VOL. 01 NO. 136 | JULY 22, 2016 | COLORADOSTATESMAN.COM/THE-HOT-SHEET | © 2016By TCS CEO and Editor-In-Chief Jared Wright

DENVER – Happy post Republican National Convention, er, Donald Trump Law and Order … Day. To those traveling back from Cleveland, stay safe. And keep the law and order while you’re at it.

Read on for your daily briefing in all things important for Colorado politicos …

“In this race for the White House, I am the law and order candidate.”

– Donald Trump

Now, your substrata feed straight from Colorado’s politics pipeline:

SPIKING THE FOOTBALL AND THROWING SALT IN THE WOUND FOR COLORADO CRUZ SUPPORTERS? THIS MORNING: DONALD TRUMP REIGNITED THE FEUD WITH TED CRUZ IN 10 MINUTES’ WORTH OF COMMENTS, REMINDING VOTERS HE WON BIG OVER HIS TEXAS SENATOR OPPONENT – Trump: “So here’s the story: The press takes that and they say, ‘Donald Trump and his conspiracy theories, he went out and said [Ted Cruz’s] father was with Lee Harvey Oswald, and he assassinated the president.’ What’d I do? … I know nothing about his father. I know nothing about his father. I know nothing about Lee Harvey Oswald. But there was a picture on the front page of the National Enquirer, which does have credibility. And they’re not gonna do pictures like that, because they get sued for a lot of money if things are wrong. Ok? A lot of money. And there was a picture. And that’s the only thing I know. …”

“I like Ted, he’s fine,” Trump said. “But I don’t want his endorsement. If he gives it, I will not accept it.”

He praised Heidi as beautiful and suggested the incident in which Cruz complained about Trump attacking his family started because Cruz supporters sent a risqué photo of Trump’s wife Melania on a political ad. The Cruz campaign denied involvement.

ROUNDUP: A FEW OF THE COLORADO REPUBLICAN DELEGATES’ STATEMENTS ON DONALD TRUMP’S NOMINATION – 

At-Large Delegate U.S. Rep. Ken Buck: “Tonight Donald Trump will accept the Republican Nomination for President. I’m supporting Mr. Trump and I hope you will too.

“We cannot leave the future of the Supreme Court to chance. It’s simply too important that conservative justices are appointed to the court.

“Hillary Clinton is one of the most dishonest politicians I can remember. We simply can’t trust the things she says.

“I’m voting for Donald Trump because we can’t have four more years of Obama’s failed policies.”

At-Large Delegate state Rep. Patrick Neville: “Tim to make America great again.”

RNCinCLE Delegates State Rep. Patrick Neville, U.S. Rep. Ken Buck and wife state Rep. Perry Buck all floating Trump’s signature “Make America Great Again” hats.

At-Large Delegate CU Regent Sue Sharkey: “Message to myself: Suck it up buttercup, Trump is the only choice for the future of our country!! Trump must win!! Now get out there and win this d[-] thing, it’s on you!!??????”

At-Large Delegate former state Sen. Ted Harvey: The t-shirt and hat he wore say it all:

At-Large Delegate Secretary of State Wayne Williams: “The balloons are released!”

COLORADO GOP CHAIRMAN STEVE HOUSE HAS SOME PLAIN SPEAK ON DELEGATES SUPPORTING/NOT SUPPORTING TRUMP – State Republican Party Chairman Steve House told Denver News 7’s Marshall Zellinger, “Almost everybody’s on board. There’s certainly not everybody, but I’m going to tell you it’s at least two-thirds of the delegation,” said House. “We’re talking 37 people total. Maybe there’s 10 holdouts or five holdouts at this point. The delegation is a very small fraction of the issue. The issue is a million Republicans and somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000 unaffiliated voters. Once we get past the convention, most of what happened here won’t matter.”

House continued, “You really look at (Reps.) Mike (Coffman) and Scott (Tipton) especially, those guys are in very difficult races. If they’d have come here and spent time, I would have probably pushed on them a little and said, the real work for them to do is in Colorado, not in Cleveland. (Senate candidate) Darryl Glenn was here, but I told him, ‘Don’t be here all week because you’ve got to go back to Colorado and win a race.'”

Full story here

HOUSE’S RESPONSE TO ALLEGED GOP WALKOUT – “Those were empty seats from when the arena was empty, because there were some of us there the whole time,” Colorado Republican Party Chairman Steve House told Westword. “You don’t see that in the photos. But the media’s perspective was, there was no recognition of a desire for a roll call vote, there was chanting for roll call, and when the chair gaveled it down that the ‘ayes’ had it on the rules, the group turned and walked out of the delegation itself. But what really happened was, they walked over, talked, watched, and then when the next vote came on, they walked back on the floor.”

House continued, “There was a lot of media there, because there were rumors that there would be a walkout or some level of demonstration on the part of the Colorado delegates. I knew that wasn’t going to happen, but that didn’t mean we weren’t jammed in there like sardines because people were waiting to see what was going to happen. And frankly, when I did report the voting on the roll call, I couldn’t hear what was going on in the rest of the arena. I heard some people booed, and I get it.”

Full story here

DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATE CANDIDATE DRAWS HITLER COMPARISON TO DONALD TRUMP – Emily Tracy, Democratic candidate for Senate District 8 who is running against Republican state Sen. Randy Baumgardner compared the speech of her opponent’s party nominee to one of German dictator Adolf Hitler’s in a tweet during Donald Trump‘s nomination acceptance speech last night. “Has this been said yet?” Tracy tweeted. “Plagiarism again, or does #Trump‘s speech just SOUND like it could have been taken from the speeches of Hitler?”

HICKENLOOPER TO DELIVER BIGGEST POLITICAL SPEECH OF HIS LIFETIME AT DNC 2016 – Next week, Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is widely expected to be a likely cabinet appointment should Hillary Clinton win the White House, will deliver a speech as a key swing state governor at the Democratic National Convention where the stakes will be perhaps the highest in his political career. Hickenlooper’s statement: “It’s an honor to take part in the Democratic National Convention next week and to have the opportunity to speak to so many Americans about the ways we can come together to tackle the challenges our country is facing. That’s what we’ve done here in Colorado, and that’s exactly the type of approach to problem-solving Hillary will bring to the White House. Hillary will make history at this convention when she accepts our party’s nomination for president, and I’m humbled to be a part of it.” Full story here

DURAN ALSO ADDED TO DNC SPEAKING LIST – Rising star Democratic House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran will also speak at the convention in Philadelphia. Duran, the state House’s highest ranking Latina, won the 2016 Emily’s List Rising Star Award in March. Duran’s statement: “It’s an absolute honor to be invited to speak to fellow Democrats next week at our national convention. The stakes in this election are high, and it’s critically important that we unite around our shared principles as progressives to keep the White House in Democratic hands.”

DNC speaker announcement here

ICYMI, ODD ELECTION YEAR LAWMAKING: DEGETTE ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE ‘POKÉMON GO’ NOT TAKING TOO MUCH OF YOUR DATA – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette has a message for the CEO of the company behind hit mobile app game Pokémon Go – don’t use too much cell phone data. New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Colorado’s 1st Congressional District Rep. DeGette, all members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, sent a strongly worded letter to the game’s developer, Niantic, Inc., Tuesday asking if the company is doing anything to “ensure consumers are informed of Pokémon Go’s effect on their mobile data usage,” according to The Huffington Post.

Pokemon Go “doesn’t contain any warnings informing users that they might be using their data plan,” according to Huffpost, “but it probably doesn’t need one: Numerous reports ? including one cited within the Democrats’ letter ? indicate that the game doesn’t really have much of an impact on your data plan at all.”

Full story here

IN SCOLDING EDITORIAL, DENVER POST CALLS ON DAN PABON TO RESIGN OFFICE – “Colorado Rep. Dan Pabon took the public for ride with his handling of a drunken driving arrest, and he ought to do the right thing and resign. He has breached the public’s trust. …” Full editorial here

GAZETTE PLEADS WITH HICKENLOOPER TO WIDEN I-25 BEFORE HE ‘GOES TO WASHINGTON’ – In an editorial headlined “If Mr. Hick goes to Washington,” the Colorado Springs Gazette editorial board thanks Gov. John Hickenlooper for paying “more attention to Colorado Springs than most predecessors,” and begs him to “quickly widen I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock, which is routinely jammed,” before his ever-growing likely departure to a cabinet position should a Clinton administration take the White House. The board reminds Hickenlooper of his promise while meeting with them in 2014 “to make it a top priority.” Full editorial here

IN COLORADO’S REAL RACE TO WATCH, DEMS TRYING TO BRING COFFMAN DOWN WITH TRUMP – As first reported by The Statesman’s Ernest Luning, state Democrats launched a new website, attacking U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman by tying him to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Thursday – just hours before the former reality TV star is set to accept the GOP nomination – but Coffman says he’s the only candidate in the race who will stand up to whoever wins the presidency.

“Congressman Coffman has not only pledged to support Donald Trump,” the Democrats’ website charges, citing a comment made by a campaign spokeswoman on the day after the Iowa caucuses, “he has spent his entire political career championing the type of reckless, divisive and discriminatory agenda that created Donald Trump.” Read Coffman’s response and watch the Jibjab style campaign video in Luning’s full story here.

ICYMI, LYNN BARTELS VIDEO BOMBS CHRIS MATTHEWS ON LIVE TV – For Democratic state Rep. Paul Rosenthal, the only silver lining to watching the Republican National Convention was his Lynn Bartels spotting. To those watching MSNBC, Bartels appeared out of the left corner of the screen and seemed to be nonchalantly looking around for something. She then glanced up right at the camera for just a moment, giving viewers an absolute, unquestionable, 100 percent Lynn Bartels sighting. Priceless. For those of us who know Bartels, it’s likely the appearance was all but carefully and craftily orchestrated.

DIVERSIONS: 

REPORTER CAUGHT PLAYING POKÉMON GO DURING STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING – A reporter gets called out by a from former Navy admiral after being caught playing Pokémon Go during a terrorism briefing by US State Department spokesman John Kirby. Full video here

“We are better than this.”

– Hillary Clinton

YOUR BRIEFING IN ALL THINGS POLITICAL

POLITICO: Vanilla nice: Signs point to Kaine as Clinton’s VP choice – “Hillary Clinton’s veepstakes is ending the way it began: with the humble-but-sturdy Tim Kaine sitting at the top of her list. After an extensive, months-long process during which the campaign considered a host of different options – even vetting a serious candidate from outside the political arena – the squeaky-clean Virginia senator, whose biggest liability to emerge was that he was boring, is emerging as Clinton’s top choice. Kaine has been urged along by two men familiar with the demands of the job: President Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton, those close to the process say. …” Full story here

STATESMAN: Clinton looks to steal thunder with VP pick – “Hillary Clinton moved closer to introducing her running mate, snatching attention from newly crowned Republican nominee Donald Trump just hours after he closed out his convention with a fiery and foreboding turn at the podium. Crews were still sweeping confetti from the GOP convention hall floor, as the Clinton campaign signaled an announcement was coming …” Full story here

STATESMAN: In big nomination acceptance speech, Trump warns of threat from those in U.S. illegally – “Donald Trump took the stage at Quicken Loans Arena for the fourth and final night of the Republican National Convention, ‘humbly and gratefully’ accepting the GOP’s nomination for president, joining the crowd in chanting, ‘USA! USA!’ …” Full story here

STATESMAN: Undercover officers mingled with protesters at oil and gas event – “Undercover officers mingled with oil and gas protesters during a peaceful demonstration in a Denver suburb in May, providing “critical information” to commanders, according to newly released Lakewood Police Department documents. But police said Thursday the Lakewood officers were there only to keep the peace and weren’t gathering information on individuals or posing as protesters …” Full story here

STATESMAN: Kaine emerges as favorite in Clinton’s VP search – “Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine has emerged as the leading contender to join the Democratic ticket as Hillary Clinton’s running mate, according to two Democrats, who both cautioned that Clinton has not made a final decision and could yet change directions. The announcement of Clinton’s pick could come as early as Friday afternoon in Florida, a …” Full story here

POST INDEPENDENT: Tipton wraps up opioid listening tour – “As lawmakers in Washington, D.C., tackle the nation’s growing problem of prescription drug abuse, Rep. Scott Tipton turned to the communities he represents to help him understand prescription opioid and heroin abuse. …” Full story here

DENVER POST: Colorado town finds THC in its water, warns residents not to drink or bathe in it – “This town on Colorado’s Eastern Plains warned its residents not to drink, bathe in or cook with its tap water on Thursday because officials said multiple preliminary tests of the water came back positive for THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. …” Full story here

PEOPLE MAGAZINE: The Bachelor star Ben Higgins is running for office in Colorado – “Ben Higgins is the latest reality star to jump into politics. On Wednesday, it was announced that the most recent star of ABC’s hit show The Bachelor, will be running for public office in Colorado. Higgins is running as a Republican in a Denver state House district against Democratic Rep. Dan Pabon, the second-ranking member of the House. …” Full story here

DENVER POST: What you missed from Colorado on the final day of the Republican National Convention – “Colorado’s delegates remain reluctant to support Donald Trump, which is to say most of them will vote for the Republican nominee despite their bad history. …” Full story here

COMMON DREAMS: Progressive strides undone if Hickenlooper chosen as HRC running mate  – “As we approach Friday’s announcement by the Hillary Clinton camp of their selection of running mates, Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado is apparently one of the people who has been under consideration. Choosing Hickenlooper to share the Democratic Party’s ticket would weaken the modest progressive gains made during the DNC’s platform struggle and set the tone for what a Hillary Clinton presidency might value. …” Full post here

CBS 4: Buck’s appeal: ‘We must support Donald Trump’ – “Colorado has been hotbed for anti-Donald Trump sentiment among its Republicans, but on Thursday one of the state’s most respected conservative Congressman made a plea in his favor. …” Full story here

COLORADO MATTERS: Hickenlooper Wants More Gun Tracking, Says Race Relations Are Improving – “In light of recent shootings by police and people of color in Louisiana, Dallas, and Minnesota, Gov. John Hickenlooper says he is trying to diagnose the problem of gun violence. …” Full story here

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Elizabeth Warren among those added to updated list of Democratic National Convention speakers – “Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was left off the initial rundown of Democratic National Convention speakers, will address attendees at next week’s gathering in Philadelphia. The Massachusetts senator, whose populist messages about income inequality and the abuses of Wall Street earn her great admiration among liberals, was added on Thursday to the official list of speakers.”

Events:

Larimer County Republican Breakfast Club – Monday, July 25, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, Johnson’s Corner, Southeast Frontage Road, I-25 Exit 254. Meeting held every Monday morning. Same time, same place. Attendance is open to the public. Cost for a buffet style breakfast is $10, and $2 for students. Join for $20, and get a monthly mailing of upcoming speakers and a name tag. Congressman Bob Schaffer founded this club in 1996, when he first went to Congress. For more information, contact Donna Gustafson.

Advanced Tactical AR-15 Course & Fundraiser for George Athanasopolous for Congress – Friday, July 29, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Delta Force veterans will headline an advanced tactical AR-15 course to help raise funds for George for Congress. Location: Great Guns Range, 16126 County Road 96, Nunn, CO. Tickets are $700 and include personalized instruction from Special Ops on how to drive your AR-15 like a special forces operator. Ammunition and lunch are also included. Questions? Email George@GeorgeforColorado.com or RSVP at GeorgeforColorado.com/delta.

Elections Study Group Meeting – Saturday, July 30, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Grand Junction City Hall Auditorium, 250 North 5th St., Grand Junction, CO. Here is the link for more information and other upcoming events the study group will be conducting in the next few months.

100 Kids that Cook – Saturday, July 30, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd., Denver, Come out and support these young people show off their culinary skills. tell your family and friends to come out and support this event. The funds are raised to help watch care academy. Tickets here.

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival – Saturday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Olathe Community Park, Olathe, CO. The Olathe Sweet Corn Festival is a West Slope organization which provides an annual fundraising opportunity for non-profit organizations while promoting local businesses and the area’s agricultural community. Tickets here.

Colorado Folds of Honor – Colorado Patriots Broadmoor Gold Tournament – Monday, August 8, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., The Broadmoor Resort and Spa, Colorado Springs, CO. 1st Annual Colorado Springs Golf Tournament Supporting the Folds of Honor Info : www.Colorado-Patriots.org

Last day for unaffiliated candidate for president and vice president to submit a statement of intent to run, a $1,000 filing fee, and a list of electors – Wednesday, August 10, no later than 3:00 p.m.

El Paso County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner – Friday., August 12, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Join the El Paso County GOP to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln. Guests include U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn. Location: Cheyenne Mountain Resort, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906. For more information, contact Mary Bradfield at secretary@gopelpaso.com or (719) 578-0022. For tickets, visit here.

Adams County 50th Anniversary JFK Dinner – Saturday, August 27, 6:00 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton, Castle Event Center, I-25 and 120th Ave. Master of Ceremonies state Sen. Morgan Carroll. Special guest speaker to be announced after the Democratic National Convention.

Last fay for U.S. Senate and U.S. House candidates to submit a voluntary term limits declaration form – Monday, August 29

General Election mail ballots drop – Monday, October 17

General Election polling locations open – Monday, October 24

General Election – Tuesday, November 8

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