Democrats Can Shine (Denver Post)

[CornField]

By Gail Schoettler

The state Capitol is about to stage a show that hasn't run in 44 years. Though few believed it could happen, the Democrats are in power. The new stars have the opportunity to show us their stuff, to really shine as leaders who are unafraid to tackle the heavy-duty problems that Colorado faces.

Topping the list is Joan Fitz-Gerald, the first woman to serve as president of the Colorado Senate, who is savvy and experienced, with the brainpower and courage to take on the toughest issues. Her job is to keep an intensely partisan crowd moving toward solutions rather than fistfights. Helping her is Ken Gordon, Senate majority leader, a thoughtful lawyer with a deep understanding of Colorado's difficult problems. He will need to keep his own Democratic caucus in line on key issues if the legislature is to achieve anything significant in 2005.

Across the way, newly elected House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, a smart and knowledgeable politician, will need to practice effective diplomacy in order to get Democrats and Republicans to work together. He is lucky to have Rep. Alice Madden as House majority leader, an intelligent, tenacious lawyer who knows how to win friends and political contests. These new leaders all know that working across the aisle, something not always seen in the Capitol, is essential to success. They will need Republican support to solve our crushing fiscal problems and to avoid needless vetoes of key legislation.

It isn't always easy to lead effectively when you've been the party out of power for so many years. That's why the 2005 legislative session, which starts Wednesday, is so critical for the future of Democrats as well as for Colorado. The state needs solutions now to its budget crisis, solutions that will be lasting and workable for all of us. We cannot deal productively with any other problems - such as funding for higher education, transportation and health care - unless we fix the budget first. That will take leadership and courage from both parties.

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[coloradodem2005]

1. Hopefully they can pull it out.

n/t

[patdem]

2. Link...WOW, I say if you can do it in Colorado you can do it anywhere!

That is great news. There is also a post in LBN regarding the Democratic take over in CO. :hi:

PS You forgot to include the link.

[comradebillyboy]

3. the congressional democrats can shine tom delay's shoes

nt

[paulk]

5. ????

this thread is about the Colorado Statehouse....

[CornField]

4. LINK -- too late to edit

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~193~2638929,00.html

sorry about that