The just-released Quinnipiac University poll shows what we have known all along.  While Coloradans may like Hickenlooper on a quirky, personal level, less than half believe that, with his progressive record, he deserves a second term.

After experiencing Hickenlooper and his liberal record as Governor over the past couple of years, only 45% of Coloradans believe he deserves to be re-elected.  This is a dangerous number for any incumbent, as people who go into election day undecided about who they’d vote for often will break against the incumbent.  The thinking being, “if you had four years to win me over and I’m still not sure I want to vote for you, I should probably just go with the other guy.”

Among the myriad reasons Coloradans are unsure if Hickenlooper deserves a second term are how he has handled education, the death penalty, and gun laws. Hickenlooper’s push for a billion dollar tax increase last November was soundly rejected by Coloradans and may be behind the disapproval (47-39) of his handling of education. This will become more important as we get closer to November as education is the third most important issue for Coloradans.

Similarly, Colorado has been none too pleased with Hickenlooper’s refusal to lead on the death penalty.  While 66% of Coloradans are in favor of it, Hickenlooper showed his craven political side last year when, instead of taking a stance one way or another, he punted on convicted Chuck E. Cheese killer Nathan Dunlap.  Seeing Coloradans’ approval of the death penalty, this move looks especially bad, as it appears Hickenlooper is against the death penalty, but didn’t want to suffer the wrath of the far left by standing up for his beliefs.  Cynical – and unfair to the victims’ families who spoke out against his decision.

Finally, it should come as no surprise with three senators unemployed due to the extreme gun reform bills jammed through last session, but Coloradans are against the new stricter gun reform bills (52-43).

Perhaps, come November, it will be at least three state Senators, and a Governor who receive pink slips because of liberals’ overreach.