Watch Out Cory Gardner, The ‘Baggers Are Restless'

A conservative blogger at Politichicks.com describes a Republican Party public event with Sen.-elect Cory Gardner sometime last month in Highlands Ranch that apparently didn't go so well:

With about 100 people at the meet and greet, it was a standing room only event where Gardener spoke for about two minutes and then went to mingle with the crowd. [Homeschool mom Florence] Sebern stated that she and her son stood back so that senior citizens in attendance could meet the senator-elect first.

Sebern described Gardner’s departure as abrupt, leaving the impression that he felt uncomfortable surrounded by people familiar to the campaign who might have had questions on his support for the spending bill which funded President Obama’s mandate for amnesty. Sebern reported that there was no announcement for last minutes pictures or autographs, though there were several people waiting in line to see him...

- See more at: http://coloradopols.com/diary/66493/watch-out-cory-gardner-the-baggers-are-restless#sthash.1hHn9qzJ.dpuf



This behavior is nothing new to those of us in the 4th CD. Gardner has rightly earned a certain notoriety for blowing off constituents. There's a news article with a photo of him turning away from a constituent (in this case, me); I'd shown up to ask about the "re-define rape" bill he was boasting of cosponsoring, he said to make an appointment to discuss it. In spite of repeated attempts on my part, that conversation never happened with either him or anyone on his staff. At most of his pathetically rare public events he avoided anyone with cameras, not wanting to be recorded saying the stuff he says; abrupt, backdoor departures are common with him.

This is what has passed for "representation" for the district since he first went to D.C. Now he gets an entire state to dis and ignore. Don't believe me? Show up in his proximity with a camera and a question. Unless you're one of his invited guests you'll get rehearsed talking points not necessarily germane to the topic, or you will be pointedly ignored if not asked to leave.

Welcome to the 4th's nightmare, Colorado. The next six years are going to suck.

Help Wanted:

Help Wanted:

Here's a story about some very good people.

This is about the recovery efforts following last year's floods here in Colorado. The woman who introduces and closes the video is former city councilor and past chairperson of our county Dems. We have TERRIFIC people here!

Here's a story about some very good people.

This is about the recovery efforts following last year's floods here in Colorado. The woman who introduces and closes the video is former city councilor and past chairperson of our county Dems. We have TERRIFIC people here!

Happy New Year, NoColo!

And they’re off!

The inanity abides, unfortunately. As we approach the opening of the new state legislative session we are apprised (warned?) of what some of our legislators will attempt. Northern Colorado doesn’t get a pass in the OMG factor.

Unsurprisingly, new state senator John Cooke (erstwhile sheriff who was part of the engine that drove the recall of two senators for having dared, mind you, to place public safety over the demands of those who value gun rights over human life) is determined to undo the ammo magazine limitation. To his joy and our disgust, his candidacy (like Ken Buck’s) was endorsed by Ted Nugent. Further, Cooke was and continues to be supported in his efforts by the same bullet enamored “man” who found it expedient to hold a pro-gun rally across the street from a gathering memorializing those who died in the Aurora theater shooting.

Meanwhile, over in the house, Perry Buck (aka Mrs. Ken Buck) takes her seat for another term. During the recent election campaign she displayed her dazzling disconnect from all things real when she giggled about not knowing the boundaries of her own district. Face palms notwithstanding, she vows to continue her crusade to restore gun rights to certain felons (because that is absolutely at the top of every Coloradoan’s list of most important stuff, right?).

Upstream, Citizens United’s toy, ethically challenged Ken Buck, moves into Cory Gardner’s vacated House seat, thanks to gerrymandering and a large helping of state Democratic party indifference to the people of the district. Before he’s even sworn in Buck has given an acrid foretaste of his tenure by announcing his displeasure at seeing the President dining with a group of Sioux students in D.C.

Most sadly for the country, Colorado lost a senator and the Koch Brothers gained one. Lifelong environmentalist Mark Udall’s senate desk will now be occupied by ultra slick Cory Gardner whose resume includes easy vacillation between pimp and whore for extractive interests. We’ll have to make sure he doesn’t bill us for the cost of all those knee pads. It’s going to be a difficult adjustment. Udall was here often, accessible and welcoming to anyone who lives here; his staff was unfailingly welcoming and helpful. Conversely, on the rare occasion when congressman Gardner deigned to show up here he dodged and equivocated, and his staff bordered on the hostile while his local office became increasingly more difficult to access.


Some might be inclined to just chuck it all, go someplace more sane. Indeed, it’s not that far to districts with more genuine representation from the likes of DeGette or Perlmutter or Polis. So why stay? Because it’s home. The heart is here. And capitulation is just not on the menu today.