Earlier this week Eric Eidsness announced he was joining the Democratic party.

He was previously a Republican, and most recently ran against Marilyn Musgrave and Anggie Paccione as a Reform Party candidate.

So what do you think?

One issue that has been overlooked by both major congressional candidates of for the U.S. 4th Congressional District (Marilyn Musgrave and Angie Paccione) is the erosion of our constitutional rights and the consistent attempts by the Executive Office to circumvent the provisions of the constitution.

I know, I know, this makes me sound like I’m looking in the sky for black helicopters, but believe it or not this is a valid critical issue. Our current government may be as benevolent as we all believe they are, but as these fundemental rights set forth by our founding fathers are undermined the potential for further corruption and abuse is astronomical. Just this week, the president signed into law terror detainee legislation that both allows the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and the authorization of explicit endorsement of “alternate” interrogations methods (torture to you and I). Now I have nothing against Jack Bauer style interrogation techniques when the circumstances warrant, but any methods of this nature should be loathed and subject to severe scrutiny - not legislated into acceptability.

Unfortunately, Musgrave is more interested in funding the ‘War on Drugs’ and the ‘War on Terror’ than she is defending our rights. Paccione is just interested in covering her own behind and convincing us she’s better than Musgrave. In fact the only candidate that I’ve seen that even addresses this issue is Eric Eidsness. If you are interested in the future of this country and the ongoing ability of our children to live in the Land of the Free I encourage you to watch Eric’s press conference and see what he has to say.

Eric Eidsness

Greg Burt, a constituent advocate for U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, will be in Greeley Monday to answer questions. Burt will meet with residents from 1- 2 p.m. Monday at the Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave. The public is encouraged to attend.

What the heck? An aide is answering questions? Marilyn is too busy to make appearances herself, so she’s sending a ‘constituent advocate’. Lame.

Call me old fashioned, but I think a leader should have a certain level of charisma. Now by charisma I don’t necessarily mean good looks or a silver tongue. A politician should just have some level of likeability about them. They should be the kind of person that you would be honored to share a meal with. A person that has passion about their job and country, but also composure, charm and class.

In fact, I think that’s why George W. Bush is our President. He’s the kind of guy that I could have a bottle of mexican beer and watch a game with. A real guy that could talk about football or Nascar. John Kerry came across as a boorish snob that would only discuss his condo in Vail while sharing a bottle of Armand de Brignac. I wouldn’t cross the street to see a guy like that, but old George would be a blast to meet.

There are plenty of politicians in this country, from Rudy Giuliani to Barack Obama, that supply these qualities, but Colorado Senate District 4 is suffering from a severe lack of charisma. to Both Angie Paccione and Marilyn Musgrave, quite frankly, frighten me. The both come across as angry, bitter old women that just want to complain about the world and throw insults at each other. Personally, I don’t think I can vote for either of them. In fact, the only shining light in the district is <1a href="http://www.reporterherald.com/election/OFPRvideo.asp?candidateID=4">Eric Eidsness.

In what could be the LAMEST political attack I’ve ever heard of, Marilyn Musgrave has attacked Angie Paccione for using campaign funds for salon visits.

Musgrave campaign manger Shaun Kenney said the $424.02 spent on “salon services” violates the Federal Election Commission rule barring campaign expenditures on personal use.

“This rule means that Paccione’s campaign cannot pay for her haircuts — unless she claims she would not cut her hair if she were not a congressional candidate,” Kenney said a statement.

Maybe I’m crazy, but it seems like looking good for appearances in public and on TV would not be a ‘personal expediture’. In fact I can’t believe this isn’t standard practice. Paccione probably would have had her haircut if she wasn’t a congressional candidate, but she might have went to Supercuts rather than spending $420 at a salon.

The bottom line is Musgrave has turned this election into a circus. It’s not about the issues or what the candidates will do when elected, it’s about who can dig up the largest amount of dirt. It’s unfortunate the Paccione has felt the pressure and decided to go on the defensive, criticizing Musgrave for the attacks. I would be more inclined to vote for her if she had taken the high road and refused to sink to Musgrave’s disgusting level.

I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned this type of mudslinging attack is enough to make sure Musgrave does NOT get my vote this election day. I’m not sure I can bring myself to vote Democrat, but I’ll leave that checkbox blank before I vote Republican in District 4.

Finally, some anti-Paccione websites! I’ve had some links to some very outspoken Marilyn Musgrave critics for a little while now, but these are the first sites I’ve seen criticizing Angie Paccione.

Paccione On Immigration.com
Liberal Extremist.com