Colorado: Sarah Palin

Not that she was likely on any short lists for any remaining, unfilled Cabinet positions in an Obama administration, but a ruling this week that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin must pay back taxes on nearly $17,000 in per-diem payments won’t help.

The Anchorage Daily News reports the governor is staying mum on how much Palin might owe the Internal Revenue Service after billing the state for meals and incidental expenses while living in her own home.

The governor’s office wouldn’t say this week how much she owes in back taxes for meal money, or whether she intends to continue to receive the per diem allowance.

Rest easy, Hewlett Packard employees, retirees and the legions of Coloradans laid off by the technology giant. Ex-CEO Carly Fiorina has some words of wisdom for President Barack Obama on how to run a business.

Fiorina criticizes the president’s mandate on capping executive pay following public outrage over loosey-goosey compensation standards among the Wall Street firms bailed out by taxpayer dollars.

In a guest commentary posted at CNN.com, she offers these pearls:

I don’t think this is the answer, although it is an understandable reaction. It’s arbitrary: Why not $400,000 or $600,000? It’s incomplete. It only applies to institutions that will receive more government assistance going forward.

Colorado Republicans may be looking at some big losses next Tuesday, as the races for president, U.S. Senate and the 4th Congressional District are all trending towards Democrats replacing Republicans.

But while polls indicate Democrat Mark Udall will easily beat Republican Bob Schaffer, the presidential race and --especially -- the 4th Congressional District will likely be fairly close.

Meanwhile, Colorado's six other congressional races aren't likely to be competitive.

PRESIDENT

Candidates:

UPDATED 7:17 P.M. 10/16/2008  

Sarah Palin will hold rallies in Colorado Springs, Loveland and Grand Junction on Monday.

The Colorado Springs rally will be held at Security Service Field, 4385 Tutt Blvd., according to John McCain's presidential campaign. Doors open at 6 a.m.; the event starts at 8 a.m.

The Loveland rally will be held at the Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, McCain's campaign said. Doors for that event will open at 10:30 a.m.; the rally starts at noon.