America is Calling: Support Ken Buck

ProgressNowColorado.com has Ken Buck in their crosshairs.  The Independent, the left wing newspaper out of Colorado Springs is ridiculing Rasmussen so readers will discredit his polling data. Ken Buck's victory on Tuesday night set off a firestorm that quickly spread beyond Colorado.  As typically occurs, once election results are known, the losing camp sulks off to lick their wounds and pout for a bit.  Buck people would have done the same had Norton won.  It's normal and allowed and with the amount of passion and intensity that went into these campaigns, anything less that heartbreak would be abnormal.

It's Friday now and the sun has continued to rise each morning since Ken Buck was handed the banner of victory.  While Norton supporters have sulked, the progressive Democrats have been busy concocting a game plan to defeat Ken Buck.  Can Ken win in November?  Of course, he can.  He defied all odds by winning the primary.  He habitually ran behind in polling, fundraising, name recognition and high-profile endorsements.  The results should have been different on Tuesday night if all the typical political markers had held strong.

The enormously powerful and well-funded 527, "Grow Our Party" hand-picked Mrs. Norton and funneled millions into Colorado in the way of TV ads and mailers.  Some of their effort worked.  There were voters that changed their mind from Ken to Jane based on the ad campaign from "G.O.P."   It's time for G.O.P. to realize their efforts worked to some degree, so this is no time to pull out of Colorado. They need to mount an attack against the forces that would defeat Ken Buck.

Ken Buck has what it takes to defeat Michael Bennet.  He will be excellent in debates and he does not waiver in his positions.  He is extremely personable and likable and time and again, people he met on the stump would comment that if people actually heard him in person, shook his hand and looked him in the eye, they couldn't help but see his sincerity, integrity and deep commitment to fight for his country.  He has a very appealing demeanor; there is nothing elite or pretentious about him which is why he immediately lead the pack among the grassroots voters that are tired and frustrated with establishment Republicans.  Another common thought that echoed throughout the primary campaign was the fact that many Republicans no longer trust their county chairs and people in higher authority in the party.  After all, it was on their watch that the Republicans suffered defeats in '06 and '08.  Why keep following a game plan that is proven to fail?

Jane Norton needs to come out in a bold way and call upon all her supporters to not just stand with Ken Buck with their vote, but to donate.  This race is going to be all about money.  Ken Buck needs a war chest to strike back when lies are told and attacks are levied toward him. 

Our country is calling.  We need to replace Michael Bennet with the people's choice, Ken Buck.  He won.  He can do the job but he needs the assistance of an entire nation that understands how crucial his conservative vote is in the U.S. Senate. 

Go to www.buckforcolorado.com to donate, volunteer and get involved.  There will be another election in 6 years.  If you aren't happy with Ken Buck at that point, you have another shot at putting someone in Washington that you'd prefer.  But for now, Ken Buck is our candidate.  We can support him 100% and do our best to turn the tide of this Administration, or we can sit it out because we didn't get the candidate we wanted.  If you choose the latter, you've already cast a vote for Michael Bennet and more of Obama's progressive agenda.

Ginger Rogers Wouldn't Approve of Such Tactics

I am a supporter of Ken Buck in the U.S. Senate race. My vote for him did not come automatically or without careful study and consideration. My first instinct several months ago was to support Jane Norton. At the time, I viewed Jane as an attractive candidate, coming onto the national scene on the coat tails of Sarah Palin. I read her as a tough, gritty conservative woman. I assumed she was a woman of character, ethics, old-west integrity and a person whose handshake equals an absolute bond of truth and sincerity. I had not heard much of anything about Ken Buck, but before I signed up as a volunteer for Jane, I felt compelled to make sure I was making the right decision. I started doing some homework on Ken Buck. When he was somewhat close to where I live, I made an effort to go and listen to him. Did the same with Mrs. Norton, to be fair, and it wasnt long before I started to doubt my friends in the GOP that were coaxing me to stand with Jane. Trust them, they said, we know which candidate can win.

I had a complete change of heart one Saturday morning in late winter when I heard a woman speak at a GOP monthly meeting. It was planned as a U.S. Senate candidate forum but neither Norton nor Buck could attend.  At that time, the field was crowded with other candidates. The room was overwhelmingly full of Norton enthusiasts, including many elected officials, both local and state-wide. Well respected persons in government positions took to the microphone to endorse Jane Norton. There was one woman that had come to speak on behalf of Ken Buck. I was absolutely struck by her passion in talking to the group. She was a woman I definitely could identify with--middle class, about my age, not comfortable in such situations, no rehearsed talking points and coached public speaking--but full of a fire that I believed was the true heart and soul of the Voice of the People Movement.  Having attended many tea parties and grassroots meetings hosted by a myriad of organizations, I knew a good, solid from-the-heart appeal when I heard one, and I heard one that morning. When the meeting adjourned, I was approached by the purple t-shirts of the Norton camp, asking me to fill donation envelopes, sign up to walk precincts and just to "Stand with Jane", afterall, I was a woman--all Republican women in Colorado were automatically expected to march in lockstep. By the time I made it to my car, I was no longer a blind follower of my county GOP's pick, and I was ready to learn more about Ken Buck, the DA from Weld, County.

In May, I was one of the very fortunate folks in Colorado to be able to attend and cast votes at the GOP State Caucuses. By that point, I was fully convinced I'd vote for Ken Buck, even though I had cast a straw poll vote for Norton back in March at my neighborhood caucus.

It's been a journey of enlightenment.  That cold night in March at my local elementary school and then the high energy experience in Loveland at the State Caucuses both seem so long ago. As the heat of mid-summer and evening storms bear down on us in these final days before the Primary, I've held out hope this race would remain civil and dignified. America has had enough of lies and platitudes and disingenuous politicians. I felt all year we could do better.

I attended a very informative lecture last evening given by KUSA's Adam Schrage, co-author of "The Blueprint..." Locally, we'd been encouraged by conservative radio to hear this young man speak and learn from his research and published findings. He was, indeed, an impressive speaker and presenter. I knew in advance the actual details of how Progressives organized and snatched Colorado from the GOP. I'd read the book but hadn't heard Mr. Schrage's presentation. The one point he made that I took to heart and took home was the reality that we will never, ever have one candidate that totally and completely meets all our requirements. No one, other than ourselves, lines up exactly with all of our ideals and positions on different issues. While he was party-neutral in his discussion, he was clear that it is essential to put aside petty issues once a primary is over and stand firmly with the candidate of your party---provided you want your party to win.

I knew as I left that he was right and I was committed that come Wednesday, August 11, I was going to be 4-square behind the electorate's choice for U.S. Senate and Colorado Governor. I kept reminding myself that we must win. We must put a Republican in those seats, even though the persons filling them may not be as conservative as I or may differ on an issue or two.

I've been disappointed by the childish attacks Jane Norton has levied against Ken Buck. I expected more from her.  The behavior definitely does not line up with my ideals of ethics and sense of decency that help define my political agenda. I'm old-fashioned because I believe persons in positions of authority deserve our respect and in turn, they need to live their lives and model behavior that compells the rest of us to try and elevate our own behavior and conduct in society.  It is very discouraging to watch a political campaign use tactics and words that I wouldn't allow my family to use in our home. 

Today, I received a glossy, high-dollar campaign flyer in the mail and while I understand a candidate has no real control over campaign slurs put out by independent groups, I know that the slur presented in this flyer is something Jane herself has hammered on for over a week.

"Grow Our Party", the powerful 527 group headed up by Bill Bloomfield, a California developer, was officially organized in March, 2010, according to an article written March 25, '10, by ABC News political correspondent, Matthew Mosk. (http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=10198868 The irony is unavoidable because Mrs. Norton has avoided her connections to Sen. John McCain for months and has tried unsucessfully to garner the support of Colorado's grassroots voters. Grow Our Party is top heavy with operatives from McCain's '08 run and now Sen. McCain is coming to Colorado to stump for Jane.  Grow Our Party hand-picks candidates and only seeks elitism in terms of the ad agencies, polling groups and other entities to associate with.  They know what's best for the Republican Party and someone like me is expected to follow their lead without question.  That's hard to do since I've been very vocal about the sorry effects Insider Politics have had on our country, especially in recent years. 

Apparently, when it was politically expedient to deny connection to John McCain other than being friends, Mrs. Norton did so, but now she needs his endorsement and the influx of money from his pals at Grow Our Party, who solicits and often collects donations in the $500,000 range. That's quite a step up for the hometown girl from Grand Junction, educated at CSU (her claim to grassroots fame).

I know Ken Buck and other candidates I'm supporting this cycle also have external special interest groups running ads, as well. But Mrs. Norton has been over the top. I've heard her at several debates. I've heard her repeatedly dodge questions during radio interviews and I've seen her lose her cool when questioned or challenged. She cannot be budged from her memorized scripts. Here's the thing that has literally broken my heart about this particular race:

"Grow Our Party" sent out this fancy flyer today which has a '50's era woman on the cover saying, "Whoa! Aren't we past this?" Inside, the memory of Ginger Rogers is invoked with the statement, "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels."  I've heard that comment alot and I've always wondered what Ms. Rogers would say about it.  She made a career out of dancing with Fred Astaire and she valued his friendship and the fact that worked so well together.  She could have danced entirely alone and had as much fame and fortune, but she knew the two of them together were even better.  The flyer is cutsy and clearly aimed at undecided women voters, but for me, it had the opposite effect. 

Anyone with any political knowledge of this race knows the reference being made. Jane Norton made some off-handed comment about her high heels, and later Ken Buck made a comment, also off-handed and done with humor. It's been a gold mine for the Norton camp, who failed to encourage "Grow Our Party" to include in this flyer the fact that a woman in Norton's camp recently went on record as saying something to the tune of, "It's time to sex up this campaign." They also fail to mention that the upper tier of Buck's campaign staff is all women. This smear campaign ad goes on to state, ...Ken Buck says the only reason to vote for him is because he doesn't wear high heels. They complete the lie by noting that his "disdain for women is obvious."

Jane Norton's husband hired Ken Buck many years ago. Did she question h is 'disdain' for women back then?   Does Jane Norton honestly think he disdains women when she sees the devotion, love and commitment he receives from his wife and daughter and that he clearly returns to them? According to Jane Norton and the big-money team in Washington, D.C., that has hand-picked her for the Senate, Ken Buck is not fit for about anything, yet as a concerned citizen of Colorado, I had not previously heard her complaints and concerns about him in his public service life. 

As Sean Hannity says, it's the silly season right now in politics. Our country faces so many horrific challenges. We have problems that I never expected to see within the borders of this country in my lifetime. Jane Norton and her camp have resorted to petty politics as usual. Win at any cost. Defame and demoralize a good man and his family. Whatever it takes. She is a woman with a vision of a long career in politics. She is propped up now by the power players in D.C., even though she has repeatedly denied associations of that sort all along.  Her agenda is clear. Voters are also clear in what we want and what we will and will not accept anymore; our kids are watching all of this and the bar should have been set higher.  This is not behavior moms of most young girls would endorse and hold out as an example for their child to follow.

The results will be in come Tuesday night. Colorado will have spoken and we'll know which candidates to unite behind and which to reject. In walking my precinct this evening, I visited with several Republican neighbors that also received that same flyer. They find it replusive, immature and one went so far as to say it's downright un-American. Mud-slinging for the sake of one's own political advantage doesn't rate too high these days. Our opponent is Barack Obama and his Congress.  Folks are so tired of it and the nasty ads that a debate in Pueblo has been cancelled because citizens simply don't want to sit through it anymore.

I have asked repeatedly to be taken off of Jane Norton's phone, email and mailing lists. I wish the cost of that flyer that came today had been donated to a disabled vet instead.  If I'd gotten a small notice that said money that might have been used to attack Ken Buck had instead been donated to a Veteran's Home, my opinion of Jane Norton would have really improved--alot.  Up until today, I was sure that if Jane Norton was the candidate on the November ballot, I'd put aside my feelings and vote for her. The young man giving the lecture last night also encouraged it: vote for the party candidate because you never get everything you want anyway.

After getting the mail today; however, I have new questions. What about personal integrity? What about decency and Christian charity?  What about taking responsibility for your behavior and keeping in mind you have an obligation to set a good example for kids and people we'd love to coax into the Republican Party?  What about expecting a fellow Colorado woman to be above petty, sophormoric, unbecoming behavior? How does a person reconcile your vote when one candidate resorts to behavior you could not accept in your family, church or place of employment?

Ken Buck's chances are now in the hands of the Lord. Only He knows whom He will bless with a win on Tuesday and whom He has deemed as the standard-bearer for us in November. I can overlook a few policy differences. I'm not so sure I can forgive an utter betrayal of common decency and treating one's fellow man with respect and dignity.

Promises, Promises

Hillary Clinton's statements on the Israeli flotilla situation might well have been replaced with, "blah, blah, blah."  I'd recommend you watch the YouTube video of her formal statement but it's so full of boring platitudes, all of which could easily have been extracted from the speeches made during her husband's Israeli-Palestinian peace talks way back when.   "We will continue to work with both parties", "We are committed to a resolution", "An agreement must support a 2-state solution", etc.  What Hillary had to say was far less telling than her facial expressions and body language.  Secretary of State Clinton looked more like Mrs. Bill Clinton as her eyes and weary countenance seemed to reveal a deeper personal concern beyond the issue in Israel.  One has to wonder what Mrs. Clinton knew about her husband's role in the job offer scandal regarding Sestak.  Does she anticipate yet another political quagmire involving her husband and the onslaught of negativity toward her own political ambitions?  Her tone and her demeanor seemed to reveal a person with many regrets.  Did she get  promised something if she would drop out of the presidential race, and if so, did the pedaler deliver on the promise to her full satisfaction?  Does the implication of her husband in another shady deal send a blow to any last and final hope of gaining the presidency for herself?  Does she resent her present job as her expressions insinuate? No matter how it's sliced, the Sestak situation serves up a distasteful morsel with a bad aftertaste that continues to linger.  Too many questions swarm this matter for it to go away.  No matter how many WH gala's such as last night's love fest with Paul McCartney, created to help change the subject,  the informed voter in this country still demands answers.  If there wasn't really a job offer and if this entire mess is so insignificant, why then, did Mr. Sestak even bring it up in the first place?  If  insignificant, why did his brother get inserted into the conversation? What promise, if any, did Arlen Specter get if he'd switch parties and support Obama initiatives?  Afterall, it seems more trendy these days to simply go Independent if you truly want to save your skin in an election.  The relationship of Barack Obama and his wife with the Clinton's has never been one of warmth and mutual admiration and respect.  Why was Bill Clinton put into the mix and why did he show up last week at the White House for lunch and glad-handing with a soccer team?  The 'official' WH statement on the Sestak deal immediately followed Mr. Clinton's chat with the president.  Was there another deal cut and another promise made?

What has transpired in terms of promises made and promises kept here in Colorado and our Senate race continues to unfold. Does Romanoff's released statements about it help him or give the nod to Bennet?   Has Mr. Romanoff gotten WH direction in terms of his released statement, or has he gone out on his own?

 Former Gov. of IL, Rod Blagojevich (a.k.a. "Hot Rod", as then Sen. Obama liked to refer to him back in their good buddy days when Obama stumped for Blago's re-election) says he has lots of information relevant to his defense, but he can't find a single judge in IL that will allow it as evidence.   If Blago was unique in that no one else involved used corrupt practices in trying to determine whether Valerie Jarrett, Jesse Jackson, Jr., or Blago himself would fill Obama's Senate seat, why didn't they blow the whistle on him right away?  Rahm Emanuel has been subpeoned to testify.  Will he do so, or will he be exempt from answering questions in that deal also?  What did the president and also Dick Durbin know, and when did they know it?

California's Republican Representative, Darrell Issa, summed things up well yesterday when he stated that these matters must be thoroughly investigated because whether its a Democrat or Republican White House in charge, these tactics are slowly robbing the voting public of any input as to whom runs for office. I agree that our primary system is in jeopardy because politicians with power and high ranking officials in the parties are circumventing the law by making deals and encouraging people to run that fit their agenda.  Promises made and deals cut behind closed doors remove the voting public from the process.  If this type of corruption isn't exposed and stopped, the average American will no longer be able to identify and support candidates for primary elections.  True representatives of the people will never make it to primary ballots.  Instead, we will continue to see the public sold a bill of goods on persons that we otherwise would not have selected to run for office.

Ken Buck's Grassroots Appeal

Memorial Day weekend in Colorado Springs should include a stroll down Colorado Blvd in Old Colorado City,taking in the food and frivolity of Territory Days.  The oldest city in the Pikes Peak Region, Old Colorado City was selected as the first territorial capitol of Colorado in 1861, although its reputation for being a rowdy place for gold miners and disputes among several area Indian tribes facilitated moving the capitol shortly thereafter. On Saturday, Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, Ken Buck, walked the streets of Old Colorado City, visiting with locals and tourists alike.  The Weld County District Attorney was right at home in this historic community which reflects a true flavor of the Old West.

We were able to meet Ken Buck and hear him answer questions from other passersby about the economy and the general direction the country is heading.  Our distinct impression was that he's alot more about listening than simply dominating conversation with talking points and platitudes.  The street noise was much as it may have been back on a Saturday night in the Gold Rush Days, yet Mr. Buck leaned into to hear what people needed to tell him.  He looks people in the eye and extends a confident handshake.  We heard him ask people what issues matter to them right now and how their families are coping with the current economic climate.   He listened intently as people talked about being unemployed or having returned recently from overseas military duty.  In between smiles and shared humor, a sobering expression would quickly come over his face as he learned about a very difficult situation a person is having.

As Ken Buck strolled through the huge crowd, meeting and talking with people from all walks of life, all ages, all political persuasions and all economic backgrounds, he was definitely quite comfortable being amongst the cross section of people that make up the great state of Colorado.  His demeanor, as well as his stand on conservative issues  are clearly playing a big part in his popularity with the grassroots and tea party constituents.

Let's Redistribute Los Sols' Wealth

A brilliant marketing campaign was undertaken yesterday in Arizona in response to the bravery of Gov. Jan Brewer and her State Legislators.It's probably prudent to acknowledge first of all that the rage over the Arizona illegal immigration law would not be nearly as boisterous if Gov. Jan Brewer were not a Republican.  This issue isn't about race for most Americans; it's about abiding by our existing laws.  Conversely, for most in the Democrat Party, the entertainment industry and professional sports teams, it's about their disdain for the Right Wing, hatred of Tea Party goers and a lust for making money off of a crisis. Rev. Al Sharpton supported capitalism yesterday by helping buy up newly printed game jerseys for the Arizona Suns.  Arms linked, Rev. Al and his collection of community agitators walked the streets of Phoenix to protest the opinion of most Americans that we need strict enforcement of our immigration laws; that we can no longer afford to provide expensive entitlements for millions of people not legally here, and we certainly can no longer tolerate the flow of dangerous criminals threatening our safety.  Never letting a crisis go to waste, Rev. Al and all the folks demanding equal rights for non-citizens probably did not offer their sympathy to the rancher recently murdered on his own property by illegals, and I haven't seen him marching in Denver offering solace to the families of Colorado residents murdered at the hands of persons here illegally.  This recent display of Rev. Al's compassion and demand for justice is the typical  one-way street, and yet he believes himself to be someone to be revered.  At least he got a really cool new basketball jersey for his effort.

MSNBC is gleeful this morning because the Suns' won their game last night over the Spurs and they weren't subtle in suggesting those "Los Suns" jerseys had something to do with it.  God is at work, even on the basketball court.  Surely, there was Divine Intervention sent to strike down the work of evil doers that wish to see law, order and justice maintained while blessings abound for those entrepreneurs making lots of money off the new jerseys and such.

The Chicago White Sox organization doesn't want to show up at play-off games in Phoenix, the Suns' have made their political statement, the Denver School District isn't going to confiscate tax dollars to send administrators to expensive retreats and seminars in Arizona and elected officials across the country ranging from the lowliest city council member to the man holding the highest office in the land all are linking arms in solidarity with Rev. Al.   Just last week the President stated he didn't think Congress has the stomach right now to tackle immigration reform, but this morning after that invigorating win by Los Sols', Mr. Obama has found his own stomach tonic and is ready to rumble, saying he's going to hope for some change in immigration policy before the end of this year. 

It would be nice for the Phoenix Suns' to lead by example.  Why not allow anyone to walk into a game without having a ticket?  If I showed up and said I didn't have a purchased ticket but I want to exercise my human right to enjoy the game and fruits of others' labor, shouldn't I be allowed to walk right in?  Wouldn't it be discrimination and profiling if I were denied admission simply because I didn't have the money to pay and I look suspiciously like a person that might go to a Tea Party?   Why continue to require persons to go through security clearance and make sure they aren't carrying a weapon?  Isn't that a violation of civil rights?  Why not  invite all to imbibe and eat as much as they wish at concession stands without having to pay and make sure all the high-priced souvenirs are free for the asking?  Last week the President asked how much money do people really need to make anyway, and it seems fitting and proper for the well paid basketball players in Phoenix to step up first with an answer.  Let their answer be that they make too much money, they should no longer collect royalties for the use of their names or faces and let's just all take what we need and want because as long as we have rich athletes and overpaid, ridiculously wealthy Hollywood stars willingly donating their fortunes, why should the common man work hard to save up for a ticket to a big game?  Why shouldn't tickets for professional sporting events and movies be free?  Why should hardworking, middle class families be expected to pay for beer and hot dogs at the ballgame and why should a child living in a low income housing project not have a closet full of pro team jerseys at no cost?

 The idea won't work because some wet blanket tea party-type will spoil the fun by pointing out that if everyone doesn't pay their way into a game or movie and support the people selling food and soveniors, eventually those industries will collapse and cease to exist.  Hollywood stars and music icons won't work hard to entertain us for very long if they aren't paid for their effort, and pro athletes won't amaze us with their God-given talent if they don't get a nice paycheck in return.  Darn.  It sounded like a really good plan there for awhile.

Whether its actor Russell Crowe that spoke out yesterday that he's all in favor of redistribution of wealth (his wealth  made off his new Robin Hood movie excluded, no doubt), the Phoenix Suns or Al Sharpton, they will make all the politically correct noise they can but as is always the case in the Land of Liberalism, its YOUR money and MINE they intend to redistribute.  They'll throw a few bucks here and there for charity while Entertainment Tonight camera's are rolling, but rest assured, they will hold onto the bulk of THEIR wealth.  The rules only apply to the average taxpayer trying to care for his own that is the target.