Liveblogging Cory Gardner, Tom Lucero, Dean Madere at CD-4 Assembly

by Donald E. L. Johnson | 2:06 pm, May 21, 2010 | 1 Comment

The Embassy Suites in Loveland is packed with Republicans from four Congressional districts. I'm live blogging the most contested district, CD-4. Cory Gardner is hoping to keep Tom Lucero and Dean Madeare off the Aug. 10 primary ballot.  State GOP Chairman Dick Wahdams says that who is nominated by the GOP will be the next Congressman from CD-4. Wadhams tells me that Rand Paul, the controversial GOP Senate candidate in Kentucky, will have to back track on his assertion that businesses should have the right to discriminate against customers for any reason. The issue will blow over and "he'll be ok," Wadhams predicted. The assembly is taking care of official business. Then it will nominate regents and finally Congressional candidates. Preliminary: 546 delegates. Jane Norton gets cool reception. Repeats her speech that outlines her positions as outline on her web site. More applause when she's done. Scott McInnis. Hick is phasing out tax increases. Hickenlooper supports open borders and sanctuary cities. Repeats his positions on abortion, illegals, TABOR, taxes and unions. Ken Buck gets standing ovation from home district crowd. Makes strong statement on border security. Support senators like Jim DeMint who want to fight big government. Several delegates stand and applaud after he finishes. Senate candidate, Steve Barton, speaks about currency devaluation and need to reduce the deficit. State Treasurer candidate Ali Hasan. Uses his prop and talks about bail out banks.  State Treasurer candidate J. J. Ament gets big home district cheer. Sells his expertise and record. Crowd supports him. Dan Maes gets standing ovation from six or seven delegates. Sells his plan, which is described on his web site. Like Norton and McInnis, promises to move against illegal immigration. Hot topic here. Gets standing O from about 20 delegates. Former CD-4 Rep. and Senate candidate, Bob Schaffer, gets warm welcome. Says he misses Rep.Mariyln Musgrave, who was beat by Betsy Markey (D-CD 4). Gives award to Musgrave. Show film clip of Musgrave promo. GOP death wish or what? John Suthers gets standing O.  Breadth and scope of federal power will be the issue in 2010 elections. Dems after him for standing up against ObamaCare. There is no healthcare power in the Constitution. Big cheer. There is a commerce power to allow Congress to regulate interstate commerce, but Congress is for first time trying to tell citizens to buy health insurance. If that is upheld by the Courts, federalism will be over. It is a fight well worth fighting. Biggest standing O of the day. Nominatons for CU regents. Two candidates. I'm not covering that race. 591 delegates credentialed. 177 is the magic number Cory Gardner is being introduced. Lots of supporters go to front with him. Dick Brown nominates Gardner.  Mark Hillman seconds. Weld county Sheriff John Cook seconds. Cory Gardnet gets standing O from Eastern Plains delegates. Good speaker. Strong campaigner. Impressive. Should be able to beat Markey. Best speaker I've heard all year on the campaign trail. Crowd likes the speech. Tom Lucero nominated by Dan Nenowski (sp), a small business owner. Jabs Gardner as a former Democrat who campaigned against Bob Schaffer eight years ago.  

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