On my radio show last Monday, I put a perfunctory question to Gov. Bill Ritter about how he would handle his re-election campaign in 2010 while performing the day-to-day duties of his office. His response was a general discourse on dealing with important issues and keeping the state on track. There was no mention of campaign strategy. At the time, I didn’t make much of what seemed like a standard political answer. It took on a different meaning the next day, when the story broke that he’d leave office at the end of his term.
At his subsequent press conference, he said his decision was based primarily on his need to restore some balance to his family life. Yes, we all know this has become a cliche in politics, offered by almost everyone who prematurely walks away from office, often under fire. In Ritter’s case, he may well be sincere about family considerations. I’ve known him for years and, even though we have some fundamental political differences, I like him. I never thought he was a born politician. And I mean that as a compliment. I wish him the best.
But it’s likely there were also other considerations, especially since no incumbent governor has failed to win re-election in Colorado in the last half century. It’s less fun being governor when the state’s economy is faltering and you have to dish out spending cuts rather than goodies. Ritter’s poll numbers are down, even some of his Democratic natives are restless and he faced the prospect of a grueling campaign. I never felt that he enjoyed campaigning the way some pols do (like the late Hubert Humphrey, for example). There was also speculation that the upcoming Cory Voorhis hearing and a possible investigation to follow could prove embarrassing to Ritter.
For Republicans, his decision was a disappointment. Most GOP strategists thought their chances of beating Ritter, a weakened incumbent, were better than taking on some new challengers from the Democrats’ “deep bench,” as Ritter characterized it during his press conference.
Enter Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Now that he’s thrown his hat in the ring, it will likely clear the Democratic field. While Scott McInnis, the presumptive GOP nominee, leads in the polls, Hick’s chances of winning in November may be better than any of the other Democrats on that bench. He’s well liked in greater Denver and has maintained his popularity in spite of a weak economy and attendant budget cuts. Part of his charm is that he’s not a career politician (yet). And he seems to actually enjoy campaigning.
Given Denver’s political landscape, it’s a foregone conclusion that its mayor will be a Democrat. As such, a businessman like Hick may be the best Republicans can hope for. But Colorado isn’t just Denver or Boulder. His statewide appeal remains to be demonstrated, especially in a political year when Democrats — locally and nationally — are on the defensive. Personally, I like Hick, too. And I’ll confess he got my vote for mayor. But that was as the lesser of evils (just an expression, I don’t think he’s evil) in a Denver election. I couldn’t vote for him for governor.
In politics, party trumps person. Whatever his virtues, Hick will be the captive of the Democrats’ liberal coalition and agenda which currently holds monopoly control over the legislature, the governor’s office, and the state Supreme Court. Colorado’s already had too much of that. When he ran his restaurant business, Hick may have been no fan of labor unions. As a Democratic governor, he’ll have little choice but to accommodate them, his party’s most powerful special interest. Recall Gov. Ritter’s 2007 executive order empowering state government unions. Do you imagine Gov. Hickenlooper would be allowed to rescind that?
Mike Rosen’s radio show airs weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon on 850-KOA.
