WASHINGTON-
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar on Wednesday brushed off a suggestion that he would be a strategic vice presidential pick for the Democrats in 2008, saying he’s focused on his work in the Senate.
Salazar has said previously he would consider running for vice president if asked. But during a conference call with reporters Wednesday, he said only that he hopes a westerner will be on the Democratic ticket next year.
For now, he said, he is busy working on Senate issues. “The people of Colorado gave me a license to dance on their behalf,” he said. “I intend to do that.”
Salazar is a moderate who has proven that he can win a conservative-leaning state. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., was the latest political insider to mention the possibility of Salazar as a vice presidential candidate.
Udall told The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction, Colo., on Saturday that he thinks a westerner such as Salazar or New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson would make the ticket “more compelling.”
Richardson is running for the presidential nomination. Udall himself is running for the Senate seat that will be vacated next year by Colorado Republican Wayne Allard, who is retiring.
Democrats have scored important wins in several Western states in recent years. Many think the party should try to capitalize on those victories in 2008.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry could have won in 2004 had he picked up any three of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada, Udall said.
Salazar said he agrees that a westerner would help the Democrats pick up key electoral votes. But, he added, “Who that will be, I have no idea.”
