Raul Labrador wins Republican Primary over Vaughn Ward

Wow! What a great night! I had an absolute blast being at the Double Tree Riverside hotel helping out the Labrador for Idaho campaign tonight.

The anticipation built all evening while Raul Labrador and Vaughn Ward appeared to be neck and neck as the votes poured in.

The final numbers?

48% Raul Labrador (37575 votes)

39% Vaughn Ward (30299 votes)

I was there to film Raul Labrador's acceptance speech. Check it out:

Accepting the nomination with grace, Labrador showed the attitude of a true Idahoan.

The next few months should be interesting! For now, time to celebrate!

Colin

Questions Part 3: Vaughn Ward and President Obama?

This video says it all folks.

I posted a follow up video, a part of my "Questions for Vaughn Ward" series I've been running.



Tomorrow is voting day. Please make an informed decision, as the future of our state depends on it.

Colin

Live coverage of Sarah Palin event

I'm with my dad, Dennis Mansfield (blog, twitter) at the Sarah Palin event at the Qwest Arena.

Throughout the morning/afternoon I will be bringing you live Ustream footage streaming from my iPhone of the event. I'll tweet out when I'm "live". My twitter is here. Feel free to chat on Ustream (also below).

Live Streaming by Ustream.TV



Colin

Questions Part 2: Of Puerto Rico and Palin

A week ago I posted a video that asked Idaho 1st Congressional candidate Vaughn Ward hard questions; questions that hadn't been answered yet.

I still have received no response from the Ward campaign. Although not completely unexpected, I am rather saddened that this is the case.

In this follow up video, rather then address Mr. Ward, I am addressing the voters. Take a look, and comment and let me know what you think.



Ask the hard questions, and get the word out. This race isn't about who's a Marine and who's a lawyer. This race is about what works and what doesn't work.

Colin

Questions for Vaughn Ward

Notice: I am currently a volunteer for the Labrador for Idaho campaign in the social media division. That being said, this video has no affiliation to the Labrador for Idaho campaign, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the campaign.

Vaughn Ward is more infamous then he is famous these days, it seems. Some people have described the events that have happened as "self-destructive" as Ward continues to make blunders in his race for the Idaho 1st District congressional seat.

Many, many questions have been brought up throughout Ward's race. Worse, few of these questions have been answered by Vaughn Ward or his campaign. I, for one, have grown tired of his dismissal of such questions, and long for the day when Ward answers them straight-on (see the Fannie Mae section of the recent debate).

Because of this, I decided to put together a formal request to Vaughn Ward in the form of a video.

Mr. Ward: Please answer these questions. For the sakes of the undecided voters, and those of us new to this whole voting thing, be truthful. Like a band-aide, if ripping it off is going to hurt, best get it done as fast as possible.

Please pass this video on. I will post if/when Mr. Ward replies to my questions.

Thank you, and I await your response Vaughn Ward.

Colin

Welcome to Colin's Politics

I've thought about starting up a political blog for quite some time, and I thought now is as good a time as any.
Some sure signs that summer is on its way: animals are finding mates, trees are beginning to turn green, and campaign signs are more abundant then blooming flowers.

A word on my upbringing and past:

I'm Dennis Mansfield's son. I've been brought up in a Conservative Republican house where, at a young age, the worst insult I could think to throw at my older brother upon his teasing was "you...you Democrat!"

I've watched and participated in my Dad's races for United States Congress in 2000, State Senate in 2002, and again for State Senate in 2006. I knew what a lobbyist was while my peers were still watching Barney. Not to say I'm any kind of political prodigy; in fact, the case could be made I still know very little about politics. However, I do come from a family that has been well involved in National and Idaho Politics for more than a decade.

Speaking in the present tense now, I find that since growing up a bit, I've been able to stretch my wings and develop my own opinions on politics. My parents have never told me what to believe; conversations in the Mansfield house are often bent towards things we don't agree with in order to see other people's sides. Yet there's something to be said about turning 18 (something I did just recently) and beginning to develop my own flavor of politics.

I consider myself a Progressive Conservative, something not often found on what many consider the 'right side' of the spectrum. The closest analogy I can come to is this: if I were a Conservative Republican Senator sitting on the right side of the chambers, I'd have to pick an aisle seat for my conscience to remain intact. I find that there are many points that I agree on with Democrats and liberals, and many I don't with neo-cons.

The case could be made I'm less interested in "politics" as we know it, and more interested in what does and does not work.

In this blog I'll be recording my thoughts about all things politics. You'll find more commentary then anything else, with humor spiked throughout. I'll warn you ahead of time: you may find yourself agreeing with me more than you like. Maybe then it's time for us to meet for coffee.

Colin

If you're more interested in my life, try my personal blog. If you enjoy a fine cup of coffee, check out my alternate ego.