2008 Political Campaigns

By Janet Simons
THE COLORADO STATESMAN

For national candidates John McCain, Bob Schaffer and Marilyn Musgrave, the Election Day sun set on a blue Colorado. In the state Legislature, however, GOP candidates held their own. In the Colorado House of Representatives, Republicans picked up three seats and lost one. That alone was a big boost to the GOP’s battered morale, but the fact that one of the captured seats belonged to the man expected to be the next speaker of the House was almost enough to make the rest of their troubles fade.

By Jon Lloyd
SPECIAL TO THE COLORADO STATESMAN

At a recent candidate forum for House District 36, Democratic candidate Su Ryden assured the Aurora crowd that she’s determined to run a clean campaign.

“While voters want and need relevant comparisons of our stances on the issues and our credentials for the office, unfair or irrelevant comments about the opponent are unnecessary and unwarranted,” Ryden said.

By Chris Bragg
THE COLORADO STATESMAN

Although Commerce City is almost 1,700 miles from Scranton, Pa., Barack Obama’s campaign thinks there are enough similarities between the two that Sen. Joe Biden’s message will be effective both places.

Biden, of course, hails from Scranton and represents nearby Delaware in the U.S. Senate. Obama chose Biden as his running mate at least partly for his ability to relate to white, blue-collar voters in swing states.

By Leslie Jorgensen
THE COLORADO STATESMAN

COLORADO SPRINGS — In El Paso County GOP politics, there’s a golden rule: Never support a tax increase. To do otherwise is tempting the fate of God — and repentance rarely helps a Republican in the aftermath.