GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Barack Obama’s visit to Grand Junction Monday was the first by a presidential candidate in 12 years.
The previous candidate to campaign in western Colorado’s largest city was Republican Bob Dole, whose father-in-law was born here.
Colorado political consultant Floyd Ciruli said Obama has a chance to peel away unaffiliated voters on the Western Slope in an election where every electoral vote counts.
He said previous Democratic gains in the West give the party hope.
Ciruli said Obama’s scheduled stop in Pueblo later Monday was meant to cement his base there, just as GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was in Jefferson County courting her base on Monday.
“It looks like it’s going to be a real battle here,” Ciruli said.
Ciruli said both candidates are hoping to sway voters in Colorado’s newest congressional district in the northern Denver suburbs, which is evenly split among Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters.
