CO-Sen: Salazar to Interior

[ccharles000]

http://swingstateproject.com/

Apparently, it's confirmed:

A transition official for President-elect Barack Obama says Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar will be named Interior Secretary later this week.
The appointment will round out Obama's environment and energy team. He unveiled most of the team on Monday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting Obama's upcoming announcement.

This aide did just pre-empt Obama's announcement - the only thing anonymity does is possibly protect his or her sorry ass (unless this was one of those "intentional" leaks directed from on high). Whatever. I've already gone on record saying I'm not thrilled with this choice - I would have much preferred Rep. Raul Grijalva - but that's neither here nor there for the purposes of SSP.

Gov. Bill Ritter, a Dem, gets to pick Salazar's replacement. The seat, which was up in 2010 anyway, might now see see a more competitive race than it otherwise would have, especially if Ritter picks a caretaker. Who do you like to replace Salazar, and who might face off against his replacement in two years?

[villager]

1. The wrong Western Democrat for Interior. Shit.

n/t

[FrenchieCat]

2. Why is that?

[villager]

3. It's no position for a Blue Dog moderate, with the biosphere falling apart...

the position demands vision, at the present historical juncture.

A disappointing pick.

Hopefully, Salazar will figure out a way to surprise everybody.

[backscatter712]

4. Speaking as a Coloradoan, Salazar's been far too wishy-washy.

He voted for FISA, he voted for Kyl-Lieberman, he voted for the Military Commissions Act of 2006 that gutted habeas corpus. He's caved to the right far too many times - I have zero confidence in him.

[FrenchieCat]

6. That's why I think seeing him out of the Senate is probably best.

But that doesn't mean that he won't do what is needed for Interior...which is not the same as the issues you are listing. I believe that this actually clears the way for someone that is not as moderate to take his place. I'm sure that with Obama backing a particular named new Senator, will give that Senator a larger card in not playing it so moderately.

[backscatter712]

10. Good point - he might actually be useful in Interior.

Maybe Gov. Ritter will appoint a better Democrat in his place.

In 2004, the choices for Senator weren't all that great - there was Ken Salazar, who wasn't great, but running against him was Pete Coors - the epitome of Republican empty-suit douchebag.

[Hawkeye-X]

18. in '04, I backed Mike Miles

and I would LOVE it if Bill Ritter stuck him in here - certainly has the qualifications to represent the state of Colorado as a progressive - he certainly backed my man back then - HOWARD BRUSH DEAN III, and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Miles in a meetup.

Mike Mile's bio: http://www.soulforce.org/article/144

Hawkeye-X

[El Supremo]

24. As I have said before, Mike Miles won't win. And he won't in 2010.

Sure he'll get more votes as the incumbent, but not enough against the likes of former Republican Congressmen.

My personal choice is Joan Fitz-Gerald. I want to keep Hickenlooper as Mayor and the loosers of the Gordon/Buschler/Romanoff appointment for SOS should try a state office later.

[kaiden]

26. Hi, Hawkeye. I LOVE Mike Miles. Agree with you.

[TheWraith]

8. Yeah, because the Interior Secretary deals with a lot of critical foreign policy.

:eyes:

2008 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the Environment America 90 percent in 2008.

2007 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 60 percent in 2007.

2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to League of Conservation Voters's position, Senator Salazar received a rating of 73.

2006 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the American Wind Energy Association 100 percent in 2006.

2006 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 71 percent in 2006.

2005-2006 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005-2006.

2005-2006 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund 73 percent in 2005-2006

2005 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the American Wilderness Coalition 100 percent in 2005.

2005 Senator Salazar supported the interests of the League of Conservation Voters 80 percent in 2005.

[villager]

9. hopefully, this is the one issue area where Salazar won't wish, wash & cave

We're about to find out..

[FrenchieCat]

11. Again....It's Obama's call at the end. His vision, not Salazar.

But I think that Salazar has a great record in the position that he was appointed.....not so dependable as a voting Senator though.

[villager]

12. again, I am free to disagree with that call... and have every reason to doubt the Senator's "spine"

But will hope that I'm surprised...

[TheWraith]

15. You doubt his spine, so you expect him to go against the President, his boss?

Just saying, it's a curious organizational tree that you've got here.

[villager]

16. Well, all we have to go by are the cabinet picks right now. Some have been terrific. On this one

... the jury is very much out.

I remember how extensively Clinton sold out environmental interests during his administration.

we simply can't afford that again. Let us hope Salazar's pick isn't emblematic of an overwillingness to compromise with special interests...

...as Salazar has done, again and again, as senator.

[Hawkeye-X]

20. Remember, Salazar is from the southwestern part of Colorado

same as his brother John Salazar, and can certainly consult with him (as they both live in the same house in DC) - I think Salazar was a good pick, useless as a Senator, but probably better Secetary of Interior, and will bring $$ to our national parks here in Colorado and the West.

[villager]

22. I sure as hell hope so, HawkeyeX!

n/t

[El Supremo]

25. Ken is from the southern part of Colorado.

Near Antonito. Old Spanish family.

He has a far better environmental record than his overall record in the Senate. And he is not totally against the oil companies.

He won't be able to appoint another Alberto Gonzales as SOI.

[Bobbieo]

19. Hope you are correct , Frenchie, as Interior is known as the most corrupt

agency in the Bush Administration.

[Thrill]

13. People would have been happy with Raul Grijalva. But the WP

insinuated that he had problems with vetting

[BluegrassDem]

5. I wonder if Salazar was thinking of retiring?

It could be that he was thinking of not running in 2010, which taking this job would be a good out and let Ritter appoint a Dem with a 2 year head start.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. John Hickenlooper

His is very popular in the state's largest metropolitan area, which will help in 2010.

[Pirate Smile]

14. You think he will be appointed to fill the Senate seat?

That would be great.

Will he have trouble winning state-wide?

[rockymountaindem]

21. I don't think that would be such a good idea

Hickenlooper is certainly popular in Denver, but a lot of people outside the capital think he's a goofball who's got nothing but feel-good empty headed ideas. I think they're wrong, but the fact remains you need to have more than just appeal in Denver to win. I'd like to see Andrew Romanoff in that seat. He's a genius.

[Hawkeye-X]

23. Yes, he's a very popular one, and would be an ideal choice, and if Ritter wants to appoint

Webb, but there's a problem with him (he has cronyism and neoptism issues even as a mayor - but still a very popular mayor) I'm ok with it too - he did a good job governing Denver.

So we have as follows:

Bill Hickenlooper - mayor of Denver
Mike Miles - former candidate (that Salazar weaseled away from) to the U.S. Senate
Wellington Webb - former mayor of Denver, African American (could very well be the 1st true African American to US Senate, Obama is 1st African American of mixed race)
Diana DeGette - Currently a U.S. Congresswoman representing District 1 (Denver). Supporter of stem cell research, verified voting.

Other choices:

Ken Gordon - an EXTREMELY popular term-limited (finished his term this year) State Senator that ran and lost to Mike "I'll fuck up your votes if I wanna" Coffmann for Colorado's Secretary of State. It would give me tickly feeling if Gordon outranked Coffmann by the time Jan 5th rolled in (Coffmann as a useless Congressman, Gordon as a Senator) - since he is a big advocate of verified voting, and represented my district well.

[backscatter712]

28. I like Ken Gordon!!!

Met him a couple times at anti-war rallies. He's a good man.

Out of left field, I also suggest John Kefalas - state senator for a good chunk of Fort Collins, and one of the most principled people I know. Unfortunately, he hasn't worked his way high enough on the food chain to get himself appointed to the U.S. Senate yet, but keep an eye on him - he's got potential!

[Hawkeye-X]

17. Good. We can now have TWO progressive senators from Colorado

instead of that DINO moron. Our Governor will appoint (and he's a Dem) a replacement.

Hawkeye-X

[democrattotheend]

27. GRRRR! No More Poaching Democratic senators!

Haven't we given the Republicans enough pickup opportunities in seats that should have been safe? Colorado is a swing state, not a safe blue state...why the hell is Obama putting that seat at risk by poaching a senator? I thought Grijalva (sp?) from AZ was on the short list...he sounded better for the job anyway.