The real Beauprez stood up this morning: anti dream act, still opposing key women's issues, claiming one of the best US state economies is not enough; he could do better

The real Bob Beauprez, Republican candidate for Colorado's governor, is finally standing up this morning on two key issues that will affect the demographics of a large segment of Colorado's voters.  On Fox News (Denver 31) Beauprez affirmed his opposition to abortion  in the case of rape and incest.  He saw the only  reason he approved for abortion would be if the life of the mother would be in jeopardy. He said he opposed the personhood amendment, not because he disagreed with it, but because it was a bad tactic.  The GOP indeed has a problem with single women in this election and he did not help increase his support from that group of voters .  He tried to play both sides of the issue when he promised he  would enforce federal laws on choice (whatever they were).  That should make neither side of those issues very happy.

Hispanics make up 14% of Colorado's voters, enough to swing a narrow election.  In fact,  Beauprez reaffirmed his opposition to the dream act in no uncertain terms. The reason he gave borders on pandering to non Hispanics when he said that there is a limit to admissions in state institutions and that allowing undocumented young people to go to college (using in state tuition) would keep "others" from attending.  That statement deserves close scrutiny and some raised eyebrows.

Beauprez based his positive campaign on his hyper pro business stance to help Colorado's economy. With Colorado ranked as number one in job and economic growth in the nation, and Weld County the fastest growing county, it is a difficult platform for running against incumbent John Hickenlooper, who is taking a victory lap on his pro business administrative reforms and results. All Beauprez  could say  to gild the economic lily is that we could do better if we followed his formula of becoming even more business friendly by wiping out many regulations. and eliminating any uncertainties, encouraging more energy investment in the state.  (Read: a vote against the  fracking ban would have eliminated any uncertainties). That is the best he could do since Hickenlooper convinced the anti fracking activitists to take the issue off the November ballot.   Guess it is Katy bar the door when it comes to consumer and environmental protection, but he wisely  did not offer any specifics.  It is always politically  safer to keep to generalities, right?

Bob Beauprez, who is he?

Who is Bob Beauprez, the Republican taking on Gov. John Hickenlooper in November?  He is a relatively unknown to the general public since his last elected office ended seven years ago, and his stance on issues is missing on his website. Polls show a close race. The campaign will heat up after Labor Day, but what positions Beauprez takes on issues may change the poll numbers.

What we know is that Beauprez was a two-term congressman until 2007, serving western slope District 7, and he lost to Democrat Bill Ritter in the general election for governor in 2006 by 17 percentage points.  Since then he has served as editor in chief of A Line of Sight, an online magazine.  He published one book, “A Return to Values: A Conservative.” There is a limited record of public statements he made in 2012 and later.  From that, it is possible to get a sneak preview of what may come.

He will be a good fit for rural Colorado, but not necessarily for urban/suburban voters. He will perpetuate a gender gap, may neutralize an increase in the Hispanic vote gap, and will risk attacks that “he is too extreme for Colorado” in spite of his businessman demeanor.

Beauprez already had a Romney 47% moment caught on YouTube, similar to what many consider the turning point resulting in the reelection of President Obama. Four years ago Beauprez noted 47% do not pay federal income tax.  Failing to note that 47% percent do not earn enough to be taxed, he concluded, “Almost one half of the population is perfectly happy that someone else is paying the bill.”   He defended his remarks again on July 2, 2014, on KWGN.

A recent Quinnipiac poll concluded that issues of importance to Colorado are the economy, jobs, and health care, to the exclusion of the rest.  A poll revealed 60% say Colorado’s economy is “excellent” or “good” while viewing the national economy as the reverse.  Gov. Hickenlooper, also viewed as business- and energy sector-friendly, may neutralize or win that issue.

Regarding Obamacare, what Beauprez would do differently is not known.  Would he yank it from those who are already benefiting or find an acceptable substitute that provides the same protection from insurance company practices of denial for preexisting conditions and benefits of affordability for the 400,000 in Colorado who were uninsured prior to the ACA?  Colorado’s exchange marketplace is ranked as one of the top four most successful in the US.

A nonpartisan, nonprofit  group “On the Issues,” however, has looked at Beauprez’s positions on record and assessed  him to be a conservative on the right, opposing higher taxes on the wealthy, green energy as a priority, women’s unrestricted rights for abortion, and same-sex marriage. What he favors are school choice vouchers, absolute right to gun ownership, and privatizing social security.  He is neutral on a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens, perhaps recognizing that Hispanics comprise 12% of the state’s voters.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlPWULnF8fgW 

http://www.ontheissues.org/Bob_Beauprez_VoteMatch.htm