Tag: 2008 Elections

A high-profile and highly costly state House race notable for its bizarre twists and turns — restraining orders requested and dropped, vows of celibacy — has taken a turn toward the ugly in the final days before Tuesday’s election.

Colorado's gargantuan ballot includes more than 14 constitutional amendments and referenda even after four measures were withdrawn on Oct. 2 by proponents after a surprise alliance of labor and business interests joined forces to oppose three anti-union amendments that remain. The Colorado Independent is putting the press to the test — we're compiling newspaper endorsements, analyzing them and then tracking the persuasive talents of editorial boards statewide.

Thousands of purged Colorado voters have no clue that they've been removed from the state's rolls. And that could make for some dramatic scenarios on Election Day tomorrow when would-be registered voters are denied a regular ballot at the polls.

With its swanky private country clubs, large estates and high per-capita income, Douglas County just south of the Denver metro area is a major Republican stronghold in Colorado. The county, which has the state's highest average median household income at $82,929, has only gone for a Democratic presidential candidate three times since 1920 — twice for FDR in the 1930s and 40s, and once for Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

Which candidates are the steak and which bring the sizzle? The Colorado Independent is putting the press to the test — we're compiling newspaper endorsements, analyzing them and then tracking the persuasive talents of editorial boards statewide on Election Day voting results.

House Democratic leaders have been working hard on behalf of Democratic challengers, showering them with money and personal attention to expand their majority and to curry favor with future colleagues. In Colorado, Democrats are working hard to help Democrat Betsy Markey defeat U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., perhaps best known outside the state as a prominent proponent of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Colorado Republican Chairman Dick Wadhams has pre-emptively conceded both houses of the state Legislature to the Democrats in what looks like an effort to drastically lower expectations for Election Day Tuesday. Leading off a Thursday interview with Channel 4, Wadhams said of his party's chances this year: "We've recruited some great candidates ... and I'm very optimistic about our chances. I don't believe we will win either house." Instead he said the goal has always been to "win control in 2010."

As Election Day approaches, PBS and YouTube have announced the creation of Video Your Vote, a site that gathers videotaped voting experiences for the world to see. PBS' Judy Woodruff invites votersto shoot "the energy and excitement, as well as any problems you may see" and share the footage on YouTube. "Some of the most compelling videos will be included in PBS's election coverage," she says.

There are 16 candidates for president on the 2008 Colorado Ballot but according to the polls, only 3% of voters are expected to read past the first two. Despite the fact that he was shut out of the debates and has been working with a relatively stingy budget, Libertarian candidate for president Bob Barr hopes they will.

Just four days before the election, Republican presidential nominee John McCain's campaign hits Colorado telephones with a new robocall that sounds almost sweet in comparison to earlier McCain calls that linked Barack Obama to domestic terrorism and questioned his patriotism. The robocall, paid for by McCain-Palin and the Republican National Committee, warns voters that the Democratic candidate's promise of change rings hollow because the Chicago politician is — well, a politician.