Nathan Fisk

Democrat Dennis Apuan has beaten Republican Kit Roupe in state House District 17 by 380 votes, giving Democrats an unexpected pickup in traditionally conservative Colorado Springs.

El Paso County Republican Party Executive Director Nathan Fisk said he was surprised by Apuan's win, but said it was hard to hold onto a district that has a significant transient population thanks to low-income neighborhoods and Fort Carson.

"Frankly, there was a lot of excitement about an Obama candidacy," Fisk added.

PolitickerCO.com asked some Colorado political figures and pundits to predict who will win on Election Day. Here's what they said:

John Straayer, political science professor at Colorado State University:

President: Barack Obama (D) 52 percent; John McCain (R) 48 percent

U.S. Senate: Mark Udall (D) 54 percent; Bob Schaffer (R) 46 percent

Fourth Congressional District: Betsy Markey (D) 50.5 percent; Marilyn Musgrave (R) 49.5 percent

Bob Loevy, political science professor at Colorado College:

Obama 54 percent; McCain 46 percent 

Udall 56 percent; Schaffer 44 percent

Sarah Palin: Getty Images PhotoMany Colorado Republicans were impressed -- if not relieved -- by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's performance during Thursday night's vice presidential debate versus U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).   

Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams said the debate was "a clear win" for Palin.

"It will energize the McCain campaign at a point it needed some infusion of energy after a couple of difficult weeks," Wadhams said.

EN ROUTE TO ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate is playing well in Colorado Springs, said El Paso County GOP Chair Nathan Fisk.

"I haven't talked to a single person who's disappointed," Fisk told PolitickerCO.com on Friday. "It's really an outstanding choice. It's really perfect."

Palin also shows "a clear contrast" between McCain and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic nominee who chose U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as his running mate, Fisk said.

"It's one thing to say that you're for women's rights and there's no glass ceiling, and it's another to pick a woman as your vice president," Fisk said.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

7/2/08 -- Today Barack Obama visited Colorado Springs where local Republicans and Independent voters alike agreed that he is out of touch with Coloradans. Barack's values just do not line up with the average Colorado voter. Whether it is his extreme views on the military, his marxist concepts of taxation, or his ignorance about the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment and individual rights guaranteed by our founding fathers, he simply does not understand the mindset of Colorado citizens.