Efforts to be nice are shoveled aside
So much for playing nice.
The gubernatorial candidates each unveiled “positive” new ads last week – a typical step to soften the sharp edges exposed during a hard-fought political campaign.
Trouble is, neither guy wasted too much time being positive.
In the announcement of Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez’s new ad, the candidate praised himself for being “willing to face problems head-on and admit when he’s wrong, compared with Bill Ritter, who always shifts blame, points fingers and avoids responsibility for his poor judgment.”
Democrat Bill Ritter’s campaign showed no mercy.
Soon after announcing its own self-described “positive” ad, Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer mocked Beauprez, who stands next to a horse’s hind end in his latest ad.
“Today is not a good day for Congressman Beauprez,” Dreyer said. “The president didn’t come through in a big way on fundraising. The congressman is facing a criminal investigation. And he’s standing next to the back side of a horse in his latest ad. Not a good day at all.”
A sleepy slip?
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was effusively praising Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter last week when he slipped over his own tongue.
Into his litany of reasons to support Ritter, Hickenlooper added: “He picked a wonderful, talented woman for his vice presidential campaign in Barbara O’Brien.”
Um, vice presidential? interrupted a reporter.
Hickenlooper smiled and pleaded talking while drowsy.
“You know, I have a son,” the mayor said. “I have sleep issues.”
Rooting out costs
Add hair to the topics in the bitter 4th Congressional District.
Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave’s campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission over her opponent’s use of campaign money for pre-campaign coiffing.
On July 27, Paccione spent $244.02 at an undisclosed salon and on Sept. 11 she spent $180 at an Aurora salon, according to a quarterly campaign report filed Friday with the FEC.
Paccione contends the expenses are legitimate because they were incurred before appearances at a fundraiser and a news conference.
Mag rolls over two
Not like they were going for the Alice in Chains vote anyway, but two of Colorado’s Republican congressional members get a thumbs down from Rolling Stone magazine.
The magazine lists 6th District Rep. Tom Tancredo, and Musgrave among the 10 worst congressional members in the nation. The magazine labels Musgrave as the Christian Soldier and Tancredo as Mr. Bigotry.
THE WEEK AHEAD
On Monday at noon, Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez and Democratic former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter will debate again. The host is the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry. The event will be at the Westin Tabor Center, 1672 Lawrence St.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, a potential Democratic presidential contender, will be in town Tuesday for a book signing and campaign rally for 7th Congressional District candidate Ed Perlmutter. Obama’s latest book is “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.” The book signing will take place at the Tattered Cover in LoDo at noon. Tickets are available at 11 a.m.
