Author: By Eric Sondermann
-
Colorado is front and center in Musk’s chaos | SONDERMANN
Somewhere, someplace, perhaps in a cave, faculty lounge, or Boulder dinner party, a smattering of folks might assert that our federal government is right-sized or should grow more expansive. For most of us occupying this plot of Planet Earth, the federal government is seen as a behemoth of staggering size and scope. Accordingly, when President…
-
Peak Trump has come and gone | SONDERMANN
A mere six weeks ago, Donald Trump again took possession of the Oval Office, even though that seems like a few lifetimes ago. If the predecessor administration was marked by a certain lethargy and sleepiness, Trump 2.0’s founding days were a period of hyperactivity. The nation would gladly order a supply of Ritalin. Trump’s opening…
-
Looking for the son (or daughter) of 131 | SONDERMANN
Kent Thiry, meet Douglas Bruce. The two would seem to have little in common. Thiry is as conspicuously cheery as Bruce is dour. Thiry is a social animal while Bruce is something of the oddball loner. Thiry has friends galore in high places while Bruce could have Thanksgiving dinner in a phone booth. Thiry mastered…
-
Sorting through the detritus the day after | SONDERMANN
It is late morning on the day after. A shock hangs over the nation. Gleeful astonishment rules on one side of the divide; disbelieving despair on the other. Much ink will be spilled, a bit of it mine, in detailed analysis of the results and what they mean. Though, for now, let me offer a…
-
The column I want to write versus the one I’m compelled to write | SONDERMANN
The cement was long ago mixed. It is now pouring and will soon dry. Otherwise put, the campaign is winding down. Persuasion has long since become rather moot. At this point, it’s a matter of mobilization and getting out the vote. Then, soon enough, the task becomes that of basic tabulation. As I write, the…
-
There is losing and then there’s rejection | SONDERMANN
There will be abundant opportunity to address the coming Trump administration and all it holds. I have made no secret of my scorn for the man rooted far more in issues of character than those of policy. Though in that latter category, his likely abandonment of Ukraine and the promise of mass deportations are deeply…
-
Second thoughts from an Electoral College proponent | SONDERMANN
As the Beatles’ lyrics told it, “It was 20 years ago today.” Well, not exactly today, but you get the idea. The year was 2004. Colorado voters were confronted with Amendment 36, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have changed the allocation of the state’s electoral votes. Teaming up with a Republican consultant, the talented,…
-
COLUMN: Restore conservatism by rejecting Trump | Eric Sondermann
It was not all that long ago that the Republican Party stood for the rule of law and defended America’s most cherished institutions. The Grand Old Party, or even earlier the Gallant Old Party, could be counted on to support free trade, assert America’s preeminent role as a world power and at least give lip…
-
COLUMN: A deeper dive on Prop. 131 and a quick take on some municipal ballot issues | Eric Sondermann
We have a two-parter this week, folks. First, let’s take a deeper look at the most consequential question on the statewide ballot, Proposition 131, which would significantly alter Colorado’s election process. Then, we will finish with some quick takes on a handful of local ballot measures in the state’s two largest cities, Denver and Colorado…
-
COLUMN: Toning down the violent rhetoric on both sides, but including Trump | Eric Sondermann
Though thwarted well before the assailant could get off a shot, reports of a second attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump caused quite the shock, even if it did not make for a complete surprise. Our country is awash in actual violence; our entertainment culture glorifies it; firearms are everywhere; and what passes for…