BATTLE ‘10 has the exclusive, complete podcasts of all three debates conducted by Club 20 in Grand Junction on September 11, 2010.

CO-3

Rep. John Salazar, left, and Scott Tipton laugh during introductions.

Democratic Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) and Scott Tipton squared off first, as they face each other in a rematch of their 2006 battle, which Salazar won handily. The debates were held in the second largest city in the 3rd Congressional District, and local issues–government ownership of land, water, and energy–dominated the exchange. The emotion was also the strongest of the three debates, as the sentiment of the supporters for each candidate was palpable for each question.

Tipton aggressively challenged Salazar’s record, noting it was time for voters to give the three-term incumbent to receive a “pinkslip” from the voters.

Salazar repeatedly asserted his own record, but noted that this cycle, “I could walk on water and be criticized for not swimming.”

Governor

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, left, and Dan Maes listen attentively to the panelists’ questions.

Denver’s Democratic Mayor John Hickenlooper and Republican Dan Maes tackled statewide topics like funding for transportation and higher education, unfunded mandates placed on local governments, proposed state constitutional amendments and water. The balance of the debate between the two candidates remained agreeable, as did the audience.

That is, until the topic of illegal immigration and enforcement came up, and drew the most heated responses and catcalls from an impassioned audience.

Hickenlooper backed a guest worker program.

Maes said he supported an Arizona-style law, to a chorus of boos from the crowd (about 56:00).

Hickenlooper and Maes also battled over the topic of taxes as “fees,” a hotly contested issue in Colorado this cycle.

U.S. Senate

Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck, left, makes a point as Sen. Michael Bennet listens.

Ken Buck and Sen. Michael Bennet closed the evening, providing plenty of verbal fireworks, as Buck called Bennet’s ads “deceitful” and asked for them to be withdrawn (Bennet refused) and Bennet responded by saying Buck flip-flopped on his own positions.

NRO Battle ‘10 Colorado would like to thank Complete Colorado for hosting the NRO exclusive podcast files.