VOL. 01 NO. 138 | JULY 26, 2016 | COLORADOSTATESMAN.COM/THE-HOT-SHEET | © 2016By TCS CEO and Editor-In-Chief Jared Wright

DENVER – Well, none of us can say we didn’t see the rough and tumble conventions for both parties coming from miles away right? Happy Day # 2 of the Democratic National Convention … and All or Nothing Day (more encouragement for the Bernie Sanders supporters).

This morning Hillary Clinton‘s campaign manager Robby Mook told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that he didn’t believe the stolen DNC emails were a “coincidence.”

“All I know is what the experts and the reporters are telling us, what they’re saying is it was likely Russian actors. I think the timing around our convention was not a coincidence.”

So everyones’ suspicions are confirmed. Trump connection, though? “Absurd” says his campaign.

But the email hacking caused somewhat of a total upheaval on Convention Day 1, and a subsequent bowing out of Debbie Wasserman Schultz from her place in the chair of the convention yesterday – the festivities were instead gaveled in by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. Meanwhile, leaders in the Colorado for Bernie Sanders movement are calling for party unity and (at least eventual) support for Clinton.

But it wasn’t all butterflies and cordiality.

“I am sitting by the Bernie people. Nuff said,” national delegate and Pueblo Democratic Party Chair Mary Beth Corsentino posted to her Facebook page …

Read on for your daily briefing on all things Colorado politics …

“I could give a stump speech for Bernie or Hillary. I’m proud to be a Democrat.”

– U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette

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

AFTER HECTIC AND ‘EXCITING’ FIRST DAY AT DNC, TOP-LEVEL COLORADO BERNIE SUPPORTER PLEDGES VOTE FOR BERNIE, BUT SUPPORT FOR HILLARY – Last night, in an effort to stop the same movement he started, Bernie Sanders took to the Wells Fargo Center stage in Philadelphia to chanting of “Bernie, Bernie!” as he called on Democrats to unite behind his once foe and soon-to-be official Democratic nominee for president, Hillary Clinton.”I am proud to stand with her,” Sanders told the charged audience occupied by historic Colorado political figures like former Gov. Roy Romer and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, both outspoken Clinton supporters. Some of Bernie’s fans got quite emotionally choked up during the speech. “… Any objective observer must conclude, Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States,” Sanders added to a mixture of cheers and chants.This morning at the Colorado delegation’s breakfast, Colorado’s highest elected Sanders supporter, state Rep. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, too got choked up as he received a standing ovation from his fellow delegates and explained to them that while he will stay true to his pledge to vote for Sanders in the roll call vote, he will then support Clinton.

Webb also stood in front of the breakfast this morning, thanking the Sanders campaign for “improving our party, bringing principles that make us better.” He then scolded Sanders supporters for booing, adding “I thought revolution was about fighting for progressive ideals.”

PRE-GAME ROLL CALL VOTE TAKEN AT MORNING CO DELEGATION BREAKFAST – While Bernie Sanders assured reporters roll call votes would not be taken before the actual roll call vote on the convention floor, this morning rumors began flying that the roll call votes would indeed be tabulated at the more dispersed, more private, morning delegate breakfasts. Colorado Democratic Party Chair Rick Palacio, a man not popular by a stretch with the Sanders crowd, decided on a bit of a hybrid to figure out where things were at with his flock, holding a delegate vote in advance of the formal roll call vote that will occur later tonight.

The Los Angeles Times noted Monday that Sanders supporters “fanned out across Philadelphia on Monday morning, collecting signatures to ensure the Vermont senator gets a roll call vote on the convention floor.”

EXCLUSIVE: EMBEDED WITH THE DELEGATION, TV HOST AARON HARBER TO SEND BACK DISPATCHES FROM DNC – Aaron Harber, host of the popular Denver cable television “Aaron Harber Show” is in Philadelphia and will be sending dispatches back from the DNC for The Hot Sheet. Yesterday:”Optimism abounds in a sweltering Philadelphia as Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Michelle Obama took the stage,” Harber said, “But a big part of the first day was watching long time activists from across the country greet each other – in many cases not having seen each other since the last Presidential Convention.

“We interviewed journalist Dan Rather, Congressman Jared Polis, television star Jerry Springer, former DNC Chair Don Fowler and many others. More to come tomorrow!” he added.

DENVER’S WEBB TAKES THE STAGE – Chairman of this year’s Colorado delegation and rules committee member former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb took the stage yesterday, the first Coloradan to climb the steps for DNC 2016, proudly delivering the rules committee’s report. Webb is a PLEO member- party leaders and elected officials. PLEO’s were announced early this year (in January, before states selected delegates). Photos below:

FORMER COLORADAN AND U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TO SPEAK TONIGHT DURING THE DNC – Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who spent some of her early, formative teenage days growing up in Denver, Colorado, will speak to convention delegates at Wells Fargo Center tonight at around 7:30 p.m. MDT during the “Fights of her life: Secretary of State presentation.

FIGHTS OF HER LIFE SCHEDULE:

Remarks

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar

Remarks

Ima Matul

Sex Trafficking Survivor & Advocate

Remarks

Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Bill Clinton headlines along with a film about Hillary introduced by Meryl Streep and Alicia Keys performance after that, 8:00 – 9:00 pm MDT.

COLORADO NO LONGER A BATTLEGROUND STATE – According to Denver-based pollster Floyd Ciruli, “Colorado moved out of battleground status for several reasons:

Full post here

ICYMI: TIPTON, SCHWARTZ, COFFMAN AND CARROLL ALL SAT OUT THEIR  CONVENTIONS TO CAMPAIGN – The 3rd and 6th Congressional Districts took no time for partisan national politics this cycle, the candidates focusing instead on their own contested races back home. As The Denver Post’s John Frank reports, Morgan Carroll, “who is running against Republican Mike Coffman in U.S. House District 6, as well as Gail Schwartz, vying to unseat Scott Tipton in District 3,” stayed home back in Colorado during the extensive 7 week congressional recess, just as Tipton and Coffman did during their own convention last week when Colorado Republican Party Chairman Steve House said, “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.'”

Floyd Ciruli recognizes that Schwartz is perhaps Tipton’s biggest-ever challenge in a year he wasn’t supposed to have much of one, “but as good as Schwartz is in a campaign, she will need a wave-type of year to defeat Tipton,” he added. Read Ciruli’s full thoughts here

Yesterday, Tipton was visiting the Veterans Medical Center Surgical ICU, while Schwartz was campaigning in Chaffee County and Coffman and Carroll were both campaigning in Aurora.

STROHM TO RECEIVE ALLY AWARD FROM ONE COLORADO EDUCATION FUND – Starboard Group’s Kristin Strohm, a well-known Colorado politico, wife to former state Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry and former DBJ “40 under 40” recipient, will receive another recognition next month, One Colorado announced. Strohm will be recognized by the One Colorado Education Fund at this year’s annual 2016 Ally Awards on Saturday, August 20. “One Colorado, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, is honored to have the opportunity to spot light Kristin at this year’s event and tell the story of how an ally stood up for LGBT couples and civil unions by organizing and gaining conservative support,” reads a letter penned by Becca Moser and Joe Megyesy announcing the event.

POLIS HAS HARSH WORDS FOR THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE – “Trump is a reckless cancer who infected the GOP. Thank goodness he didn’t run as a Democrat, win nomination. I’d NEVER support him #nevertrump. – U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-CD2THE DONALD NOTICES MEDIA BIAS OF 24 HOUR NEWS NETWORKS – Donald Trump‘s Twitter account this morning: “Funny, if you listen to @FoxNews, the Democrats did not have a good day. If you listen to the other two, they are fawning. What a difference”

“Well you can’t say this convention isn’t exciting.”

– Sal Pace

YOUR BRIEFING IN ALL THINGS POLITICAL

STATESMAN: After turmoil, Sanders, Mrs. Obama, Warren thrill convention – “Ending months of animosity, Bernie Sanders robustly embraced his former rival Hillary Clinton Monday night as a champion for the same economic causes that enlivened his supporters, signaling it was time for them, too, to rally behind the Democratic nominee in the campaign against Republican Donald Trump. ‘Any objective observer will conclude that – based on her ideas and her leadership – Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States,’ he declared in a headlining address on the opening night of the Democratic convention. …” Full story here

STATESMAN: First Lady Michelle Obama draws sharp portrait of Trump, without naming him – “Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, first lady Michelle Obama stood before the Democratic convention on Tuesday and drew a sharp sketch of the Republican nominee that stood in harsh contrast to her gauzy portrait of Hillary Clinton as a woman who has looked out for children and the disadvantaged all her life. Delivering a mother’s impassioned call to action, Mrs. Obama offered Clinton to the nation as a woman with a heart and as a future president who never “buckles under pressure” or takes the easy way out. …” Full story here

STATESMAN: Die-hard Sanders backers divided on backing Clinton – “With boos and chants of “Feel the Bern,” die-hard backers of Bernie Sanders signaled on Monday that they just aren’t ready to coalesce around the presidential bid of Hillary Clinton despite his pleas. At a raucous meeting with his most loyal supporters, the Vermont senator implored his hundreds of delegates to defeat Donald Trump in November, calling the Republican candidate a ‘bully and a demagogue.’ He said it was imperative to elect Clinton and her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine. … Full story here

CBS 4: Trump planning visit to Colorado this week – You heard it first in The Hot Sheet! “Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance in Colorado later this week. Trump could visit Colorado Springs on Thursday or Friday. Trump and running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence made campaign appearances on Monday in Roanoke, Va. and Winston Salem, N.C. …” Full story hereDURANGO HERALD: Gov. Hickenlooper opposes transfer of public lands – “Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar say a recently released Republican Party platform that promotes the transfer of federal public lands to states is bad for the country. During a media phone conference July 19, Hickenlooper sharply criticized the Republican movement to give up federal lands, calling it ‘reckless, and an assault on not just public lands in Colorado, but against all of our national public lands that have been held in trust for all Americans for over 200 years.’ …” Full story here

REASON.COM: Hey, Gov. Hickenlooper! When are Democrats gonna get as brave about the drug war as Colorado! – “This morning, as I will be doing on Wednesday, I guested on SiriusXM Insight Channel’s Stand Up! With Pete Dominick from 10 to noon ET, talking all things convention. As we were yakking, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper dropped by. Dominick asked me if I had any questions for the governor-who started as an opponent to legalizing marijuana in his state, and later changed his mind – and so I asked the question in the headline of this post …” Full post here

DENVER POST: How Colorado delegates are influencing the Democratic Party platform – “Democrats plan to vote Monday on their national platform and rules for this week’s Democratic National Convention, and the contributions of Colorado officials are expected to make an impact in two key areas: marijuana use and how the party selects its presidential nominee. The pot provision was championed by Dennis Obduskey of Park County, a member of the platform committee, and it calls on Democrats nationally to support a policy that would remove marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance and set a ‘reasoned pathway for future legalization.’  …” Full story here

DENVER POST: UnitedHealthcare acquired Rocky Mountain Health Plans – “Rocky Mountain Health Plans, a dominant and long-independent provider of health insurance coverage in western Colorado, has struck a deal to join UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurer in the state and the country. ‘The value of this union is that you take United’s state-of-the-art technology and the extraordinary community relationships of Rocky,’ said Steve ErkenBrack, president and CEO of Grand Junction-based Rocky Mountain Health Plans. …” Full story here

9 NEWS: Verify: Trump on marriage equality, Clinton role in CHIP – “Hillary Clinton’s supporters tried to make her case to a divided party during the first night of the Democratic National Convention. The Clinton campaign is leaning heavily on attacking Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as a strategy to try to bring disenchanted Bernie Sanders supporters on board. …” Full story hereCOLORADO INDEPENDENT: Is Colorado still a battleground state? Top pollster and analyst says no – “This week, one of Colorado’s most quotable pollsters and political analysts dropped a bomb. ‘Colorado is no longer a battleground state,’ wrote Floyd Ciruli on the blog for his Ciruli and Associates consulting firm. … Full story here

COLORADO PEAK POLITICS: Battleground state: Why Colorado is still up for grabs – “Political pundits in D.C. may think Colorado is no longer a battleground state, but it looks like Donald Trump disagrees and will be campaigning here this week. As an added insult to Hillary, the visit is planned for Thursday in Colorado Springs, coinciding with the Democratic nominee’s acceptance speech at that mess of a national convention. …” Full post here

COLORADO POLS: Clarice Navarro “pre-buts” Crisanta Duran for Trump – “Rep. Crisanta Duran, the Majority Leader of the Democratic-controlled Colorado House, scored a big coup with her scheduled address to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this coming Thursday. …” Full post hereNEW YORK TIMES: Bernie Sanders faces task of putting down revolt he started – “Bernie Sanders likes to boast that he has ignited a fiery movement. At times on Monday, it seemed that even he had lost control of how it burns. On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, the ragtag coalition of liberals that Mr. Sanders is supposed to deliver to Hillary Clinton heckled from the convention floor. They marched in the streets. They protested outside the arena. …” Full story here

WASHINGTON TIMES: #NeverTrump Republican to cross enemy lines with DNC speech – “#NeverTrump Republicans plan to make waves by disavowing GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in a speech Thursday at the Democratic National Convention. Lifelong Republican Doug Elmets, a former Reagan administration speechwriter and domestic adviser, said Monday he sees Mr. Trump as a ‘petulant reality TV star.’ …” Full story here

WEEKLY STANDARD: Yesterday, Bernie Sanders didn’t just lose his piece of paper, he lost his own movement – “Day one of the Democratic convention was dominated by disgruntled Bernie Sanders supporters. The protested in the city; they chanted and booed inside the arena. And so even though 90 percent of Sanders voters now say they’re supporting Hillary Clinton, the Sanders vanguard was still fighting. It’s instructive to compare what happened in Philadelphia yesterday with what happened at the Denver convention in 2008. The contrast illustrates that it didn’t have to be this way. …” Full story here

THE HILL: The self-implosion of Debbie Wasserman Shultz – “Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) has been forced to resign as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee after revelations that the DNC engaged in a concerted campaign to sabotage Bernie Sanders’ campaign. Of course, she would have gotten away with it if not for the leak of their emails which will undoubtedly contain more embarrassing disclosures when the press goes through all 20,000. …” Full story here

Events:

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.

Larimer County Republican Breakfast Club – Monday, August 1, 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.

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

Want your event listed? Just let us know.

Tell us what you know! – To submit a tip, event, happening, gossuping, chattering or other interesting tidbit to The Hot Sheet, click here to submit via our contact form … yes, even anonymously if you’re feeling all cloak and dagger.