Sensing blood in choppy political waters, the sharks have begun to circle Gov. Bill Ritter even though Election Day is more than a year away.
Could be worse. Could be buzzards. But while Ritter may be vulnerable, he’s still viable. And fortunately, for him, Coloradans mostly love their governors. (We’ve re-elected every one of them who’s asked for the past 60 years.)
But what’s especially troubling for the governor these days is that the most damaging political jabs have been left hooks delivered by his own party.
Former GOP Congressman Scott McInnis officially, yet quietly, entered the race for governor last week. Quietly as in no press conference, no bus tour of the state, no pokes at Ritter. All that will come later. But even earlier this spring, when given the chance to differentiate himself from the governor, McInnis drew no blood, calling Ritter “a neat guy.”
But for the past two years, some Democrats have privately whispered their frustrations with Ritter, saying he’s too indecisive, too unpredictable and, frankly, not a very good Democrat.
Their quiet frustrations bubbled over into bold public statements when the legislative session ended earlier this month.
Denver Post reporter Lynn Bartels asked lawmakers from both parties to describe the governor in one word, just as she did in 2007. Republicans, predictably, were negative. But, surprisingly, so were some Democrats.
“What’s the word that describes trying to please everybody? Placate?” asked Rep. John Soper, D-Thornton. Two years ago, he chose “excellence.”
Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, described Ritter as “adequate.” Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, called him “unpredictable” and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, chose the word “disappointment.”
At least two lawmakers called him “cautious.” Not exactly a compliment, unless you’re a neurosurgeon or a school crossing guard.
Then, last week, Ritter vetoed a bill pushed by their labor unions. Suddenly, Democratic whispers of frustration became buzzing chatter of possible Democratic primary opponents in 2010.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Edward Casso, D-Commerce City, accused the governor of “hiding the fact that we’re Democrats” for political gain. “I have no qualms about [the bill], especially when I have the majority and I thought I had a Democratic governor.”
Ouch. Timeout.
First, as we learned late last week, Ritter privately told Democratic leaders he would veto the bill. So this is feigned outrage, cooked up for labor unions.
Second, someone needs to rewind the film and show Democrats that Ritter, albeit indecisive and unpredictable, has pushed the Democratic agenda farther than a Gov. McInnis or Gov. Josh Penry would push it. Under Ritter’s leadership, the state has made gains in renewable energy while rewriting oil and gas rules, has forged significant legal victories for gays and lesbians (both keys to the Democratic agenda), while also creating a job creation tax credit and adding $250 million in new money for transportation just this year.
Through their crocodile tears and feigned outrage, Democrats need to realize Ritter never promised to wrap up their entire agenda in pretty blue paper and create a left-wing Shangri-La in Colorado.
And if they want to put up a primary opponent, a tough one or even a weak one, they should know it could finish off the governor for good.
Maybe that’s what’s best for Colorado. Voters will decide that.
Still, I can’t help but think of a song by the old ’80s hair band Cinderella when I ponder the Democrats’ current dilemma. Sing along if you can: Don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone..
Editorial page editor Dan Haley can be reached at dhaley@denverpost.com
