Too often, the Democratic Party has been split between its grass-roots activists on one side and its elected officials and party leaders on the other. It's important to remember: We need both wings to fly.

We certainly don't discriminate when it comes to scrutinizing elected officials ... regardless of the party.

Unpledged delegates exist really to make sure that party leaders and elected officials don't have to be in a position where they are running against grassroots activists.

While there continues to be differences, the important point is that all citizens and elected officials use democratic and legal avenues for solving those differences.

The most damaging bills were defeated. One bill that would have allowed any communication between elected officials to become private was taken out. It required a lot of work among the news media and public interest groups to stop this and all the work paid off.

The voters of Colorado deserve honest, straight-talking elected officials.