Washington – Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar today 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 that he would consider running for vice president if asked. But during a conference call with reporters today, 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.
U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., was the latest political insider to mention the possibility of Salazar as a vice presidential candidate. He told The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction on Saturday that he thinks a westerner such as Salazar or New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson would make the ticket “more compelling.”
Richardson is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. Udall is running for the Senate seat that will be vacated next year by retiring Colorado Republican Wayne Allard.
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.
Udall said Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry could have won in 2004 had he picked up any three of these four states: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona or Nevada.
Salazar agrees that a westerner would help the Democrats pick up key electoral votes. But, he added, “who that will be, I have no idea.”
