DENVER – Colorado Springs businessman Robert Blaha says Congress is filled with “bobbleheads.”
In announcing his run for U.S. Senate on Thursday, Blaha distributed bobbleheads of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet to newsrooms across the state, suggesting that Bennet is one of the “chief bobbleheads in the circus” that is the U.S. Senate.
Blaha, 61, became at least the eighth Republican candidate to announce a campaign to challenge Bennet. He joins state Rep. Jon Keyser of Morrison – who announced on Monday; Sen. Tim Neville of Littleton – who formally kicked off his campaign last week; and former Aurora Councilman Ryan Frazier, among others.
“He’s a lapdog of the president,” he said of Bennet, adding, “he’s been a point person on incredibly liberal (issues), way outside of Colorado mainstream type of thoughts. He’s just way too extreme for Colorado.”
Colorado Democrats didn’t appear concerned with Blaha’s run, pointing out that this isn’t the first time he has run for Congress. Blaha attempted in 2012 to unseat U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs.
“The crowded GOP primary is sure to become even messier and more divisive,” said Andrew Zucker, spokesman for the Colorado Democratic Party. “No matter who emerges on their side, Michael Bennet will win in November because he’s worked across party lines to take on Washington dysfunction and get things done for Colorado.”
As president of Human Capital Associates, a business consulting firm, Blaha brings money to the table. He has the ability to fund his campaign in the early stages and plans ads on Fox News in larger markets in Colorado.
In his first ad, Blaha features a plumber failing to fix a broken toilet and a doctor who shoves his fist up a patient’s behind.
“If your doctor brings you pain, you get a new doctor,” he says in the ad, which also features bobbleheads of members of Congress. “So, why on earth do we keep sending bozos like Michael Bennet back to Washington when they fail to get anything done?”
Blaha promisesd that if he doesn’t cut the federal deficit by 50 percent, reduce illegal immigration by 50 percent and bring tax reforms, including a repeal of the estate tax, then he would not run for a second term.
Blaha acknowledges a background as a social conservative, but he says that will not be his focus in the upcoming race, especially if he survives the primary.
“As a Christian, I’ve got values, I’ve got standards, and I stand by those,” Blaha said. “But those values and standards aren’t going to get you a better job.”