Dave Schultheis: Smarter than Lowe's Board?

Dave Schultheis hates immigrants.

Dave Schultheis hates foreign languages - notwithstanding the origins of his last name.

I went to Lowe's today to buy a doohickey or a thingamajiggy, I forget which, and was struck by the decisions Lowe's has made in serving their customers and increasing their shareholders' stock value: they are doing business in English and Spanish!

Their service announcements for customer help are in both languages.

Their posters proclaiming sales and thanks are in both languages:

Crezca con nosotros - Grow with us
Gracias por hacer compras en Lowe's - Thanks for shopping at Lowe's
Vernos en el proyecto siguiente - See you next project

Seems pretty simple. Even those who speak perfect English sometimes like to harken back to the language they grew up speaking. Maybe Dave has never been to Oktoberfest, eh?

I don't trust his views, though. I don't trust the ignorance. And I don't trust the denial of America's strongest values.

Who would you trust, Dave Schultheis or the Board of Directors of a multi-billion dollar company?

CD-5: Full Fawcett v. Lamborn Debate

I'm too lazy to embed it.

Colorado Pols did, go there and fire it up. And take a look at our next congressman.

CD-5: Hefley (R-Ret.) Slams Lamborn (R-Sleaze) One Last Time

Joel Hefley was one of the first victims of the Republican House Leadership's "Power over Ethics" platform.

We are seeing the logical conclusion of the decision to cling desperately to power and defend the unethical acts of your peers at all costs - even when they are breaking the law and preying on minors.

The people don't like it. And there are even some Republicans who won't play along. Joel Hefley is one of them.

After Joel held DeLay accountable one too many times he was fired from the Ethics Committee. And Tom DeLay attempted to change the rules to save his hide.

It didn't work. DeLay still had to retire and is now awaiting trial on various fraud and corruption charges and probably just being a greasy scumbag, too.

This also led to Joel Hefley's disgust with DC and the decision to retire from office. That led to a nasy six-way primary won by the most sleazy politician of the Republican bunch, Dishonest Doug Lamborn.

Now all this is coming back to bite the Republican party here in Colorado. The Fawcett campaign ran with the support of those many disgusted Republicans and put an ad in the Indy saying who, what and when. Hefley got caughts unawares again, and wanted to make sure no one thought he would endorse a Demcorat. God Forbid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Hefley put added one more twist to the wounded Doug Lamborn and recommended a "No Vote" in the CD-5 race for Republicans that can't find a candidate to their liking.

It's too little, too late to help Doug. The CD-5 race is over. But Joel Hefley has made one last decision in his political career, and he's made his last political act a vicious slam on his party and their nominee. It came full circle for Joel Hefley as a Republican who claimed ethics as an issue.

Payback is a bitch.

CD-5: More Republicans for Fawcett

Yes, it's true, Republicans for Fawcett is thriving.

It's the common sense choice in a race between someone with his feet on the ground and someone who still thinks we need more tax cuts. The ad is in today's Indy - check it out!

The ad features a lengthy list of prominent party members who have joined Republicans for Fawcett (www.republicansforfawcett.com) or have refused to endorse Lamborn.

This list includes:
* James Stewart, Colonel, USAF (ret), President CS Black Chamber of Commerce
* Congressman Joel Hefley
* Scott Hente, Colorado Springs City Council
* Jerry Heimlicher, Colorado Springs City Council
* Marvin Strait, CPA Past Chair, Colorado Springs Economic Chamber of Commerce
* Lon Matejczyk, Publisher CS Business Journal
* Tyler Stevens Mayor, Green Mountain Falls
* Elliot S. Cohen, M.D.
* George Culpepper, Past Vice-Chair, El Paso County GOP; US Marine
* Mary Ellen McNally, Past Colorado Springs City Council
* John Anderson, El Paso County Sheriff, 1995-2003
* Dan O'Connell, Retired Military
* Gerlina Smith
* Chuck Churchill (US Army SOF, (Ret.)
* Mark DeLay, Developer
* Patricia McLaughlin
* Tom Berg, Attorney Andrew "LT" Mahar, CDT USAR
* Bruce Warren, Attorney
* Rick Nelson, Realtor
* Stanley C. Kent, Attorney
* Gene Finkelstein, Colonel, USAF(Ret.)
* Laura Long, Business Owner
* David Griffin, Retired USFS
* Cynthia Maxwell

"This list represents the tip of the iceberg of our support among Republicans and Independents, and it is growing every day," said Fawcett Campaign Manager Wanda James. "We ran the ad in the Independent first, because they reach more than 100,000 adults in the district, including more than 17,000 Republicans who voted in the past year."

And what else does the Wall Street Journal have to say about this year's race?

Dem Control Might Help Economy

That's about right, except for the "might".

SD-9: Keely Marrs Shows Leadership

Dave Schultheis is making a lot of news lately, mostly for being a racist, ignorant, and cold-hearted human - hey, he's a Republican. What do you expect?

(DISCLAIMER: I do respect and condone Republicans and their views. Just not the wacked out, racist, and End-times ones.)

The Dem in the race is Keely Marrs - a fresh face that was flushed out of inaction by the incessantly Radical Republicans both here and nationally:

Keely grew up in the heart of Senate District 9. She graduated from Rampart High School in 1989 and began her undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado. In 1991, Keely joined the United States Army, was awarded the Sharpshooter badge with the M-16 rifle and studied Russian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.

Her close ties with her family, concerns for a secure retirement for her parents and the future for young professionals play a large part in her decision to pursue a leadership role in Colorado Springs.

No gays? No Mexicans? No, Dave. Your petty fears and racism belong out in the woods somewhere, far away from civilization, far away from elected office.

Keely knows we have bigger problems, that's why the Denver Post endorsed her.

Doug "Keep your mouth shut" Lamborn

Jay Fawcett got the Indy's endorsement yesterday. It wasn't the gimme you'd expect:

By far, the most qualified person to represent the citizens in the 5th Congressional District is Jay Fawcett, a retired Air Force colonel, Air Force Academy graduate and former AFA professor who earned a Bronze Star in Desert Storm.

....snip....

Lamborn is even too extreme for many in his own party. Look at his endorsers: Douglas Bruce, the Club for Growth, the Minutemen, the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family Action and every gun owners' rights organization on the planet. Colorado Springs already has a reputation problem. We need Doug Lamborn representing us in Washington like we need a hole in the head.

....snip....

Earlier this year political pundits, including those at this paper, wrote off Fawcett's chances to win the 5th Congressional District, with its 2-to-1 Republican-to-Democrat voter registration ratio. But due to Lamborn's missteps and Fawcett's growing popularity among veterans, as well as independents and moderates, this race is very much in play.

AP Covers one of Doug's missteps in reporting on Jay's addition to the DCCC's Emerging Race list:

Democrat Jay Fawcett is getting a welcome boost from national party officials who believe he may have a shot at succeeding retiring GOP Rep. Joel Hefley in one of the most conservative districts in the nation.

But the party also is pulling some of its support for Angie Paccione (bad DCCC!), who faces an uphill battle in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave.

....snip....

[I]n a recent debate, Lamborn told a member of the audience to, "keep your mouth shut." He later apologized, but the video was posted on the Internet and has drawn national attention.

And last time someone checked the vid was seen 80,000 times. I just hope they were all CD-5 voters.

Dabate Mania --- SATURDAY!!!

For just $5, political junkies can get their fill of debates Saturday at the Action 22 conference.

The gathering of officials from 22 southeastern Colorado counties is offering public access to its event at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 7290 Commerce Center Drive.

Refreshments are included with the admission price.

The first debates of the morning involve Pueblo- and mountain-area legislative seats, then statewide and federal candidates take the podium on the following schedule:

* 9:35 a.m. Colorado treasurer candidates Mark Hillman and Cary Kennedy
* 10:05 a.m. Republican Attorney General John Suthers. No Fern?
* 10:30 a.m. Secretary of state candidates Mike Coffman and Ken Gordon
* 11 a.m. 5th Congressional District candidates Jay Fawcett and Doug Lamborn
* 1:30 p.m. 3rd Congressional District Republican challenger Scott Tipton. No John? Maybe he'sdoing some summer reading: Marquis de Sade?
* 1:45 p.m. gubernatorial candidates Bob Beauprez and Bill Ritter.

PeakDems

A Question and a Comment

First the question: Have any of the rest of you had campaign signs on your property pulled up? Maybe damaged? Have you noticed a greater frequency of flat tires on your cars?

Now the suggestion: There are Lamborn signs littering most of the major roads around town. Since there are so many undecided voters for CD-5, could someone please get Jay Fawcett's signs out there? If you want to have a sign planting party, just let us know where and when...

'Bout Friggin' Time

Jay makes the DCCC Emerging Races list.

This better not be all, cuz Dobson and Club for Growth and Ted Haggard have more than links to provide to their candidate.

Colorado Springs' Cowardly City Council

Our locals said it best to the Gazette:

The American Friends Service Committee is bringing an exhibit to Colorado Springs that symbolizes stark truth: More than 2,750 pairs of combat boots on the ground, representing each precious life lost in the Iraq war (“Information or advocacy? / Some see visiting exhibit as antiwar statement,” The Gazette, Oct. 9). How is our city leadership welcoming this exhibit? It is not.

I am appalled at the response of local leaders to the Eyes Wide Open exhibit. According to Monday’s Gazette, Councilman Bernie Herpin “called the memorial ‘an attempt to further undermine our war on terrorism and to weaken our citizens’ resolve to see this war through to its end.’ ” I would ask how the physical presence of more than 2,750 pairs of boots representing American lives lost in Iraq will “undermine our citizens’ resolve.” If our resolve to see the war through is lost because of these boots, then there was no resolve to begin with.

War is death and loss — the reality local military families must deal with every day. This is the truth. The Eyes Wide Open exhibit is the truth — a reality Colorado Springs leadership apparently chooses to ignore.

They are just like the national Republicans - afraid to see the truth, afraid to ackknowledge the failures, afraid to hold their leadership accountable. What a bunch of schmucks.

The disturbing thing is not so much that the City Council, following the unelected Bernie Herpin, chose not to pass a resolution in support of two days of reflection on the human cost of war, or that members refused to waive the fees for handicapped parking and bathrooms for our disabled vets attending the memorial. It’s not even that they wouldn’t provide extra police security to protect the costly memorial from vandals.

No, the most disturbing thing is that they use the tired old excuses of the neocon minority of the Republican Party since the 9/11 attack, which, of course, the idiot Saddam had nothing to do with.

The American people are perfectly able to make up their minds when they have all the facts at their disposal. Hiding these empty boots, hiding the flag-draped caskets, hiding the truth about the absence of WMD, hiding the truth about.

There have been 40 American Troops killed in Iraq this month, and these morons want to play their petty politics.

Today is the 1,258^th day since the declaration of “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq.

Local Dems Pledge to Support Renewable Energy

Six candidates for state office from Colorado Springs endorsed an energy plan for Colorado advanced by agricultural, labor, environmental and business groups in a coalition organized by Environment Colorado.

More from the Gazette:

"The candidates, all Democrats, include: Keely Marrs, Senate District 9; John Morse, Senate 11; Jan Hejtmanek, House 20; Rep. Mike Merrifield, House 18; Christine Varney, House 17; and Allison Hunter, House 15."

"The plan calls for Colorado to double the state’s use of renewable energy such as wind and solar power and double the use of renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. The plan also sets energy efficiency goals and advocates increasing investment in the research and development of new energy technologies."

Smart, common-sense, looking ahead to Colorado's future.

And the Republicans are still dreaming of drilling for oil in ANWAR.

More Bad News for Dishonest Doug - Film at 11

Doug Lamborn has run about the worst possible campaign for a "gimme seat" anyone could have predicted in this reliably Republican district.

All he had to do was unite Republicans and play it safe. He couldn't.

But with a far more qualified candidate in Jay Fawcett, each mistake by Lamborn would be magnified by Jay's experience and intelligence.

Now that he single-handedly put the seat in jeopardy - with lies, incompetence and ignorance - the ground has shifted in ways that are far bigger than a hack Christian who acts the Hyprocrite could ever comprehend.

Doug Lamborn has lost this race.

The DCCC will be committing support and resources to this race within 24 hours.

And Jay Fawcett will be elected as the first Democrat in the history of Colorado's Fifth Congressional District.

Buh-bye, Doug. Better update that resume, cuz Focus aint' hiring......

Thoughtful Discourse on the E-page of the Gazette

GOP hits rough spot, even in the once-solid 5th district:

No one can be more than the capacity of their mind and talents allow. Lamborn cannot articulate his positions or debate them.

He hasn't said or written an original thought in this race.

His mistakes are not so much due to arrogance as to ignorance.

He has no vision and offers no solutions.
-evocati 10/11/06 06:46:33 AM

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Here's hoping 5th district voters can get beyond the Republican / Democrat stereotyping that has so long plagued the region and (of the choices we have) elect the best person for the job -- Jay Fawcett.
-Zen 10/11/06 06:59:36 AM

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I don’t think this shows a change in the politics of the 5th congressional. It only shows that republicans don’t just vote the party line in El Paso County. Lamborn lied and cheated his way to victory and a large percent of republicans and conservative independents are staying far away. El Paso County is still a republican strong hold. Additionally, keep a close watch on Kyle Fisk, Republican candidate in HD18—he just may pull off a major upset!
-Marie 10/11/06 07:16:48 AM

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This lifelong republican is voting for the best PERSON in this race not party affiliation. Jay Fawcett will get my vote for many reasons to include his position on many of the important issues that we as a country are facing. He will also get my vote based on his character -- something Lamborn is lacking. I urge all republicans to look at the person not just the party affiliation.
-Kim 10/11/06 07:50:10 AM

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Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative...What does it matter. Anyone can vote party lines, it takes a real person to vote their own conscience.Stand up this November and vote like a real person, not a sheep.
-Danny 10/11/06 08:50:51 AM

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I support Jay Fawcett. This is a chance for Colorado Springs (and its neighbors) to show the world that we support character, not hate-mongering.
-Jeremy 10/11/06 09:14:34 AM

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The Republican Party has lost it's moral and ethical values. I don't think Democrats are a whole lot better in that area, but I do believe they are better right now. I get tired of the Republicans telling me how great they are, and how slimy and worthless the rest of us are. I'm tired of being told that the government should stay out of my life, but we will tell you what type of sex you can have in your bedroom, who you can have it with, what drugs you are allowed in your own home, which God you must pray to, etc.

They want to force a woman to have a child, then they do everything in their power to make sure that woman doesn't have any medical coverage for that child, no support at all. It's the Republican belief that you are on your own. The government shouldn't help you in any way. That's evil, pure and simple.

They get ticked off if you ask them a question. They keep everything a secret, and that's huge clue as to what dirty stuff is going on behind the scenes.

Now that we can take you from your bed at 2:00am, drag you off to some isolated cell somewhere, and torture you for no reason whatsoever, that'll really encourage people to challenge this administration, right? It use to be an honorable thing to admit you did something wrong, and take your punishment like a man, but these guys admit to nothing and blame everyone else.

Lookup the word psychopath and see if it doesn't fit these guys like a glove. We need to elect people to office who do not claim to have all the answers, because it they do know everything, they are God, and I don't believe any of them are a God. Instead, elect people who will honestly try to find answers, and work with all parties for a solution we can all live with. And to do it with some morals, ethics and honor. Being a little humble would be nice too.

It's amazing I used to vote Republican all these years. What the hell was I thinking? I must have been nuts.
-NiceGuy 10/11/06 09:44:12 AM

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NiceGuy, that's a pretty twisted way to view the Republican party. The reality is that there's not a thing you can say about Republicans that can't be matched with something equally (at least) as disgusting by what certain Democrats stand for and would love to see happen in this country. If the Democrats take control of Congress, there will be some major changes ahead, not the least of which will be a far less secure United States, and a wide open door to illegal immigrants. And all those medical benefits you're worried about will be used up by people who aren't even US citizens. Did you know the Democrats support giving your Social Security money to illegal immigrants? That should outrage you! So even if Fawcett is a nicer guy than Lamborn, you can't be totally unconcerned with what the Democratic party stands for because Fawcett will be giving them his vote, and that's what worries me. Rich Hand, where are you? Are you out there? Are you going to be having any more debates or speaking engagements any time soon? We need an alternative to Lamborn and Fawcett - I'm hoping you're it!
-jane 10/11/06 09:59:37 AM

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I think it's absolutely awesome how so many people are talking about voting for the best candidate instead of being sheep and voting along party lines. Maybe this year we'll stand up and say no to those that want to lie, cheat, hate-monger, and gay-bash their way into office. Jay Fawcett obviously has my vote! And it's not just Lamborn's sleazy campaign. Fawcett has a lot of insight into the issues facing this district whereas after listening to the debate I'm convinced that Lamborn doesn't have a clue what's going on.

If you want to listen to the debate and decide for yourself, here's the link: http://krcc.org/debate.m3u

If anyone wants to see how Lamborn is going to treat you when you don't agree with him, check out this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON-QCHeDtfg
-Jason 10/11/06 10:09:39 AM

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No matter what the eventual outcome of this race is, it is definitely a good thing for the politicians in this district to experience some good ol’ fashioned competition. Competition is the backbone of American history and culture, and in this case it’s great for the constituents to finally have 2 parties competing for their votes. Hopefully the folks here in the 5th will embrace this rare opportunity and learn about what these men actually stand for and their intentions on serving the community.
-drjuanlee 10/11/06 10:13:54 AM

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So long as the local Republican Party keeps fielding convicted criminals like Ed Jones and corrupt, power-hungry backstabbers like Bob Gardner, it will continue to find itself rejected by thiniking voters and tearing itself apart with internal squabbles. Lamborn will probably still win, but this is a sign that there are very serious problems within the party that the party elite WANTS to turn a blind eye to, but can't.

Hefley called it right about sleazy and dishonest campaigning, but that's become the norm in the local party because of the money thrown around by the Trailhead Group and, more locally, the developers and people like Steve Shuck and Bill Hybl. If Lamborn does lose, it should, in theory, serve as a wake-up call, but I'm afraid that it won't. That crowd will just blame it on Lamborn himself, and call it an aberration, when the reality is that they're the cancer eating away at the Republican Party, and the primary campaign for this seat just the symptom.

So until the rank and file develop the testicular fortitude to tell Shuck, Hybl, Bill Owens, Coors and the HBA and Trailhead money to go take a hike, we'll just see more and more of the same.
-Socrates 10/11/06 10:38:21 AM

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A reasoned and civil debate ---- I applaud all of you.
-Flamethrower 10/11/06 10:41:36 AM

CD-5: Rocky covers Fawcett's Blockbuster Poll

Yeah baby, Rocky covers the poll that shows Jay Fawcett has put the fear of God in Doug Lamborn, heh:

COLORADO SPRINGS - Longtime Republicans said they expect to easily retain retiring Rep. Joel Hefley's seat, despite a poll that shows a tie between Republican state Sen. Doug Lamborn and Democrat Jay Fawcett.

However, others say the poll numbers reflect serious troubles for the Republican Party, not just in this district but across the country.

"There's absolutely no doubt that the Democrat has the best chance ever in the history of this district to win this race," said Tom Cronin, a Colorado College political-science professor who ran for the same seat as a Democrat in 1982. The GOP has held the 5th Congressional District seat for its entire 34-year history.

"There's a lot of disaffection, even in El Paso County, for this administration and the conduct of the war. Some of the Bush administration's harshest critics are in the military or retired military," Cronin said.

Fawcett himself falls into that category, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who graduated from the Air Force Academy and served in the Persian Gulf War.

Republicans have utterly and completely failed, and all they want now is to hold onto power (scroll down for proof).

Can they be trusted even one more day in charge of our nation's defense, economy, safety, and civil rights? NO.

Allison Hunter to stump for HD-15

TOWN HALL MEETING with ALLISON HUNTER

Location:	SABIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
	3605 N. CAREFREE CIR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
When:	Wednesday, October 11, 6:30pm
Phone:	719-648-9807

Come and meet ALLISON HUNTER, Democratic candidate for STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 15

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT AND DISCUSS THE AMENDMENTS, INITIATIVES, AND REFERRENDUMS WHICH ARE ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER 7TH!

We welcome your questions and opinions!

Jay Fawcett Endorsed by Esquire Mag.

Esquire magazine endorses Jay:

It’s unfortunate that this district automatically votes Republican, because — a rare thing in safe districts of either party — the opposition’s nominee is worthy of serious consideration.

Jay Fawcett is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who’s demanding answers to crucial but rarely asked questions of strategy in the war on terrorism.

Esquire endorses: Fawcett.

That, and Wes Clark's endorsement, just about covers the spectrum.

Need I say more?

(ColoradoLib makes the catch, and highlights some things our local media won't.)

CD-5 Poll: Down with Tyranny, Down with Doug

Down with Tyranny is a blog (and person) that's covering the House better than most this year.

The Denver Post poll putting this race as an even heat (37-37; 26% Undecided) is covered in this post.

DWT also discusses our friend (Sponge) Dobsie, the somnambulent DCCC, and what voters can see this year that many elected officials haven't:

fundamentalist politics has failed - the people are rising up - the GOP is corrupt

Will the "smear and fear" that Republicans have to offer be good enough for voters once again this election? I hope not. We'll see on November 11. Let's vote down tyranny, vote down Doug Lamborn.