Two of the Democratic donors who helped fund their party’s takeover of the Colorado statehouse in 2004 are setting their sights on the open 7th Congressional District seat.
Republican candidate Rick O’Donnell has been targeted by a group called Too Extreme for Colorado – one of those private 527 groups that operate independently to raise and spend “soft” money.
The group has paid for television ads attacking O’Donnell on Social Security, and you can expect more of them to hit the airwaves soon.
Too Extreme For Colorado recently received a cash infusion from Tim Gill and Pat Stryker, according to Federal Election Commission documents. Gill, a gay- rights activist who made his cash in the computer software industry, chipped in $100,000, while Stryker, the granddaughter of the founder of a medical-supply manufacturer, donated $80,000.
The 527 then quickly turned around and gave RBI Strategies of Denver $99,000 and $61,000 for an anti-O’Donnell media buy, according to the FEC.
Don’t feel too bad for O’Donnell. President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and House Speaker Dennis Hastert all have been here to raise money for his race.
O’Donnell faces Ed Perlmutter, a former state lawmaker.
Writing for a Newt Gingrich publication in 1995, O’Donnell called for the end of Social Security, saying it was time to “slay the largest government ‘entitlement’ program of all.” Even though O’Donnell now says that was a youthful mistake, it has given Democrats plenty of campaign grist. You wouldn’t think they’d have to stretch the truth. However, the ads paid for by Too Extreme suggest O’Donnell favors “privatizing” Social Security, which he adamantly denies.
Winter hoping for spillover
Democrat Bill Winter is battling a fierce Republican voter registration edge in his bid to unseat GOP Congressman Tom Tancredo, but he’s hoping an apparent anti-incumbent wave sweeping the country will help. He may need a tidal wave because he won’t have much cash for the fight.
Winter figures he’ll raise about as much money as his party’s 2004 nominee, Joanna Conti. She collected about $827,000, but that included $180,000 in loans and contributions from herself. Even if Winter takes in some $650,000, Tancredo already has collected well over $1.2 million and has extremely high name recognition.
The Democratic Congressional Committee won’t play in his race (they’ve reserved television time in the 4th and 7th congressional district races), but Winter hopes some of the anti-Republican buzz from those ads boosts him as well, since they’re in the same TV market.
Paccione breaks record
Speaking of the 4th, Democrat Angie Paccione recently became the first Democrat to ever raise more than $1 million in that district. And she did it without help from the DCCC or Emily’s List, a national feminists group, or, as she points out, help from U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, the titular head of the party.
Two weeks ago it was noted in this column that the DCCC hadn’t listed Paccione among their “Red to Blue” candidates. The program funnels cash and support to “the strongest Democratic candidates across the country,” according to its website. Last week, however, Paccione received that designation and could net up to a quarter of a million in funding. “It’s huge,” Paccione said. The DCCC had $34.8 million cash on hand at the end of August.
Still, two days later, The Cook Political Report had yet to move the seat from its “likely Republican” designation. Paccione faces Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, a two-term incumbent. The two will square off in a debate Oct. 24 at Windsor High School.
McGreevey comes to town
Former New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey, who shocked the political world in 2004 when he announced he was a “gay American,” will be in town Oct. 9 to sign his new book “The Confession” as part of the Denver Press Club’s Bookbeat Luncheon. For reservations, call 303-571-5260.
Dan Haley (dhaley@ denverpost.com) is a member of The Post’s editorial board. Read the Haley’s Comment blog at denverpostbloghouse.com/haley.
