. Stengel would not have to run for election until 2008.
Make that “Pam”
Clerk and recorder candidates don’t usually get the kind of attention that Pam Anderson is getting these days. The Republican candidate is seeking the position in Jefferson County.
She’s the current clerk and recorder for the city of Wheat Ridge and happens to have a name that rings a bell – a la blond bombshell actress Pamela Anderson. At a recent parade in Evergreen, a horde of motorcyclists cheered wildly, yelled and whistled when Anderson’s name was announced. At a parade in Edgewater, there was a similar reaction from the announcer and from folks lining the parade route.
Her mom – former state Sen. Norma Anderson – said her daughter is embarrassed by the reaction but takes it in stride. “I’ve never seen Pamela Anderson. Isn’t she a blond?” the senator asked. “Pam, my daughter, is a lovely brunette.”
Julia C. Martinez (jmartinez@denverpost.com) is a member of The Denver Post editorial board.
