We've updated the Governor Line over the weekend. Here's how it went down:
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper sees his first drop in the line amid growing rumors that he may not be interested in running. He doesn't drop too far, however, because Democrats may soon decide a "draft Hick" movement could be their best bet at the Governor's Mansion. That's because...
Concerns are starting to be voiced among party bigwigs about Millionaire Rutt Bridges, regarding the choices of his campaign team. We'll have more on this in the next post.
DU President Marc Holtzman and State Treasurer Mike Coffman are both cooling with Congressman Bob Beauprez's reported imminent entry into the race. If former Congressman Scott McInnis does decide to run for governor, Holtzman and Coffman both drop below him as well. McInnis has said that he is looking at the race, but has not said he is running, and we'll believe a McInnis candidacy when we see it. As we reported two weeks ago, McInnis had previously told friends and colleagues that he absolutely would not run for governor; of course, he could have changed his mind, but we're not convinced just yet. Still, a "draft McInnis" committee does move him up a bit, with petitions reportedly circulating asking the former Rep. to run.
Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff rises slightly because he could be in position to step in as the top Democratic candidate if circumstances with Bridges and Hickenlooper dicate. Former Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter drops again because he isn't working to take advantage of the Democratic indecision at this point.
Both State Senator Tom Wiens and former U.S. Senator Ben "Nighthorse" Campbell drop with Beauprez's emergence and whispers about a McInnis run. Both were already behind Holtzman and Coffman, and if they drop into fifth and sixth place, respectively, then they really don't have much hope of getting out of a primary.
Al Yates and Federico Pena fall as whispers about their possible candidacies grow quiet, though both could still be interesting wild cards. And finally, former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gail Schoettler gets a slight nudge because of what other Dems are not doing.
Who do you like? Vote below...
This has nothing to do with the Governor's Line, but Fred Brown's commentary this weekend offers great support to those of us who believe that it doesn't matter who runs the state party - Waak, Gates, whoever - because the party is and should be irrelevant to any statewide candidate, except for GOTV. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~145~2756051,00.html
I also don't buy into the paranoia that Waak will "primary" any Centrist candidate. That would, of course, lead to the total collapse of the Colorado Democratic Party.
Posted by: Rick James | March 14, 2005 at 12:59 PM
Alava...
Im dieing to know about the concerns over Rutts campaign team hires. When is that post going up?
Posted by: coDEMtom | March 14, 2005 at 01:50 PM
Sorry, we're running a bit behind today. But it's coming.
Posted by: Alva Adams | March 14, 2005 at 03:29 PM
I've heard Sen. Fitz-Gerald's name mentioned. Have you heard anything?
Posted by: Stephen | March 14, 2005 at 05:10 PM
Fitz-Gerald would be a longshot. She has as many enemies within the Democratic party as she has supporters.
Posted by: Alva Adams | March 14, 2005 at 06:14 PM
Alva. This is the first and only blog I've ever looked at on a daily basis. I love it.
How's'bout elaborating on the concerns of "bigwigs" ----> Bridges campaign.
Thanks again for working so hard on this site.
Posted by: rmdy | March 14, 2005 at 06:52 PM
Sorry, all. We ran out of time to get the Bridges thing up today, but we'll have it tomorrow.
Posted by: Alva Adams | March 14, 2005 at 10:25 PM