[DENVER, CO] – In the midst of the worst economic crisis facing our nation since the Great Depression, Coloradans expect real answers from the presidential candidates. But instead of solutions, John McCain and Sarah Palin are offering Colorado the same tired negative politics practiced by George W. Bush.

Today, as Sarah Palin tours the Centennial State, she is being asked questions about the critical issues facing Coloradans and our country.  Democratic leaders and other citizens raised five specific questions at press briefings across the state, from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction, in the hopes that the Republican vice presidential nominee might discuss – or get asked about by reporters – issues of real concern to real people. 

1.      Senator McCain wants to give huge tax cuts to Fortune 500 CEOs, but nothing to 100 million working families. In fact, under the McCain plan, 72 percent of Coloradans would get no tax cut, compared to 95 percent who would get a tax cut from the Obama plan.  How can McCain say that its "welfare" to give tax cuts to hard-working middle class families but sound policy to give tax cuts to wealthy and well-connected CEOs?

2.      If John McCain is not the same as George Bush, what are three economic policy differences between Senator McCain and George Bush’?

3.      The Dow has dropped more than 1,500 points since Sarah Palin’s last visit to Colorado on October 4. Unemployment is rising. Credit is frozen. Why is the McCain campaign using auto dial calls to bring sleazy negative campaigning directly into Coloradans’ homes instead of addressing the real problems Colorado families face?

4.      Senator McCain wants to tax employer-provided healthcare. In its place, he’ll give each family $5,000 to buy their healthcare. But since the average health plan costs $12,000, who is going to pay for the other $7,000?

5.      Senator McCain repeatedly voted against the Violence Against Women Act, and opposes equal pay for equal work legislation. He supports outlawing a woman’s right to choose and even mocked protections for women’s health in the last debate. What in John McCain’s record would convince an undecided Colorado woman voter that he is looking out for her health or financial interests?

“Coloradans are seeing their 401(k)s disappear, home prices plummet, and wages stagnate. Every time I speak with a voter – at the supermarket, knocking on doors, or even at Broncos games – they ask me how we’re going to get out of this mess,” said Rep. DeGette, who led a Denver press briefing on Sunday. “These are the questions they want answered. I hope that, for at least one day, the McCain campaign will stop their insidious and false attacks and talk about the issues that really matter to Colorado families.”