CLOUDED THINKING

"We could have used solar energy if we had been on the east steps of the Capitol."

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, standing on the west steps during a chilly, early morning news conference on renewable energy Monday

BLOG BRAGGING RIGHTS

Colorado's own liberal blog, ProgressNow.com, was a winner in this year's national Golden Dot awards, given to honor those who exhibit excellence in using the Internet as a political tool.

The awards were presented over the weekend by the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet in Washington, D.C. ProgressNow was honored in three categories:

• Winner: Best online get-out-the-vote campaign.

• Finalist: Outstanding state online campaign for "Both Ways Bob," on GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez.

• Finalist: Best political Web video, featuring a disabled veteran opposing U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan.

• To view: www.ProgressNowAction.org

BIGGEST BLUNDER AWARD

The institute gave two awards in connection with "Macaca," a video of a racial slur by U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., that was caught on tape and widely distributed. That video is credited for dooming Allen's 2006 re-election bid.

"It should have received the award for 'Most Remarkable Act of Self Destruction in Political History,' " said Dick Wadhams, newly elected chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.

Wadhams should know. He was Allen's campaign manager.

• To view: www.YouTube.com