Rocky/CBS4 poll: DNC not exactly firing up Coloradans
By Burt Hubbard, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published August 21, 2008 at 10:18 p.m.
Jim McGinley and Joyce Anderson don't mind that the Democratic National Convention is coming to Denver, just as long as they don't have to be there.
Despite all the convention hoopla, a Rocky Mountain News/CBS4 News poll found more than half of Coloradans were either indifferent, annoyed or worried about the convention.
Less than 10 percent were thrilled.
"Clearly, Colorado voters are not jumping up and down about the DNC being held in Denver," said pollster Lori Weigel.
The poll of 500 registered voters found that 34 percent were indifferent, 11 percent were annoyed and 9 percent were worried about the convention's presence in Denver.
That compared with only 20 percent interested in the convention. Another 15 percent were excited and 9 percent thrilled, the poll found.
The poll was taken Aug. 11 through Aug. 13 by Public Opinion Strategies and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percentage points.
Public Opinion Strategies generally polls for Republican candidates. RBI Strategies, a firm that generally works with Democratic candidates, consulted on the creation of the questionnaire and its analysis.
Neither McGinley of Akron on the Eastern Plains nor Anderson of Delta on the Western Slope want any part of the convention.
"I'm 300 miles away so it really doesn't affect me," Anderson said. "I hate to tell you this, but I don't come to Denver unless I have no other choice."
McGinley was in Denver when downtown streets were closed for the Denver Grand Prix in the 1990s, cutting off businesses. He said he fears the same thing will happen with the convention.
"It's going to be a mob of people and lots of streets shut down," McGinley said. "If I want to watch it, I'll watch it out here on TV."
The poll found that the enthusiasm for the convention was generally confined to Democrats in Denver and its northern suburbs.
"It's a pretty big Denver phenomenon with not much excitement out in the rest of the state," Weigel said.
That fits Susan Pettibone, who was unsuccessful in getting tickets to Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Pettibone said. "It brings in money. It brings attention."
Marc Emrich of Littleton believes the convention will help showcase the city.
"All eyes are upon us and I think that's a good thing," Emrich said.
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August 21, 2008
11:07 p.m.
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raoul writes:
Colorado must be full of racists, gun-lovers and clingers to their religions.
August 21, 2008
11:45 p.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
yep..not thrilled ..at tal!!
August 22, 2008
12:09 a.m.
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Ofearghail writes:
I am absolutely thrilled... that I am out of the country as this freak show descends upon Denver.
August 22, 2008
12:50 a.m.
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GladysKravitz writes:
For better or worse this is historic...think of the societal barriers that have been broken the last time the convention was held here 100 years ago. yes there are more things to change and improve of our country. About the only thing I am concerned about is getting to and from work and avoiding any inordinate or destructive activities by protesters. Protest all they want, but do not tear up our city our community. And do not try to stop the rest of us who have to get to work from doing so by blocking interesections and breaking things.
I've witnessed it before in SF when the war (in Iraq) started and many of these people have nothing better to do than to complain and kvetch and destroy because the only thing they know how to do is complain, kvetch and destroy. Feh!
August 22, 2008
1:05 a.m.
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GladysKravitz writes:
Question for Bobby Jones....what additional tax $$$ are being spent on law enforcement? Is it Denver Tax money??? The Fed'l govt is giivng Denver $50 million for the cost of which about half is going toward security of our city and the event so that daily emergency services are still running for the citizens of Denver.
Granted the federal dollars come from taxes, but what should a city do, NOT have any funding at all? we gotta role with the punches.
There are only 4 US events where the gov't helps pay the bills on security, 2 are the major party conventions, the other 2 are the inauguration and the Super Bowl.
August 22, 2008
1:17 a.m.
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watcher1 writes:
Bobby Jones: the front range of Colorado and the Denver portion of I-70 already looks like New Jersey and I'd say cruising west through north Denver /Commerce City (270) must give one a feeling of being "home" in Houston. Its just like any other large city, now.
Sorry, but this ain't no Shangri-La, bro.
August 22, 2008
5:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Domino writes:
This poll says nothing: "The poll of 500 registered voters found that 34 percent were indifferent, 11 percent were annoyed and 9 percent were worried about the convention's presence in Denver.
That compared with only 20 percent interested in the convention. Another 15 percent were excited and 9 percent thrilled, the poll found."
The "indifferent" category means nothing in itself. It could be no opinion or Republican or Independent and the DNC does not affect them. The "interested" could be no opinion too or any party of Independent and interested in politics. "Annoyed" could be folks who are indifferent or interested, but more annoyed by the traffic restrictions. "Worried" could be Republicans who are scared of Recreate 68 or Democrats scared of the police acting like it is 1968. "Excited" and "Thrilled" could be Democrats or Republican Denver business owners seeing a big profit by a big convention.
So, how do we interpret this? There is no way. It is a meaningless poll.
August 22, 2008
6:14 a.m.
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cpeterson writes:
Given how poorly Obama is performing given his new links to domestic terrorism, self-benefitting, quid-pro-quo real estate deals with felons and documented lies concerning his radical advocacy of third-trimester abortions, the term "Denver" will simply be another bad memory for Democrats along with Chicago, Miami Beach, San Francisco, Atlanta and Boston.
The only question now left in this election is whether Obama can break the 40 percent threshold and beat Mondale's percentage.
August 22, 2008
6:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Gonzopozo writes:
I know the cost to the State to close down and secure the Auraria Campus for a week (in the middle of the Fall term) is significant.
I hope the DNC plans on paying us Colorado taxpayers back - we'll see.
August 22, 2008
6:32 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
The DNC didn't factor in that most people in Colorado are very laid back people and when you come in and screw up our way of life, we get a little unhappy about that, or at least I do. Maybe it's because they are screwing up our sports venues?
Plus, aren't there more Republicans in the State of Colorado than Democrats????
August 22, 2008
6:35 a.m.
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drkenne writes:
When I moved to Denver back in '75, I remember the city officials didn't like how Denver was a "big little city" or a "small big town" and they wanted to change that. Well...becareful what you wish for. Denver is now on center stage for the next week and just like Chicago in '68, the whole world is watching.
August 22, 2008
6:40 a.m.
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Keith43 writes:
Poles, poles, poles! Who cares? This was wasted print. But then, so is my post. Oops!
August 22, 2008
7:08 a.m.
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FCZ writes:
annoyed
August 22, 2008
8:04 a.m.
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Rallyracer7 writes:
I can't wait for Obama to show his true colors while he is here. They have been coming out slowly and will explode on us once here. All of you radical Obama followers, just remember, Hitler gave great speaches too. Look where the world went from there.
August 22, 2008
8:16 a.m.
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Billy writes:
MrCrush, you have to be one of the most close-minded, racially biased people I have ever read. Terrorist-loving? Where on God's green earth did you dig that up? You call Mr. Obama a racist, you sir are one of the most racist people in here. And as for your city, you are a little speck of white in an ever changing color of a city. Man I hope you don't have children, to think they'd grow up with views like yours.
August 22, 2008
8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
kodijack writes:
It is a useless convention, a major headache to those who live and work in Denver, and a ton of useless posturing and platitudes. The sooner its over the better.
August 22, 2008
8:22 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
I personally feel that the RMN has gone out of it's way to make people "annoyed and worried" about the upcoming DNC. I would say the majority of their coverage so far has been rather negative.
August 22, 2008
8:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
MileHighCritic writes:
Closing down I25
Parking charges will double during the convention
Protesters vowing to recreate 1968
What's not to love.
August 22, 2008
8:37 a.m.
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denverone writes:
Democrats are just annoying by nature. I am sick of them and they havn't even arrived yet. The way they look at Obama like a bunch of schoolgirls at a Hanna Montana concert makes me realize how dumbified this country has gotten. I actually heard them cheer yesterday when Obama sneezed on stage. Amazing!
August 22, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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Steph writes:
McCrush, your little chimpie in office has already made America a laughing stock and he'll go down in history as the worst president this country ever had so lay off the democrats and Obama. YOU have no credibility so why don't you just close your pie hole?
Even if Obama is elected (or McCain for that matter), they could hardly do a worse job than your man W.
August 22, 2008
8:42 a.m.
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Motormouth writes:
COULD CARE LESS AND I PLAN TO BE FAR AWAY DURING THE ENTIRE CONVENTION!
August 22, 2008
8:44 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
steel, I appreciate that the RMN has questioned some aspects of the DNC, particularly if all those helicopters flying over the city had anything to do with the upcoming event and also the articles questioning the City's secrecy about what they will be spending the grants they've been given on. I was also glad when they covered the stories about the host committee getting discounted gas and the questionable restrictions being put in place on protestors.
But, I've seen hardly any reporting on the potential positives, for example, the economic gains that many merchants are likely to reap.
Also, why aren't they covering the Republican convention at all? I understand the DNC should get more coverage because this is a local paper and a local event, but the paper does cover national news, too.
August 22, 2008
8:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
denverone writes:
Right on MrCrush. Thank God there are still just enough of us with the aptitude to know the difference between a FAILED community organizer and a war hero with 25 years of government experience.
If Obama has to distance himself from anymore of his past associations, he will soon be left with only his speech writer and his teleprompter.
August 22, 2008
8:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
mytwosense,
The one (and only?) good thing that is coming out of the circus is the repaired fountain in City Park. My eldest and I rode down there last night to see it. It's beautiful! BTW, if you focus on the reflection in the water you'll notice bats cruising just above the water searching for dinner. I couldn't tell if any of the bats had a Transylvanian accent :-)
Other than that ...... ;-)
Scott
August 22, 2008
9 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Thanks Scott! Maybe the RMN should put you on the DNC coverage beat...:)
August 22, 2008
9:11 a.m.
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LuvAmerica writes:
Funny how the righties have nothing but bad things to say about the mechanics of the democratic process. We should just stay home and let Diebold autovoting do all the work.
And MrCrush, it's "Barack". Hussein is his middle name. Stop with the stupid Obama-is-a-terrorist framing exercise. After the drunken fiscal giveaway by the present administration, exactly how IS it going to get paid for? The country is in debt up to its eyeballs, on the brink of a depression, and you want business as usual?
August 22, 2008
9:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Fireball writes:
I only hope that this convention does not result in riots, tear gas and property damage. We do not need this blemish on Denver and Colorado. Once the hoopla is over, I want Denver to be remembered as the host city where the Democratic nominee got totally crushed in the election. That should send a message for the Dems to keep the h&!! out of here.
NOBAMA: One of the best bumper stickers I have seen.
August 22, 2008
9:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Boulder_Badger writes:
This will be known as a dark moment in history ... that began in Denver. The beginning of the Fourth Reich. And if you disagree with me, then you sir, are worse than Hitler.
August 22, 2008
9:30 a.m.
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fntsymtn writes:
Reality check ... congress appropriates the budget. The president just approves what congress appropriates. If you want to blame anyone for the country's debt, blame congress. The president's office is just a figurehead when it comes to fiscal policy in this country, the real "work" or "damage" is done in the congress, and the last 8 congresses have failed the country miserably.
August 22, 2008
9:34 a.m.
Suggest removal
NotYours writes:
Why is speaking or writing Obama's middle name considered offensive to Democrats? Or even using the initial "H"?
John Henry Adams
William Henry Harrison
William Howard Taft
John F. Kennedy
Dwight D. Eisenhower
George W. Bush
Obama's NAME is NOT a right-wing conspiracy! Seriously, you people crack me up.
What if his name was "Pedro Jesus Obama"? Does is matter?
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA is the MAN'S NAME! If the candidate's name or culture/ethnicity causes you *embarrassment* -- you're a racist.
August 22, 2008
9:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
Father writes:
"The poll of 500 registered voters found that 34 percent were indifferent, 11 percent were annoyed and 9 percent were worried about the convention's presence in Denver."
That compared with only 20 percent interested in the convention. Another 15 percent were excited and 9 percent thrilled, the poll found.
Your perspective is very Karl Rove like - as only 11 percent were annoyed and 9 percent were worried about the convention's presence in Denver and that really adds up to only 20% against the DNC with adverse or negative attitudes.
That means that 80% don't have a negative attitude towards it - anyway you spin it !
Your way of presenting this spun govt math makes me feel that there is a John McCain endorsement waiting in the wings... or worse yet a proclamation that there is no recession or Bush's foreign trade policies are somehow justified.
August 22, 2008
9:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
denverone writes:
Please fntsymtn, you must know that your clarification of how our government actually works is above any Democrats pay grade.
Democrats think their paychecks come from the paycheck fairy so Obama can tax their employers all he wants and it won't affect them at all.
August 22, 2008
9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
NotYours, the list of names you provided were also how those people and their staff presented their names. But most people don't formally use their middle names, and most people certainly don't just abbreviate their first name to one initial and then use their full middle name.
Barack Obama calls himself Barack Obama. That is the way he has chosen to present his name, and the way his staff presents his name, and thus, the way that courteous people present his name, rather than insisting on another way to do so.
Would you not think it weird if people in your life suddenly insisted on referring to you by your first, middle, and last name?
Anyway, you can protest your insincere bewilderment on this issue all you want. But I know, and you know, and everybody else knows that certain elements are deliberately inserting his middle name to play on fears that because he has Muslim heritage, he's a terrorist.
August 22, 2008
9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
fntsymtn, You got it!
denverone, I love your comment!
Scott
August 22, 2008
9:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Willy writes:
"fntsymtn writes:
Reality check ... congress appropriates the budget. The president just approves what congress appropriates. If you want to blame anyone for the country's debt, blame congress. The president's office is just a figurehead when it comes to fiscal policy in this country, the real "work" or "damage" is done in the congress, and the last 8 congresses have failed the country miserably."
BINGO - We have a winner
August 22, 2008
9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
JPH writes:
Not thrilled at all. We are in Alaska enjoying this beautiful state. We planned our trip to avoid the DNC.
Lakewood
August 22, 2008
9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Father writes:
NotYours writes:
"Why is speaking or writing Obama's middle name considered offensive to Democrats? Or even using the initial "H"?
John Henry Adams
William Henry Harrison
William Howard Taft
John F. Kennedy
Dwight D. Eisenhower
George W. Bush
Obama's NAME is NOT a right-wing conspiracy! Seriously, you people crack me up.
What if his name was "Pedro Jesus Obama"? Does is matter?
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA is the MAN'S NAME! If the candidate's name or culture/ethnicity causes you *embarrassment* -- you're a racist."
You forgot the aging myth - John Sidney McCain III
August 22, 2008
10:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
fntsymtn writes:
Understand, I do believe that the republican controlled congresses of the recent past have failed us too, so I'm not "blaming" the democrats here. But to blame (or credit) a presidential administration for the fiscal successes or failures in this country is ignorant at best.
August 22, 2008
10:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
freespeech34 writes:
Obama's face will soon grace a new dollar bill......it won't be worth a damn!
August 22, 2008
10:30 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
fntsymtn: "But to blame (or credit) a presidential administration for the fiscal successes or failures in this country is ignorant at best."
I'm sorry, but this statement is ignorant. There is a great deal of interdependency between the presidential office and Congress in getting legislation crafted and signed into law (or not). What's more, the president appoints and subsequently influences numerous people to government agencies and Cabinet positions who certainly have a profound effect on fiscal policies.
August 22, 2008
10:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Boulder_Badger writes:
CLAIM: "We still don't abide by that basic precept of Matthew that whatever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me," Obama replied. Well, isn't that special - except it is a lie!
FACT: Barack Obama ignores his youngest brother, Henry Hussein Obama, that lives in a 6 ft by 9 ft shack in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. see Google.
"Mr Obama, 26, the youngest of the presidential candidate's half-brothers, spoke for the first time about his life, which could not be more different than that of the Democratic contender. (see Vanity Fair - Italy edition)
"No-one knows who I am," he told the magazine, before claiming: "I live here on less than a dollar a month."
He has only met his famous older brother twice - once when he was just five and the last time in 2006 when Senator Obama was on a tour of East Africa and visited Nairobi.
The Illinois senator mentions his brother in his autobiography, describing him in just one passing paragraph as a "beautiful boy with a rounded head".
Of their second meeting, George Obama said: "It was very brief, we spoke for just a few minutes. It was like meeting a complete stranger."
BARACK OBAMA'S MOTTO "DO AS I SAY AND NOT AS I DOES."
August 22, 2008
10:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
fntsymtn writes:
The president does not appropriate funding ... period. The administration does not appropriate funding ... period. Congress appropriates funding. The president can approve or veto the appropriated funding.
$.02, can you point me to anything in government regulations, the US constitution, bill of rights or any other official US governmental document that states that the president is responsible for appropriating funding?
Despite influences and interdependencies, the president and the administration that goes along with the office, has no authority to appropriate the funding. Yes, the US government has to work together to get things accomplished, but blaming (or crediting) an administration solely for the government's fiscal policy is ignorant and plain wrong. The reality is that congress appropriates the budget, the president approves it.
August 22, 2008
11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Brain writes:
I hope Denver does not become more popular due to the convention; I'm selfish and don't want to share Colorado with more people. I hope they show plenty of Commerce City and no mountains.
August 22, 2008
11:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
fntsymtn, is that the entire basis - the funds appropriation process - of your argument that presidents can not be blamed for fiscal policies?
Sounds to me like you're arguing a single point about the mechanisms behind the process, while ignoring every other manner in which a president influences fiscal and other policies in this country.
But, if you insist on arguing it, appropriations bills ultimately still require the president's participation. Don't you remember the deadlock in the middle of the Clinton administration that ultimately resulted in the government shutting down for a brief period of time?
I'm not arguing that Congress plays no role in fiscal policies, by any means. I would say their role is at least 50%, although they can certainly be circumvented through obscure rules, loopholes, downright illegality and agencies where the president has appointed someone influenced by his policies.
August 22, 2008
11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
Ah, I see in your last post you qualified blaming with the word "solely." In your earlier post, you seemed to be inferring no blame should be assessed to the presidential office. That was what I was debating.
August 22, 2008
11:36 a.m.
Suggest removal
fntsymtn writes:
My comments on these forums regarding fiscal accountability have always been directed toward those who constantly blame "the administration" for our country's debit, the current recession, or the general failed miserable policy of our current government. (likewise, I'll say the same for anyone who equally credits an administration for the success of our government)
I respect a congress and president who are willing to "go to battle" for the things that they believe are right (think Regan and early Clinton presidencies recently) and actually shut down an ineffective government rather than continue to fund something that they know is wrong.
But since about the middle of Clinton's first term, the government (congress and the administration) has turned into a bunch of fools who refuse to accept accountability or responsibility for the offices they are elected to. And instead pander to "appearances" rather than what benefits the country.
Additionally, the relative fiscal successes of the government during the 80's and 90's was because the congress and the president worked together responsibly, although at times bitterly, in the best interests of the nation. I suppose that 16 years of relative prosperity bred complacency within the government and our elected officials of the most recent decade (or so) appear unwilling to be responsible.
August 22, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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Keith43 writes:
Smart man Motormouth! Let's all leave town during the DNC - Who knows what might happen - the appearance of downtown may be totally changed when we return.
Oh yeah, on my first post I misspelled "poll". I'm losin it! Sorry bout that!
August 22, 2008
11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
denverone writes:
Mytwosense has the IQ of a Democrat. Couldn't come up with anything lower on such short notice.
August 22, 2008
11:56 a.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
"the front range of Colorado and the Denver portion of I-70 already looks like New Jersey and I'd say cruising west through north Denver /Commerce City (270) must give one a feeling of being "home" in Houston."
you clearly have not been to either of those places if you really think the front range is that bad.
August 22, 2008
11:58 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
fntsymtn, yes, there has been a failure in Congress and the President's ability to work together for the people's good. However, to chalk our current problems up to that ignores the individuals and their actions that make up and have led to this problem. Basically, it lets them off the hook. Not to mention, discredits the few brave holdouts who have tried to take a different approach.
August 22, 2008
12:42 p.m.
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trinidad writes:
RAOUL quit being a hippie liberal jackass CRYBABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 22, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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kel writes:
fntsymtn-
I think you could also have added that 'gasp' just because we have a Republican president doesn't mean that we have a Republican congress! Which could mean that...the democratic party has been at least partly involved in the current economic decline we have seen over the last 8 years???? But again, that would actually require people to think and research things for themselves....
August 22, 2008
1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Willy writes:
my2- the point is that we are supposed ot have a system of checks and balances, but in our current state, that system is broken because both parties are driven by a quest for power, politcal captial, etc. rather than what is good for the country.
August 22, 2008
2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
FCZ writes:
Despite all the convention hoopla, a Rocky Mountain News/CBS4 News poll found more than half of Coloradans were either indifferent, annoyed or worried about the convention.
Less than 10 percent were thrilled.
Waste of our tax money.
August 22, 2008
2:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
rmnreader writes:
I wonder if everyone would be so upset about the road closures, traffic and influx of outsiders if it were the Superbowl being held here and causing all of the same? How about the olympics? Putting our city in the national spotlight seems to me that it will be good for our economy in the future. Downtown has improved leaps and bounds in the last 15 years lets show it off and make some money to keep it looking great at the same time. I don't mind taking politicians money for our city.
August 22, 2008
4:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
localyokal writes:
Yea raoul, I gotta go with trinidad. Your type are really getting old. You must also be a blame America (U.S.) first lemming. Grow up, open your eyes and contribute rather than take and whine.
August 22, 2008
5:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
VMA_214 writes:
Now why on earth would we be thrilled to have a major interstate shut down in the height of rush hour, in order to accommodate the DNC? Then too boot, no parking at Mile High. What was that phrase from the Clint Eastwood movie, Heartbreak Ridge, “it’s a cluster (the other word alludes me)..., sir". This best describes the forth coming events next Thursday, 08/28/2008.
USMC 1967-1971
August 22, 2008
7:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
fntsymtn writes:
$.02 (I hope you don't mind my translation of your handle)
We can agree to disagree on whether holding elected members of congress equally accountable as the president for the failures of the government lets anyone "off the hook". I think that allowing elected members of the government to take the "it is the administration's (or congress') fault" position is far more lenient than holding them accountable. There are no individuals in an administration or in a congress, they are, by design, closer to a cooperative than a bunch of individuals. But I digress.