Skip to content
TRENDING:
Donald Trump
Advertisement

Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson

Valerie Richardson covers politics and the West from Denver. She can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Valerie Richardson

Chris Bandrowsky, 20, of Denver, dressed in red, white and blue, gives the thumbs up while having his picture taken at DebateFest at the University of Denver on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Denver, before the first presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Debate provides politics-themed party for Denver students, demonstrators

With thousands of cheering students, a huge media presence, people dressed as animals and plenty of food, the atmosphere Wednesday at the University of Denver felt more like that of a really big football game than the first presidential debate of the 2012 election. Published October 4, 2012

Television crews setup on a riser out side of the Magness Arena at the University of Denver in Denver,Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, where the first presidential debate between President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is scheduled for Oct. 3. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Debate spawns political festival

It's only scheduled to last 90 minutes, but the first presidential debate of the 2012 election season has evolved into a weeklong political festival featuring rallies, parties, panels and lots of spin. Published October 2, 2012

** FILE ** Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire Republican.

GOP senators berate Obama over looming defense cuts

Republican senators had a message for President Obama during a town-hall meeting here Tuesday on the looming defense cuts: Get off the campaign trail and come back to Washington. Published September 25, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney embraces a supporter at a campaign event in Pueblo, Colo., on Monday. Colorado is a swing state. (Associated Press)

Colorado tight despite 3-to-1 Obama spending edge

President Obama has practically made Colorado his second home, making numerous appearances over the past two months and heavily outspending the campaign of Republican rival Mitt Romney on television advertising in the Denver media market. Published September 24, 2012

“President Obama has spent his entire term waging a regulatory war of red tape and government mandates on coal miners, coal jobs and the millions of people who rely on low-cost coal-fired electricity.” - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, Washington Republican. (Associated Press)

House passes five bills to stop EPA from regulating coal

The House took a parting shot at what critics say are the Obama administration's policies to discourage coal production Friday by passing a package of bills designed to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to impose regulations on the struggling industry. Published September 23, 2012

**FILE** Rep. Doc Hastings, Washington Republican (Associated Press)

Defying Obama, House passes bundle of bills to boost coal

The House took a parting shot at the Obama administration's policies to limit coal emissions Friday by passing a package of bills designed to rein in the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to impose regulations on the struggling industry. Published September 21, 2012

The political documentary about the president, “2016: Obama’s America,” is making an impact in this election season.

Impact of ‘2016’ on 2012 presidential race uncertain

Early in the 2012 campaign season, predictions were that a major film would reach theaters in the fall, shine a spotlight on one of the presidential candidates, and possibly influence the outcome of the election. And that's how it happened, except the movie wasn't "Zero Dark Thirty," the surefire Hollywood blockbuster about the killing of Osama bin Laden that Republicans feared would throw the election to President Obama. Published September 20, 2012

Anti-Obama best-sellers speak volumes

It's a good thing President Obama already has written two autobiographies; otherwise, he would have a hard time finding a kind word on the bookshelves. Published September 10, 2012

Former Los Angeles Mayor and Democratic Convention Chairman Antonio Villaraigosa calls for a vote to amend the platform at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 5, 2012. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Convention head Villaraigosa blames delegates in ugly platform fight at DNC

Furiously trying to paper over a platform battle that muddied the party's message and forced President Obama to intervene, Democratic National Convention chairman Antonio Villaraigosa said the anger and confusion over the way he managed a vote restoring passages on God and Jerusalem as Israel's capital to the platform Wednesday was the fault of unhappy delegates who failed to object to his ruling. Published September 6, 2012

Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and wife Janna appear on stage at the Wisconsin delegation's Beers and Brats event, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Medicare downplayed as GOP campaign issue

The 2012 presidential election could hinge on Medicare, yet most lawmakers featured at the Republican National Convention gave it the silent treatment. Published August 30, 2012

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell addresses the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 28, 2012. (Associated Press)

Convention puts spotlight on GOP governors

With Democrats ruling Washington, Republican governors have become the GOP's standard-bearers, raising their profiles with their tax-cutting, budget-balancing and hurricane-battling derring-do. Published August 28, 2012

Many empty chairs are seen in the Louisiana delegate section on the convention floor as Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus gavels the Republican National Convention open in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

GOP delegates stew as storm fizzles

In retrospect, the decision to cancel all of Monday's events at the 2012 Republican National Convention may have been a bit, well, conservative. Published August 27, 2012

President Obama speaks Aug. 22, 2012, during a campaign event at Canyon Springs High School in North Las Vegas, Nev. (Associated Press)

Economic model predicts Romney will beat Obama

A University of Colorado economic model that has correctly predicted the past eight presidential elections shows Mitt Romney emerging as the victor in 2012. Published August 22, 2012

**FILE** President Obama walks offstage May 23, 2012, to greet supporters after speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Denver. (Associated Press)

Denver company has city award rescinded for bucking Obama health law

The Newland family didn't spend 50 years building a business here for the plaudits, but when a Denver City Council member moved to recognize them with an anniversary proclamation, the clan was flattered. So it came as a disappointment last week when the Newlands learned that the council decided to cancel the honor, especially when they found out the reason: Their successful legal challenge against the Obama health care reform's birth control, sterilization and abortion mandates. Published August 19, 2012

Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan of Wisconsin waves Aug. 14, 2012, to supporters as he enters during a campaign rally in Lakewood, Colo. (Associated Press)

Women turn out for Ryan debut in Colorado

Julie Coffman says she's aware of what Democrats are calling the war on women, but she came to Tuesday's rally for Paul Ryan because of what Republicans are calling the war on employment. Published August 14, 2012

With Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin on the Republican ticket, Democrats target the lawmaker’s budget plan. (Associated Press)

Democrats slam Ryan as threat to social safety net

Democrats said Sunday that Mitt Romney, by picking Rep. Paul Ryan to fill out his presidential ticket, has set up this year's election as a referendum on the deep cuts to the social safety net that the GOP's top budget man says are needed to fix federal finances. Published August 12, 2012