Western Democrat
The future of the Democratic Party lies in the West. In the mountains and ranchlands of the West, there are Democrats who understand real America. Out here, far from the nation's capital, there are Democrats who understand skepticism of the federal government. Out here, Americans will find Democrats comfortable in jeans and boots. In the West, we can find Democrats able to speak plainly in the language of real America. Let us look West.
Updated: 55 min 35 sec ago
The Vice Presidential Debate
Governor Palin didn’t freeze in the headlights. Senator Biden didn’t ramble on in Senate-speak. Both candidates did a good job. Both candidates beat expectations. If you liked your candidate going into this debate, you liked your candidate at the end...
Categories: Western Politics
Look me in the eye when you say that.
I didn’t see any knockout blows in tonight’s first presidential debate. I didn’t see any major gaffes. Each candidate held his ground. McCain did not look too old. Obama did not look too young. If you had your mind made...
Categories: Western Politics
The Latest Poll from Colorado
Events are moving at a rapid pace, especially on the economic front, as the 2008 election hurtles toward a conclusion. Colorado is a key state, perhaps the key state, in the election. So what does the latest polling show? Barack...
Categories: Western Politics
A chat with Howard Dean about the Western strategy
On Friday, I had a chance to chat with DNC Chairman Howard Dean. Naturally, I asked him about the Western strategy. Over at BlueOregon, Jeff Alworth (who joined me on the call) has the write-up. Here's what Dean said about...
Categories: Western Politics
Warming to Sarah Palin
Michael Moore reminds us …remember where you live. You live in a nation of gun owners and hunters. You live in a country where one out of three girls get pregnant before they are 20… Knock Palin for having kids,...
Categories: Western Politics
Colorado part 4
To recapitulate: In part one we noted that Colorado is a state that is swinging from red to blue or at least purple. In part two we noted that the growing Hispanic population is a major reason for this. In...
Categories: Western Politics
Colorado part 3
There is yet another way to look at Colorado’s electorate. Pro-life Democratic Governor Ritter sees 13% of the electorate as moral conservatives that won’t vote for even a pro-life Democrat because he is a Democrat. He sees 16% as Fox...
Categories: Western Politics
In the wake of the conventions
The GOP, the incumbent party in the White House and the party with the southern base, has put two Westerners on ticket. Outside of Alaska and Arizona, it is unclear how much difference that will make, but it will have...
Categories: Western Politics
The Denver Convention
To Denver, to the organizers of and participants in the Democratic National Convention, and to the Obama-Biden ticket I only add: well done, good show, and on to victory in November!
Categories: Western Politics
Colorado part 2
With the Front Range as a backdrop for the Democratic National Convention, this is the second of a multi-part series on Colorado. It may help the questions Why Denver and Why now? One answer is demographics. There is one clear...
Categories: Western Politics
Colorado
Western Democrat, from its beginning, noticed that moving a few Western states from red to blue would shift the electoral balance in November. The presidential contest looks very close heading into the national convention in Denver. My favorite polling sites...
Categories: Western Politics
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is a solid and reasonably centrist pick for vice-president. He is experienced and respected. Delaware isn’t Montana or New Mexico, but the knock against Senator Biden, that he speaks his mind freely, perhaps too freely, should be regarded...
Categories: Western Politics
If you don’t want to see it in print
The Aspen Times has on its masthead: If you don’t want to see it in print, don’t let it happen. The sad stories of Republican Senator Stevens of Alaska and Democratic presidential aspirant and former Senator John Edwards are recent...
Categories: Western Politics
Independence
On this 4th of July, let us ponder America’s former energy independence and our current addiction to imported oil. Before 1950 America was an oil exporting country. Imagine the strength of our economy and our leadership position in the world...
Categories: Western Politics
The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
On June 26th the Supreme Court upheld the personal right to keep and bear arms. In much of the West, this ruling will have little effect, because that right is already reflected in local laws. For example, …while many say...
Categories: Western Politics
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: House Edition
President Bush’s dismal poll numbers, the flagging economy, beset with rising energy prices in the midst of a housing crisis, and the huge number of Americans who say the country is on the wrong track, all mean that Democrats could...
Categories: Western Politics
