DISQUS

Observer · 2 years ago

Irony or hypocrisy? Waak came into power on Mike Miles' "Be the Change" wave.  Those folks lambasted Chris Gates for allegedly supporting Salazar over Miles in the 2004 US Senate primary, and such criticism was the basis for Waak supplanting Gates as chair of the party.  Now that she's in power, she seems to be doing exactly what Gates was accused of, but much more nakedly.

NonDemProg · 2 years ago

Bad idea Is this really the best way for the Democratic Party to connect with the growing number of independent voters? Is this the best way to treat their own party members?

I think they would be more successful (and true to Democratic/progressive values) if they said, "We want the best candidate that the most people support," rather than "We've selected the best candidate and he is the one people should support.

John H Kennedy · 2 years ago

Voters must ask Mark Benner to run against Udall or lose all We Voters must encourage Mark Benner to run against Udall or lose all on issues near and dear to us. Party elites have for years tried to dismiss, denigrate and demean the huge Liberal Base of the Democratic Party simply because they felt it was easier to win as Republican Lite. This election will be no different unless We Voters support challengers to our entrenched Democratic office holders in all Senate and Congressional races.

Whether you are for single payer, Congressional investigations of Bush and Cheney or impeachment or any other solidly (d)emocratic issue the Party leaders will probably suppress debate. The only way to insure debate of the issues you and I care about is to ask for primary challengers to step up and run against Democratic incumbents. This will force debate of issues and cause a tremendous amount of press for these issues and for both candidates.

Mark Benner, a teacher from Anton, Colorado is considering running against Udall in the primary. Benner is a 54 year old teacher and a dedicated Democratic Party activist. His long history of service includes being a member of the Colorado Democratic Executive Committee and State Committee. He is prominent in the Progressive wing of the Party being a representative of the State Chapter of Progressive Democrats Of America. He is also Chair of the Washington County Democrats .

He plans to run on the issues. Issues important to him include the environment, torture, withdrawal from Iraq, and holding Bush and Cheney accountable with investigations and impeachment if warranted.

He is being pressured by Democratic Party elites not to run. He will need your support to buck the system. Call and encourage him.

I am a 42 year Democratic supporter. I am a (L)iberal. I believe a challenger could very possibly potentially siphon enough votes from Udall to force him to move left on the issues.

We of the Democratic Base have one chance in Colorado for the next eight years to open up the discussion of issues. If the Democratic Party elites choices for candidates obtain office without having to justify their actions and positions on issues now there will be no talking to them later about any issue. Their arrogance will know no bounds.

Note to Mark Benner: Mark, please don't let them dissuade you from running. You can do this with committed folks like myself backing you up. The issues need airing. I hope you have made a decision to run. If you have decided not to run I hope you will reconsider.

We need you. The Country needs you. Run!!!

My personal number one issue is having Congressional investigation of Bush and Cheney and accountability (in the form of Impeachment if warranted by the facts).

To know more about Colorado's Impeachment effort

Google "Colorado impeach"

John H Kennedy

Denver CO

smpalmer · 1 year ago

Concur w/ Kennedy about Benner + Any PDC gathering at state assembly? I concur w/ John Kennedy's points about Mark Benner's run for US Senate. I recall being disheartened by a couple of Udall's votes...Seems to be another example of the longer you're in Congress, the less backbone you have because of so many years of calculating the effect on campaign donors...We need to get back to civil deliberation on the issues (w/out breaking the bank) instead of avoiding them for fear of being branded a "divider."

Is there any PDC gathering planned to occur in conjunction with the state assembly in May?