The reactions around Colorado Springs are mixed when it comes to the re-election of President Barack Obama. Here’s a sampling:
Amy Lathen, chair of the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
“I think Obama is a disaster for this country. He is a disaster.
“The full implementation of Obamacare will destroy health care as we know it. It will destroy our economy. It is designed to force people into a single-payer system and nationalize their health care, which is an absolute disaster. I hope and pray that somehow, we can still fight against this. Obama is disrespectful to the American people. His comments about revenge, voting for revenge, are to me, so fundamentally outrageous, juvenile and narcissistic by this president. I’m just blown away.”
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa
Maketa says he’s “very disappointed.” He said that Obama promised change, and “I haven’t seen change. I’ve seen more debt.” He says that the American public re-electing Obama is “tacit approval of incompetence.”
Kay Bennay, Air Force veteran
“I feel really good about it. He’ll protect women’s issues. He’s been a highly active president. We think everyone should have awesome government medical care like we have.”
Rob Smith, watched the last elections in Iraq
“I’m really happy about it. I’m pretty excited. Hopefully, it means that Congress will start working with the president.” He added that both parties need to work across the aisle, but directed this comment to Republicans in elected office: “You need to get over it and start working together to make things better in this country.”
Dave Muth, attendee at the Democratic Party gathering downtown
“It’s absolutely the best thing to happen. We absolutely avoided a huge disaster. I’m relieved. He (Obama) has saved the country at least seven times. In the next four years, he’ll be able to do more.”
Rep. Doug Lamborn, Colorado’s 5th Congressional District
He said he was gratified to win re-election, but it comes with a “heavy heart” because of the Romney loss and the GOP failure to take the Senate.
“I was hoping that more Americans would look at things the way we do in El Paso County. He didn’t win El Paso County. He didn’t win the 5th Congressional district.
“He has some things going for him. He’s an historic figure in some ways, in terms of overcoming racial barriers. And so there are some positives to the man. But his policies. I just am disappointed that more Americans didn’t realize how bad his policies were and vote against him for that reason.”
Jennifer George, candidate for Colorado House District 18
“I thought that Romney had the momentum and was the better choice.”
Glenn Miller, online coordinator for Jennifer George’s campaign
“When you see the numbers as calling it for blue, it dampens the mood here. It’s hard to stay optimistic after that.”
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Compiled by Ellie Cole, The Gazette