2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 9

Before I get into my picks, I will make a shocking announcement.

I will probably not be watching a lot of football this Sunday.

(cue the Apocalypse)

As you are aware, there are elections in Colorado that are very close. The Senate race could determine control of the US Senate. There is a US House race that I am helping to flip to Team Blue. Most importantly, we have a gubernatorial, state legislative races, and a couple of ballot initiatives that are key to what kind of state do we want Colorado to be.

Enjoy the games. I will enjoy the block walking and phone banking while I follow the scores on my phone.

IN WHICH MICHAEL WATTS VOTES IN COLORADO

ROCKY MOUNTAIN WAY

"Colorado is a land of contrasts. You have the very liberal capital city of Denver where Governor Hickenlooper was the mayor of the city and nearby University of Colorado at Boulder. The city has seen a boom in the medical marijuana industry. Travel south on I-25 and you end up in Colorado Springs home of the conservative organization Focus on the Family."

- 10 October 2012

2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 8

MEET JONI ERNST

This is Joni Ernst.

She is the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Iowa.

She won the nomination by easily clearing the 35% threshold to avoid the process being decided at the state convention.

Her positions are for the lack of a better word unique.

2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 7

THE LAST FRONTIER

In 2010 the senate election in Alaska was focused on the intraparty fighting among Republicans. In that election, Joe Miller who had backing from Sarah Palin won the US Republican Senate primary defeating incumbent Senator Lisa Murkowski and appeared to be a shoe-in to win that election.

What he didn't count on was that Alaska allows for a write-in candidacy.

Senator Murkowski launched a successful write-in bid and defeating Miller in a three-way election and kept her senate seat. I am no fan of Republicans, but I do enjoy seeing an interparty fight and I would rather have her in the senate than Joe Miller.

For the third time in four election cycles, Alaska is part of the national political discussion.

BQHATERVWR 2.0

U.S. NAVY BIRTHDAY

"Resolved, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns, and a proportionable number of swivels, with eighty men, be fitted, with all possible despatch, for a cruise of three months, and that the commander be instructed to cruize eastward, for intercepting such transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall direct.

That a Committee of three be appointed to prepare an estimate of the expence, and lay the same before the Congress, and to contract with proper persons to fit out the vessel.

Resolved, that another vessel be fitted out for the same purposes, and that the said committee report their opinion of a proper vessel, and also an estimate of the expence."

A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE U.S.

BROWN/JONES

One of the most iconic voices and actors of our time, James Earl Jones, sat down with PBS News Hour's Jeffery Brown to discuss his long career and his recent appearance on Broadway.

Interview provided below.

2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 6

SENATOR MARK UDALL AT COLORADO MARRIAGE EQUALITY VICTORY CELEBRATION

GOVERNOR JOHN HICKENLOOPER AT COLORADO MARRIAGE EQUALITY VICTORY CELEBRATION

2014 NFL SEASON WEEK 5

SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS REVIVAL

Along with Kentucky, Democratic Senate candidates are trying to keep seats and possibly expand the map.

This is a tough cycle because Democrats have seven senators from states that went for Republican presidential candidates in 2008 and 2012. Two are declining to run for re-election (South Dakota and West Virginia) and one dropped out because of a plagiarism scandal that resulted in Montana Democrats scrambling for a replacement candidate.

The remaining four red state Democratic senators, one is in Alaska and the remaining three are in the south.

For starters the incumbents.