Coloradans joined the nation and began pulling back the gains made by Democrats on the national scene over the past two election cycles, but in the U.S. Senate race, it remained too close to call.
Nationally, the GOP rout far exceeded the traditional midterm reshuffling of seats and is remarkable for the deference shown non-establishment candidates.
Voters demanding fiscal discipline punished Democrats for the mushrooming deficit spending and a federal government deemed no longer responsive to the people.
But the close Senate race in Colorado suggests Democratic state dominance of recent years hasn’t fully waned. The closeness of the race also underscores the amateur campaign waged by Ken Buck, the Weld County district attorney.
The social and fiscal conservative fell victim to a slew of his own mistakes.
Sen. Michael Bennet, appointed in 2009, ran a smart and withering campaign fueled by unbelievable amounts of campaign cash, including significant outside donations.
Buck made several gaffes and he was forced to revise positions made during his primary race, where he relished his status as a darling of the Tea Party movement. Bennet seized on these mistakes with a precision rarely seen.
The Democrat’s campaign also ran ads we deemed unfair. The overall character-assassination attempt made against Buck will leave him damaged, should he prevail.
GOP victories in Colorado’s congressional races also send a clear message that voters believe Democrats in Washington have overreached.
Republican state House minority whip Cory Gardner soundly defeated Congresswoman Betsy Markey, and Republican businessman and state lawmaker Scott Tipton appeared to be on his way to besting Rep. John Salazar — a Democrat in office since 2004 and the brother of Obama’s Interior Department secretary.
Democratic Congressman Ed Perlmutter won the other highly watched race, beating Republican Ryan Frazier, an up-and-comer whose prior political experience thus far rests in the Aurora City Council.
The election begins a new chapter for our nation, but the newcomers who enter the fray will face a daunting array of fiscal, domestic and international problems. Voters, according to exit polls, blame both parties for our woes — something these newly elected Republicans would be wise to keep in mind.
We supported Bennet, but we did so hoping he would be sincere in his promise to rein in spending and better prepare our nation for a secure and productive future. We also think Buck would be a reliable vote for fiscal discipline.
The challenges our country faces remain daunting. We hope this new freshman class in Congress begins to chip away at them.
