Hick in Six? Well...

Good article today by Susan Greene in The Denver Post about Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Democratic efforts to draft him for governor, first reported here at Colorado Pols. From the article:

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper is leaning against running for governor next year despite intense urging by fellow Democrats.The popular first-termer, however, wouldn't rule out the possibility in a Wednesday interview. "I honestly don't think I'm going to run," he told The Denver Post. "I'm not looking at it. I'm not investigating it. I'm just focusing on running the city."

Still, he left a crack in the door. "If there's one thing I've learned in this business, you never say never," added the former geologist and restaurateur who started his political career as mayor in 2003.

How do you read between the lines in this one? Let's take a closer look...

Whenever a story like this appears in the mainstream media, you really need to pick and choose from pieces of it to get a clue about what might really be going on. Here's what stood out to us:

Hickenlooper said he would enjoy the "intellectual and emotional fulfillment" of stumping statewide. And he acknowledges having had conversations with staffers and top Democrats.

Hick is clearly thinking about it, which is not what you hear from some "insiders" close to the Mayor, and it seems like it is something he would personally like to do. That's not an insignificant point. If he would personally enjoy it, the decision becomes easier.

GOP powerhouse and former party chair Bruce Benson said Hickenlooper would be the toughest Democratic opponent. "He would be the best candidate they have," he said. "I hope he stays with his job in Denver."

Benson echoes the same statements that former Congressman and possible gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis has said repeatedly, and this is the same talk we have heard for months. Republicans aren't paying lip service to Hick in order to scare off another candidate -- they truly believe that Hick would be their toughest opponent.

But here's the part that should give Democrats' pause:

He also wants to preserve his time with his 2 1/2-year-old-son, Teddy, and wife, Helen Thorpe, who he said "would be happier to focus on the city." Hickenlooper said he has had "several conversations" with his wife about whether to run for governor, and Thorpe sees chatter about a possible run for governor as "almost insulting."

Calling the chatter "insulting" is truly a strange thing to say, but it's not surprising in that Hick's wife is generally thought to be wary about getting involved in a gubernatorial race. Rumor has it that she isn't particularly fond of campaigning. On the other hand, it's interesting that Hick has had "several conversations" with his wife about the race.

Hickenlooper's decision will be the single most important development in the Colorado governor's race, and that is why we spend so much time talking about him here at Colorado Pols. It's not because we have a "Hick agenda," as some have accused us of; it's because Hick is so popular and his politics are moderate enough (not to mention his business credentials) that he would be the candidate to beat. The race will be 100% different depending on whether he is in or out. The 2006 governor's race will be won in Metro Denver, which is where the 2004 senate race was won.

So, what does all of this really lead to? The strength of this "Draft Hick" movement may very well be the push he needs to enter the race. Maybe we're just overanalyzing this whole thing, but if Hick has ever wanted to run for higher office, there would be no more opportune time for him than now.

Comments

[neo]

ENOUGH about the Mayor, all this flap about a guy who is not going to run distracts the Dems from the real challenge, who will it be. Bridges is a dolt, arrogant and not charismatic, altho he is rich, Ritter cannot possibly get thru the Dem liberal wing nor the minority communities, let's bring back Tom Strickland (Strickland vs. McInnis?), he at least has had the courage to stand up and run before, is an experienced campaigner, etc. If not Tom, and clearly not Rutt (or as someone called him "Butt Ridges"), and not Bill, then who? That is the Dems challenge. P.S. Romanoff is not a bad idea, but he can not seriously be in the mix until after the TABOR election. Can the Dems afford to wait that long? I don't think so.

[Draft Real Democrats]

I don't know where you people come up with the idea that this guy is a good mayor. Do you even live in Denver? First off, this joke of a mayor is not a Democrat. He has no plan for this city, other then promoting his right-wing, business agenda. This guy might be good at being mayor of one of your puritan, suburban cities, like Littleton or Broomfield, but Denver, give me a break. Smoking bans, teen cerfuws, anti-homeless agendas, talking out of two sides of his mouth. Get this joke the hell out of Denver.

[Stars & Bars]

Folks, we all know what politics is all about--not a particular policy or platform position. It's about personality & first impression. Ken Salazar won because he was genuine and salt of the earth.

There is no doubt that the most charming politican in Colorado is John Hickenlooper (sorry Romanoff). That cute and intelligent no-nonsense-get-the-job-done quirkiness Hick displays would blow away anyone and anything the GOP puts up against him. Beauprez is dull and uninspiring.

I'd call this the "light up the room factor"--in whatever matchup you come up with, the one who you think does it more, will win.

The one thing the fanatic right-wing will put against Hick is his flub over the "Happy Holidays" sign on the City/County building. They'll cast him as an anti-Christ. This will energize the fanatics in Colorado Springs, but of course will only backfire in the 'burbs, so be my guest and please do it.

[sparky]

The righties may cast him as THE anti-Christ. Good, the wackier they get, the better.

Personally, I like Romanoff, but I believe Hick, at this point, has more of a chance around the state. It's still a little early.

[Truthdoctor]

Hickenlooper won't run the longer the Dem's focus on him the more they weaken their eventual candidate. As far as Salazar he won the Senate race because he and 527's spent millions more than Coors plain and simple.

[DIAwingman]

Enough of this obsessive love affair with Denver's Mayor Lite. Besides his stellar 92% popularity rating, what has he actually gotten done while in office? Will someone please cut off the koolaide?