Montrose - Daily Press

Stephen
Woody
Publisher’s
Notebook

 Good football tonight!

• Montrose (5-0) hosts Rock Canyon at 7 p.m.

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• Olathe (5-0) hosts Cedaredge at 7. The Daily Press will videocast the OHS game, a live stream over the Internet. Go to www.montrosepress.com and click to the links.

Tonight’s Montrose game features the German Club of MHS having their sixth annual Oktoberfest. No need to cook anything at home before the game, come early as the food service starts at 5:30 p.m. Michelle Peelo, the club’s sponsor, has the details, 249-6636.

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Notes and quotes from the political Notebook ...

• It was good to see former congressman Scott McInnis in town Tuesday speaking to the party (GOP) faithful. No “town hall” type protestations or shouts of “You lie!” at the Holiday Inn Express. More like a preacher speaking to his acolytes with heads nodding.

McInnis, 56, was in Congress 12 years before giving up his seat and becoming a partner with the bigtime law firm of  Hogan and Hartson in Denver.

• McInnis has always had a strong base in Montrose; why, there’s even a park named in his honor. He comes around often and Tuesday evening, he demonstrated again why he’s a good campaigner:

—He’s running hard, like he’s never held office. The energy palpable.

—He gets to his talking points quickly.

—His recall of local supporters is a marvel. (Reminds me of how the late Sen. Jesse Helms seemed to know every single person in a room.) He called out names here and there, praised a few of them to the heavens, and left with wife, Lori, to assorted hoorahs, off to the next campaign destination.

• McInnis got after Gov. Bill Ritter pretty good. Calling him a “nice guy, but over his head,” he claimed. Gov. Ritter had a knack for chasing off the natural gas industry with additional regulation and discouraging the military from expanding their operations in the state. McInnis said those natural gas jobs went to Pennsylvania; the military expansion to Texas. He also repeatedly cited his experience in elective government – state house, Congress – and his numerous contacts along the way.

• The Daily Press endorsed McInnis three times and the Notebook believes, even with an incumbent governor and a couple of primary challengers, he’s formidable, with his name recognition, experience and energy.

• Not many communities can say they have a national park within 20 minutes or so of downtown. We do. This weekend, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park celebrates its 10th anniversary. When McInnis was in Congress, he was a primary sponsor in making this happen, along with Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell in the Senate.

• One more note. I talked with Scott Tipton Wednesday on another matter and asked, as pesky journalists do, if he’s considering taking on the incumbent congressman, Rep. John Salazar in 2010, in a rematch of 2006 when Salazar defeated Tipton with 60 percent  of the vote.

“I’ve been getting encouragement to run next year,” he replied, saying the “encouragement” has come from local, state and national level politicos who deem Salazar as “vulnerable.”

Tipton also said he was “happy in the state legislature.”

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Comments

TJShea wrote on Oct 21, 2009 2:31 PM:

" The GOP advantage over Democrats increased from two points to five in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate while 37% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

Support for Democrats dropped two points this week, while support for the GOP slightly increased.

Voters not affiliated with either party heavily favor the GOP, 40% to 23%. "




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CarterDemocrat wrote on Oct 16, 2009 10:59 PM:

" Scott was a congressman for 12 years and GAVE up his seat? Where is the rat in that woodpile? Of course as McInnis moves forward, the rat will come out.

Scott should know the drill that: 'winners never quit and quitters never win.'

The only way McInnis could win is if he became a Democrat. Kinda of like Ben Nighthorse in reversal. A turncoat for political reasons because of demographics. With a 26 % National approval rating, the GOP has no chance in Colorado.

Welcome to thet New and Improved Colorado, Mr. McInnis! "




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Joshua Key wrote on Oct 15, 2009 4:02 PM:

" First of all I see that the critics of McInnis do not have the guts to put their REAL names. Wonder why? Scared maybe? Flipper, you must have an ear infection. All Mr. McInnis gave were solutions to the problems Ritter has caused and all I heard him promoting was a record of service that PROVES he is the right man for the job. Judy, get over it. Brian my friend, Tipton could easily beat Salazar with his record alone. By the way, Thanks for the paper. "




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Politico wrote on Oct 15, 2009 12:24 PM:

" Flipper - Mcinnis most certainly did propose to undo what Ritter and company have done to our western slope economy. Hope and change Baby!! "




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Politico wrote on Oct 15, 2009 12:20 PM:

" Salazar effective? He's been there 4 years, has made 2 apperances on the house floor, waffled on every major piece of legislation, and sponsored 1 bill concerning fake medals. He did not show up on the western slope for any public meeting during the recent recess, votes the pary line unless given permission to vote otherwise when the outcome is already known. A former county commissioner form Delta, that had no financial backing got 42% of the vote. He's toast next time. "




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Jeff wrote on Oct 14, 2009 8:54 AM:

" It Doesn't really matter...McGinnis has become irrelevant...Josh Penry is going to blow his doors off...as well he should, he is the better candidate. In the end it won't really matter, Ritter is done. "




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JudyJ wrote on Oct 9, 2009 8:27 PM:

" "The Daily Press endorsed McInnis three times." Aha, so now I get it. So much for freedom of speech for those of us who prefer somebody else, I'd say. Maybe our hometown newspaper should rethink its priorities, considering how "well" newspapers are doing these days. "




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Brian Ahern wrote on Oct 9, 2009 2:09 PM:

" Salazar is far from vulnerable after recently visiting D.C. and watching the Congressman in action on the floor, he is in my mind the most influential and effective member of Colorado's congressional delegation. I look forward to supporting him in 2010 unlike some other candidates who have yet to prove themselves worthy of support, I.E. come visit the Western Slope when you are not just fundraising!!!! "




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flipper wrote on Oct 9, 2009 1:47 PM:

" Stephen - you forgot to mention that McGinnis proposed nothing, his typical MO. All he did was criticize, drop names and self promote. Just as in the past he represents only himself. Beware those who come bearing nothing but animosity for others. "




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