We suppose it should come as no surprise that the TBD Governor, Colorado Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper, hasn’t filed his 2014 paperwork yet to run for a second term of Governor. After all, he’s not one for making a decision of any kind (see here, here, and here). And, let’s be honest, his run as Governor hasn’t exactly been delightful. His own caucus has forced him far, far to the left when he would rather pretend he’s governing from the middle. Then, his stances (or lackthereof) on gun issues have rankled a wide swath of Coloradans. Of course, then, there’s the disastrous Dunlap non-decision. Is Hick finally throwing in the towel?
Just last week, he told KOA‘s Mike Rosen that he needed “less grief and more sleep”. Sorry, buddy, that’s part of the terrain when you’re the highest elected official in the State of Colorado.
Another sign of campaign squishiness? His staff and administration are bailing.
Rumor had it that former Secretary of the Interior and fellow Democrat, Ken Salazar, had his eye on a gubernatorial run, but was instructed to stand down. Is Hick just waiting to see what Salazar is doing before he fully commits?
More likely, this is just another example of Hick’s refusal to take a strong stance on anything – including his own future. After all, he tried to kick off his finance committee, but ooops (!), he held a swanky fundraiser the same night as Colorado was decimated by the Black Forest Fire.
Several viable Republican candidates have tossed their hat into the ring for the 2014 Governor’s race, including Sen. Greg Brophy just yesterday. But, which Democrat will they run against? Looks like it could truly be TBD.
I would like to see some objective polling on where Coloradans really stand. That said, I'll say what I said above in different words: once states swing towards the funky, urban, multicultural thing, they don't seem to be swinging back.
Well, it does seem that any move towards blue in the last ten years – and there's been quite a bit of it – shows little sign of reversing. The classic example – and I always seem o bring it up – is Illinois. Illinois is not a natural true-blue state: it has lots and lots of country – far more than Indiana – and also lots and lots of suburbs that would tend purple, or even pink. This has NOT happened, in spit of lots of scandals, too high taxes, and an annoyingly unresponsive government [though the snow does get shoveled]. And Washington State and Oregon – traditionally swing states? Nuff said there.
Coloradans never did get a truly satisfactory answer as to why Bill Ritter declined to run again in 2010. If the Hick decides not to run, EVERYONE will know why.
Our old GOP Chair Dick Wadhams has postulated before that Hickenlooper would possibly not run for re-election and set his sights on a vice-presidential nomination (or more). Given the utterly inexplicable out-of-touch way he's run the state, I suspect that might be right. It makes a certain amount of sense, too. Jam through as much left-wing legislation as you can, step aside and let a more "centrist" candidate like one of the rural Salazar bros. go at it, and then hope the GOP self-destructs and you've back in power.
The problem is that this state seems poised to elect just about any Republican over just about any Democrat. That's what happens when you veer a generally polarized swing-state so far to the left. At that point you're entire party is mucked up with the slop you've dropped on everyone, and even more reasonable candidates can't get elected.
Democrats do have some structural advantages in the state given their 527s and new voting laws, and they'll likely hold onto more seats than most Coloradans would prefer, but I don't see how they hang onto many of their currently-held seats in the legislature or compete for most of the statewide offices given what's happened and the backlash that is undeniable.
He should save his cash…to move…out of state! POS!
Hickenlooper did throw in the towel a long time ago, he just hasn't gone home yet!
Hickenlooser should have thrown the towel in a long time agoooooo!