The sport of politics took center stage Wednesday night at a Cherry Creek sports bar as a mix of roughly 50 area Republicans, independents and libertarians gathered to watch the GOP presidential debate.
Drinking games commenced — each time a candidate said “jobs,” everyone had to take a sip of beer — as the eight candidates took to the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif.
The overall consensus was that Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and Rick Perry, the current governor of Texas, are the clear favorites in the pack vying to face President Barack Obama next year.
Obama won Colorado by about 9 percentage points in the 2008 presidential race.
Regina Thomson, an Aurora Republican, said she is undecided on the candidate that she feels is best to beat Obama.
“We’re not at a point yet where we’ve shaken out the candidates that are going to drop out, and I’m really not sold on any one of them,” Thomson said. “I want a strong constitutional conservative who really wants to operate the country from the rule of law.”
When pressed on what candidate most fits that persona, Thomson said Herman Cain is close, although she admitted it was unlikely that the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza would emerge from the GOP field.
Two issues that Santiago Valenzuela wanted to hear the candidates speak on were comprehensive immigration reform and the economy.
“I want to hear about immigration reform that allows peaceful people who are here to work, stay here lawfully and have a path to citizenship,” he said.
“I’m also looking for a jobs plan that gets the government out of our business to allow job creators to do their thing,” said Valenzuela, who is unaffiliated.
Between Romney and Perry, the two candidates Valenzuela envisions will prevail, he likes Perry.
“Romney with his whole public health care thing in Massachusetts, I just can’t support anyone who has done that,” he said.
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655, klee@denverpost.com or
