One party rule coming to an end in Montrose County

Inspired by Barack Obama's brilliant, courageous speech on Tuesday, and the huge turnout at the Montrose County Democratic Assembly and Convention Saturday, I'm about to make a bold prediction: the long night of Republican one-party rule will soon end in Montrose County.

Democrats now have two strong candidates for county commissioner--newcomer Roger Brown and the amazing Bill Patterson. When they become familiar with Mr. Brown's intelligence, insight, and character, I'm confident that many independents and moderate Republicans will choose him over the tired, old, ultra-conservative politics of Republican nominee David White.

Bill Patterson will face Ron Henderson in the district 1 commissioner's race, largely because of an effort to prevent a Steve Stuhmer stooge from getting the GOP nomination. This is Henderson's third try for the job. The third time will not be the charm; more likely, it will make poor old Ron a three-time loser. While he is apparently not connected to the Jetaway bunch and their idiotic Bill Patterson recall campaign, he has plenty of political baggage of his own; e.g. being successfully sued by Montrose Memorial Hospital for illegally being in possession of confidential patient records during his previous campaign.

Also, there is a fair amount of division within the local Republican party. Many moderate Republicans are sick of the stranglehold held by the conservative wing for years. And, even many conservative Republicans are ashamed of the dirty tricks pulled by the "recall Patterson" gang, the ultra-conservative Common Sense club, and the poor performance of some GOP local office-holders.

The winds of change are getting stronger in Montrose County, folks.