Fred Barnes Takes a Shot at Colorado Dems -- With Jon Caldara's Help | News | Denver | Denver Westword | The Leading Independent News Source in Denver, Colorado
Navigation

Fred Barnes Takes a Shot at Colorado Dems -- With Jon Caldara's Help

"The Colorado Model," an article in the July 21 Weekly Standard, gives coast-to-coast exposure to what its author, conservative Beltway Boy Fred Barnes, refers to as "an ambitious scheme" by well-heeled lefties to "crush Republicans" in the state. The tack "isn't a secret," Barnes writes, but "it hasn't drawn much...
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

"The Colorado Model," an article in the July 21 Weekly Standard, gives coast-to-coast exposure to what its author, conservative Beltway Boy Fred Barnes, refers to as "an ambitious scheme" by well-heeled lefties to "crush Republicans" in the state. The tack "isn't a secret," Barnes writes, but "it hasn't drawn much national attention either. Democrats, for now anyway, seem wary of touting it. One reason for their reticence is that it depends partly on wealthy liberals' spending tons of money not only on 'independent expenditures' to attack Republican office-seekers but also to create a vast infrastructure of liberal organizations that produces an anti-Republican, anti-conservative echo chamber in politics and the media."

If these observations seem remarkably similar to stuff frequently proclaimed by Independence Institute kingpin Jon Caldara, there's a reason. As the photo above makes plain, Barnes and Caldara know each other, and they're interested in similar things -- like, for instance, weaponry.

As noted in this blog, Barnes -- memorably nicknamed "The Beetle" by PBS mainstay John McLaughlin -- was a guest at the Institute's sixth annual ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) Party on June 28 at the Kiowa Creek Sporting Club, where attendees shot off more than their mouths. It's hardly a shock, then, that the first person quoted in "The Colorado Model" is none other than Jon Caldara. "Watch out," warns the indefatigable Mr. C about the approach to activism taken by big-bucks libs such as Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges, Jared Polis and Pat Stryker. "It's coming to a state near you."

Would Barnes have heard about any of this without Caldara whispering in his ear between shotgun blasts? Perhaps -- but the information probably wouldn't have made such a loud noise. -- Michael Roberts

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.