tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32296722332464864752012-01-31T10:40:23.007-07:00Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.comBlogger3751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-44070574442363754002012-01-31T10:40:00.000-07:002012-01-31T10:40:23.016-07:00

President Obama’s trip to Colorado targeted independent and swing voters.  His State of the Union speech was heavily loaded with positions that swing voters find attractive. A focus group of Denver swing voters conducted as he was giving his speech showed that in a before and after test his clean energy and anti-oil company positions produced a 22 percent shift in his favor. But, the latest

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-29162612179786611052012-01-30T10:30:00.000-07:002012-01-30T10:30:18.838-07:00

Assuming the Romney campaign regains its footing and can survive Florida, the race for the nomination shifts from a sprint through the month of January to a long slog to reach 1,144 delegates, which will likely take the candidates through May and even June’s nominating schedule. Colorado, which a couple of weeks ago could have been a Romney coronation, is now a contested stop on the schedule with

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-3321204363329135002012-01-27T10:43:00.000-07:002012-01-27T10:43:27.337-07:00

Vince Carroll just did RTD a big favor.  He highlighted highway head Don Hunt’s proposal to link additional RTD sales tax funding to improvements in metro roads. At the very moment most states are reconsidering and either canceling or delaying massively expensive transit projects, Denver’s political establishment is racing head long to double the transit tax just voted on in 2004.  It would

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-25705778186271393582012-01-26T10:16:00.000-07:002012-01-26T10:16:48.405-07:00

The Denver Post published a guest column (Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012) on the host of K-12 reform and funding issues likely to be action items in 2012.  Most of them have powerful protagonists and will generate much news coverage.  Some will decide if Colorado continues on its path of reform.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-43300050861206240122012-01-25T12:29:00.000-07:002012-01-25T12:29:09.028-07:00

The latest national Gallup poll taken after the South Carolina results showed the race between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich at a near tie, with Romney at 29 percent and Gingrich receiving 28 percent. Romney achieved his biggest lead on January 15 at 37 points to Gingrich’s 14 points, a gap of 23 points, which has now disappeared. RealClearPolitics.com produces a daily running average of recent

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-35700791848316594752012-01-24T14:34:00.000-07:002012-01-24T14:34:34.151-07:00

Rick Santorum surged more than 20 points in Iowa between Christmas and January 3 and Newt Gingrich came from 9 points down to 12 points up in less than a week in South Carolina. South Carolina always had the potential to restart the Republican nomination contest and it did.  Newt Gingrich going away win of 12 points ended Romney’s inevitability and shifted the momentum going into the February 21

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-45502079465499668562012-01-24T13:30:00.000-07:002012-01-24T13:30:05.289-07:00

Republican voter registration is now 109,000 ahead of Democrats among new and active voters (voters who have participated in most recent general election). The Democratic challenge will be registering new and inactive voters to participate in the presidential election – an election in which Democrats thus far have been less enthusiastic about. Unaffiliated voters are most likely to not

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-38274159843699441842012-01-23T12:04:00.000-07:002012-01-23T12:04:47.398-07:00

Gallup just published one of their frequent snapshots of America’s political philosophy. Continuing the trend since President Obama’s inauguration, the largest bloc of U.S. voters labeled themselves “conservative” (40%).  “Moderates,” who usually dominated prior to 2009, came in second at 36 percent and “liberals” remained in third with one-fifth of the electorate. It is this ideological array

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-38841236299714892132012-01-20T10:40:00.000-07:002012-01-20T10:40:32.122-07:00

KOA Radio reports President Obama will be back for his first of many visits this year.  He arrives next Thursday as national polls indicate he’s tied with Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney. Colorado’s position as a frontline state in the presidential contest is confirmed by being included by Obama in his first road trip of the election year. Along with concern about the surprising

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-2151390290601490182012-01-18T13:02:00.000-07:002012-01-18T13:02:05.960-07:00

Hickenlooper, the craft brewer, decides to keep his second State of the State lite. He encouraged creativity, good health and entrepreneurship (the most frequent mention of the less controversial term than capitalist in State of the State history), but offered few legislative proposals. A planned bike ride on the high plains has nice aesthetics, but is mostly symbolism and not substance. His few

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-77266786457897063802012-01-17T14:14:00.001-07:002012-01-17T14:22:07.617-07:00

There are places in the world where publishing a poll can get you fired, interrogated or shot.  A couple of weeks ago, the power of the Chinese media apparatus was aimed at suppressing a mild-mannered pollster at the University of Hong Kong for publishing data showing that two-thirds of Hong Kong residents identify more with the enclave than the China as projected by the Beijing government.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-39972014432880576932012-01-16T10:41:00.000-07:002012-01-16T10:41:22.523-07:00

If Mitt Romney sweeps the first four nominating events, the odds of stopping him begins to drop to near zero.  And, due to their timing, the Nevada and Colorado caucuses in early February could be the two events that confirm Romney’s mastery of the field. After the Colorado caucus on February 7, there is no event until the Arizona and Michigan primaries on February 28.  This year, Super Tuesday

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-83300760678119855242012-01-13T11:12:00.000-07:002012-01-13T11:12:53.659-07:00

Weirdly, in a desperate last stand, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry are attempting to stir up class resentment within the Republican Party against Mitt Romney.  Good Luck.  Republicans are simply not as class envious as Democrats and their attacks are producing a major blowback.  But, class resentment will be a factor in the election. Much of the reporting on Congress’ lack of action on the payroll

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-23785444621969889142012-01-12T09:45:00.000-07:002012-01-12T09:45:40.849-07:00

A competitive Colorado congressional race in 2010 spent between $3 and $5 million.  But money wasn’t a critical factor.  In the Republican sweep, Scott Tipton beat incumbent Democrat John Salazar in the 3rd CD, but was outspent by $860,000.  Cory Gardner, who won by a huge majority in the 4th CD, had $1.2 million less than incumbent Democrat Betsy Markey.  However, Democratic incumbent

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-81260186622149614082012-01-11T14:44:00.001-07:002012-01-23T12:00:51.170-07:00

Gallup reports that the candidate who is ahead in its national poll after the New Hampshire primary is the prohibitive favorite.  In 2008, McCain led (33%) over Huckabee (19%), Bush was ahead (56%) in 2000 and Dole (41%) in 1996. In the January 3 Gallup tracking poll, Romney barely led Newt Gingrich.  After Tuesday’s results, Romney’s lead is now 15 points over Newt Gingrich. Although Romney only

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-43976149378047463822012-01-10T11:27:00.000-07:002012-01-10T11:27:08.586-07:00

Congressional approval has never been lower and incumbent anti-re-election sentiment higher. Congressional approval began its latest descent in July as the debt ceiling gridlock dominated the media.  It continued during the collapse of the House and Senate Super Committee negotiations and became a national and international statement of political futility as the Senate and House bypassed each

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-44885417204138772612012-01-09T10:36:00.000-07:002012-01-09T10:36:20.773-07:00

Mitt Romney’s Mormon religion is a factor for some voters, but it is likely to be mostly background noise if it’s a Romney vs. Obama race. Gallup has recorded since the 1960s between 17 percent and 22 percent of voters (a high of 24 percent was registered in 2007, the last time Romney was a high-profile candidate) saying that they would not vote for a Mormon, who by all other criteria, was well

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-30951675064928162552012-01-06T12:27:00.000-07:002012-01-06T12:27:41.226-07:00

John Ingold reports in the Denver Post that a legalization of marijuana for recreational use will very likely be on the ballot in November. The marijuana interest groups backed up with big distribution money (and wealthy libertarians) believe time is on their side. The public is getting more tolerant of use. This will be Colorado voters second consideration of it. They said no by 59 percent in

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-36225839280156647922012-01-05T10:51:00.000-07:002012-01-05T10:51:30.572-07:00

Although January’s four Republican presidential delegate events only represent 115 delegates to the Republican national convention (5% of 2,285 total delegates), it will winnow the field and, in fact, could decide the race. John McCain’s victory in three primaries – New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida – with only about one-third of the vote gave him momentum into an early Super Tuesday in

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-75650114338388942222012-01-04T13:52:00.000-07:002012-01-04T13:52:19.876-07:00

The thirteen Republican debates in 2011 drew strong viewership, incessant commentary, and made and removed several candidate frontrunner statuses.  Herman Cain’s initial boom in the Florida straw poll and Rick Perry’s stall reflected their performance in the first CNN Tea Party Movement debate. The interest in cable networks to gain access to candidates, stories and audiences partially explains

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-18919537356542872232012-01-04T10:24:00.000-07:002012-01-04T10:24:12.032-07:00

Tim Hoover’s Denver Post year-end review of John Hickenlooper gave him good initial grades, but Republicans accuse him of avoiding hard choices. The public liked Hickenlooper’s first year.  See blog:  Hickenlooper – The Nonpartisan Governor “A poll released last week from Denver pollster Floyd Ciruli shows Hickenlooper with a 59 percent approval rating from Coloradans and only a 17 percent

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-54169697482767683232012-01-03T13:24:00.000-07:002012-01-03T13:24:36.145-07:00

Americans are closely divided on the direction they wish to send the country in the next four years. Gallup’s final 2011 polls show that Republicans two top candidates, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, are within the margin of error in their challenge to President Barack Obama. ·         Obama wins by two points.  That is probably the smart money play.·         Dislike of Obama is main motivation

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-22687618461244653302011-12-30T12:06:00.002-07:002011-12-30T12:06:49.069-07:00

The 2011 political and news stories that had impact – a lot of irony and considerable strangeness. 1.      Hancock Denver’s new mayor.  Aurora changes guard.2.      Democrats lose 2010 election; win 2011 redistricting.3.      Voters say no to Proposition 103.  Court in Lobato says yes to billions in new school funding.4.      Removing Denver’s Zuccotti Park lights up state capital grounds.5.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-789863966983953532011-12-30T09:39:00.000-07:002011-12-30T09:39:49.661-07:00

Democrats have a fight to represent the newly designed sixth congressional district.  An ill-known two-term state legislator, Joe Miklosi, is being challenged by physician (chiropractor), Perry Haney. Neither candidate has any name identification among Democrats in the district and both candidates will need exceptional campaigns to beat Mike Coffman, a skilled Republican campaigner, during an era

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-34957263302636553832011-12-29T10:15:00.000-07:002011-12-29T10:15:04.767-07:00

The Colorado primary election for state and federal (not presidential delegates) candidates has been moved to June 26 in 2012 from its date of the 2nd Tuesday in August, which held for more than two decades.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-10877652833708614202011-12-28T15:16:00.000-07:002011-12-28T15:16:49.268-07:00

President Barack Obama has a 39 percent approval rating in Colorado.  He loses the self-described independent voter – 41 percent approval to 46 percent disapproval. Obama receives near universal Republican disapproval (93%), but holds the approval of three-quarters of Democrats (75%).  Fifteen percent of Democrats don’t approve of his job performance. The Ciruli Associates poll was conducted

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-7742269095568635702011-12-23T11:53:00.000-07:002011-12-23T11:53:04.485-07:00

The Public Policy Polling (PPP) robo poll published December 8 claims U.S. Senator Mark Udall “would win handily” over a couple of Republicans they tested him against.  But, a closer examination indicates Udall is highly vulnerable and could be headed for a very tough re-election, especially against Republican Congressman Mike Coffman. Even though 57 percent of voters couldn’t rate Coffman’s job

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-47117945769605340252011-12-22T13:21:00.000-07:002011-12-22T13:21:39.472-07:00

In a new Ciruli Associates poll publicized in Floyd Ciruli’s blog site, The Buzz, Newt Gingrich has an unfavorable rating nearly equal to President Obama among all Colorado voters. Mitt Romney is only 4 percentage points behind the President’s favorability, but Gingrich is 11 points back in favorability and most importantly he has a 45 percent negative rating (Obama has a high 49 percent).

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-61103283925360701232011-12-21T14:16:00.000-07:002011-12-21T14:16:29.713-07:00

Governor John Hickenlooper has a nonpartisan image, and it is reflected in voters’ evaluation of his job performance.  In a new Ciruli Associates poll, 59 percent of Colorado voters approve of Hickenlooper’s job at the end of his first year. Hickenlooper’s performance is approved by 79 percent of Democrats,62 percent of independents and a surprising 44 percent of Republicans, nearly two-to-one

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-68291197072082168162011-12-20T15:05:00.000-07:002011-12-20T15:05:08.663-07:00

Aurora made the New York Times last week in a story that highlighted its new economic ambition and good luck capturing a congressional seat. Reporter Kirk Johnson interviewed newly elected Mayor Steve Hogan and recorded some great quotations on the city’s struggle for an identity.  “Aurora is a place to stop for gas on your way to somewhere else.” “Someday we’re going to be bigger than Denver

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-43782589097188005952011-12-16T12:02:00.000-07:002011-12-16T12:02:01.950-07:00

In a new Ciruli Associates poll publicized in Floyd Ciruli’s blog site, The Buzz, Mitt Romney has the highest favorability among Colorado Republicans, with Newt Gingrich in a close second.  Ron Paul had barely one-third of Republicans stating a favorable impression. The Ciruli Associates poll was conducted with 500 registered voters who voted in the 2008 presidential election or are newly

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-8362507466843000382011-12-15T14:13:00.000-07:002011-12-15T14:13:31.380-07:00

President Barack Obama’s job performance approval in Colorado is 39 percent, well below the level for re-election.  Nationally, Obama’s approval has been below 50 percent throughout 2011, and is now 45 percent in both the Gallup weekly average and in Real Clear Politics’ average (December 13).  In the just released Ciruli Associates poll, 53 percent of voters disapprove of Obama, or a 14 point

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-9977450548670800662011-12-14T09:45:00.000-07:002011-12-14T09:45:46.598-07:00

After nearly a year in office, Governor John Hickenlooper’s job performance is above 50 percent.  A recent Ciruli Associates poll gives him 59 percent approval, which is above a poll just completed by Public Policy Polling (PPP), a North Carolina Democratic-oriented robo poll. The Ciruli Associates poll was conducted with 500 registered voters who voted in the 2008 presidential election or are

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-37306807128519479662011-12-13T10:18:00.000-07:002011-12-13T10:18:55.257-07:00

Sixty-six years after the total destruction of the German Reich, it is Germany and its chancellor that are directing the future of the European experiment.  And that means Angela Merkel and her center-right government has more influence over the next few months of the American economy’s recovery than Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke.  And, by extension, that means Ms. Merkel may decide the fate

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-41729383553176293682011-12-12T11:39:00.000-07:002011-12-12T11:39:14.014-07:00

A paraphrase of a line from W.B. Yeats 1920 poem of the chaos of the post war period.  From the Mid-East to Europe to America, it is clear the old forms are failing and its unclear what is new is coming into being. A new Internet-based political movement, Americans Elect (http://www.americanselect.org/), is building a national footprint to have a presidential candidate on the ballot in nearly

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-63870014287292368712011-12-08T15:25:00.000-07:002011-12-08T15:25:45.893-07:00

On December 3, Herman Cain’s campaign finally collapsed from the weight of multiple controversies and missteps. The campaign had been on life support since late October when charges of harassment were aired.  The end came quickly after an Atlanta woman said she and Cain had a 13-year affair. The latest rising force in the Republican nomination fight is former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-20665367625408673082011-12-07T10:24:00.001-07:002011-12-07T10:39:48.657-07:00

The shake-up of Colorado’s state legislative and congressional district boundaries by commissioners and judges have created the main political action in 2012 election.  From a 4 to 7 Republican split, Judge Hyatt created a possible Democratic 5 to 7 configuration.  Given the lack of major statewide races, who wins the newly redistricted 3rd CD and 6th CD will be the news. See articles:Pueblo

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-40150103191957605482011-12-05T15:54:00.001-07:002011-12-07T10:18:51.245-07:00

The annual conference of the Pacific Chapter of the American Association of Public Opinion will be held this week in San Francisco.  The pollsters from western states regularly come together to present their analyses and predictions for the next election. History of Western States Roundtable •         PAPOR initiates concept of western states as area of study•         Shortly after California

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-10238209388219712412011-11-30T11:02:00.000-07:002011-11-30T11:02:56.516-07:00

Although the U.S. Supreme Court may rule the new health care act is constitutional, it is losing in the court of public opinion.  The 2010 health care act, named by congressional Democrats as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, after a year of promotion, has still not managed to win a majority of the public’s support.  Gallup reports only 42 percent of Americans would keep the act and

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-18870497971152867522011-11-29T13:33:00.000-07:002011-11-29T13:33:10.179-07:00

Congressman Mike Coffman now has the most competitive congressional district in the state due to Judge Hyatt adopting the Democratic redistricting map. Two-term Representative Joe Miklosi, who looked like a place filler and long shot in the original congressional district based mostly in very Republican Douglas County, is now a contender.  The new district will still lean more Republican than

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-25427991560219024542011-11-28T15:16:00.000-07:002011-11-28T15:16:30.076-07:00

Not only did Denver District Court Judge Robert Hyatt provide an incentive for Colorado Republicans to fight his redistricting plan in court by adopting a plan that makes two seats more friendly to Democrats – the 3rd and 6th CDs – but by endorsing the Democrat’s plan and their rationale of competition with no changes, he provided Republicans an argument for their grassroots and the court of

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-85214273881739637772011-11-23T11:14:00.000-07:002011-11-23T11:14:49.993-07:00

It is well-established that Colorado, with its 9 electoral votes, is a likely final target for President Obama to assemble his 270 votes.  The western strategy includes Nevada (6) and New Mexico (5).  A recent argument has been made that a more productive strategy would be to target the large states in the mid-west and Atlantic Coast (Florida – 29, Ohio – 18, North Carolina – 15 and Virginia – 13

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-5464294368775285482011-11-22T09:26:00.000-07:002011-11-22T09:26:07.338-07:00

After 17 years of dominance of Italian politics, Silvio Berlusconi resigned the prime ministry Nov. 12, 2011 to the relief of his colleagues and the cheers of the Roman crowd.  Although the immediate cause was the crisis affecting the entire Euro zone and its impact on bonds of countries with high public or private debt, in fact, Berlusconi’s hold on Italian politics collapsed months earlier.  ·

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-90127833837589407852011-11-18T10:15:00.000-07:002011-11-18T10:15:00.812-07:00

More than one-half of the Republican Party active voters are consistently resisting their frontrunner, Mitt Romney.  As of mid-November, Newt Gingrich seems to be mounting a strong challenge.  But, at various points in the last two months, Herman Cain and Rick Perry have taken the lead. The first nomination event is now less than two months on January 3 in Iowa.  Romney leads, and has the money

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-45743426600584768162011-11-17T09:42:00.000-07:002011-11-17T09:42:22.007-07:00

“This election is overwhelmingly being framed by this economy,” said Political Analyst Floyd Ciruli, “Killing field for new taxes,” Denver Post 11-2-11 ·        The economy became a more significant and negative issue over the summer as warnings of a double-dip recession rang more and more loudly.  Polls across the country showed drops in voter optimism and consumer confidence.-         Country

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-56623639502976348682011-11-16T09:54:00.000-07:002011-11-16T09:54:21.061-07:00

Competitiveness has become a new criterion for state court judges in congressional redistricting, and Democrats won big arguing for it before Judge Robert Hyatt.  The seven new districts now give Democrats a chance of picking up two additional seats during the expected 2012 competitive presidential race in Colorado. Sal Pace, the very liberal, labor-oriented Pueblo Democrat, picked up just enough

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-73051534765638278372011-11-15T10:25:00.000-07:002011-11-15T10:25:07.189-07:00

Ed Tauer’s retirement as mayor of Aurora after 8 years has focused attention on the City of Aurora’s last decade of development. It has been spectacular, with significant population increase (up 17%, or 47,000, since the 2000 census), development of Fitzsimons as the new site of the University of Colorado Hospital, and the most recent talk of moving the National Western Stock Show to join the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-24081508708476665102011-11-14T13:29:00.000-07:002011-11-14T13:29:08.251-07:00

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-8006779928137045052011-11-11T10:20:00.000-07:002011-11-11T10:20:09.479-07:00

President Obama has said Occupy Wall Street (OWS) “expresses the frustrations that the American people feel.” Republicans hope that constitutes an endorsement. It’s not clear it does because, like most Democrats outside the far left, he is being cautious with the phenomenon. It is unclear the long-term affect of the group activities around the country will be a hit or a drag on politicians

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-22340825134470451452011-11-10T14:13:00.000-07:002011-11-10T14:13:59.183-07:00

President Obama’s decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year is popular with the public.  In fact, Obama receives his best approval ratings on foreign policy issues.  Of course, his problem is that foreign policy is not considered an important issue in this election. ·         Three-quarters (75%) of Americans support Obama’s withdrawal announcement.  Only a fair

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-1343389632595096002011-11-09T10:26:00.000-07:002011-11-09T10:26:46.416-07:00

What happens in Colorado affects the national political conversation. Fox News regularly covers Colorado politics. Bret Baier uses our anti-tax election to launch a panel discussion of the impact on President Obama’s election prospects. “FLOYD CIRULI, COLORADO POLLSTER: Well, I think this is a problem for the president. As you know, Colorado is a battleground state. He really needs these nine

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-29658260355735818652011-11-07T11:08:00.000-07:002011-11-07T11:08:38.658-07:00

Liberal advocates of social changes often despair that much of public opinion is locked into traditional modes of thought.  But, as recent polls on gay rights have shown compared to the early 1990s, there has been a sea change in opinion in favor of most elements of the gay rights agenda.  There has even been movement toward the liberal view of gay marriage, with a few polls showing majority

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-52116203886155460342011-11-04T13:07:00.000-06:002011-11-04T13:07:14.537-06:00

President Obama is in full campaign mode with travel, talking points and policy all aimed at his tough re-election. His recent trips to Nevada and Colorado were staged to appeal to key constituencies in swing states. Colorado’s first visit was to a Hispanic high school to talk about the jobs bill.  His second trip went to a Denver college campus to announce his student loan initiative.  Hispanics

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-48112334515510920212011-11-03T13:47:00.001-06:002011-11-04T13:06:05.593-06:00

The West continues to receive significant attention by President Obama’s campaign. His recent trips to Nevada and Colorado (twice) were aimed at key constituencies (Hispanics, young voters, mortgage holders in swing states). Democrats also hope to keep New Mexico in the President’s column and will at least make a run at Arizona. But, there is also considerable action in the West at the local

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-43434432092070722862011-11-02T10:59:00.000-06:002011-11-02T10:59:19.312-06:00

A Hollywood political movie that portrays presidential politics and candidates as cynical and corrupt is standard fair. But typically, the liberal idealists fair better than the conservative realists. The Ides of March boldly heads in a different direction. And, it stars, was written and directed by one of Hollywood’s great liberals. The movie’s top politician and the George Clooney character is

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-70653492734916069792011-11-01T12:20:00.003-06:002011-11-01T12:29:44.675-06:00

The Dow Jones Industrial average was down 12 percent in the third quarter – the worst quarter since President Obama was sworn in. The economic confidence of America has declined and it is taking Obama’s support down with it. ·       52% of Americans believe it is very or fairly likely there will be a new financial crisis (Washington Post/Bloomberg News poll, October 2011). ·       Only 42% of

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-67684318106243612292011-10-31T16:19:00.000-06:002011-10-31T16:19:18.360-06:00

The bad economy and anger with government will frame Tuesday’s election. Local measures tend to be dominated by local factors, but any proposal that raises taxes, increases costs or negatively affect jobs, faces a more difficult environment. That is especially true for the statewide initiative. Proposition 103 Both sides of the statewide tax increase contest have had little money for the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-53116953284120639912011-10-31T13:45:00.001-06:002011-10-31T14:08:55.712-06:00

President Barack Obama outspent John McCain in 2008 and plans to smother the Republicans in 2012 again with money. His campaign set a goal of $1 billion in 2012, and in spite of his low approval rating and the bad economy, he continues to be a prodigious fundraiser for himself and the DNC. He reported $70 million raised in the second quarter of the year and more than $50 million over the summer

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-24025412587371570022011-10-28T14:19:00.000-06:002011-10-28T14:19:11.543-06:00

Colorado Republicans joined the general shift forward in the presidential nomination process. Candidates and the media will be in Iowa and New Hampshire for News Years as the Iowa caucus is now January 3 and New Hampshire’s primary January 10. Colorado Republicans set February 7 as caucus night, and Nevada just agreed to February 4 after flirting with upsetting the entire schedule by moving to

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-88903088367687938982011-10-28T10:28:00.000-06:002011-10-28T10:28:08.842-06:00

Barry Noreen, the premiere columnist for the Colorado Springs Gazette, makes the point that as Gov. John Hickenlooper approaches the first anniversary of his election in November 2010, he would be unbeatable if he was on this year’s ballot. I said: “He would be stronger than the first time because he was still the Denver mayor.” Hickenlooper has not been as dramatic as New Jersey’s Gov.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-40552487081235440192011-10-27T10:21:00.000-06:002011-10-27T10:21:14.427-06:00

President Barack Obama is depending on the youth vote to save his presidency. They formed a major component of his 2008 landslide victory, but now are needed to fill in for major defections among White and independent voters. In the policy arena, the administration just announced in Colorado a college loan debt forgiveness program. And, the campaign just launched its youth vote effort with

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-36060012119800125892011-10-26T09:52:00.000-06:002011-10-26T09:52:11.745-06:00

The record amount of money contributed to Denver’s three school board elections demonstrates that although the race may lack heat, the stakes are high.  The board majority could shift from reform to the pro-union faction if the two district seats elect the anti-reform candidates. The union contributions make clear which candidates they believe will be in their camp.  In general, candidates have

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-7502393645529440812011-10-25T10:05:00.001-06:002011-12-02T15:20:05.788-07:00

America’s preference for candidates has been studied for decades, but it’s always enlightening to describe the positions of the major independent variables of the body politic as they divide in a presidential election.  President Barack Obama wanted to be a unifier and above the political fray, but after 3 years, he’s as embattled as any president in modern history and the object of intense and

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-32616375338283669832011-10-24T10:03:00.000-06:002011-10-24T10:03:34.158-06:00

As the prospects for the re-election of President Obama have narrowed, only two scenarios are seriously discussed – a Republican blowout like 1994, or 2010 on the congressional level, where a united Republican Party was joined by the vast middle of the electorate, which swung away the Democrats; or a narrow national win, where a single state election may decide the winner, like 2000 (Bush vs.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-55459994544218509902011-10-21T09:44:00.000-06:002011-10-21T09:44:06.758-06:00

Steve Hogan started his campaign for Aurora mayor more than a year ago and gathered significant endorsements from the Aurora municipal power structures and development interests. But, Ryan Frazier has had his strength in name identification from long service on the Aurora City Council and his unsuccessful 2010 congressional race. In the two of three most important metrics available in the race,

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-34733146059693412012011-10-20T10:21:00.000-06:002011-10-20T10:21:14.567-06:00

President Barack Obama is beginning to spend as much time on the campaign trail as in Washington, a reflection of the trouble Obama is in with voters and the unlikelihood anything worthwhile will be accomplished in D.C. Colorado is one of his most frequent stops due to its prominence as a leading state that could swing between either party’s nominees. Although Democrats begin the race with a

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-65743201797268266742011-10-17T12:04:00.000-06:002011-10-17T12:04:10.766-06:00

Although it appears the National Western Stock Show got its proposal to move to Aurora well ahead of any thorough planning, the options, costs and benefits are finally coming into view. The Stock Show’s main alternatives are: Remain in place with little or no expansion. This is what the Stock Show has been doing and it clearly is not viable. Move to Aurora. This option was never really

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-90995393497318801482011-10-13T11:15:00.000-06:002011-10-13T11:15:01.267-06:00

Decisions the U.S. Supreme Court makes this year will dramatically affect public policy, could help decide the presidential election and will likely alter the Court’s reputation with the American people. As the Court begins its 2011-2012 term, public approval of the Court has dropped 15 points since a recent high of 61 percent (2009).  Support among Democrats has dropped 29 percent during the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-31590840736973310142011-10-11T10:31:00.001-06:002011-10-11T10:33:50.623-06:00

The Denver Public School Board election has taken on a stealth quality. The anti-reform, pro-union faction believes it’s in their interest to reduce the controversy and align themselves with the charter and new schools’ models, even if it irritates their union supporters. Hence, forums are quiet, and the black and white contrast toward reform is now colored gray with slogans about helping the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-28892668437292364602011-10-07T10:38:00.000-06:002011-10-07T10:38:05.546-06:00

Colorado’s nine electoral votes have become critical to President Barack Obama’s re-election chances. To shore up his declining support, Obama will be back a second time in less than month. Obama has 242 electoral votes if he can hold all the states Democrats have won in five out of five of the last presidential elections. It’s the final 28 electoral votes that are the challenge. My 9News

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-10518010188581260992011-10-03T11:58:00.000-06:002011-10-03T11:58:40.618-06:00

President Obama’s fall offensive and jobs program was a survival tactic. The latest dip in the economy has focused the national political conversation laser – like on jobs and Obama’s solution. The latest bad news of the slowing GDP and continuing unemployment broke what was an economic narrative of recovery. To the extent European troubles contribute, just adds a new anxiety that globalization

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-6361634890598122322011-09-30T09:51:00.000-06:002011-09-30T09:51:10.090-06:00

In a recent DU presentation, a foreign policy expert on Eastern Europe described the threat to fragile democracies posed by the financial crises and especially the foreign ownership of local financial institutions. Although the European Union (EU) and its financial strategies have had a salutary effect on the economies and democracies of Eastern Europe, it has also produced contradictions that

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-35882455185467552822011-09-28T09:49:00.000-06:002011-09-28T09:49:30.599-06:00

Will Hispanic voters make a difference was a recent e-mail question to Channel 9’s Sunday YOUR SHOW. The first challenge is for Hispanic voters to perform up to their demographic potential. The census indicates they are about 20 percent of Colorado’s population, but in the 2010 election, they only made up 12 percent of the voter turnout. Of course, they are a younger population and tend to be

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-41787974247614518032011-09-27T10:33:00.000-06:002011-09-27T10:33:09.841-06:00

Colorado has joined the ranks of key battleground states of Ohio, Virginia and Florida. President Barack Obama will visit to promote his $447 billion stimulus legislation. The latest round of trips launch the President’s fall offensive following his post Labor Day joint session speech. His primary message is to the Democratic base. The Colorado speech is in a Hispanic neighborhood high school in

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-77243679123982155082011-09-23T12:43:00.000-06:002011-09-23T12:43:47.391-06:00

Although Democratic leaders strongly believe the state government needs more revenue, they are avoiding endorsing Sen. Rollie Heath’s Proposition 103 that, if approved by voters, would add $500 million annually to state coffers for five years. Gov. Hickenlooper, in particular, is being questioned about his neutral stance. Republicans are pressuring him to take a position, seeing the initiative

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-74198143033384875662011-09-20T14:20:00.000-06:002011-09-20T14:20:25.862-06:00

The economy and missteps have President Barack Obama in a serious slide as he approaches the one-year mark to his re-election.  Presidents can expect to be re-elected, especially if they have no primaries, great fundraising, a strong organization and a good campaign style.  Obama has them all.  But, of the three presidents who lost re-elections beginning with Gerald Ford, Obama’s late August

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-13145207298520299832011-09-19T10:48:00.000-06:002011-09-19T10:48:30.244-06:00

Although there are numerous reasons offered by pundits for President Obama’s low 40 percent approval, the strongest correlation is between the onslaught of legislation beginning in February 2009 and the first clear signs of approval rates dropping in June, five months later. Liberals argue any reason but the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi-driven legislative push.  Although, some have argued that

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-68977427369033381332011-09-16T10:56:00.000-06:002011-09-16T10:56:05.063-06:00

Not surprising, the latest study from the Denver University Center for Colorado’s Economic Future states a tax increases equal to $3.5 billion in new revenue is necessary by 2025, or in the next 14 years, to keep government services at current levels. But, as the recent Washington D.C. debt ceiling confrontation demonstrated, raising taxes without a serious discussion of the size of government,

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-47214416555335259132011-09-14T10:25:00.000-06:002011-09-14T10:25:19.437-06:00

From the day Governor Rick Perry announced, he has been the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.  At the start of the post-Labor Day 2012 campaign season and sprint to the February 6 Iowa caucus, new polls have him with a 15-point lead over Mitt Romney. The March 6 Colorado caucus should be favorable territory for Romney.  He won it soundly against John McCain in 2008 and has the bulk of

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-27168597527691834642011-09-13T10:01:00.000-06:002011-09-13T10:01:59.890-06:00

For most of the Cold War and through the fall of the Soviet Union, America was concerned about the growth of a national security state needed to deter Soviet aggression and fight wars on the edges of that confrontation. When the cost and tension of the obligations got high enough, such as during the Vietnam conflict, the dominant viewpoint became America should not and cannot afford to be the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-87595046843377327142011-09-08T11:38:00.001-06:002011-09-08T11:44:25.283-06:00

Denver’s labor bosses have decided 2012 is the year to ask voters to step up unionization in the city. Their timing appears as bad as the idea. • What part of “no” have labor leaders not heard? Twice in recent years, Denver voters have rejected expanding unions to more Denver city workers. The union bosses must believe that winning control of a majority of the Denver City Council, which they did

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-85587101764210188072011-09-07T13:25:00.000-06:002011-09-07T13:25:59.831-06:00

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer decided against causing a frontloading free-for-all in the 2012 presidential primary season by moving up before their current February 28 date (January 31).  With the exception of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, no states are to start formal procedures before March 6.  But, February 28 is less a problem since South Carolina, which is scheduled on that

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-2480406332351052242011-09-01T11:31:00.000-06:002011-09-01T11:31:59.982-06:00

Usually low-profile, Dennis Gallagher has been in the news lately with lots of opinions, if not much authority. He took after the Denver Public Library proposal for a district, usually an organization he supports (note: we have been a supporter of the Denver Public Library proposal for secure funding and more independence for years), and in a very angry press release, Gallagher said the Stock

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-67924689129554731282011-08-30T14:55:00.000-06:002011-08-30T14:55:24.134-06:00

RTD, which is suppose to be the region’s bus service, cuts that service, but wants to double its sales tax revenue to build more high-priced rail (Denver Post headline of August 18, “RTD staff calls for increased fares and service cuts”). Is there something wrong with this picture? RTD admitted again that its financial projections were unreliable. Its service increases were “not sustainable and

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-37940554888742240802011-08-29T13:42:00.000-06:002011-08-29T13:42:23.532-06:00

Although the lines haven’t been drawn and at least some maps leave him out of the 4th CD, Senate President Brandon Shaffer has already started a campaign against Republican incumbent Congressman Cory Gardner. Shaffer’s strategy is to label Gardner as extreme as former Congresswomen Marilyn Musgrave, defeated in the Democratic sweep of 2008. The latest Gallup national poll shows, using a generic

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-90833165097475182052011-08-26T10:25:00.000-06:002011-08-26T10:25:48.171-06:00

The May sweeps show why Channel 9 gets about one-half of all the political advertising in metro Denver. Among the big three network stations in the very competitive (and very lucrative) 10:00 pm news hour, 9News has 47 percent of the viewers.  Its partnership with the Denver Post on several hard and soft news items also adds to its clout.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-2879394153951836472011-08-25T10:17:00.000-06:002011-08-25T10:17:14.820-06:00

The two top candidates for mayor of Aurora have raised more than a million dollars. An open seat and Aurora remaining a friendly city for developers has attracted big money and some tough competition. Steve Hogan is ahead in the money race, but Ryan Frazier is running close. A recent poll has Frazier in the lead. Frazier’s advantage is name identification and partisanship. He was the Republican

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-5561532463116162672011-08-24T11:10:00.000-06:002011-08-24T11:10:49.755-06:00

As pointed out in a previous blog, “‘Bright Colorado’ Faces Poor Prospect,” the proposed state sales and income tax increase for education – called Bright Colorado Initiative – has dim prospects.  And, a new Democratic robo poll confirms that tax begins with more opposition than support. The collapse of the economy and growing anger with government makes a November tax increase even less likely.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-60947886508291063582011-08-22T10:58:00.000-06:002011-08-22T10:58:44.656-06:00

A Democratic-leaning robo Colorado poll gave President Barack Obama just 46 percent approval during the first week of August.  It claims independents lean against him 38 percent to 56 percent. A Gallup poll of Obama’s first six month had his Colorado approval at 44 percent on average.  His current national approval has been sinking since the credit ceiling debacle, and is now down to about 40

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-42618134024301344562011-08-19T09:41:00.001-06:002011-08-19T09:44:55.905-06:00

A national Democratic robo polling firm reports Governor John Hickenlooper has a 54 percent approval rating with Colorado voters.  They speculated that since he had the third highest approval among the Democratic governors they tested, he is a potential presidential candidate in 2016 – a little premature. Neither Senators Michael Bennet nor Mark Udall broke 50 percent approval. Hickenlooper’s

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-70982536103389667072011-08-18T09:46:00.000-06:002011-08-18T09:46:18.177-06:00

In a series of local Colorado polls conducted in May through July 2011, the public was concerned about the economy and only weakly supportive of new taxes. Tax extensions were the only revenue measures that appeared to have support. Unfortunately, the real economy, the public’s confidence in the economic direction and the public’s view of government has darkened since the debt ceiling debate.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-91623221683893796582011-08-16T11:04:00.000-06:002011-08-16T11:04:45.459-06:00

Colorado’s presidential caucus will be on March 6, the 2012 date for Super Tuesday.  Nine states will hold their caucus or primary March 6.  That is one month later than the 2008 Colorado caucus when Barack Obama and Mitt Romney both won their respective party caucuses handily in record turnout. The Democratic caucus will be a sleeper, but the Republicans are likely to still be in a fierce battle

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-90479897315946334572011-08-12T09:51:00.000-06:002011-08-12T09:51:56.426-06:00

During the first six months of 2011, President Barack Obama averaged 44 percent approval in Colorado, with 48 percent of residents disapproving.  His national average was 47 percent approval. Mountain western states tended to be on the low end of the approval scale, along with many southern and midwestern states. Colorado, with neighboring states New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona, are in the

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-30620505683968523042011-08-11T10:46:00.000-06:002011-08-11T10:46:17.384-06:00

America’s government institutions and the political establishment that operates them are in a crisis of legitimacy. The left believes the system is immoral due to its failure to promote its vision of redistributive social justice. The right believes the system is abandoning the Constitution and strangling liberty. And, the average citizen believes the American political system simply doesn’t

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-75818480337230162752011-08-10T09:52:00.002-06:002011-08-10T09:52:29.799-06:00

Attempting to demonstrate that both he and his majority in the Italian Parliament have the power, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi pledged to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and, in fact, balance the Italian budget by 2013. Famous for labor laws and business regulations that stifle economic activity, he also promised reform. On that you should not hold your breath.

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-5567074884337526262011-08-09T10:05:00.000-06:002011-08-09T10:05:39.916-06:00

Public schools that have long held significant support as a fundamental American institution are losing public confidence. The latest Gallup poll records near record lows in public confidence in schools.  In an annual poll, Gallup reports confidence in institutions and counts “a great deal” and “quite a lot” as a metric for the level of confidence in an institution. Historically, uniform and

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-3226026574969636482011-08-08T14:04:00.000-06:002011-08-08T14:04:20.924-06:00

The election of November 2010, which swept the most liberal House of Representatives, since the modern use of the term, out of power, brought in the most conservative – more conservative than the Gingrich’ House of 1994. The debt ceiling crisis gave the House, and especially its Tea Party Movement minority, leverage to change the direction of the country’s fiscal policy. And, they used it. The

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-28163900112059444632011-08-03T14:13:00.000-06:002011-08-03T14:13:44.843-06:00

Washington political polarization added weeks to the debt limit negotiations, and after the leadership of both parties and the branches of government finally found a compromise, the powerful wings of each party complained and made final approval a drama. But Washington’s polarization just reflects the nation’s.  The latest Gallup poll shows that the percentage of voters who have called themselves

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-1967948642977900562011-08-02T11:13:00.000-06:002011-08-02T11:13:29.653-06:00

Senator Rollie Heath, the grandfather of Colorado liberals, the patron of lost causes, has a new one – raising state taxes in November 2011. Heath’s last foray into hapless campaigns was to challenge Bill Owens in his 2002 re-election. Heath got 35 percent, or the core vote of partisan Democrats and liberal independents, the same groups that will likely give him their vote this year. Although

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229672233246486475.post-15322491664685347442011-08-01T10:16:00.000-06:002011-08-01T10:16:06.121-06:00

Headlines from recent polls tell the story President Barack Obama is winning the debt ceiling battle:             “Americans, including Republicans, want debt compromise,” Gallup, 7-18-11            “More say GOP would be mainly responsible if no increase in debt limit,” Pew, 6-20-11            “Public tilts toward debt-cap compromise,” Wall Street Journal, 7-20-11            “Amid debt battle,

Floyd Cirulihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08630316224602554326noreply@blogger.com0