Research Briefing

After String Of Tough Votes, Sending Vice President Biden Is Least Dems Could Do For Soon-To-Be Former Congresswoman Markey

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “I Know It’s An Election Year.  … [I]t’s Clear That Campaign Fever Has Come Even Earlier Than Usual.  But We Still Need To Govern.” (President Barack Obama, State Of The Union Address, Washington, DC, 1/27/10)

BIDEN HEADS TO DENVER TODAY TO RAISE MONEY FOR MARKEY

Vice President Biden Will Headline $150 Fundraising Reception And $4,800 “Private Photograph Reception” For Markey. “Vice President Joe Biden’s coming to Colorado to stump for U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey. The event is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Friday April 30th at the Sheraton Hotel. Be prepared to open your wallet if you want to attend. The cost is $150 for the reception and $4,800 for a private photograph reception.” (Lynn Bartels, “Biden Coming To Colorado For U.S. Rep. Betsy Markey,” Denver Post’s The Spot Blog, 4/19/10)

 BUT AFTER SEVERAL UNPOPULAR VOTES (AND A HEALTH CARE FLIP-FLOP)

HE MAY ALREADY BE TOO LATE TO SAVE HER …

Rep. Markey Voted For President Obama’s Stimulus Bill. (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #46, Approved 244-188; D 244-11, R 0-177, 1/28/09; Conference Report: (H.R. 1, Roll Call Vote #70, Approved 246-183; D-246-7, R 0-176, 2/13/09)

Rep. Markey Voted For Speaker Pelosi’s Cap & Trade National Energy Tax. (H.R. 2454, Roll Call Vote #477, Approved 219-212; D 211-44, R 8-168, 6/26/09)

Rep. Markey Voted Against Government-Run Health Care In November, Then Under Pressure From Dem Leadership Flip-Flopped And Voted For It In March. (H.R. 3962, Roll Call Vote #887, Approved 220-215; D 219-39, R 1-176, 11/7/09; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #165, Approved 219-212; D 219-34; R 0-178, 3/21/10)

… BECAUSE COLORADOANS ARE FED UP WITH OBAMA, DEMS AND THEIR JOB-KILLING AGENDA

Obama’s Job Approval In Colorado In Only 42 Percent, While His Disapproval Is 57. (Rasmussen Reports Poll, 500 LV, MoE +/- 4.5%, 4/5/10)

55 Percent Of Coloradoans Believe The Health Care Bill Will Be “Bad For The Country.” (Rasmussen Reports Poll, 500 LV, MoE +/- 4.5%, 4/5/10)

• And 57 Percent Support Repealing The Bill. (Rasmussen Reports Poll, 500 LV, MoE +/- 4.5%, 4/5/10)

In Part Because Colorado Ski Resorts Face “A Stunning Blow” Of “Between $9 Million And $14 Million In Penalties” Annually Because Of Health Care Bill. “‘The potential impact to Colorado Ski Country member areas is somewhere between $9 million and $14 million in penalties (per year),’ Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. President Chris Diamond said Tuesday, citing a Colorado Ski Country USA estimate. ‘It’s a stunning blow to any large employer like ours that employs seasonal staff.’” (Mike Lawrence, “Health Policy Raises Red Flags At Steamboat Ski Area,” Steamboat Today, 3/24/10)

• Impacting An Industry That Generates Thousands Of Jobs And Over $1.7 Billion For Colorado Annually. “According to a recent Colorado Travel Year Report by Longwoods International, travel spending by overnight visitors to Colorado in 2008 totaled $9.6 billion. Of that, $1.7 billion -- or 18% -- was related to skiing. Those dollars are not just generated on the slopes, but by the hotels, rental shops, restaurants and other businesses dependent on cold-weather vacationers.” (Bruce Kennedy, “Colorado Ski Industry Generates Higher Revenues,” DailyFinance.com, 3/20/10)

Meanwhile A Majority Of Coloradoans, 52 Percent, Rate The Economy As “Poor.” (Mike Lawrence, “Health Policy Raises Red Flags At Steamboat Ski Area,” Steamboat Today, 3/24/10)