Misreading column, Caldara missed his award as “loudmouth”

Written by Media Matters Staff

Published

Guest hosting on the June 21 broadcast of Newsradio 850 KOA's The Mike Rosen Show, Independence Institute president Jon Caldara misread Bill Husted's June 21 Denver Post column in claiming that 5280 Magazine had voted Caldara “best politician.” Caldara added, "[T]here it is in black and white: best politi -- not second best. Best politician. Just a little bit of respect, please. Do you know how much that cost me? I had to tip the guy 500 dollars for that award." According to Husted's column, however, former Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth won “best politician,” while “Caldera” [sic] won the “loudmouth in need of a muzzle” award in the Denver-based magazine's annual “Top of the Town” listings.

From the June 21 broadcast of Newsradio 850 KOA's The Mike Rosen Show:

CALDARA: Oh, and by the way -- this was fun. I just saw this in the, in the, in the paper; I didn't even know this. It was in Bill Husted's column today. It says, “Baby, you're the best. 5280 magazine is out with its Top of the Town roster, telling us what's good about everything and everyone in Colorado. And here's a smattering of the winners.” Hotels and bars, different places. Tom Tancredo won the award called “loudmouth in need of a muzzle,” and Jon Caldara won “best politician.” That's right. It's right there. Now, I haven't actually seen 5280, so I don't know what it says, but there it is in black and white: best politi -- not second best. Best politician. Just a little bit of respect, please. Do you know how much that cost me? I had to tip the guy 500 dollars for that award.

From Bill Husted's June 21 Denver Post column, “Radio station 'Summer of Love' into one day”:

Baby, you're the best

5280 magazine is out with its Top of the Town roster, telling us what's good about everything and everyone in Denver. Here's a smattering of winners:

Hotel bar, Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt Convention Center; sports bar, Choppers; dive bar, Gabor's; make-out spot, Cinderella Twin Drive-In; politician to vote out of office, Rep. Tom Tancredo; loudmouth in need of a muzzle, Jon Caldera; best politician, Elbra Wedgeworth; best bartender, Dwight Long at My Brother's Bar.