Say what you will about Curtis Imrie, just don’t insult his ass.
It’s patient, wise and nicknamed Mordecai.
Measuring 65 inches at the shoulder, people notice when Mordecai is out in public, but it will take more than size for Imrie’s donkey to win over a panel of Democrats at this year’s National Western.
The judges are only interested in the most beautiful and photogenic ass of the bunch as party mascot for the 2008 Democratic Convention.
“If people didn’t vote for me, maybe they’ll vote for my jackass,” said Imrie, a two-time congressional candidate and donkey rancher from Buena Vista. “I can’t help but think this is a natural fit and that I might have a donkey that could be that symbol of humility and humor.”
While donkeys have always had a place at the stock show in racing and show competition, this is the first year there has ever been a competition to find a Democratic mascot, horse-show manager Brad Ettleman said.
“Well, the convention will be in Denver,” Ettleman said. “So we thought there really wasn’t any question that we should do this. It should be a fun time.”
The winning donkey will be selected by a panel of high-up Democrats, Ettleman said, and Gov. Bill Ritter and U.S. Rep. Mark Udall of Eldorado Springs have expressed interest in judging the competition.
The contest will take place at 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, in conjunction with the National Western’s Mule and Donkey Show on Jan. 25-27.
To increase his chances of walking away with the top honor, Imrie plans to enter three donkeys: Mordecai, Further and Masaai.
Mordecai is the biggest, Imrie said, but Masaai is the most laid back, and Further is the fastest.
Imrie said he is even toying with the idea of dressing the trio with elephant ears and noses just to poke fun at Republicans.
“I want people to see something else besides stubbornness when they look at donkeys,” Imrie said.
“We’ve sort of lost track of the fact that donkeys have carried man’s burden for 4,000 years, and if the Democrats want to find the soul of the party, the donkey could lead them to it.”
