Author: Eric Sondermann

Technically, it is still a couple of weeks early to write Cory Gardner’s political obituary. But you know that such articles are being prepared in newsrooms across the state and beyond. I will leave to others the boilerplate biography and summary of major bills along with the requisite matching quotes from a well-placed ally and…

Eric Sondermann E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. These days, hardly.  The motto has been an element of the American ethos since an act of Congress in 1782 made it a part of our national seal.  But even the most patriotic optimistic (or optimistic patriot) would be hard pressed to defend with straight face its…

Eric Sondermann It’s election night, an American tradition. All eyes are glued to television screens and Twitter feeds and a reliable website or two. As the evening progresses, states are called for this candidate or that. A counter in one corner of the screen tracks the national popular vote, interesting but not decisive. While the…

Eric Sondermann A few days ago or a few days ahead, but well before the arrival of ballots, Colorado voters will receive the traditional Blue Book, an official publication with ostensibly impartial analysis of the year’s various ballot questions. The Blue Book is a useful tool. (Pro tip: You will recognize it by the blue…

Eric Sondermann Not that long ago, it was axiomatic to comment, “All politics is local.” That is no longer the case, not even close, as elections have become increasingly federalized and local issues have tended to recede. Yet, what happens locally is of dominant, often determinant importance when it comes to our quality of life.…

Eric Sondermann Perhaps an annual “Dear John” letter will become my ritual. Just over a year ago, my inaugural column for this publication was an open letter to John Hickenlooper, urging him to forego the Senate race and outlining the rationale for doing so. To no one’s surprise, he quickly and conveniently ignored that advice,…

Eric Sondermann Ready or not, like it or not, Colorado voters are about to be subject to a massive sales effort over the next 10 weeks. Even leaving aside the presidential race, campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat, congressional districts hither and yon, candidates lower on the ballot, and pro and con efforts on a…

Eric Sondermann They have been a staple of American culture for more than four years now. We have all seen those bright red ballcaps with the four powerful words at the center of Donald Trump’s message, “Make America Great Again.” Those hats and similar signage will be much in evidence over the coming few nights…