eric sondermann
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A summertime all-you-can-eat political buffet | SONDERMANN
We find ourselves in the doldrums of August with a complete dearth of political news. Yeah, right. These days, that train never stops moving. It is a 24/7/365 express amplified by 24/7/365 media. Let me respond with one of my occasional catch-all columns touching on a handful of topics worthy of comment but without the…
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The primary political reform and precondition for all others | SONDERMANN
In its current state, the American political system has no end of ailments. Far too many factors accelerate polarization and work against moderation and narrowing the differences. Media, and the way so many citizens limit themselves to agreeable, reinforcing sources, only dials up the division. Congress has become performative and is essentially crippled in carrying…
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The through line from Donald Trump to Victor Marx | SONDERMANN
Over 10 years ago, before Donald Trump could ever defeat Hillary Rodham Clinton, he had to first engineer a hostile takeover of the Republican Party. Prior to his descent of that golden escalator, the previous seven Republican presidential nominees had been named Bush, Bush, Dole, Bush, Bush, McCain and Romney. Those names constituted something of…
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Giving credit to Polis where credit is due | SONDERMANN
It is an understatement to suggest that Gov. Jared Polis has had a tough couple of months. The bloom was already off the rose and Coloradans were paying far more attention to the choice of his replacement than they were to him. The June 30 Democratic primary will identify that near-certain successor and officially cement…
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A primary brings out primal instincts | SONDERMANN
There are no Stanley Cup finals or NBA title showdowns involving local teams this June. In their place, we are inundated with primary election campaign ads. Coloradans can be excused for missing the diversion and alternate programming. But life can be cruel and reality bites. The primary elections are upon us. Ballots are now sitting…
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A longshot, upset bid and a few quick takes | SONDERMANN
It is hard to keep up these days. The flow of news often seems overwhelming. Let’s focus today on an unusual congressional race before moving on to a few quick, supplementary observations. Since its creation 54 years ago, Congressional District 5 has been represented by a grand total of five people – Bill Armstrong, Ken…
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The delicate, ever-changing dance between politics and religion | SONDERMANN
The dance, really a marathon that brings to mind the classic movie “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”, has been going on as long as there have been governments and organized religion. That is to say that this delicate tango has been with us since time immemorial. In ancient times, the state and the state religion…
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A cynical import Colorado doesn’t need | SONDERMANN
“But mommy, he started it.” Every parent, definitely those with more than one kid, has heard this instinctively defensive reaction to the point of exhaustion. It is the ultimate deflection or shifting of the blame. A similar rationale, often about as juvenile, has overtaken our divisive, dysfunctional politics. All manner of bad behavior is excused…
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One small step for dialing back the partisanship | SONDERMANN
Much ink, including a good deal of my own, has been spilled on the excesses of super-charged, toxic partisanship in this current era. Except for true believers along with those who profit from this all-consuming poison, there is broad agreement that it needs to be toned way down and dialed far back. The nearly 51%…
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Michael Bennet and ‘the question’ | SONDERMANN
The train usually runs only one way. The route goes from the state Capitol to Washington, D.C. State legislators become members of Congress; governors become senators. See Hickenlooper, John. Including our junior senator, no matter his years, a total of 12 current U.S. senators arrived there after first serving stints as governors of their respective…