Candidates should face “personhood” questions from journalists in 2014, as another amendment heads to ballot

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Activists led by Personhood USA yesterday submitted over 50,000 more signatures than the 86,000 required to make the 2014 election ballot, making it likely voters will cast ballots next year on a measure that would add "unborn human beings" to the definition of a "person" and "child" in Colorado's criminal code.

Backers and opponents of the measure disagree on whether it would affect abortion rights, but the fact is that supporters of the amendment, including its designated representative and a spokesperson for Colorado Right to Life, have referred to it as "personhood."

So this means it's likely that political candidates will face questions next year about their views on the personhood concept, under which all abortion would be banned, even for rape and incest, as well as common forms of birth control. 

In 2010, the last time a personhood amendment was on the Colorado ballot, all Republican candidates for Governor and Senate supported the measure.

This year, most top-line Republican candidates are on record supporting personhood (See below), while no Democrat has done so publicly. The Colorado Statesman's Peter Marcus has sought comments from this year's crop of candidates, but he's faced some resistance.

Coverage of the yesterday's signature submission, including informative pieces by CBS4's Shaun Boyd and the Colorado Independent's John Tomasic, didn't provided a tally of personhood support among top candidates. So I will supply it below:

Governor

State Sen. Greg Brophy endorsed personhood in 2008 telling 7News at the time, "Clearly it'?s always the right time to take the stand for the sanctity of life." Colorado Right to Life writes on its blog that Brophy "supports personhood" and is "pro-life with no exceptions."

Secretary of State Scott Gessler is apparently not on record on personhood.

Former lawmaker Mike Kopp "supports personhood" and is "pro-life with no exceptions," according to the Colorado Right to Life blog.

Former Rep. Tancredo supports personhood.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Randy Baumgardner is "100% pro-life with no exceptions" and "supports personhood," according to the 2012 Colorado Right to Life blog.

Weld Country DA Ken Buck withdrew his support for the personhood amendment in 2010, but stood behind is position against abortion, even in the cases of rape and incest.

Sen. Owen Hill is "pro-life" and "supports personhood" according to CRTL in 2012.

U.S. House

Rep. Mike Coffman is listed by CRTL as a personhood supporter, and he has been held up by Personhood USA as a model personhood-supporting candidate. He's against abortion for rape and incest.

Rep. Cory Gardner supports personhood.

Rep. Doug Lamborn supports personhood.

Rep. Scott Tipton is not on record as a personhood supporter.

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The big picture for journalists: Is the GOP recall victory, ironically, the final brush stroke that paints CO forever blue?

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Denver media should pay more attention to the real possibility that yesterday's recall-election victories by Colorado Republicans will, ironically, lead directly to the indefinite demise of the state GOP, rather than ushering in the Republican resurgence that talk-radio hosts are hyping.

That's what the most rational people on both sides of the aisle would conclude after hearing gubernatorial candidate Tom Tancredo say the following on KNUS Peter Boyles show this morning:

Tancredo: Remember the Republican Party? Remember Ryan Call, saying at the beginning he was against all this? It goes to show you how incredibly out-of-touch this party establishment is.

Boyles: Oh, I agree.

Tancredo: I don't know, Peter, whether any of us who are running as Republicans can overcome that. But, as you said more than once, my biggest problem is the Republican Party…. These folks who believe they know how to both achieve power and retain power, in the face so many losses, it is incredible to me that they are given any credibility whatsoever…

Boyles: ..I guess [the Republican power elite] is up there in Vail right now, maybe looking for another Coors brother.

Does anyone think Colorado's GOP establishment will nod in agreement at Tancredo's bravado, and align itself with the right wing of the party? No way.

Meanwhile, if you hear Tancredo's voice, as you listen to him talking here, you know he's emboldened, and you have to believe his Tea Party followers, are ready to fight along with him.

And you'd predict that the so-called country-club Republicans will counter punch against Tancredo with all their money and influence, leading to an inflammation of the self-destructive behavior that's plagued Republicans in our state.

Maybe the right side of the GOP will find the strength and intelligence to win going forward where it has lost before.

But, regardless, you gotta be scared if you're State GOP Chair Ryan Call right now. Because you know it's credible to say that this recall election might be the final brush stroke that paints Colorado blue. There's one big, ugly GOP family fight on the horizon that's waiting to be chronicled by Colorado reporters.

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