Colorado Dems Statement on Trump’s 2nd Impeachment
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives voting to impeach Donald Trump for a second time after he incited riots in the U.S. Capitol that claimed five lives:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“This is a sad day for our country. All leaders of all parties had a clear opportunity to say we put our country first and draw the line at violent insurrection against our nation, our elections and our laws. All House Democrats and ten Republicans were willing to stand against insurrection and for American values.
“I cannot speak highly enough about the courage and perseverance of Colorado’s Democratic representatives displayed during the attempted coup and the leadership role they took immediately afterward in impeaching the most dangerous and corrupt President in U.S. History.
“The courage of the ten House Republicans shines an even harsher spotlight on Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn -- all of whom stood by Donald Trump, even after he tried to coerce election officials to change votes, to get judges to throw thousands of lawful votes out, and incited riots at the U.S. capitol.
“It is stunning that, even in the face of seditious behavior from this White House, Colorado’s three Congressional Republicans would still side with Donald Trump -- not America, not the Constitution, not the People, not the Republic. Colorado won’t forget.”
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#ResignBoebert Goes Viral -- Trends on Twitter with 23K+ Tweets
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements from party leaders in response to Congresswoman Lauren Boebert going viral today with over 23,000 people tweeting for her resignation:
Kevin Kuns, Chair of the Montrose Democratic Party:
“Lauren Boebert is embarrassing our district. I did not vote for her, but I had hoped as her constituent that Boebert would prioritize protecting the Constitution and helping the people of our district. Instead, Boebert has shown zero interest in upholding the Constitution and has put other people’s freedom to vote in her crosshairs by trying to overturn the results of a free and fair election. Whether Boebert’s actions were willful ignorance or purposeful insurrection to overthrow a democracy, I agree with the tens of thousands of people who tweeted #ResignBoebert today -- Boebert must resign. Our district deserves better.”
Bri Buentello, State Representative HD47 (Pueblo)
“The congresswoman has conducted herself in a manner that is both un-American and beneath the dignity of the office she holds. Lauren Boebert can’t say she’s for freedom and the Constitution while standing with a seditious mob and tweeting ‘Today is 1776’ to encourage the rioters in the U.S. Capitol. I say this as a mom, a patriot, and a proud American: the peaceful transfer of power is one of the most important hallmarks of our democratic republic, and Lauren Boebert’s complicity in the attempt to stop that peaceful transfer of power disqualifies her from holding her office.”
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“The nation was introduced to two very different Colorado members of Congress last week. Jason Crow, who stepped up as a hero and put his Army Ranger training to use to protect his colleagues, and Lauren Boebert, whose peddling of disinformation and dangerous conspiracies contributed to the attempted coup at the Capitol last week. The fact Lauren Boebert seems more upset about House Democrats rightly pursuing a second impeachment of President Trump than she is about an unlawful Pro-Trump mob causing a riot that killed five people says all we need to know about her priorities.
“If Lauren Boebert were a true patriot as she claimed to be, she would respect the peaceful transfer of power that is a signature part of our Constitution, end her continued peddling of conspiracy theories, and get to work for her constituents. If she will not, Lauren Boebert should immediately resign.”
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Colorado Democratic Party, Electors Condemn Trump Supporters Storming U.S. Capitol
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements condemning the unlawful activity seen in the U.S. Capitol today by Trump supporters:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“The Colorado Democratic Party condemns the attempted coup and lawless behavior displayed at the US Capitol, carried out by domestic terrorists in the name of Donald Trump. This is the consequence of elected officials and political candidates entertaining harmful disinformation and unfounded conspiracy theories and spreading them to their followers.
“This is not a matter of political ideology. This is a matter of putting our country, and the laws on which it was founded, first. Elected leaders and officials from both parties must stand together against this unprecedented threat to our democracy.”
Polly Baca, Presidential Elector:
"President-elect Biden has demonstrated the leadership needed to confront this assault on our democracy. Under his leadership we will survive and thrive!”
Bryan Hartmann, Presidential Elector:
“While the Electoral College isn't without its flaws, I proudly cast an Electoral Vote in adherence to the law and by the will of the people. We can disagree with laws while abiding by them -- that is the American tradition. This attempt to subvert our democracy and disregard the will of the people is abhorrent. It's a direct assault on the US Constitution and the democratic institutions that define us as a civilized people.
“This coup attempt is a disgusting and unforgivable extremist move incited by Donald Trump -- We know the disruption will ultimately fail in its purpose, but there will be consequences. Above all else, the will of the people is stronger than anything; their voices will be heard and respected. I'm more proud than ever to have cast the peoples votes for Biden and Harris! We can be confident that much better days are ahead.”
Alan Kennedy, Presidential Elector:
"As a Colorado presidential elector and a veteran, I am appalled that Trump incited insurrection to prevent Pence from counting our certified electoral votes as required by the Constitution. Trump has pushed our democracy beyond the breaking point and we are seeing the consequences on live television. We are better than this. But make no mistake: We the People will prevail."
Judi Ingelido, Presidential Elector:
"I am appalled that these mobs, spurred on by the President of the United States, are violently interfering and trying to stop the Constitutional process by which we elect our President and Vice President and continue the peaceful transition of power. It sickens me to watch Republican senators and representatives call into question the fair and free elections that took place and were supported through many Court decisions, all for their own political aggrandizement. They and Trump have unleashed this horrific mob that we are now watching throughout the country and throughout the world. May God protect our law enforcement.
Anita "Nita" Lynch, Presidential Elector:
"This unlawful interference of my legitimate electoral vote as a Colorado elector terrifies me and puts our democracy in peril. Our constitution has in place procedure for peaceful transition from one presidency to the next, and this is being thwarted now. This is dangerous, destructive and illegal.”
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Ahead of Congressional Vote to Certify 2020 Election Results, Colorado Dems Condemn Boebert, Lamborn’s Planned Objections
Denver, CO - Ahead of today’s Congressional Vote to certify the 2020 Presidential Election Results, the Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement on Lauren Boebert and Doug Lamborn’s baseless plans to object today:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“After more than 50 lawsuits, countless audits, and numerous recounts, courts at every level and nonpartisan election officials all across the country came to the same, indisputable conclusion: Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, and on January 20, he will be sworn in as our 46th president. Yet, Boebert and Lamborn continue to embarrass themselves by pushing conspiracy theories about supposed ‘voter fraud’ with zero evidence to show for it.
“Trump, Boebert, and Lamborn are trying to overthrow an election because they don’t like the outcome. They are setting a new and dangerous precedent unseen in this nation’s history -- to refuse to accept election results if your preferred candidate does not win. This is an affront to our basic principles of democracy, free and fair elections, and a waste of the taxpayers’ time and money. Boebert and Lamborn need to do their jobs and actually serve their constituents -- not Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani.”
Meanwhile, in stark contrast to Boebert and Lamborn’s undemocratic behavior:
- Sen. Michael Bennet: GOP effort to overturn election is a threat to our Constitution (USA Today)
- Colorado's Joe Neguse among lawmakers leading House Democrats' response to effort to overturn Biden win (Colorado Politics)
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Buck’s COVID Vaccine Statement “Dangerous and Disappointing”
Photo Credit: Jesse Paul, the Colorado Sun
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statements in response to Congressman/Outgoing Colorado GOP Chair Ken Buck’s statement that he “will not be taking the [COVID-19] vaccine”, citing unfounded concerns about the “safety of the vaccine”:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Public health and safety should not be a partisan priority. We have lost more than 311K American lives to COVID-19, nearly 4,300 in Colorado, and Ken Buck is irresponsibly using his platform as a Congressman and the current Colorado Republican Party chair to sow doubt and fear about the vaccine. This indifference to the life and health of others demonstrated by the GOP leadership is dangerous and disappointing.”
Kyle Mullica, State Representative and ER Nurse:
“Medical experts across the spectrum -- including the FDA -- say the vaccine is safe for public use. I took the vaccine just two days ago because it is safe to use. As an ER nurse who has been treating patients with COVID-19, I argue that Ken Buck’s rhetoric is harming the efforts of healthcare workers -- including myself -- to get this virus under control. It boggles the mind that at a time when elected officials like Ken Buck should be part of the solution in encouraging people to get vaccinated when they are able to, Buck is instead choosing to indulge the anti-science and anti-vaxxer wing of the GOP and spread unfounded fears about the vaccine.”
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Colorado Dems Statement re: Electors Casting Votes for Joe Biden
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement following Colorado’s nine presidential electors casting the state’s electoral college votes for President-elect Joe Biden.
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“The wheels of democracy moved forward as our founders intended today. No amount of sham lawsuits and conspiracy theories being pushed by Republicans across the country can change the fact that Joe Biden was duly elected as President of the United States, and the votes cast by the electors today have sealed that decision made by the American people. Now, it is my hope that we as a country can turn the page with decency and leadership returned to the White House, and we can build a better future for everyone.
“I want to express my profound gratitude to the nine Coloradans who stepped up to represent their communities to the Electoral College today. Our nine electors are patriots who did their civic duty and participated in this crucial component of the peaceful transfer of power in our democracy, and they are to be commended for their service.”
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Buck, Lamborn Embarrass Colorado, Support Texas Lawsuit to Subvert Democracy
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement blasting Congressman/Colorado GOP Chair Ken Buck and Congressman Doug Lamborn for adding their names to an amicus brief in support of the Texas Attorney General’s attempt to overturn the election from Joe Biden to Donald Trump:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Ken Buck and Doug Lamborn are an embarrassment to our great state. The voters have spoken -- they chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to be the next President and Vice President of the United States, and no amount of frivolous lawsuits attempting to subvert the will of the voters can change that indisputable fact. By adding their names to this meritless and dangerous lawsuit, Ken Buck and Doug Lamborn are showing they have no respect for their own constituents, for democracy, or for the rule of law.”
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ICYMI: While Mitch and Donald sit on their hands, Colorado Dems are taking Action on COVID Relief
In another example of why Washington, D.C. should take its cues from Colorado, we have seen our Democratic state legislators work tirelessly over the past 48 hours to pass COVID-19 relief for Colorado families. The special session was called by Democratic Governor, Jared Polis since D.C. has failed to deliver.
Here’s quick recap of some of the bipartisan bills moving along during the special session:
- Boosting Broadband Access for Rural Colorado Students (HB20B-1001)
- Emergency Childcare Relief (HB20B-1002)
- Food Pantry Assistance (HB20B-1003)
- Small Retail Business Support (HB20B-1004)
- Direct Aid to Small Businesses (SB20B-001)
- Direct Housing Aid for Coloradans (SB20B-002)
- Direct Utility Aid for Coloradans (SB20B-003)
- Emergency Fund to support Fighting COVID-19 (SB20B-004)
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Coloradans should be proud, because this is how government is supposed to work. While Mitch McConnell has refused to budge on the COVID relief bills that U.S. House Democrats sent him months ago, and while Donald Trump continues to live in fantasyland and push unfounded conspiracies, Democrats in the state legislature have worked at lightning speed to pass much-needed relief for families, small businesses, and students.”
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Beginning of a New and Better Future: Nation goes for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement in response to the news that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris secured the needed electoral college votes -- including Colorado’s 9 -- to win the presidency:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“They say the night’s darkest just before dawn, and after four years of the most corrupt presidency in modern history, it’s morning in America again. Our country was given a very clear choice -- four more years of Trump’s corruption and vicious dismantling of our norms, or a return to honor and decency in the White House with Joe Biden. As Biden has said multiple times, he will be a president for all of America -- not just those who voted for him -- and I echo his words that it is time for all our country to come together and put the past four years of horrible division behind us.
“We are all Americans, and under Joe Biden, we will build back better an America that has an economy that works for all, that listens to science, that protects our planet, and that puts working families first, not the ultra-wealthy. I offer my deepest congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and my deepest thanks to all the amazing Democratic candidates who bravely stepped forth to run for offices up and down the ticket.”
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Bye Cory! -- Colorado Chooses Change, Elects John Hickenlooper to the U.S. Senate
Denver, CO - The Colorado Democratic Party released the following statement in response to the news that Colorado has elected former governor John Hickenlooper to to the U.S. Senate, kicking out Cory Gardner:
Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“Senator Cory Gardner consistently put Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump ahead of Colorado, and Coloradans made it clear that he was not worthy of a second term. Senator Gardner desperately tried to deceive Coloradans about his record of trying to rip away our health care, selling out our public lands, and failing to deliver pandemic relief. Coloradans were not fooled. Coloradans are ready for a Senator John Hickenlooper, who will roll up his sleeves and bring people together to tackle climate change, expand health care, and bring change to Washington."
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GARDNER’S CLOSING: Campaigning Maskless with QAnon Believer, Missing Own Deadline on Public Lands, Defending Attempt to Gut Coloradans’ Health Care
Denver, CO - It’s Election Day, and Senator Cory Gardner is closing out his campaign like he’s spent the last six years: catering to the far-right, failing to protect Colorado’s public lands, and doubling down on his votes to take away Coloradans’ health care.
Here’s what Coloradans are reading on Election Day:
Gardner Campaigns Maskless with QAnon Supporter Lauren Boebert, Violates Garfield County Public Health Order
The Post-Independent reports that Gardner tagged along to a closing rally for Lauren Boebert at her restaurant in Rifle last night. As Boebert railed against attempts to control the pandemic, state Senator Kerry Donovan pointed out that the event violated Garfield County’s mask mandate.
More via the Colorado Times Recorder:
Additional photos obtained by the Colorado Times Recorder show Gardner and Boebert, both maskless, in close proximity with others, including one apparent child, at the Freedom Rally today in front of Shooters Grill, Boebert’s restaurant in Rifle, which is located in Garfield County.
A video of the event (below) shows what appears to be a Shooters Grill staff member, with a trademark gun at her hip, letting maskless patrons into the restaurant, also in apparent violation of the mask mandate.
In the video, Gardner is standing outside the restaurant, also maskless, as the people enter Shooters Grill.
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Gardner is inconsistent with his mask-wearing habits, normally wearing masks for official photos on Facebook but often seen maskless in informal images that appear on social media.
Neither Gardner nor Boebert could be reached for comment.
Trump Breaks “Gardner’s Law” and Misses Deadline for LWCF Projects
Gardner has spent millions of dollars running ads on the Great American Outdoors Act and attempting to deceive Coloradans about his real record of selling out public lands to corporate polluters. But on election eve, the Trump administration missed the deadline for funding public lands projects — breaking his so-called “Gardner’s Law” on the same day Coloradans will vote Gardner out of office.
After the pomp and circumstance of enacting the Great American Outdoors Act — the "holy grail" of conservation legislation for which advocates have been clamoring for decades — the Trump administration has missed a key deadline for implementation of the landmark law.
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However, an updated list, or even a resubmission of the same list, is necessary for compliance with the Great American Outdoors Act.
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Both Republican Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Steve Daines of Montana have highlighted the legislation in television and video ads.
When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) put the bill on the floor this summer, he made sure they were the faces of the effort and allowed them to essentially take all credit for the measure's passage (Greenwire, Aug. 4).
"Cory Gardner's campaign is ending with ... President Trump failing to deliver on the conservation legislation Gardner has touted in misleading ads for months — breaking his self-proclaimed 'Gardner's Law' on Day 1, which happens to land on the same day Coloradans will vote him out of office," said Alyssa Roberts, a spokeswoman for former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), who is challenging Gardner for his Senate seat.
The Republican lawmaker has referred to the Great American Outdoors Act as "Gardner's Law" in a television ad promoting his candidacy. (Greenwire, Aug. 12).
Neither Gardner nor Daines, however, responded to requests for comment for this story.
Defending Vote to Stack Court Against Coloradans’ Health Care
After spending a decade crusading against the Affordable Care Act, Gardner put the final nail in the coffin with his vote last week to confirm Trump’s anti-ACA Supreme Court nominee. The Court hears a case that could overturn the ACA in just a week, and Gardner is defending his vote that could rip away health care from millions of people during a pandemic.
Hickenlooper says Gardner is putting American’s healthcare in jeopardy by supporting Barrett, due to the Supreme Court hearing a case on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act after the election. Gardner feels he acted in the country’s best interest by appointing Barrett.
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Hickenlooper has attacked Gardner for his support of Barrett and about healthcare policy in general.
“Healthcare is something people feel is at the top of the list and something Cory Gardner hasn’t delivered on,” Hickenlooper said.
OOF: Gardner’s Billionaire Allies “Mistakes Grand Canyon for Colorado” In Desperate Greenwashing Ad
Westword calls out Gardner & his allies’ numerous gaffes including “racist” mailers & JFK’s family demanding Gardner take down his closing ad, calling him a “disgrace”
Denver, CO - A new Westword report reveals that Senator Cory Gardner’s billionaire GOP megadonors used images of the Grand Canyon — which is in Arizona, not Colorado -- in a desperate ad trying to greenwash Gardner’s toxic environmental record. Westword notes that this gaffe is part of a pattern of missteps by Gardner and his allies, which also includes mailers in support of Gardner being “denounced as racist” and the family of President John F. Kennedy demanding Gardner take down a misleading ad that invokes Kennedy’s legacy without permission. Kennedy family members say they are “deeply offended” that Gardner “maligns” JFK’s legacy and are demanding that he “remove this ad now.”
The super PAC that made the egregious Grand Canyon gaffe is run by billionaire Joe Ricketts, who was among the wealthiest in America who saved billions of dollars from the GOP tax scam that Gardner played a “key role” pushing through. Ricketts returned the favor with his shady super PAC trying to greenwash Gardner’s record, but apparently Gardner’s out-of-state billionaire backer can’t tell the difference between Colorado and Arizona.
To no surprise, “neither Gardner nor his representatives have responded to requests for comment.”
Read the highlights below or the full article HERE.
Westword: Pro-Cory Gardner Ad Mistakes Grand Canyon for Colorado
By Michael Roberts | November 2, 2020
- With election day on November 3, campaign ads will finally come to an end — for this cycle, anyhow. And that's good news for U.S. Senator Cory Gardner, who's seen material pushing his candidacy denounced as racist and attacked by the family of a former president. But the funniest gaffe on his behalf — a video that mistakes one of America's most famous national parks for Colorado — may turn out to be the worst sign of all.
- Then, over the weekend, three of John F. Kennedy's family members attacked Gardner for using footage of the late leader as a way of hyping his own record on the environment. Kerry Kennedy tweeted: "How dare you @CoryGardner misuse and abuse the memory of Uncle Jack in this grossly misleading advertisement? You have supported Trump's decimation of the EPA and fueled global warming. You are a disgrace."
- And then there's a pro-Gardner clip financed by an organization known as ESAFund (formerly the Ending Spending Action Fund). The ad (click here) begins with the lines, "Colorado's greatest natural resources are our people. Our land." But these words are paired with an image not from the state he represents, but from Arizona. It's a little place called the Grand Canyon.
- The photo definitely looked like the Grand Canyon to us, but we wanted to make sure — so we reached out to Joelle Baird, spokesperson for Grand Canyon National Park. It's the Grand Canyon, all right, Baird confirms.
- Neither Gardner nor his representatives have responded to requests for comment from Westword in years, but we reached out about the ad, anyway. No response.
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NEW: JFK’s Family Demands Gardner Remove Misleading Greenwashing Ad, “Deeply Offended” That Gardner “Maligns” JFK’s Legacy
JFK’s Niece: “You have supported Trump[’]s decimation of the EPA and fueled global warming. You are a disgrace.”
Denver, CO - The family of President John F. Kennedy is demanding Senator Cory Gardner take down a misleading greenwashing ad that invokes Kennedy’s legacy without permission. Kennedy family members say they are “deeply offended” that Gardner “maligns” JFK’s legacy, and are demanding that he “remove this ad now.”
The Kennedy family notes that Gardner has “supported Trump[‘]s decimation of the EPA and fueled global warming,” which has earned him a failing 11% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters and demanded that Gardner “NOT use words + images of JFK to hide behind [his] assault on air, land + water.”
This latest greenwashing ad comes after Gardner’s other one, “Both Parties,” was shredded for featuring two registered Republicans — a Parks official who was ousted for corruption and the founder of a “hollow shell” sham organization that was started by Gardner’s Big Oil allies on taxpayer time, leading to an ethics complaint for doing political work on the people’s dime.
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Eli Rosen:
“Cory Gardner is no JFK. With just two days remaining in this campaign, Gardner needs to immediately respect the wishes of the Kennedy family and remove his disgraceful greenwashing ad that tarnishes JFK’s name. Stop misleading voters about your record and do the right thing.”
WATCH: Cory Gardner's Last Major Interview Spooks Voters, Shows He’s Skeleton of A Senator With No Guts
FOX31: “Does it send the right message to go to Florida and Disney World for a political fundraiser during the pandemic?”
Denver, CO - In a horrifyingly rare occurrence, Senator Cory Gardner talked to a local reporter yesterday — but on brand, Gardner refused to take responsibility for his failing record in Washington, dodging questions on health care, flip-flopping on the Supreme Court vacancy, failing to deliver pandemic relief, and more. Gardner was also called out for planning to take his wealthy corporate PAC donors on a post-election getaway to Disney World instead of working to pass desperately needed pandemic relief, which Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will give up on until 2021.
Gardner has avoided talking to local reporters and constituents at all cost — even refusing to host a public in-person town hall for over three years — and we know why: Gardner won’t own up to his record of trying to rip away half a million Coloradans’ health care during a pandemic, ramming Trump’s Supreme Court nominee through eight days before the election, and standing with President Trump 100% of the time through his botched pandemic response.
WATCH Gardner’s inability to defend his failing record and unwavering allegiance to Trump in an interview with KDVR:
Here are a few of the scariest moments:
DISNEY WORLD: Gardner fails to explain why he is going to Disney World to rake in cash from his special interest donors after the election instead of working on pandemic relief.
FOX31: “Does it send the right message to go to Florida and Disney world for a political fundraiser during the pandemic?”
GARDNER: “Well, I think there's fundraisers that happen every single day.”
HEALTH CARE: Gardner continues to spew debunked lies on his health care record and sham bill that wouldn’t actually protect people with pre-existing conditions. When confronted with his record, Gardner refused to give a straight answer.
FOX 31: “You have voted against the Affordable Care Act and to repeal it a couple of times. It has given half a million people here in Colorado insurance because of the Medicaid expansion, because of the marketplace. What do you say to those people who are concerned that they could flat out lose their coverage in a pandemic?”
FOX 31: “In the past couple of years, it seems that it has always been ‘we just want to repeal the Affordable Care Act.’ There hasn’t been a new proposal or a way to improve the Affordable Care Act?”
TRUMP: Gardner couldn’t explain why he believes Trump is “moral and ethical” now, despite questioning Trump’s morality in 2016.
FOX31: “Four years ago on President Trump, you said this of him: ‘he’s a candidate whose flaws are beyond mere moral shortcomings and show a disgust for the American character and disdain for dignity unbecoming of the presidency.’ Yet this year you are supporting him. In a debate the other day when asked if he’s a moral and ethical man you said ‘yes’ -- what changed?”
Gardner: “Well look, I desperately wanted to beat Hillary Clinton four years ago.”
SCOTUS: Gardner failed to justify breaking his word and voting to confirm Trump’s Supreme Court nominee eight days before an election, despite saying in 2016 that the election was too soon months earlier.
FOX31: “Yet four years ago, eight months before the election, when there was an opening, you said this, ‘our next election is too soon, the stakes are too high. The American people deserve a role in this process, as a next Supreme Court Justice will influence the direction of this country for years to come.’ Could the same not be said this time around why did you change your mind?”
FOX31: “Some people say if you look back to what you said in 2016 about confirming a justice in an election year, you changed your mind this year.”
FOX31: “But you also said it was simply too close to an election, so I guess the question -- how can people make sure that you are not going to change your mind again on a major issue like this?”
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Gardner Plans Post Election Getaway to Disney World, Skipping Out on COVID Relief to Entertain His Wealthy Corporate Donors
Morning Consult Poll: Americans believe “Republicans are at fault for inability to reach deal on COVID-19 aid”
Denver, CO - The pandemic is surging across the country, but instead of working to pass urgent pandemic relief Senator Cory Gardner is already planning to take his wealthy corporate PAC donors on a post-election getaway to Disney World. Gardner’s campaign confirmed the plans to the Colorado Sun, who said “it’s an annual event.”
The event will fill the coffers of Gardner’s PAC, which has accepted thousands from big corporations like Koch Industries and Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals. Gardner has taken more than $6 million from corporate PACs, the most of any candidate in Colorado history.
The vacation news comes just days after Gardner and Mitch McConnell prioritized rushing through President Trump’s anti-ACA and anti-choice Supreme Court nominee ahead of delivering comprehensive pandemic aid. A new Morning Consult poll shows that Americans believe “Republicans are at fault for inability to reach deal on COVID-19 aid.”
Over 160 days ago, Gardner said that it would be “unfathomable” for the Senate to leave Washington without further action, but has since let emergency unemployment expire, failed to pass pandemic aid, and stonewalled two comprehensive House-passed pandemic aid packages.
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Eli Rosen:
“It’s ‘unfathomable’ that Senator Gardner is planning a Disney World trip to rake in special interest cash for his PAC instead of working tirelessly to get aid to the Coloradans that are fighting for their lives against COVID, struggling to pay rent, and put food on the table. Unfortunately, the Coloradans who have skipped vacations and in-person events to help curb the spread of COVID-19 are accustomed to Gardner prioritizing special interest cash ahead of our needs. In 6 days, Coloradans will send him packing and he can spend all the time he wants on Splash Mountain.”
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One Week Out, Colorado Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign Hits 10 Million Calls
Photo from May 18, 2019.
Thousands of volunteers have driven record early turnout for Joe Biden, John Hickenlooper, Diane Mitsch Bush & Democrats up and down the ballot
Denver, CO - One week out from Election Day, the Colorado Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign’s army of organizers and grassroots volunteers has reached an impressive milestone: 10 million calls to voters across Colorado.
Despite adapting to virtual campaigning, the coordinated campaign has:
- Made over 10 million phone calls, reaching out to 96% of registered Democrats and 81% of registered Unaffiliated voters
- Held over 400,000 conversations with Colorado voters since September 1st
- Recruited thousands of volunteers across the state, with over half volunteering for the first time
“Our thousands of volunteers and tireless organizers have put everything they have into getting out the vote, and we’re seeing the results with record early turnout,” said Colorado Democratic Party chair Morgan Carroll. “But we’re not letting up now -- in the next week, we’ll be redoubling our ground game to ensure everyone knows the stakes of this election and turns in their ballots for Joe Biden, John Hickenlooper, Diane Mitsch Bush and Democrats across Colorado who will protect our health care, keep our public lands in public hands, and work towards building a better future for all.”
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FALLOUT: Gardner Slammed for Casting The “Key Vote” To Confirm Trump’s Anti-ACA, Anti-Choice Supreme Court Pick
Gardner’s confirmation of Barrett puts protections for 2.4 million Coloradans with pre-existing conditions “in greater danger than ever”
Supreme Court to hear case to overturn the ACA two weeks from today
Denver, CO - After Senator Cory Gardner cast the “key vote” to confirm President Trump’s anti-Affordable Care Act and anti-choice Supreme Court nominee to a lifetime appointment, health care and reproductive rights organizations slammed Gardner for “prioritiz[ing] stacking the Supreme Court over providing relief to the thousands of Coloradans struggling in the midst of a still-raging pandemic” and continuing his crusade “to block access to affordable health care and overturn the right to safe, legal abortion.”
With the Supreme Court slated to hear a case to overturn the ACA in just two weeks, Gardner’s confirmation of Barrett — who has openly criticized a previous decision upholding the health care law — puts Coloradans’ health care coverage and protections for people with pre-existing conditions “in greater danger than ever.”
Yesterday, Gardner was called out by *Fox News* for lying about his own crusade to overturn the ACA. New video also showed Gardner denying that the Trump-backed lawsuit could overturn the ACA, which is exactly what it’s intended to accomplish.
See what Coloradans had to say about Gardner’s continued crusade against reproductive freedoms and affordable health care:
NARAL Pro-Choice America: “Today, Senator Gardner betrayed the people of Colorado by rubber-stamping the sham confirmation of Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court. Not only did Cory Gardner vote to confirm Barrett mere days before Election Day, he chose to prioritize stacking the Supreme Court over providing relief to the thousands of Coloradans struggling in the midst of a still-raging pandemic. But thanks to NARAL’s more than 58,000 members across Colorado, come November 3rd, Cory Gardner will realize the colossal mistake he has made when he is ousted from the Senate once and for all.”
Planned Parenthood Votes: “Cory Gardner has failed once again to represent the people of Colorado. This comes as no surprise, as he has consistently attempted to block access to affordable health care and overturn the right to safe, legal abortion. Voters are already sending in their ballots in record numbers to elect John Hickenlooper and guarantee Gardner loses his seat. Planned Parenthood Votes will help ensure that this is the last time he betrays Coloradans in office.”
Protect Our Care: “A vote to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court is a vote against Americans’ health care, and today, Senator Gardner and Republican Senators once again made their position clear. They voted to rip health care away from more than 20 million Americans and remove protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions — in the middle of this pandemic — and they did it even though millions of voters were already casting their ballots. This is a health care election, and Senator Gardner and Republican Senators will see the consequences of their decade-long war on health care at the ballot box.”
Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights Action Fund: “[Cory Gardner] just voted to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Access to healthcare, access to abortion, and elections are now on the line, it's time to say #AdiosGardner.”
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault: “The new Justice holds extreme positions on health care and the Affordable Care Act, discrimination on the basis of race and sex, and reproductive health and rights. Although she was careful to say virtually nothing of consequence in her hearings, the fact is that she has a long record proving her views are out of the mainstream. I know her record, and I am frightened. She tilts the scales of justice against survivors of campus sexual assault, including men and boys...With Justice Barrett on the bench, we can expect even fewer protections for all men, women, non-binary, and trans people in schools -- and beyond."
No on 115: “Knowing that Justice Ginsburg, who dedicated her life to fighting for reproductive rights, has been replaced by someone who does not believe Roe v. Wade is worthy of respect and could be the deciding vote to overturn a woman’s constitutionally-guaranteed right to access abortion care, is nothing short of infuriating."
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STATEMENT: Colorado Democratic Party Condemns Gardner’s Vote for Trump’s Rigid Supreme Court Nominee
In 2016, Gardner said eight months from an election was “too soon” to vote on a Supreme Court nominee — but apparently eight days isn’t
Denver, CO - Just now, after nearly 1.6 million Coloradans have already voted and just eight days before the election, Senator Cory Gardner voted to confirm President Trump’s anti-Affordable Care Act and anti-choice Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett to a lifetime appointment on the nation’s highest court.
Colorado Democratic Party Chair Morgan Carroll:
“There are no two ways about it: Senator Gardner flip-flopped on his 2016 commitment for utter partisan political gain and to continue his out-of-touch crusade to rip health care away from millions of Coloradans and gut reproductive freedoms.
“While nearly 1.6 million Coloradans have already voted and want a say in the next lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, Senator Gardner is silencing them and choosing to listen solely to Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump. Today is a devastating reminder that Senator Gardner has sold out Colorado for his undying fealty to Trump, and Coloradans are fed up with it. We are disturbed by the consequences of this sham process and embarrassment the GOP has made of this lifetime appointment, but we are reinvigorated to put our nose to the grindstone for the next eight days to elect Joe Biden and John Hickenlooper, and send both Cory Gardner and Donald Trump packing.”
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Colorado Dems Slam Trump, Colorado GOP Over Ethiopia Dam Threat
Denver, CO - Nahome Yifru, Chair of the Ethiopian Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party, and Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, released the following statements in response to Donald Trump’s Friday threats against the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project:
Nahome Yifru, Chair of the Ethiopian Initiative of the Colorado Democratic Party:
“America is seen around the world as the beacon of hope and a fair broker for many conflicts. However, President Trump’s xenophobic and racist comments have eroded the trust that was built around the world and in Ethiopia through the years. When we heard the President’s threatening comments about allowing Egypt to blow up the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), we could not help but remember the s***hole countries comment at the white house and his constant cajoling of dictators like Putin and Alsisi of Egypt. His calloused comments not only show his ignorance on the geopolitical situation, but his reckless disregard for the Ethiopian American community. The GERD project is already a delicate topic between Egypt and Ethiopia. It is solely based on abhorrent colonial treaties that did not take into consideration the wishes of the Ethiopian people. Instead of using America’s unique position as the sole superpower in the world and being a fair and effective mediator, President Trump signaled to Egypt that it will be ok with him and America if they bombed the GERD, which is built using the scarce resources of one of the world’s most impoverished nations, Ethiopia.
“Colorado Republicans like Cory Gardner and Ken Buck have chosen to remain silent in the face of this threat against Ethiopia. Voters in the Colorado Ethiopian American community have been strongly mobilized because of this insensitive remark and are making sure their voices are heard at the ballot box against this President and his enablers.”
Morgan Carroll, Colorado Democratic Party Chair:
“Colorado Democrats condemn this reckless and irresponsible rhetoric from Donald Trump. Like he has done his entire presidency, Trump has shown little curiosity or care to study the complexities of international relations -- unless you count the time Trump referred to African nations as ‘****hole’ countries. Our state is home to tens of thousands of members of the Ethiopian community, and we at the Colorado Democratic Party stand in solidarity with them against this dangerous war mongering by Donald Trump.”
Congressman Jason Crow responded to the news on Friday, calling Trump’s words “reckless and uninformed”.
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SPIN/FACT: Gardner Called Out By *Fox News* for Lying About Supreme Court Lawsuit He Supports to Overturn ACA
In new video, Gardner denies that SCOTUS could strike down ACA: “I think a lot of the issues at question that may be before the Supreme Court will not be impacted by the decision that they may or may not reach”
SPIN: In a Fox News interview this morning, Senator Cory Gardner got called out for lying about the lawsuit he supports before the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act:
GARDNER: “I think that the Democrats want their justice on the Court who will accomplish things for them that they have not been able to do from the floor of the United States Senate and House...”
FOX NEWS HOST: “Well, the only thing I would push back on that with is that they did make the law when they passed the Affordable Care Act. And the case before the Supreme Court is being brought by the Trump administration.”
GARDNER: “I mean, they're hoping that the justices on the Supreme Court will find a way to make a health care bill, contort to whatever ideas that they failed to do on the floor of the House or the Senate when they passed the Affordable Care Act.”
SPIN x2: In newly released footage of a conversation with the American Cancer Society, Gardner claimed that Trump-backed lawsuit to overturn the ACA wouldn’t actually do the exact thing it is intended to accomplish:
COLORADAN: “How will you ensure that Coloradans who have health care through the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion will continue to be covered?”
GARDNER: “I think a lot of the issues at question that may be before the Supreme Court will not be impacted by the decision that they may or may not reach. And I don't think anybody can predict or guess what justice would do with the law in front of but you know, whatever happens, I don't think that the Supreme Court would act today that if they were to reach a ruling, that ruling would be in effect immediately.”
FACT: The ACA was passed by the House and the Senate, and the Supreme Court has upheld its constitutionality twice already.
FACT: Gardner and the GOP tried to repeal the ACA through Congress but failed with bipartisan opposition — now they’re the ones resorting to the courts to do what they’ve failed to accomplish.
FACT: The Trump-backed lawsuit to overturn the health care law before the Supreme Court today was sparked by the Gardner-backed GOP tax scam.
FACT: The current lawsuit puts health care coverage for nearly 500,000 Coloradans and protections for 2.4 million Coloradans with pre-existing conditions “in greater danger than ever.”
FACT: Gardner thinks that the ACA is “unconstitutional” and supports the lawsuit slated to be heard on November 10th that could rip health care from millions in the middle of the pandemic.
FACT: Tonight Gardner will vote to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, who criticized a previous decision upholding the health care law.
FACT: Gardner has voted at least 13 times to repeal, gut, or defund the health care law, including its Medicaid expansion and protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
FACT: Gardner tried to lie to Coloradans about his record by running a campaign ad on a stunt bill that numerous experts and fact-checkers agree would not actually protect people with pre-existing conditions.
BOTTOM LINE: With his vote to stack the Supreme Court against the ACA tonight, Cory Gardner may finally succeed at his decade-long crusade to repeal the Affordable Care Act — but he doesn’t want Coloradans to know he’s the one to blame.
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