GOP Sore Loser Politics -- Sham Recalls Launched against Lee, Pettersen, Polis

Shortly after ending their sham recall of State Representative Tom Sullivan, Colorado Republicans signaled that they were still "window shopping" for other legislative seats to steal. Shortly afterwards, they not only filed recalls state Senators Pete Lee (SD11) and Brittany Pettersen (SD22), but they officially filed a recall effort against Governor Jared Polis as well.

 

A must read on the recalls can be found in the Associated Press, which broke down how these sham recalls have not only been tool by Republican operatives to claw back power in Colorado, but in other states as well.

Nevertheless, Republicans see it as a worthy strategy. The Colorado Republican Party started months ago offering training sessions for what GOP consultant Ben Engen calls “recall season.” Proponents can use the process to time an election and shape the electorate on their own terms, when most voters aren’t paying attention, said Engen, a Denver-based consultant who conducted some of those sessions.

For example, a petition drive can be timed to produce a special recall election during the winter holidays — taking advantage of lower turnout by unaffiliated voters who have helped turn Colorado, once a swing state, into Democratic-leaning territory, Engen said in an interview.

“There’s a drop-off in turnout from presidential to midterm elections, and the same thing between midterms and off-year elections,” Engen said. “Initiators of a recall can use the timing to maximize that enthusiasm gap.”

To Democrats, that’s essentially an admission that Republicans are using the recall not as a vehicle to oust corrupt officials, but rather as an attempt to game the system and flip seats they otherwise could not win in a regular election.

Also, if you were wondering how the signature gathering effort for Governor Polis is going... well, the organizers aren't telling anyone. Not even 9News' Kyle Clark.

The reality is that Senators Lee and Pettersen, and Governor Polis, all won their elections by double digits in November. They ran on bold, progressive platforms to move our state forward, and have done exactly what they said they were going to do. These sham recalls are just a cynical effort by Colorado Republicans to overturn the 2018 elections.

We can't let the GOP undermine democracy with these frivolous sham recalls. Visit Our Colorado Way of Life -- the issue committee that is focused on defending our Democrats -- to learn more at www.coloradoway.org. If you want to volunteer, email [email protected]!

ICYMI: Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Webinar

On Monday, CDP Executive Director Halisi Vinson hosted a really informative webinar with HR professional Jennifer Briggs on establishing a healthy and productive culture in the workplace. A culture of respect and inclusivity is critical to the success of any campaign or work environment. Jennifer is most known for her work as an HR professional with New Belgium Brewery, which was recently recognized as one of the best places to work in the country. 

This was an excellent webinar that focused on ways you can ensure that your campaign or office is upholding the highest standards of respect and inclusivity so that all feel respected, heard, and safe. Click here to watch!

Sign up for "Work for the Wave" Webinars!

Our party wouldn't be as organized and successful as it is without the talented and dedicated volunteers we have at the local levels. Want to brush up on your skills so you can help make sure Colorado goes blue in 2020? Sign up for an upcoming webinar:

August 1: People 2 People Training (Hosted by Karin Asensio and Tyler McDermott)
Want to get involved in our People 2 People canvassing program? Help us talk to voters and find out what's important to them by checking out this webinar happening next Thursday!

August 5: Volunteer Recruitment and Managemant (Hosted by Karin Asensio and Tyler McDermott)
The best and most successful campaigns often have the largest and most well-managed volunteer armies. This webinar will teach you the fundamentals of recruiting and retaining volunteers for your campaigns, and how to best management them so you're maximizing your time and theirs!

August 8: Voter Registration Training (Hosted by Julia Bristor)
One of the most important things we can do is register new voters! Learn how to do that and be able to join us at voter registration drives by checking out this webinar!

August 8: VAN Training (Hosted by Pete Williams)
Want to learn how to cut turf in VAN? Come learn techniques with our technology director so you'll know how to look up voter information, pull voter lists, and cut it into turf for your organizers!

Colorado Democrats tour Aurora ICE Facility

In what's become a weekly inspection to Aurora's ICE detention facility to hold GEO Group accountable, all four of Colorado's members of Congress traveled to our 6th Congressional District to see what, if any, improvements have been made to the conditions of the facility. This Monday, they visited a women’s dormitory at the facility, among others, in what they said was an effort to hold the private company and the Trump administration accountable for the conditions in which more than 1,200 immigrants are being held. In a press conference held after inspection, the Congressional members said the following:

"How do we want to act as a country about people presenting themselves for asylum and being shipped to places like this? That’s a fundamental question we need to answer as a country." - Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01)

"We have to have a national conversation and the Congress needs to have a conversation about whether that system comports with our sense of humanity and decency, and our status in this country as a place that welcomes immigrants." - Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02).

"The truth is, we don’t expect this administration to act and hold ICE accountable. This is a boots-on-the-ground effort to fill in those gaps of oversight and ensure we are doing everything we can to increase oversight and improve conditions at these facilities." - Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

"I never supported the private sector handling. Yeah, so, from the time I was in the state Senate, where I objected to private contractors owning our private prison facilities, I still don't think it's a good idea because there's a potential profit motive behind all of this, and that doesn't make sense to me." - Congressman Ed Pelmutter (CO-07)

Ken Buck Gets Best Answer from Robert Mueller? Thanks Ken!

Republican Congressman/Colorado GOP Chairman Ken Buck went into Wednesday's Robert Mueller hearing before the House Judiciary Committee, likely with the intention of asking questions to undercut the credibility of the Special Counsel's damning report on President Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. What happened, however, is something no one could have predicted.

In an exchange between Ken Buck and Robert Mueller, it was confirmed that not only was President Trump not charged with obstruction of justice because DOJ policy is that a President can't be indicted, but that President Trump could indeed be charged with obstruction of justice after he leaves office:

“Could you charge the president with a crime after he left office?” Buck asked.

“Yes,” Mueller replied instantly.

Buck went on: “You believe that he committed — you could charge the President of the United States with obstruction of justice after he left office?”

“Yes,” Mueller said again.

The exchange went viral, though likely not for the reasons Congressman Buck wanted.

 

We were sure to thank Congresssman Buck for asking this important question:

Be sure to share our post on Facebook and Twitter! Don't forget to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter if haven't already!

But while Congressman Buck's "massive own goal" garnered much attention, Congressman Joe Neguse of District 2 asked some very focused questions that shouldn't go unnoticed. Neguse stuck to the parts of Mueller’s report that focused on possible obstruction involving aides and family members of President Trump’s – specifically the Trump Tower meeting in which Donald Trump Jr., Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort met to obtain “dirt” on the Hillary Clinton campaign.

Neguse went on to ask Mueller about portions of his report that discuss Hope Hicks and what she knew about the meeting, as well as the statement that President Trump allegedly dictated to her after the meeting in which they lied about the purpose of the meeting, saying it was about Russian adoptions when it was really about “dirt” on the Clinton campaign.

“According to Ms. Hicks, the president still directed her to say the meeting was only about Russian adoption, correct?” Neguse asked.

“Yes,” Mueller responded.

“Despite knowing that to be untrue,” Neguse finished. “Thank you, Director Mueller,” he said as he yielded back the rest of his five minutes.

2020 Democratic Primary for President

There have been a number of candidates who have filed to run for the Democratic nomination in the Presidential campaign! We wanted to give you a recap of who either has an exploratory committee or who is running as of today -- other candidates may file in the future and we'll update accordingly. The Colorado Democratic Party is strictly neutral in primaries and won't be endorsing any of these candidates while they are running in the Democratic primary. We have a number of talented candidates to choose from, and we believe any of them could defeat Donald Trump.

(read from left, listed by alphabetical order) Senator Michael Bennet (CO), former Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Cory Booker (NJ), former Governor Steve Bullock (MT), Mayor Pete Buttigieg (South Bend, IN), former HUD Secretary Julián Castro, Mayor Bill de Blasio (New York City, NY), former Congressman John Delaney (MD), Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), former Senator Mike Gravel (AK), Senator Kamala Harris (CA), former Governor John Hickenlooper (CO), Governor Jay Inslee (WA), Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), Mayor Wayne Messam (Miramar, FL), Congressman Seth Moulton (MA), former Congressman Beto O'Rourke (TX), Congressman Tim Ryan (OH), Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), former Congressman Joe Sestak (PA), Tom Steyer, Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang.

Round 2 of Democratic Presidential Debates

The line-ups for next week's second round of Democratic Presidential Debates in Detroit have been set! You won't want to miss out on seeing this incredible group of Democratic candidates take the stage on CNN to debate our country's most pressing issues, so be sure to mark your calendar. You'll hear directly from 20 of our Democratic candidates as they share their ambitious plans to win the White House.

NIGHT ONE, Tuesday, July 30:

• Steve Bullock
• Pete Buttigieg
• John Delaney
• John Hickenlooper
• Amy Klobuchar
• Beto O'Rourke
• Tim Ryan
• Bernie Sanders
• Elizabeth Warren
• Marianne Williamson

NIGHT TWO, Wednesday, July 31:

• Michael Bennet
• Joe Biden
• Cory Booker
• Julián Castro
• Bill de Blasio
• Tulsi Gabbard
• Kirsten Gillibrand
• Kamala Harris
• Jay Inslee
• Andrew Yang

Volunteer of the Week: Julie W.