Enlighten me on the 2nd Congressional District race...

[backscatter712]

I know that the two big candidates to replace Mark Udall in the 2nd CD are Jared Polis and Joan Fitz-Gerald.

I don't know a heck of a lot about either of these two.

It is getting awfully close to Feb. 5th, so I should know a little more about them before I pick one to vote for, and maybe even give money to.

Enlighten me, anyone?

[blondie58]

gosh, I must admit that I am a little prejudiced

last summer, my union held their state union (NALC Branch #47)convention in Greeley and Joan Fitz-Gerald spoke. I liked what she had to say about the average person and found her to be a warm person. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Fitz-Gerald

Now, Jared Polis on the other hand, I don't trust. Ever since he wrote a scathing article about the monopoly of the post office, I have not been too open minded to him. His profile lists that he is a Democrat, but he acts sometimes like a free enterprise type sorta Repub. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Polis

He is the son of Stephen Schutz and Susan Polis, who started up Blue Mountain Arts. He is extremely wealthy and I think that he doesn't realize what us little people go through.

Just my 2cents worth, probably based more on emotion than anything else.

[backscatter712]

2. Google brought up some stories that raise red flags about Polis.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/dec/14/polis-portfolio-contains-two-companies-hes-attacke/

Polis portfolio contains two companies he's attacked

On the same day that Jared Polis rolled out a television ad attacking "war profiteers," his congressional campaign admitted that Polis has invested in at least two companies targeted in the ad.

But a Polis campaign spokeswoman countered that one of his 2nd District opponents, former state Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald, has disclosed ownership in mutual funds that include stock in the same two companies, Halliburton and General Dynamics.

Fitz-Gerald, Polis and Will Shafroth are the three Democrats vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Mark Udall.

The ad - which features footage from Polis' recent trip to Iraq - describes the candidate as a Democrat who will bring an end to the war in Iraq, which he notes has lasted longer than World War II.

"We hire mercenaries and line the pockets of war profiteers who don't want to see the war end," Polis says in the ad. "It's time to put an end to this war that never should have been."

As he speaks, a list of companies, along with their logos and profit figures, scrolls by. Among them are Halliburton and General Dynamics.

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2007/nov/29/swift-boat-donors-explain-their-aid-polis/

Swift Boat donors explain their contributions to Polis campaign

A Nashville, Tenn., auto dealer who has donated thousands of dollars to Republican causes — including the Swift Boat attack group — said he contributed to Jared Polis' congressional campaign because he considers the Boulder resident "a good conservative."

Told that Polis is a Democrat critical of the war in Iraq, the donor said it didn't matter.

"If he's a good man and believes in the right principles, I don't care whether he's Republican or Democrat," Lee Beaman said.

"I wish we were not ... in Iraq," he added. "I think we ought to get out of there as soon as we can, but we need to do so in a way in which we leave in place a good solid government there."

Another donor, Arthur Gray Jr., of New Hampshire, said his friend Arthur Laffer, economist and former adviser to President Reagan, asked him to donate to Polis.

Taking money from contributors to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth? There's a kiss of death for you.

I'm seeing some big red flags when I look into Polis!

[blondie58]

3. interesting things that you've found there, backscatter

I really thought that he was a Repub and to me he is more like a Dem in sheeps clothing. He is openly gay, though so maybe that is why he sides with the Democratic party.

His parents, who founded Blue Mountain Arts always seemed to be the original hippies from Boulder. I remember reading and buying their lovely books with Susan's poems and Stephen's artwork. Susan wrote some really poignant poems, in fact I still have some of her books.

Maybe he is not as bad as I think and I freely admit that I am prejudiced against him. Joan Fitz-Gerald seemed like a really sincere woman who is sympathetic to the average American.

[blondie58]

1. self deleted dupe- don't know how that happened!

[paulk]

4. Jared Polis has done a lot as far as contributing money to

Democratic causes - on the other hand Fitz-gerald had paid her dues serving in elected office.

I don't live there, but I would lean toward Fitzgerald. It would also be good to have two women in our caucus.

[Vet31203]

5. I'm also not from there, but...

I think we really need to look at who would be the best candidate and who could help increase our democratic majority... We have a chance to cover all three houses and increase our majority in both the senat and congress. Hoping that whoever gets the nod, I can be able to help... Post some links if you are able.
Im in Iowa (4th District) Helping with William J Meyers campaign for House, Its going to be a hard battle, but we can pull it off if we all mobilize!

Here is Meyers link

http://www.meyersforhouse.com/home.html

Ames Vet
Meyers for House 2008

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

6. Kick, I'm not in the 2nd, but this is an important discussion.

[Esya]

7. Second Congressional District

To progressives, Polis is a wolf in sheep's clothing in terms of his involvement in Denver and state Politics, he's been totally corporate. I don't think people should be able to buy seats.

It's a shame there is a contested primary but Udall, who hearkens from Boulder, is seen as a target by the Republicans. They expect a total onslaught of republican funders on Congressional races such as this while the dems are distracted by the presidency.

Udall has been our best environmental friend for years. My husband is a tree hugger from way back and Udall is the one candidate he has supported steadily for years.

I can't believe that I saw a headline saying the peaceniks were after him. Is this the Republican strategists sneaking in, is it Joan Fitzgerald's strategy, or is it that the peaceniks are so damned naive as to bite the hand that feeds them? Passively, of course. I don't get it, I was the first person I know other than my friends who are ASF to condemn the militancy after 9/12/01 and afterwards but let's move forward.

Fitzgerald is a good person, I can't deny that. Still, I am supporting Udall for now. I think he's got more campaign experience to pull through, the guy he had show up at the primaries in Denver was very impressive.

[backscatter712]

8. Udall's running for the Senate seat to replace Allard.

He's not rerunning for his House seat.

So that leaves CO-2 open, and right now the two candidates are Polis or Fitzgerald.

Preferably Fitzgerald, as Polis seems pretty damned shady to me.

[momophile]

9. anyone have new or different insights into this race?

I'm a delegate and will need to be making my decision soon. I'm taking this very seriously and met both of them today at meet-and-greets. I still like both of them, they are similar on paper, Joan has more experience, Jared has a lot of energy, and although I am leaning toward Joan, I'd like to hear more.

edit: I've started a new thread to make this more current.