Douglas Bruce describes himself as "a pro-life, traditional family values, social and fiscal conservative – a Ronald Reagan Republican", but his actions yesterday speak louder than that.

Douglas Bruce reverently brought his family Bible to the Colorado State House on Monday, so he could be properly sworn in as the Republican representative from Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Unfortunately, in the course of the ceremony during a moment of prayer, Bruce found it necessary to check out from the spiritual exercise and assault a photographer, whose presence he objected to. It was an uncivil action, broadly typical of what we've come to expect from the self-righteous, transparently self-serving politicians and theocrats – James Dobson, Ted Haggard, et al. – who hail from Colorado Springs. You can read about the incident below (where the highlighting is mine).

Antitax crusader Douglas Bruce kicked a newspaper photographer and was then sworn in as a state representative on Monday, but not while the House was in session, as he had demanded. Bruce later said he wouldn't apologize and said the photographer should be the one to say he's sorry.

Bruce, a Republican, backed down in his standoff with Democratic House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and members of his own party over Bruce's insistence that the full House attend when he was sworn in to fill a vacant seat.

He settled for a smaller ceremony when the House was not in session, which is standard practice for midterm appointees.

Carrying a family Bible, Bruce went to the House floor Monday morning as a guest of Rep. Kent Lambert, a fellow Colorado Springs Republican.

When Rocky Mountain News photographer Javier Manzano took his photo during the traditional morning prayer, Bruce, who was standing, brought the sole of his shoe down hard on the photographer's bent knee. A CBS4 News videographer saw Bruce make a kicking motion, but didn't see the actual contact.

"Don't do that again," Bruce told Manzano.

Later, Bruce refused to apologize.

"I think that's the most offensive thing I've seen a photographer do in 21 years," he said. "If people are going to cause a disruption during a public prayer, they should be called for it. He owes an apology to the House and the public."

"I'm glad that he maybe, finally, I hoped learned a lesson," Bruce continued. "That he should not disrupt a public prayer of the House."

Rocky Mountain News Editor John Temple said the photographer had a right to take Bruce's picture. Temple said he would discuss the incident with House leadership.

"The House floor is a place where journalists are allowed to operate. It's outrageous for Mr. Bruce in a public place to assault a photographer," Temple said.

Bruce, best know as the author of a tax-limiting amendment to the state Constitution, was chosen by El Paso County Republicans last month to fill an unexpired term. He delayed his swearing-in until Monday, five days after the session started. That allowed him to take advantage of a loophole in state term limits that would allow him to serve eight more years instead of six.

But it also irritated Romanoff, who said Bruce should have taken the oath sooner. Romanoff said he will introduce legislation setting a deadline for midterm newcomers to take the oath.

Bruce said he had done nothing wrong and demanded that he be allowed to take the oath of office with the House in session. "It will not be a proceeding in secret," he vowed last week.

Romanoff refused, saying he wouldn't delay House business "to indulge anyone's vanity." A swearing-in while the House is in session would have caused a delay of about 15 minutes.

Bruce finally gave in after members of his own party threatened to start the process of replacing him if he didn't take the oath on Monday.

Bruce might be a "Ronald Reagan Republican" but his public life lurches from one personal controversy to another. For a rundown on his indiscretions (including his 2006 personal ad published on an internet dating site: "'Leave It To Beaver' Traditionalist Seeks Mate"), see Michael Roberts' article: Douglas Bruce's legislative debut is a real kick (Westword [Denver alternative weekly owned by New Times Media], 15-Jan-07, online at blogs.westword.com).


UPDATE, Friday, January 25, 2008: The Colorado House of Representatives yesterday voted 62 to 1 to censure Douglas Bruce, which makes him the first legislator in state history to receive such a rebuke. The text of the resolution is included below (where the highlighting is mine).

Representative Paul Weissmann co-chaired the bipartisan committee that unanimously recommended censure. Weissmann explained that the committee had considered expelling Bruce but decided against it, since such an action would disenfranchise the voters of Colorado Springs and El Paso County.

However, Bruce serves not as the result of election but, rather, appointment by a vacancy selection committee dominated by the El Paso County Republican Committee. Still, Republicans were among Bruce's harshest critics during the committee hearing, and further, the House Republican leader may strip Bruce of his committee assignments. (For more information on Republican participation in the hearing and Bruce's confrontational behavior during it, see Jim Spencer's article: Bruce kicks himself out of legislative clout (Colorado Confidential [political news daily featuring original and investigative reporting], 21-Jan-08, online at coloradoconfidential.com).

HOUSE RESOLUTION 08-1005

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Weissmann and King, Levy, McNulty, Rose, Solano, Benefield, Curry, Ferrandino, Gagliardi, Garcia, Hodge, Kefalas, Kerr A., Kerr J., Labuda, Madden, Marshall, May M., McGihon, Roberts, Scanlan, Soper, Stafford, and Todd.

CONCERNING THE CENSURE OF REPRESENTATIVE DOUGLAS BRUCE.
WHEREAS, On January 14, 2008, an incident occurred during the opening prayer on the floor of the House of Representatives involving physical contact between Representative Douglas Bruce and a photographer for the Rocky Mountain News; and

WHEREAS, The Speaker of the House of Representatives established a special committee pursuant to Rule No. 3 (b) (2), (b) (3), and (b) (8) of the Rules of the House of Representatives consisting of six House members to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and, based upon its investigation, to make any recommendations to the House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Pursuant to its charge, the special committee met on January 18, 2008, during which meeting the special committee examined a video recording and heard testimony from four individuals relating to this incident; and

WHEREAS, The video recording and testimony revealed that Representative Douglas Bruce used physical force against the photographer in an effort to prevent him from taking further photographs of Representative Douglas Bruce during the opening prayer; and

WHEREAS, By his conduct, Representative Douglas Bruce sought to prevent the exercise of the right of public access to the proceedings of the House of Representatives pursuant to the provisions of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The special committee concluded that using physical force to prevent unwanted public attention is inconsistent not only with the standards of order and decorum for the House chambers, but with the ordinary standards of decency; and

WHEREAS, On the basis of its investigation, the special committee included in its recommendations to the Speaker of the House of Representatives a recommendation that the House of Representatives censure Representative Douglas Bruce for his inappropriate behavior; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives finds that the members of the House of Representatives should conduct themselves in accordance with the highest moral, ethical, and legal standards in their official duties and in their public and private lives; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives finds that Representative Douglas Bruce behaved inappropriately and in a manner incompatible with the high standards and dignity of the House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives finds that the conduct of Representative Douglas Bruce has failed to uphold the honor and dignity of the House of Representatives and reflects poorly upon the state of Colorado and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives finds that, during his testimony to the special committee on January 18, 2008, Representative Douglas Bruce failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing or accept full responsibility for his behavior on January 14, 2008; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty-sixth General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

(1) That Representative Douglas Bruce is hereby censured by the House of Representatives for just cause; and

(2) That Representative Douglas Bruce is hereby directed to hereafter conduct himself in a manner that comports to the highest standards of legislative conduct and the dignity and decorum of the House of Representatives.

Be It Further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives print this Resolution in its entirety in the House Journal.

Marilyn Eddins
CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Andrew Romanoff
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

As if all of that wasn't enough controversy, in a separate matter this month, the Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Committee cited Bruce for unethical campaigning and actions "not reflective of the way Republican Leaders in El Paso County ought to conduct themselves." You can read Cara DeGette's article about the incident: Bruce spanked for "reckless attack" on fellow Republican (Colorado Confidential, 17-Jan-08, updated 23-Jan-08), online at coloradoconfidential.com).