In an effort to draw attention to a meme that we feel has been entirely missed by the press in Colorado, we have added a new tool to our site. On the upper right side of the page, you can now find our handy dandy "Chickenlooper Counter" that counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds since President Obama filed for re-election and Governor Hickenlooper has hid from endorsing his campaign.
According to the Federal Election Commission, Obama filed for re-election on April 4, 2011 at 11:51 am. In the 312 days since, Governor Hickenlooper has steadfastly refused to endorse Obama's campaign.
He told the Colorado Springs Gazette in November that he is "likely" to endorse Obama, but refused to do so when given the opportunity. He also told the Gazette he has no plans to stump for Obama's campaign, claiming his public speaking skills aren't up to the job.
While we don't doubt that an endorsement will come eventually, Hick has his eyes on 2016 after all, it's incredibly interesting to us that he hasn't already.
Obama has already made three campaign stops in Colorado, giving ample time and opportunity to Guv Hick to bestow his blessing on the President's re-elect, yet he hasn't.
Maybe that's because as Hick told Politico last July, he thinks Obama will "have a hard time" winning Colorado.
As readers of this site know, Hickenlooper doesn't exactly have a reputation for sticking his neck out on issues that don't enjoy broad public support.
There's a reason he's earned the nom de guerre "Chickenlooper."
Hick may have avoided taking sides last year during the Prop 103 tax increase debate, but it will be considerably harder to steer clear of the 2012 Presidential campaign, especially as Colorado is likely to be one of the few states that decide the whole race.
Even a smooth operator like Hick can't hide from that.
The question is just how long his hiding will continue.