Polis gets key environmentalist's endorsement
Todd Hartman and Lynn Bartels
Published August 8, 2008 at 6:32 p.m.
Updated August 8, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.
A leading Colorado environmentalist made a last-minute commitment to Jared Polis in the heated 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary race Friday, while rivals Joan Fitz-Gerald and Will Shafroth each got a boost from outside groups.
The endorsement from Elise Jones of the Colorado Environmental Coalition was important for Polis. Even so, Shaf roth has earned several of his own endorsements from top environmentalists - including Jones' twin sister, Suzanne, of The Wilderness Society.
Shafroth has won support from some greens for his work in public and private positions on major land preservation efforts in the state. His backers include nature photographer John Fielder and numerous current and former Boulder city officials.
But Elise Jones said she believes the race has become a two-candidate race - between Fitz-Gerald and Polis - and that "conservationists have a clear choice. My choice is Jared Polis."
"Jared has proven that environmental concerns are at the top of his agenda and that we can trust his stances are not just lip service," said Jones, stressing she was endorsing as an individual, not as a representative of any organization. "He will stay true to his word while serving us in Washington."
Fitz-Gerald, a former state Senate president, likely will benefit from a surge of late money from philanthropist Tim Gill ($110,000) and the Communication Workers of America ($25,000).
The money went to Colorado Counts, a union-backed 527 group that has been running ads attacking Polis' education record - ads that Polis has complained distort the facts. A 527 refers to a section of the federal tax code that regulates political committees that can accept unlimited donations.
Steve Adams, head of Colorado Counts, confirmed the money would be spent on ads that "are definitely going to be targeting issues we have with Jared" in the last three days before the Aug. 12 primary.
At least one other 527 group, Centennial Alliance, is planning a weekend ad blitz backing Shafroth. The group plans to spend nearly $140,000.
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fatheromalley writes:
Wow, I guess I'll run right out and vote "against" any candidate that is endorsed by an "environmental group".
Why such a sarcastic statement?
Because they have shown over the years a tendency to go MENTAL over "endangered species" (no drilling, we declare the minote' muskrat to be endangered!What are you going to do, if you drill here, to guarantee that no minote musktrat will be harmed and their habitat will remain pristine?)
They've gone mental of the Kuwait oil fires.
They've gone mental over the Polar Bear.
They've gone mental over "global warming".
They are truly environ MENTAL........
They are not the conservationists of old. They wear that mantle.. but it is just a ruse to hide that they are the "collectivists" of America.. nothing more...
If people really want change as they claim, they will vote for neither a Republican or a Democrat. Send your message... not theirs...
If no third party is offered write in a name or say "none of the above".
Your vote is without your name! Close the curtain or go to the kitchen table and make your choices in private, not even a spouse.. lie... sure.. lie who'll know. Vote third party!
Or please shut up about "change"..
Both Parties are out of touch with you and I and are beholden to special interests.. It's become the battle of the special interests not the battle for what is really best for us and our security.
We would be in more agreement as a people. It is the special interests that add to the anger between us. They are the extreme. The Sierra Club is just as extreme as the most rabbid of any "big Oil" group or Christian group.. those that doubt this are the problem. Stop being part of the problem and vote third party.
If people like Salazar and Udall don't stop their "dancing" around our dependency on Foreign Oil they shouldn't be re-elected (Salazar) or elected (Udall)... they repeatedly talk about our dependence on OIL.. that dependency is not the culprit and is akin to attempting to pull on a stalk of corn to make it grow faster. When talking about 'GETTING OFF OF FOSSIL FUELS'.. you are voicing a Don Quixote illusion.
Polis is of the Salazar and Udall mentality (taking on big oil) (causing descension?).. more government, less choice for our "own good".
Is it just me? Aren't you tired of being spoken to as a child?
Love to all,
Father O'Malley