I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to see Dems put aside their differences, think practically, and act with a greater goal in mind. It happens so infrequently…
The frenzy in Colorado over the suddenly-open Senate seat looked like it was going to be a divisive fight on both sides, with several qualified candidates vying for the Dem and GOP nod. Now it appears that only the Republicans will be fighting it out amongst themselves.
With last week’s retirement announcement from Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R), politicians started tripping over themselves, almost literally, to get into position as the leading candidate to replace him. Among the Dems, former software entrepreneur Rutt Bridges was the only one in the race before Campbell’s announcement, but suddently he was about to have a lot of company.
Rep. Mark Udall (D) was the first to say he wanted in on the fun and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar was about to create a challenging three-way primary. Instead, in a display of efficiency usually reserved for the GOP, Salazar announced he would seek the Senate seat — with Udall’s and Bridges’ support.
In fact, the entire party apparatus quickly consolidated its support and announced enthusiastic backing for Salazar’s campaign. Not only did Udall and Bridges drop out to help Salazar, but the state attorney general also won the backing of former Gov. Dick Lamm and his wife Dottie, former Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler, current Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, former Gov. Roy Romer, and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb.
This is easily the best of all possible scenarios and considerably increases the chances of Salazar winning in November.
First, seeing Dems join together like this so quickly is pretty much unprecedented in recent memory. It will offer Salazar a clear field to November and the chance to save a lot of money that he would have had to spend furiously in a multi-candidate primary fight.
Second, with Udall dropping his Senate bid after just one day, he’s positioned to keep his House seat. It’s one more seat the party won’t have to worry about.
Third, it contrasts nicely with the GOP, which is in disarray over the race. At this point, with Owens out of the running, at least four credible Republican candidates are seriously eyeing the race, incliding Reps. Scott McInnis, Tom Tancredo, Bob Beauprez (Owens’ favorite), and former Rep. Bob Schaffer.
Unless they follow the Dems’ lead and rally behind just one candidate, which seems rather unlikely right now, we can expect a bruising (and expensive) primary fight while Salazar stays above-the-fray. Best of all, if some of these current Reps make the run, it creates opportunities for Dems to perhaps challenge for some much-needed House seats, particularly Beauprez’s 7th CD, which is one of the most competitive districts in the country.
Who knew a month ago that Colorado would be one of the most important political states in the Union this year?