Given comments made yesterday by Colorado Republican State Party chair, Bob Martinez, about Governor Ritter's speech, it is clear that the Republican establishment in Colorado continue to be out of step with the voters. Throughout the state, Republican voters defected from their party to vote for Democratic candidates. The reason for the defection was in part their weariness over negative campaigning and empty rhetoric.

"It is no surprise that Bob Martinez already has resorted to negative comments about Governor Ritter," said Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. "Nasty and divisive language has become part of the modus operandi of the Republican party. However, the people of Colorado rejected that approach with the election in November."

"If Republicans continue to ignore the specifics and focus on general disparagement of their colleagues, they will not serve the best interests of Coloradans. And they will continue to lose the support of voters in this state."