Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

The Denver Post reports that the state's two major-party gubernatorial candidates spent less overall on their campaigns than independent political groups known as 527s spend in the state during the most recent election campaign.

Despite Colorado's tough limits on cash contributions to political candidates, campaign money poured into the state during the 2006 election. Independent political committees, known as 527 groups, raised more than $20 million to bombard voters with television advertisements, phone calls, pollsters and mail.

Meanwhile, the gubernatorial candidates - Democratic Gov.-elect Bill Ritter and Republican Congressman Bob Beauprez - raised less than half that amount to promote themselves. "At least we've succeeded in taking the big money out of politics," quipped Denver-based political consultant Eric Sondermann.

Hah.