Diana DeGette

Colorado's congressional delegation was split on supporting a $700 billion emergency bailout of the nation's financial industries Monday.

The split wasn't on party lines, either: supporters of the bailout included U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Denver), Ed Perlmutter (D-Golden) and Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton).

U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado Springs), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Fort Morgan), Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) and John Salazar (D-Manassa) voted "no" on the bill.

The bill, H.R. 3997, failed 225-208.

The early reaction in Colorado to GOP presidential hopeful John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate has been impromptu excitement by Republicans and dismissal by Democrats as a bad choice that won't affect the presidential race in the state.

Palin was universally lauded by Colorado conservatives, though for different reasons - the lack of an early common theme was likely because McCain's selection of Palin came as a surprise to most.

Below is a transcript of remarks made by U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver) at the Democratic National Convention Thursday evening, as prepared for delivery.

Reforming health care, helping military veterans, and protecting abortion rights are on U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette’s laundry list of needs, she told Democratic National Convention delegates in a speech Thursday afternoon at Invesco Field in Denver.

DeGette quoted Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, delivered 45 years ago Thursday, during which he said “we…will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like water."

“My friends, during eight years of George W. Bush, we haven’t seen much justice rolling out of Washington,” DeGette said. “And we say today, we will not be satisfied with four more years of the same with John McCain.”

Talking about one of her primary issues, DeGette said it’s time “to stop paying lip service to health care reform and just pass it.”

She also called for lifting the Bush Administration-backed restrictions on stem cell research and protecting abortion rights.
DeGette said Barack Obama will be ”a president who will fight to right the wrongs, a president who challenges every American to be their brother’s keeper and their sister’s keeper.”

At least six Coloradans are scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention this evening on the final day of the convention.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver), an early and prominent advocate of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, didn't hesitate when asked what she thought of Clinton's speech to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday.

"I thought it was a tour de force. Senator Clinton gave the speech of her career," DeGette told PolitickerCO.com. "I think that she really burnished her place among one of the stars of the Democratic leadership. I think she'll be a power to deal with."

But DeGette, who co-chaired Clinton's presidential campaign in Colorado, quickly added that she "was thrilled at her strong and unequivocal endorsement of Senator Obama."

U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) will deliver an address at Invesco Field on Thursday as the final member of several Colorado Democrats to speak.

Udall will speak for about four minutes on Thursday about the spirit of individuality in the West and working in a bipartisan way to get things done, said Tara Trujillo, Udall's U.S. Senate campaign spokesperson.

While Udall's exact speaking time has not yet been determined, Trujillo said, he's slotted in the middle of the Thursday speakers' queue.

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Denver) was an early and avid supporter of Hillary Clinton. But at the Colorado DNC delegation breakfast Tuesday, DeGette counseled Clinton supporters to back Barack Obama.

"I hear from people, ‘Well, I don't like Barack Obama' or this or that. And I say, 'you know what? John McCain may be a maverick, but John McCain is no moderate,'" DeGette said. "If you liked the last eight years under President Bush, they're going to love the next year under President McCain."

The Fourth of July is about fireworks, barbecuing, parades and -- of course -- politicking.

After the jump, check out where Colorado candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress will be on America's birthday.

It's time once again for our monthly update of the Top Ten Power Positions by the Inside Edge's very own Wally Edge. This month we get a new player on the board and Dick moves up one spot!