Two big stories for tonight’s discussion.
Before we get to tomorrow night’s Caucus, Friday’s story must be noted. Kosserian RockyMtnHigh covered this on Friday in case you missed it, and if you’re in CO, you probably have read about it sufficient to inform. I want to add just a bit from the perspective of being in the gallery for the morning (the vote happened after 4pm).
When one gets involved in local politics, it’s a small circle. In that community that mixes staffers and aides with party officers and super volunteers, trust is a big deal. When it’s harassment, abuse, or violence, that is of course an even bigger deal, so big that for example letters from anonymous victims were read by trusted Representatives in the well, as in that time they still had cause to fear for not only their careers but their personal safety. The impact of the climate of fear generated by the behavior of not only Lebsock but other electeds (both named and those yet unnamed) was completely present in full, raw, emotional, wrenching form. The tension writhed openly during personal testimonies. The full extent of retributive personal interactions was laid bare, a psychic wound. Voices quavered and shook as they delivered their truth. Representatives told their own stories of harassment and abuse, & fear of retaliation.
Those in the gallery mostly wore black, and we stood for each victimized woman’s story. We quietly clapped and nodded; we muttered and whispered “what bullshit” among ourselves. And at the start of the day, it was not at all clear or known that the motion would pass, as it required a 2/3 majority. But as the day went on and the testimony grew and mounted and aggregated, it gained its own momentum. As each Representative whose position was not known took the podium and spoke, moving into the affirmative column, the tide shifted. When Republicans began to speak in favor of expulsion—with misgivings about due process or procedure, and one typically partisan attempt to redirect the proceedings toward an investigation of the Speaker of the House (promptly voted down)—the shift gained more momentum. A vote that began the day in doubt ended after hours of deeply personal discussion as a 52-9 mandate that the business of the People’s House MUST be conducted with care, concern, and respect, and that its members MUST be held to the highest standard.
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It’s hard to follow that with Tuesday night’s Caucus. However, like the news, we don’t get to postpone or reschedule that either, and next Monday is too late. I have hopefully answered some questions about process in my previous two Open Threads in February, so maybe this can be the Open Thread portion of the program. At Caucus, delegates are elected to County (and in some cases directly to State) Assembly as representing a candidate for Governor. These Assemblies will almost all happen on the Saturdays of March 17 and 24, starting at about 8 and ideally wrapping up by 2 or 3. If you are able to attend on your County’s Assembly date (this information will be available at your caucus), I encourage you to run as a delegate, to get involved in your County Party. You’re not voting for a Gov. candidate; you are simply representing them and affirming that they belong on the June primary ballot. You can change your mind, and you don’t need to feel strongly about it.
So, of the GOV candidates, I like three (all of whom are participating in the Caucus/Assembly process):
Jared Polis: I sometimes hear that we cannot elect to statewide office a GAY BOULDER LIBERAL. I disagree. Much of Jared’s district is rural, and his support there is strong. Plus, I am the first to say that GOP messaging can go fuck itself and that it’s on us to make that case FOR what we believe in. I am all for letting the GOP run on an anti-gay negatively personal message in 2018; bring it, turdmongers. When it comes to Jared, he’s the guy with the comprehensive vision for a revitalized statewide economy that prioritizes the clean energy transition and overall sustainability.
Cary Kennedy: trusted on public education, trusted on budgetary chops, trusted as an experienced administrator, former CO Treasurer Cary is more than capable of winning a statewide election again, especially with some femme mojo. Interestingly, the most likely GOP candidate now is current CO Treasurer Walker Stapleton, who defeated Kennedy in 2010 (not our best year) so the rematch angle is a fun one. For my money, Cary’s even with Jared to win the nomination in June. Noel Ginsburg: Noel started off campaigning as a political outsider and centrist businessman, at which point I felt my answer was no. However, he has since gained my full respect, both for him as a person and as a candidate. His newcomer status may be part of why he is so good at listening to people and having the kind of conversations with them that have them interested in supporting him. I am glad he is going through caucus and I hope he makes the ballot, as his perspective is good for the primary cycle.
Of course, the process is also used to nominate candidates for ALL OTHER State and local offices to the ballot, too. As a refresher, see my previous C.S.O.T. post discussing which office nominations happen at which level of Assembly. These are every bit as important as Governor, but it is the Governor race that gets you elected as a Delegate, empowering you to have your say for other candidates.
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU WILL CAUCUS: CO Dems Caucus Site Lookup Hah, I just took away your last excuse. So... I hope you’ll Caucus, get elected to things, and then Assemble! Thanks for reading!
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