Who should we run for Governor in Colorado?

[coloradodem2005]

Which candidate would be the best for the job.

[intheflow]

1. Polly Baca, Latina Witness to History

She marched with Caesar Chavez and she was in the ballroom when Bobby Kennedy was shot. She's a brilliant yet a compelling woman, very likeable.

Here's a bio from Channel 9: http://www.9news.com/latino/baca_bio.htm

"A member of the Colorado State Legislature for 12 years, Ms. Baca was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1974 and to the Colorado Senate in 1978. Ms. Baca also served as Colorado Co-Chair of the Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaign in 1991 and 1992, as a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 1981 to 1989. In 1994, Ms. Baca served as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton and Director of the United States Office of Consumer Affairs."

[gingergreen]

2. YES!!

Polly is my boyfriend's aunt... awesome lady. She should definitely run. She also helped tremendously with Ken Salazar's election.

:party:

[Turn CO Blue]

3. Didn't I hear that Hickenlooper might be considering it?

I don't know that much about him, except that he's a Lib Dem, championed the revitalization of downtown, he owns a brewery, good businessman, etc.

I don't know if he could win, but he seemed really popular when he ran for Denver mayor.

[paulk]

6. Hickenlooper's name has been mentioned

by others... I don't know that he's said anything publicly.

He's only held public office for just over a year. He might not have the political connections yet to make a run at governor.

Hickenlooper is a fiscal conservative/ social liberal - he's far closer to a Rockefeller Republican than a true liberal - which would actually be an advantage in a statewide race.

He not only championed the revitalization of downtown - he made a lot of money doing it.

I... have mixed feelings about Hickenlooper. During the 2003 elections, the candidates make the rounds of all the small businesses, so when I still had my storefront up in Highlands Square, I got to meet and talk with many of them. I talked to Hickenlooper when he was still only at 5% in the polls, and I have to say he was one of the least impressive of all of them. He did show a real savvy for the media, however. He had three reporters in tow, and he seemed far more interested in rattling off his campaign points for them and my customers than he was in answering the questions I asked. In fact, he avoided my questions, which really pissed me off.

On the other hand, the ability to stay on message and avoid unpleasant questions can be a real advantage in a political race.

[gingergreen]

12. Hickenlooper a Dem?!

I could have sworn that when he was elected ... he ran as a Repub candidate.

Anyone else know for sure?

[bush_is_wacko]

13. Hickenlooper is a dem

He is also a VERY successful businessman. I'm not sure about him yet. I'd like to reserve judgement on his worthiness until he has some more accomplishments under his belt. I still find his name a little hard to get ove. I know that is riduculous, but Senator Hickenlooper sounds a little out there. I wonder how many people had the same reaction I had when I saw his first commercial in the old fashion hat? I think it was something to the effect of , "Is SNL running prime-time commercials on Colorado's election now?"

[gingergreen]

14. I guess the name threw me off too...

and those ridiculous commercials he had!! I like the one where he took out all the parking meters though, threw them over his shoulder, and walked down the street.

Senator Hickenlooper... I'm not sure either.

I've met him though and he has a cool office. Beautiful painting on the wall too and he drives a Prius, so points gained on the environment initiative!

[DaveinMD]

4. Rutt Bridges

He runs the BigHorn Center. He almost ran for Senate this year. He was the guy who was in the race for about a day until Campbell dropped out.

[paulk]

5. he's certainly got the money

I don't know - he has no political experience. That's worth a couple of strikes in my book - I really am uncomfortable with the idea of business people buying their way into office - regardless of party.

I'd have to learn more about him.

[El Supremo]

7. I know him pretty well.

I've been using his software for about 13 years. He is a great organizer, communicator and motivator. He is also very smart and works hard. Politically he is a moderate.

My main problem is how his (and the other three millionaire's) money was spent this election. I didn't like the attack ads. And I didn't like that it was spent on already targeted races. If we had had just a small portion for other races, we could have picked up more legislative seats and maybe a congressional district. The way they spent it was overkill and wasteful.

I would only support Rutt Bridges if he came out for further campaign finance reform. Big chance! Right now I'm leaning toward Mark Udall.

[paulk]

8. it did seem that a lot of money was spent on the Musgrave race

where we really had an uphill battle. Tim Gill probably had a lot to do with that. CO7 sure seemed more do-able - maybe they decided it was good money after bad when Thomas screwed himself with the Columbine thing.

Mark Udall I could get behind for sure. My only worry is that he may have a hard time with a "Boulder liberal" label stuck to him. Which will happen. Mike Feeley is high on my list also.

The Republican side will be very interesting - there's gonna be a real fight between the fundies and the old school conservatives. If the Republicans nominate a moderate, we may have a hard time winning no matter who we run. If they nominate one of their right wing whackos, we've got a chance.

[DaveinMD]

10. he was very involved

in the indy for the 4th CD, which was not on any target list. He also was very instrumental in turning the Senate race into a targeted campaign. And Dems should not ever retreat from going negative on Republicans. You have to fight fire with fire.

[DaveinMD]

9. not just a business guy

He runs the big horn center, which the biggest progressive think tank in Colorado. Gary Hart works there with him.

[janx]

11. Is Udall considering it?

I've heard rumors to that effect.