Personal Conversations, local State Convention news and other musings

I have had three very interesting personal conversations with three local Clinton persons, all whom were County Convention Delegates and two are going to the State or Congressional Conventions to elect national delegates to Denver. All three expressed deep personal disgust, anger or opposition to the Clinton's current campaign strategy.

One told me she was going to work for Obama and I told her of the new local volunteer office located at Tejon & Colorado (11 So. Tejon) on the 2nd Floor. Thank you Murphy! The two others, one an old time local Democratic party official and significant fund raiser and current precinct committee-person told me that she wanted run for a delegate spot from the Clinton camp but is seriously conflicted now in that she wants Obama to win. She specifically expressed astonishment over the Bosnia story telling but further disgust over the campaign tactics attacking Obama. I suggested that she might want to organize an "uncommitted" campaign in the Clinton delegation and officially tell the Clinton camp that they have lost a pledged delegate as a political statement.

The other is a delegate to the convention and now is probably not going to attend and allow an alternate to be seated in her stead. She expressed deep anger towards the Clinton campaign and the current specific political climate it has created where many Clinton backers are now simply bashing Obama with prejudice and personal attacks. I told her also that she might want to start an uncommitted campaign and work for local candidates who are seeking to be competitive in El Paso County and Colorado.

Speaking of competitiveness, Hal Bidlack announced his candidacy for Congress in CD-5 yesterday. The Gazette's story stated he intends on winning which they were normally cynical.

Democrat Hal Bidlack kicked off his campaign for Congress on Wednesday with a fierce critique of the Bush administration and an acknowledgment he'll have a tough road in a Republican-dominated area.

Bidlack wants to represent the state's 5th Congressional District, which includes El Paso, Teller, Fremont, Chaffee, and Lake counties, and most of Park County.

"I feel compelled to be a part of the solution to the failed policies of the past seven years," Bidlack told about 50 supporters who met for his campaign announcement at the public library in downtown Colorado Springs. "For seven long years we have been told to be afraid. We have been governed by men who trade in fear and tell us they are the only ones who can keep us safe."

Bidlack, a 50-year-old Air Force veteran and political science professor at the Air Force Academy, will face the winner of the Aug. 12 Republican primary election. The general election is Nov. 4.

The candidates in the Republican race are incumbent Congressman Doug Lamborn and challengers Jeff Crank and Bentley Rayburn.

Bidlack has a doctorate in political science from the University of Michigan, and his campaign materials call him an expert on the Constitution and the country's Founding Fathers. His passion for U.S. history runs deep enough to include performances in which he portrays Alexander Hamilton.

Several speakers at the announcement, including Bidlack, acknowledged a Democrat will have a hard time winning in the 5th Congressional District. Republicans have held the seat since it was created in 1972. Just 21 percent of the district's 402,000 registered voters are Democrats, compared with 46 percent registered as Republicans.

After a bruising Republican primary in the 2006 election, Lamborn won a first term with 60 percent of the votes against Democrat Jay Fawcett.

Still, supporters said Bidlack can win.

"It's not impossible at all to win in the 5th Congressional District," said Patricia Waak, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party. She cited gains in other offices across the state and high interest in the Democratic contenders for president.

Some news on the local state convention. If you are a delegate:

• Registration for both the Congressional/State Assemblies (Friday evening at the Double Tree Inn) and the State Convention (World Arena) can be done at one time from Noon to 6PM at the Double Tree where if you are a delegate/alternate for both events or either one. For locals or those traveling in from out of town and coming to the Double Tree this will be helpful. Registration for Saturday's Convention will also begin at 7 AM and run to 10 AM when the convention is scheduled to convene.
  
• Alternates for Saturday will not be seated in the World Arena unless you are seated for a delegate but you will be held at a tent adjacent to the World Arena. Plans are that if you are not called you can remain and watch the proceedings on big screen TV's.
  
• Parking will be a premium, there are 2500 spots for parking that will have to house VIP's, extended handicapped parking, volunteers and venders before delegates and alternates. The State Convention will provide free shuttle bus services from the various hotel clusters (South Downtown, Airport, Academy Blvd, Garden of the Gods, World Arena, Woodman) and from designated park & ride locations.)
  
• More info to come as the volunteer teams come together. If you want credentials to be in the World Arena you can insure this by being a State Convention Volunteer, email me for more information.
  

Lastly I am running for a national delegate spot through the Congressional Convention path I will be putting out more information on this as time gets closer.