CU Regent, Tom Lucero introduced Dr. Krannawitter and discussed the importance of the Center for Western Civilization at the University of Colorado.  He espoused the significance of studying the fundamental principles upon which our nation was built and praised Dr. Krannawitter for his ground breaking work on Lincoln.

Dr. Krannawitter’s book starts by confronting racism and slavery.  “It might sound strange at first, but the problem of slavery in the American Founding and the years following may best reveal American’s goodness.  That is, slavery was clearly a problem to be solved in America, but slavery is a problem only in a good regime; slavery is not problem in a bad one.”

He described Lincoln’s beliefs that “there exists what he [Lincoln] called an ‘abstract truth applicable to all men and all time’.”  He asked the audience to consider whether we today believe that any truth can apply to all the people through all time.

The deliberation as to whether Lincoln actually believed in human equality “or whether he was, as many scholars today argue, a ‘typical racist’” is the basis for why Dr. Krannawitter believes Lincoln is in need of vindication.  He argued that the most important verity about Lincoln was not Lincoln the man, “but rather the principles for which he gave the last full measure of devotion.”

According to Dr. Krannawitter, Lincoln understood the “universality of human equality and believed that blacks were included in the Declaration’s principle of equality”.  Although some scholars believe this remains an “unresolveable question,” Dr. Krannawitter discussed the broad implications and reminded the audience that in America, we cast moral judgments on our fellow citizens based upon whether they affirm the founding principle of equality; “we might tolerate, but we tend to look down upon, citizens who disavow the equal rights of others.” He went on to establish that this “dedication to equality inspired in many Americans a belief in the moral superiority of America, a view that America should serve as a kind of political and moral role model for the rest of the world.”

He concluded “the lesson Lincoln offers is a lesson of American exceptionalism and goodness. “  He went on to explain “that through Lincoln, we can become better students of Western Civilization, and we can become better prepared to defend the Crown jewel of Western Civilization, the free United States of America.”

Dr. Krannawitter is a frequent and favorite speaker at Leadership Program of the Rockies, well respected author, Professor at Hillsdale College, Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute and is nationally renowned for his passionate work on equality, natural rights and the American Founders.

The first debate among Northern Colorado’s four congressional candidates is coming up Feb. 4, and we’re asking voters to submit some of the questions.

The debate will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Windsor High School. The public is welcome to attend but if you can’t make it, the debate will be livestreamed on coloradoan.com and 9News.com.

Is there a question you’d like to see asked in the debate? If so, e-mail it to me at bmoore@coloradoan.com by Tuesday. I’ll forward the questions to Adam Schrager at 9 News, who will be the moderator of the debate.

We have just a couple of guidelines for the questions. Phrase the question so it can be asked of all four candidates, and include your name and hometown in the e-mail. We want to give proper credit to questions submitted by voters.

The four candidates appearing at the debate are Loveland businessman Dean Madere, University of Colorado Regent Tom Lucero, former Fort Collins City Council memberDiggs Brown and state Rep. Cory Gardner.

Also, KFKA will be airing the debate live. 

The campaign’s first TV ad highlights Lucero’s role in the removal of Ward Churchill from CU and ties the Reagent’s hard work at cleaning house at the University level to his goals of cleaning house in the United States Congress. Here’s the TV spot:

Additional information on Tom Lucero’s background, goals, and issues stances can be found at his website: www.lucero2010.com.

Northern Colorado grassroots organizations have come together and developed the candidate search so that voters from across Colorado’s 4th Congressional district can listen to and ask questions of the candidates running for office in 2010.

Candidates invited to participate include: all US Senate, US Congressional District 4, Colorado Governor and Colorado Secretary of State candidates. All three GOP CD4 candidates have confirmed their participation, including Tom Lucero, Cory Gardner, and Diggs Brown who just announced his campaign on Monday, November 9th. In addition, Matt Arnold from Clear the Bench Colorado will be speaking.

“We The People have become aware of the undermining done by both political parties in regards to the election process. Politicians are driven by special interests and special interests are driven by politicians. It’s a vicious cycle that can only be broken by citizens embracing their Constitutional responsibilities, getting involved, and educating others,” said Lesley Hollywood, event organizer.

Doors open at 5:45 and a buffet style dining and live entertainment will begin at 6. Find more information regarding who will be participating and RSVP at Candidate Search 2010.

This Saturday, Sportsman for Tom Lucero are putting on a Field Day and Freedom Forum of fly fishing and sporting clays for the Candidate for Congress from Colorado’s 4th District. Certified instruction for both will be available to anyone new to either sport.

Where: The home of Stan and Sara Everitt
When: Saturday October 24, 2009 from 10am – 1pm.
Donations: $125/person or $200/per couple

RSVP to Susan Evans at (970) 660-4412 or susan.evans@lucero2010.com

When: Thursday, October 15, 2009 from 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Colorado Auto Dealers Association, 290 East Speer Boulevard Denver, CO (map)

The Political Organization of Women Republicans is a nonprofit membership organization of leading and emerging pro-business women who share and promote the principles of fiscal accountability, individual responsibility, and limited government. Our Mission To Build the State’s Most Influential Community of Politically Astute Republican Women

When: Wednesday October 14th, 2009 from 6-8pm
Where:

Max Gill and Grill at 1052 S. Gaylord, Denver, CO (map)

Taco appetizers will be served and Happy Hour prices will be available at the cash bar. 

Suggested contribution: $30

RSVP to Susan Evans at (970) 660-4412 or susan.evans@lucero2010.com

Hugh Hewitt introduces Tom Lucero.

Tom Lucero addresses the audience at the University Club.

Lucero, Hewitt, and CU Regent Dr. Jim Geddes after the event.

Later on Friday afternoon at CCU, John Andrews warms up the audience before the show.

Hugh interviews John about the Centennial Institute, CCU’s new center for Constitutional education.

Matt Arnold of Clear the Bench Colorado explains how Coloradans can unseat the four “unjust justices” of the Mullarkey Supreme Court in 2010 by voting “NO” on their retention, and why Coloradans should do so (their absurdly anti-Constitutional rulings on tax increases and property rights, among other things).

Audience member Isaac Smith discusses energy policy during the improvised ”audience participation” segment of the show.

For those who missed yesterday’s live broadcast, a podcast is available through the 710KNUS/TownHall site. I took video of Hugh’s and Tom’s speeches yesterday at the University Club, which I will post sometime tomorrow.