Colorado Republicans honored former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown at their annual Centennial Dinner tonight, admiring a legacy of public service that has has earned him legions of fans from both sides of the aisle.
But Brown had pointed remarks for a Democratic Party he thinks has changed into “a party that takes.”
He lamented “shameless smear attacks” in elections and pointed the finger at medical heiress Pat Stryker of Fort Collins, who has contributed to Democratic causes.
“Pat Stryker and her tens millions of dollars have been used to vilify millions in this state but her tens of millions of dollars are no substitute for good ideas,” he said, to applause.
Walker Stapleton attended the Colorado Republican Party’s Centennial Dinner.
Republican after Republican, from former U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard to Congressman Cory Gardner to Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, described their first meetings with Brown. All were impressed. He served in the state legislature, Congress, the U.S. Senate, and also served as president of the University of Colorado.
The fundraiser gave Republicans from across the state a chance to catch up and fantasize about the next election.
“Let us move forward knowing we will win in 2014,” Gardner said to applause.
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, has the toughest re-election bid because of how his district was redrawn, but Republicans are confident Coloradans will want to go red after six years of Barack Obama in the White House.
“Did you ever think you’d see someone openly and honestly advocating penalizing people who work and rewarding those who don’t?” Brown asked. “It’s goofy.”
Brown and other Republicans also paid tribute to his wife, Nan.
“When there was a fender bender, Nan got a call. When we had to put a dog to sleep, Nan was the one who had to do it,” Brown said. “I could not have served without Nan, without her love and without her carrying the burdens all those years.”
Both the Colorado Republican and Democratic parties meet today to elect new party chairs for the next two years.